Timing synchronization methods and apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
- a first circuit configured to alternate the apparatus between a sleep mode and a wake mode at similar time periods as one or more other apparatuses based on a timing signal received from a mobile device which received an external timing signal which said apparatus is unable to receive directly,wherein the apparatus alternates between the sleep mode and the wake mode with a frequency similar to one or more frequencies of alternating between sleep and wake modes of the one or more other apparatuses which are able to directly receive said external timing signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various methods and apparatus are directed to achieving timing synchronization and propagating timing information pertaining to an external, e.g., non Wi-Fi, timing signal source. In some embodiments, a mobile communications device receives and processes a timing signal, e.g., a first Wi-Fi beacon, which is propagating timing information about an external timing signal from a device which directly received the external timing signal. Thus, a mobile wireless communications device achieves timing synchronization with respect to an external timing signal which it is unable to receive directly. In various embodiments, the mobile communications device may, and sometimes does, further propagate the timing information about the external timing signal, e.g., via a second Wi-Fi beacon signal which it generates and transmits. Synchronization with respect to an external signal source facilitates longer sleep states and decreased power consumption.
35 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
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a first circuit configured to alternate the apparatus between a sleep mode and a wake mode at similar time periods as one or more other apparatuses based on a timing signal received from a mobile device which received an external timing signal which said apparatus is unable to receive directly, wherein the apparatus alternates between the sleep mode and the wake mode with a frequency similar to one or more frequencies of alternating between sleep and wake modes of the one or more other apparatuses which are able to directly receive said external timing signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for wireless communications, comprising:
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alternating an apparatus between a sleep mode and a wake mode at similar time periods as one or more other apparatuses based on a timing signal received from a mobile device which received an external timing signal which said apparatus is unable to receive directly, wherein the apparatus alternates between the sleep mode and the wake mode with a frequency similar to one or more frequencies of alternating between sleep and wake modes of the one or more other apparatuses which are able to directly receive said external timing signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:
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means for alternating the apparatus between a sleep mode and a wake mode at similar time periods as one or more other apparatuses based on a timing signal received from a mobile device which received an external timing signal which said apparatus is unable to receive directly, wherein the apparatus alternates between the sleep mode and the wake mode with a frequency similar to one or more frequencies of alternating between sleep and wake modes of the one or more other apparatuses which are able to directly receive said external timing signal, and means for receiving said timing signal from the mobile device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer program product for wireless communications, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable to:
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alternate an apparatus between a sleep mode and a wake mode at similar time periods as one or more other apparatuses based on a timing signal received from a mobile device which received an external timing signal which said apparatus is unable to receive directly, wherein the apparatus alternates between the sleep mode and the wake mode with a frequency similar to one or more frequencies of alternating between sleep and wake modes of the one or more other apparatuses which are able to directly receive said external timing signal.
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25. A wireless terminal, comprising:
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at least one antenna; a first circuit configured to alternate the wireless terminal between a sleep mode and a wake mode at similar time periods as one or more other wireless terminals based on a timing signal received from a mobile device which received an external timing signal which said wireless terminal is unable to receive directly, wherein the wireless terminal alternates between the sleep mode and the wake mode with a frequency similar to one or more frequencies of alternating between sleep and wake modes of the one or more other wireless terminals which are able to directly receive said external timing signal; and a transceiver configured to communicate with the one or more other wireless terminals via the at least one antenna upon discovering the one or more other wireless terminals during the wake mode.
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Specification