Channel scanning method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- tuning a receiver to a first channel of a plurality of channels;
scanning a first subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the first subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the first channel;
if a first beacon signal is received in a second channel of the first subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the first channel, determining an identity of the second channel by decoding the first beacon signal;
tuning the receiver to a third channel of the plurality of channels;
scanning a second subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the second subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the third channel; and
if a second beacon signal is received in a fourth channel of the second subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the third channel, determining an identity of the fourth channel by decoding the second beacon signal.
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Abstract
A receiver is tuned to a first channel in a plurality of channels, and at least one beacon signal from at least one other channel is received while the receiver is tuned to the first channel. The at least one other channel is determined to be active based on the at least one beacon signal received while the receiver is tuned to the first channel. A channel that is determined to be “active” may be, for example, a communication channel on which an access point in a communication network is communicating or is able to communicate.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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tuning a receiver to a first channel of a plurality of channels; scanning a first subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the first subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the first channel; if a first beacon signal is received in a second channel of the first subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the first channel, determining an identity of the second channel by decoding the first beacon signal; tuning the receiver to a third channel of the plurality of channels; scanning a second subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the second subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the third channel; and if a second beacon signal is received in a fourth channel of the second subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the third channel, determining an identity of the fourth channel by decoding the second beacon signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A communication device, comprising:
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a radio frequency (RF) receiver having a filter; a controller coupled to the RF receiver, the controller configured to; tune the RF receiver to a first channel of a plurality of channels, scan a first subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the first subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the first channel, if a first beacon signal is received in a second channel of the first subset of channels while the RF receiver is tuned to the first channel, determine an identity of the second channel by decoding the first beacon signal, tune the RF receiver to a third channel of the plurality of channels, scan a second subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the second subset of channels while the RF receiver is tuned to the third channel, and if a second beacon signal is received in a fourth channel of the second subset of channels while the RF receiver is tuned to the third channel, determine an identity of the fourth channel by decoding the second beacon signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium or media storing machine readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
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tune a radio frequency (RF) receiver to a first channel of a plurality of channels; scan a first subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the first subset of channels while the receiver is tuned to the first channel; if a first beacon signal is received in a second channel of the first subset of channels while the RF receiver is tuned to the first channel, determine an identity of the second channel by decoding the first beacon signal; tune the RF receiver to a third channel of the plurality of channels; scan a second subset of channels in the plurality of channels for beacon signals on any channels in the second subset of channels while the RF receiver is tuned to the third channel; and if a second beacon signal is received in a fourth channel of the second subset of channels while the RF receiver is tuned to the third channel, determine an identity of the fourth channel by decoding the second beacon signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification