Method of operation for a three-dimensional, wireless network

• US 20050174960A1
• Filed: 07/15/2003
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: OnLive Incorporated
• Inventors: Perlman, Stephen G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,715,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

A method of operation for wireless transmission of data to one or more destination devices across a network that includes a plurality of access points disposed about a building, each access point having a first transmission range of maximum bandwidth and a second transmission range of signal interference, the access points being arranged in a topology wherein each access point is spaced-apart from a nearest neighboring access point by a first distance less than the first transmission range. The data is transmitted by a first access point; then it is repeated by a series of additional access points that extends across the topology. Re-transmission of the data occurs in a manner wherein any pair of access points transmitting on the same channel is separated by a distance greater than the second transmission range. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1-27. -27. (canceled)

28. A computer-implemented method of operation for a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes a chain of repeaters, the method comprising:

(a) tuning on a channel of a frequency band by a first repeater to determine whether the channel is available for use;

(b) testing the channel for reliability by sending data from the first repeater to a next repeater in the chain, and receiving data back from the next repeater by the first repeater; and

(c) allocating the channel for use as a transmission link between the first and next repeaters.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 further comprising repeating (a)-(c) for each repeater in the chain.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 further comprising repeating (a)-(c) for each repeater in the chain with each transmission link utilizing a different channel.

31. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 further comprising monitoring signal quality of the channel during data transmissions.

32. The computer-implemented method of claim 31 further comprising switching to a different channel if the signal quality falls below a certain level.

33. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 wherein (a)-(c) are performed by at least one processor of the WLAN.

34. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 wherein (a)-(c) are performed by at least one processor of an access point that functions as a data source.

35. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 wherein the frequency band comprises a 5 GHz frequency band.

36. The computer-implemented method of claim 28 wherein the frequency band comprises a 2.4 GHz frequency band.

37. A computer-implemented method of operation for a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes a source access point and a chain of repeaters, the method comprising:

transmitting, by the source access point and each of the repeaters, at a first power level sufficient to establish communications with all of the repeaters in the chain;

reducing transmission power output, by at least one of the repeaters, to a second power level.

38. The computer-implemented method of claim 37 wherein the first power level comprises a maximum power level.

39. The computer-implemented method of claim 37 wherein the second power level comprises a minimum level needed to maintain communications.

40. The computer-implemented method of claim 37 further comprising reducing transmission power output by the source access point.

41. A computer-implemented method of operation for a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes a source access point and a chain of repeaters to provide a wireless connection between a source access point and a destination device, the method comprising:

transmitting, by each of the repeaters, at a first power level sufficient to establish communications with all of the repeaters in the chain;

reducing transmission power, by at least one of the repeaters, to a minimum level needed to maintain communications with all of the repeaters.

42. The computer-implemented method of claim 41 wherein the reducing of transmission power is responsive to a command from a processor associated with the source access point.

43. The computer-implemented method of claim 41 wherein the reducing of transmission power is responsive to a command from a processor associated with the at least one of the repeaters.

44. A computer-implemented method of operation for a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes a source access point and a chain of repeaters, the method comprising:

transmitting, by each of the repeaters, at a first power level to establish communication links between the repeaters in the chain;

reducing transmission power, by each of the repeaters, to a minimum level needed to maintain the communication links.

45. The computer-implemented method of claim 44 wherein the reducing of transmission power is responsive to a command from a processor associated with the source access point.

46. The computer-implemented method of claim 44 wherein the first power level comprises a maximum power level.