Wireless access point methods and apparatus using dynamically-activated service intervals
First Claim
1. A method for use in controlling a wireless access point configured to provide contention-based communication access for communication devices during a plurality of dynamically-activated service intervals in each one of a plurality of superframes, the method comprising:
- in response to a change in a traffic requirement for communication devices operating via the wireless access point;
changing, in accordance with the change in the traffic requirement, the number of activated service intervals in the superframe that are available to the communication devices for the contention-based communication access;
transmitting, to the communication devices, data which identify the activated service intervals in the superframe that are made available to the communication devices for the contention-based communication access;
causing a wireless transceiver of the wireless access point to be enabled for the contention-based communication access during each said activated service interval; and
causing the wireless access point to be placed into a power conservation mode during each power conservation interval provided in between said activated service intervals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for controlling a wireless access point (AP) (e.g. a battery-powered wireless AP) for reduced power consumption are provided. In one illustrative example, the AP is adapted to provide communication access for end stations in one or more activated service intervals of each superframe. During operation, the AP changes the number of activated service intervals that are available to end stations for the communication access, as well as the durations of their active subinterval durations, in accordance with a change in traffic requirements. The AP regularly broadcasts data which indicates the activated service intervals that are made available to the mobile devices. A wireless transceiver of the AP is enabled during each activated service interval made available to the mobile devices, but the AP is placed in a power conservation mode during each deactivated service interval provided in between the activated service intervals. The AP may also be placed in the power conservation mode during inactive subintervals of each activated service interval.
27 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for use in controlling a wireless access point configured to provide contention-based communication access for communication devices during a plurality of dynamically-activated service intervals in each one of a plurality of superframes, the method comprising:
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in response to a change in a traffic requirement for communication devices operating via the wireless access point;
changing, in accordance with the change in the traffic requirement, the number of activated service intervals in the superframe that are available to the communication devices for the contention-based communication access;transmitting, to the communication devices, data which identify the activated service intervals in the superframe that are made available to the communication devices for the contention-based communication access; causing a wireless transceiver of the wireless access point to be enabled for the contention-based communication access during each said activated service interval; and causing the wireless access point to be placed into a power conservation mode during each power conservation interval provided in between said activated service intervals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A wireless access point, comprising:
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at least one wireless transceiver; an antenna coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver; one or more processors coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver; the one or more processors being configured to operate with the wireless transceiver to; provide contention-based communication access for communication devices in a plurality of dynamically-activated service intervals in each one of a plurality of superframes; in response to a change in a traffic requirement for the communication devices operating via the wireless access point;
change, in accordance with the change in the traffic requirement, the number of said activated service intervals in the superframe that are available to the communication devices for the contention-based communication access;broadcast, to the communication devices, data which identify the activated service intervals in the superframe that are made available to the communication devices for the contention-based communication access; causing the wireless transceiver to be enabled for the contention-based communication access during each said activated service interval; and causing the wireless access point to be placed into a power conservation mode during each power conservation interval provided in between said activated service intervals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification