Reception timing method and apparatus

• US 7,801,065 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wang, Huai Y., Smith, Brian K., Simpson, Floyd D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper; Vincent P
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, DUNG LE
• Application Number:
  US10/721,444
• Publication Number:
  US 20050124313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,492 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/343.3, 455/434, 455/574, 455/127.5, 370/338, 370/311, 370/318, 370/329
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0866 using a dedicated channel for access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An access point utilizes information (11) as provided by various subscriber units to provide a message (12) (as included with, for example, a beacon transmission) that reflects near term likely utilization of a shared communication resource. A subscriber unit (20) can then utilize that information to schedule its own monitoring activity. This, in turn, permits the subscriber unit to similarly schedule power saving activities to accommodate this reception schedule.

Claims

1. A method for use by a subscriber unit to select a time to receive a transmission from a wireless local area network access point using a shared wireless communication resource, comprising:

receiving a beacon transmission from the access point comprising first information that corresponds to times when other subscriber units are proposing to utilize the shared wireless communication resource, wherein receiving a beacon transmission comprises receiving the beacon transmission at a scheduled time;

using the first information to select a particular time to receive data from the access point using the shared wireless communication resource;

transmitting the selected particular time;

determining that the transmission at the selected particular time was not received by the access point; and

selecting a new time to permit reception of data from the access point using the shared wireless communication resource including;

receiving another beacon transmission from the access point comprising second information that corresponds to times when other subscriber units are proposing to utilize the shared wireless communication resource; and

using the second information to select a new particular time to receive data from the access point using the shared wireless communication resource.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the beacon transmission at a scheduled time further comprises altering a subscriber unit operating mode from a sleep mode of operation to an active reception mode of operation.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein using the first information to select a particular time to receive data comprises scheduling a subscriber unit sleep mode of operation to permit reception of data at the selected particular time.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the shared wireless communication resource comprises an 802.11 compliant shared wireless communication resource.

5. A subscriber unit for use with a wireless local area network access point using a shared wireless communication resource, comprising:

a shared wireless communication resource compatible transceiver;

a controller having at least an active mode of operation and a sleep mode of operation and being operably coupled to the transceiver;

a memory operably coupled to the controller having, at least from time to time, stored therein;

a plurality of proposed times received from the access point at which other subscriber units have proposed to utilize the shared wireless communication resource, wherein the proposed times are part of a regularly scheduled beacon transmission from the access point;

a first scheduled time at which the controller will shift from the sleep mode of operation to the active mode of operation;

a second scheduled time at which the controller will cause the transceiver to receive data as transmitted by the access point;

wherein the controller comprises scheduling means for using the plurality of proposed times to select the first and second scheduled times, for causing transmission of the data to the access point at the second scheduled time when there is no proposed time, and for further selecting another scheduled time when an apparent conflict appears to exist with another subscriber unit at the second scheduled time.