Adjustment of background scanning interval based on network usage
First Claim
1. A method for power management in a mobile station in a wireless local area network, the method comprising:
- determining at different points in time different wireless network usage modes for the mobile station;
determining at each of the different points in time a background scanning interval for the mobile station corresponding to the wireless network usage mode determined at that point in time; and
ensuring that following each of the different points in time, any background scanning to check for neighboring access points is performed periodically at the corresponding background scanning interval until a different background scanning interval has been determined,wherein a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered more important than battery conservation is shorter than a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered less important than battery conservation.
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Abstract
In a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), roaming from one access point to another by a mobile station without interruption to network service may be facilitated by frequently performing background scans to find neighboring access points while the mobile station is associated to the WLAN. Frequent background scanning, however, depletes battery life. By dynamically adjusting the background scanning interval during the mobile station'"'"'s association to the WLAN, the mobile station'"'"'s immediate need for network connectivity performance may be met, while simultaneously prolonging battery life. For example, by using a shorter background scanning interval during a telephone conversation, network connectivity performance may be maintained throughout the call. Longer background scanning intervals may be used during periods when interruptions to network connectivity may be better tolerated.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for power management in a mobile station in a wireless local area network, the method comprising:
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determining at different points in time different wireless network usage modes for the mobile station; determining at each of the different points in time a background scanning interval for the mobile station corresponding to the wireless network usage mode determined at that point in time; and ensuring that following each of the different points in time, any background scanning to check for neighboring access points is performed periodically at the corresponding background scanning interval until a different background scanning interval has been determined, wherein a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered more important than battery conservation is shorter than a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered less important than battery conservation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A Non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions thereon which, when executed by a processor of a mobile station, result in:
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determining at different points in time different wireless network usage modes for the mobile station; determining at each of the different points in time a background scanning interval for the mobile station corresponding to the wireless network usage mode determined at that point in time; and ensuring that following each of the different points in time, any background scanning to check for neighboring access points is performed periodically at the background scanning interval until a different background scanning interval has been determined, wherein a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered more important than battery conservation is shorter than a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered less important than battery conservation.
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7. A mobile station comprising:
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an antenna; a radio coupled to the antenna through which the mobile station is able to communicate over a wireless local area network; a wireless local area network controller coupled to the radio, which is able to control a background scanning process while the mobile station is associated to the network, the background scanning process occurring periodically according to an adjustable background scanning interval; a processor coupled to the wireless local area network controller; and a memory to store code which, when executed by the processor, is to determine at different points in time different wireless network usage modes for the mobile station, to determine at each of the different points in time a background scanning interval for the mobile station corresponding to the wireless network usage mode determined at that point in time, and to ensure that following each of the different points in time, any background scanning to check for neighboring access points is performed periodically at the corresponding background scanning interval until a different background scanning interval has been determined, wherein a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered more important than battery conservation is shorter than a background scanning interval corresponding to a wireless network usage mode for which roaming performance is considered less important than battery conservation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification