Systems and methods for indicating buffered data at an access point using an embedded traffic indication map
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a processor;
a memory;
an informational element of a beacon frame stored in the memory, the informational element comprising;
a check beacon indication field;
a bitmap control field;
a partial virtual bitmap field;
a second bitmap control field; and
a second partial virtual bitmap;
instructions for causing the processor to broadcast the informational element.
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Accused Products
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.
78 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a processor; a memory; an informational element of a beacon frame stored in the memory, the informational element comprising; a check beacon indication field; a bitmap control field; a partial virtual bitmap field; a second bitmap control field; and a second partial virtual bitmap; instructions for causing the processor to broadcast the informational element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for indicating buffered data waiting for a station, the method comprising:
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broadcasting a beacon frame using a processor, the beacon frame comprising an informational element including; a check beacon indication field; a bitmap control field; a partial virtual bitmap field; a second bitmap control field; and a second partial virtual bitmap. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. 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 an embedded traffic indication map (ETIM) informational element, wherein the ETIM informational element comprises; a check beacon indication field for indicating to the station a change in the beacon frame relative to a previous beacon frame; a bitmap control field; and a partial virtual bitmap field; 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 field indicates the change in the beacon frame relative to the previous beacon frame, receiving the remainder of the beacon frame. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. 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 an ETIM element and a capability field, wherein the ETIM element immediately follows the capability field in the beacon frame; the ETIM element comprising; a check beacon indication field; a bitmap control field; and a partial virtual bitmap field. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. 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 an ETIM element; the ETIM element comprising; a check beacon indication field; a bitmap control field; a partial virtual bitmap field; a second bitmap control field; and a second partial virtual bitmap. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A station for receiving information from a broadcasting device, the station comprising:
a processor configured to receive an informational element from the broadcasting device, the informational element comprising; a check beacon indication field; a bitmap control field; a partial virtual bitmap field; a second bitmap control field; and a second partial virtual bitmap. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A station for receiving information from a broadcasting device, 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 embedded traffic indication map (ETIM) informational element, wherein the ETIM informational element comprises; a check beacon indication field for indicating to the station a change in the beacon frame relative to a previous beacon frame; a bitmap control field; and
a partial virtual bitmap field;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 field indicates the change in the beacon frame relative to the previous beacon frame, receive the remainder of the beacon frame. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification