InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[Gamco]

United States Patent 7,558,571
Cave , et al. July 7, 2009

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Wireless communication method and apparatus for implementing access point startup and initial channel selection processes


Abstract
A startup process of an access point (AP) includes a discovery phase and an announcement phase. During the discovery phase, the AP detects neighboring APs from its own extended service set (ESS), neighboring APs from different ESSs, and external sources of interference. During the announcement phase, the AP transmits its beacon signals at maximum power in order to accelerate recognition by neighboring APs running the discovery phase. An automatic initialization channel selection process of an AP scans channels the AP will use to communicate. Information of each scanned channel is recorded and a best performance channel is determined for use by the AP.


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Inventors: Cave; Christopher R. (Ile-des-soeurs, CA), Marinier; Paul (Brossard, CA), Cuffaro; Angelo A. (Laval, CA), Hunkeler; Teresa J. (Montreal, CA), Zuniga; Juan Carlos (Montreal, CA), Roy; Vincent (Montreal, CA)
Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation (Wilmington, DE)

Appl. No.: 12/256,521
Filed: October 23, 2008

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
11332973 Jan., 2006 7454205
10978956 Mar., 2006 7016684
60535073 Jan., 2004
60535019 Jan., 2004
60526134 Dec., 2003


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Current U.S. Class: 455/434 ; 455/450
Current International Class: H04W 4/00 (20090101); H04W 72/00 (20090101)
Field of Search: 455/434,450