METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

• US 20100015929A1
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: KITCHIN, Duncan M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,374,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/182 Network node acting on behalf of an other network entity, e.g. proxy
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Briefly, a method of transmitting over a first wireless network a message not addressed to mobile units of the first wireless network, wherein receiving said message causes transmitting stations of the first wireless station to cease transmissions for a predetermined time interval and to enable the access point to be in communication with mobile units or access points of a second wireless network.

Claims

1. An method comprising:

transmitting a message over a first wireless network during a predetermined time interval, wherein the transmitting of the message causes transmitting stations of the first wireless network to cease transmitting during the predetermined time interval and enables a device of the first wireless network to communicate with a device of a second wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, farther comprising:

extending the predetermined time interval to enable communications with the device of the second wireless network.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

periodically transmitting the message, with a first time interval between transmissions, wherein the first time interval is based on an estimation of a second time interval of a beacon transmission of the second wireless network.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

buffering communications related to the device of the second wireless network while communicating with the device of the first wireless network.

5. An apparatus comprising:

a dual band transceiver comprising an intermediate device able to service at least two wireless networks, said transceiver able to transmit on a first band a message to devices of a first wireless network to cease transmissions for a predetermined time interval; and

a processor able to switch for the predetermined time interval the dual band transceiver to a second band to receive and transmit transmissions over a second wireless network.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the transmission of the message includes a null message.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the message is addressed to an access point and includes a ready to send (RTS) or clear to send (CTS) command.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the intermediate device is in a power saving mode for the devices of the second wireless network when communicating with mobile stations of the first wireless network.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first and second wireless networks comprises a wireless local area network.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the intermediate device comprises an access point.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the access point is implemented by a software application.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the access point is able to bridge mobile stations of the first wireless network to a gateway of the second wireless network.

13. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the devices of said first and second wireless networks comprise at least one mobile unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the devices of the first wireless networks comprise at least one gateway.

15. An article comprising:

a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed result in;

transmitting a message over a first wireless network during a predetermined time interval, wherein the transmitting of the message causes transmitting stations of the first wireless network to cease transmitting during the predetermined time interval and enables a device of the first wireless network to communicate with a device of a second wireless network.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the instructions when executed further result in:

extending the predetermined time interval to enable communications with the device of the second wireless network.

17. The article of claim 15, wherein the instructions when executed further result in:

periodically transmitting the message, with a first time interval between transmissions, wherein the first time interval is based on an estimation of a second time interval of a beacon transmission of the second wireless network.

18. The article of claim 15, wherein the instructions when executed further result in:

buffeting communications related to the device of the second wireless network while communicating with the device of the first wireless network.

19. The article of claim 15, wherein the instructions when executed further result in:

while communicating with devices of a first wireless network, simulating by an intermediate device a standby or power saving mode for devices of a second wireless network; and

halting for a predetermined time interval communications with the devices of the first wireless network, during which time interval the intermediate device communicates with devices of the second wireless network.

20. The article of claim 15, wherein the instructions when executed further result in:

simultaneously servicing at the intermediate device devices of the first and second wireless networks.