InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[Gamco]

United States Patent 8,024,001
Iacono , et al. September 20, 2011

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Method, system and components for facilitating wireless communication in a sectored service area


Abstract
Network Allocation Vector (NAV) and "beam access control" (BAC) techniques are provided to address data collision problems in WLANs wherein APs provide wireless network access in a service area defined by multiple sectors via use of a switchable antenna system or the like. Preferably, every time the AP visits a sector and before the AP moves on to the next sector, the AP can set the NAV equal to the time it will take until its next visit. Alternatively, or in addition, a BAC bit is transmitted by an AP to control access to the AP by WTRUs disposed in a service sector in which the BAC is transmitted.


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Inventors: Iacono; Ana Lucia (Garden City, NY), Chandra; Arty (Manhasset Hills, NY), Zhao; Zheng (Plainsboro, NJ)
Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation (Wilmington, DE)

Appl. No.: 11/787,392
Filed: April 16, 2007

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
11023861 Dec., 2004 7206610
60622900 Oct., 2004


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Current U.S. Class: 455/562.1 ; 370/328; 455/434; 455/446
Current International Class: H04M 1/00 (20060101); H04W 40/00 (20090101); H04W 4/00 (20090101)
Field of Search: 455/562.1,561,446,434 370/328

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