Systems and methods for indicating buffered data at an access point with efficient beacon handling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for indicating buffered data are waiting for a station, the method comprising:
- broadcasting a beacon frame comprising a traffic indication map (TIM) element including a bitmap control field and a partial virtual bitmap field for indicating that the buffered data are waiting for the station, wherein the TIM element further includes a second bitmap control field and a second partial virtual bitmap.
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Abstract
Stations in standby mode periodically wake up to check for buffered data at the access points. Traditionally, the information is available by checking the periodic beacon frame for a traffic indication map (TIM). Unfortunately, the length of beacons has steadily increased with the progression of the various wireless standards requiring stations to wake up for longer periods to merely check for buffered data. Several approaches are disclosed which address this shortcoming, including the broadcast of TIM frames, the partial reception of beacon frames and the use of an embedded TIM frame within a beacon frame.
111 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for indicating buffered data are waiting for a station, the method comprising:
broadcasting a beacon frame comprising a traffic indication map (TIM) element including a bitmap control field and a partial virtual bitmap field for indicating that the buffered data are waiting for the station, wherein the TIM element further includes a second bitmap control field and a second partial virtual bitmap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for retrieving buffered data from an access point by a station, the method comprising:
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partially receiving a beacon frame, the partially receiving comprising receiving a TIM element comprising a partial virtual bitmap and a check beacon indication element; if the partial virtual bitmap is indicative that the access point has buffered data for the station, receiving the buffered data; and if the check beacon indication indicates a change in the beacon frame, receiving the remainder of the beacon frame. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An access point comprising:
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a processor; a wireless network interface device; and a memory comprising instructions; the instructions causing the processor to cause the wireless network interface device to broadcast a beacon frame comprising a TIM element including a bitmap control field and a partial virtual bitmap field for indicating that buffered data are waiting for a station, wherein the TIM element further includes a second bitmap control field and a second partial virtual bitmap. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A station for retrieving buffered data from an access point, the station comprising:
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a processor; and a memory comprising instructions, the instructions causing the processor to; partially receive a beacon frame including a TIM element comprising a partial virtual bitmap and a check beacon indication element; if the partial virtual bitmap is indicative that the access point has buffered data for the station, receive the buffered data; and if the check beacon indication indicates a change in the beacon frame, receive the remainder of the beacon frame. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification