Apparatus, system and method for initiating WLAN service using beacon signals
US8233433B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/08
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An access point transmits a beacon signal when a multimode communication device is within a maximum proximity of the access point. A wireless wide area network (WWAN) receiver in the access point monitors a WWAN uplink channel used by the multimode wireless communication device to communicate with a WWAN base station. The access point determines, or at least estimates, a proximity of the multimode communication device to the access point based on a received WWAN uplink signal transmitted by the multimode wireless communication device. If the proximity is less than a proximity threshold, the access point transmits the beacon signal. The beacon signal at least indicates the presence of the access point and, in some circumstances, includes instructions or information to assist in a handoff from the WWAN to the WLAN.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.