Abstract: In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans a connection profile storing the credentials provided by the mobile station when initiating the failed authentication process, thus affecting how subsequent scans—other than discovery scans—and connection attempts are handled. In the event of an authentication process failure, a mobile station bans or suppresses an access point with which the mobile station initiated the failed authentication process. The mobile station refrains from transmitting any communications addressed to the unique identifier of any banned access point. The mobile station may ignore any communications received from a banned access point. Suppressed access points are occasionally not made available to the mobile station for selection as a target for a connection attempt.

Abstract: Techniques for use in controlling an access point mode of operation of a mobile terminal are described. Initially, the mobile terminal operates in the access point mode of operation for communication with one or more other mobile terminals. While operating in the access point mode, the mobile terminal receives, from the one or more other mobile terminals, network information comprising one or more network identifiers which identify one or more wireless networks within coverage of the one or more other mobile terminals. The mobile terminal disables the access point mode of operation in response to identifying that at least one of the received network identifiers corresponds to a predetermined wireless network or predetermined type of wireless network. In one example, the mobile terminal is operative in accordance with IEEE 802.11, the received network identifiers comprise service set identifiers (SSIDs), and the predetermined wireless network is an enterprise network.

Abstract: A mobile communication device invokes a first application or a second application. When the first application is invoked, the mobile device scans to search for one or more WLANs identified in a first subset of WLAN profiles. When the second application is invoked, the mobile device scans to search for one or more WLANs identified in a second subset of WLAN profiles. The first application may be a messaging application, such as a personal information manager (PIM) application, which may utilize WLANs having external network connectivity. The second application may be a streaming media application, which may utilize WLAN appliances having no external network connectivity. Alternatively, the second application may be a conference meeting application or military application which may utilize ad hoc networks having no external network connectivity.

Abstract: An Access Point (AP) advertises the availability of notifications, and this advertisement may be received and interpreted by stations (STAs), both by associated STAs and by non-associated STAs. Upon being informed of the availability of the notification message, a STA may be able to identify the notification message by analyzing the advertisement. If the contents of the notification message comprise a control message, the STA may act on the control message in a way that influences the STA's behavior. If the contents of the notification message indicate restrictions imposed by the AP, the STA may determine, in view of the restrictions, not to attempt association with the AP.

Abstract: An emergency locator component for a mobile communication device enables the mobile communication device to obtain location information from other neighboring mobile devices in the event that the mobile communication device is unable to determine its own location. The mobile communication device employs a short-range radiofrequency transceiver to broadcast a request for location information to the neighboring mobile devices. A response containing location information may be received from another mobile device equipped with a similar emergency locator component. Accordingly, this technology enables mobile devices to exchange location information by setting up an ad-hoc network. The location information can be included, for example, in an emergency phone call to an emergency services call center.

Abstract: A method is presented for adapting the packet size for VoIP communications, determined on-the-fly by the total network delay inherent at the time of packet transmission. If network delays are small relative to the maximum permissible latency for VoIP communications, the payload size per packet may be increased to maximize efficiency for the transmitted call. Alternatively, if network delays are large, the payload size per packet may be decreased in order to assure that the perceived quality of the transmitted call is acceptable.

Abstract: A power reduction mechanism in a mobile communications device detects the use of a wrong WEP encryption key in the establishment of a WLAN connection between the mobile device and an access point for both static and dynamic IP WLAN profiles. The power reduction mechanism detects an incorrect WEP key; authentication failure; failure to acquire an IP address for dynamic IP WLAN profiles; decryption errors; and broadcast/multicast frames from the handset not being redirected back to the BSS by the AP. Upon such detection, the mobile device takes one or more power conserving actions, e.g., adding the AP/profile to a ban list; attempting WLAN association for a banned AP/profile at longer intervals than for a non-banned AP/profile; skipping an AP/profile on the ban list for a time duration defined by a timer to conserve power; and flagging the banned AP/profile with a special mark to indicate it is banned.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to manage wireless device power consumption are disclosed. In accordance with a disclosed example method a data frame exchange is initiated with an access point of a wireless network. In response to not successfully completing the frame exchange with the access point, the access point is designated as providing the wireless terminal with fringe wireless signal coverage.

Abstract: A wireless client device associated with an access point records at which time T after a transmission time of a most recent beacon frame it gained access to the wireless medium for transmission of an uplink packet to the access point. The wireless client device self-schedules target transmission times for one or more future uplink packets, where each of the target transmission times is T after a respective expected transmission time of a beacon frame. Rather than immediately attempting to gain access to the wireless medium when it determines that another uplink packet is ready for transmission, the wireless client device waits until shortly before its next upcoming target transmission time to make the attempt. Implementation in wireless client devices that are attempting to transmit uplink packets to the same access point may prolong the amount of time they can remain in a doze state, potentially reducing their power consumption.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing the WLAN power consumption and limiting battery drain of a mobile communications device is provided. The mechanism continuously monitors for changes in the WLAN and cellular signal strength and modifies the WLAN profile scanning activity accordingly. By monitoring for changes, transitions can be detected which indicate the location of the mobile device (i.e., indoor or outdoor). An increase in cellular signal strength and a decrease in WLAN signal strength indicates the user is transitioning outdoors where WLAN coverage may be limited. To reduce battery power consumption, background scanning is suspended or its frequency significantly lowered. Moving indoors is indicated by a decrease in cellular signal strength and an increase in WLAN signal strength. Background/Connectivity scanning frequency is increased to provide shorter time-to-connect to WLAN Networks for the user within the WLAN coverage area.

Abstract: A method of setting a routing path for transmitting a packet from a source node to a destination node in a wireless multi-hop network including plural nodes and plural links for connecting two nodes with each other. The method includes calculating carrier sense interference weights representing carrier sense interference related to the respective links and combining the carrier sense interference weights of the links included in at least one specific path connecting the source node with the destination node. The method further includes calculating hidden node weights representing hidden node problems related to the respective links and accumulating the hidden node weights of the links included in the path. The method further includes calculating a metric value for the specific path by combining the carrier sense interference weights and the hidden node weights, and determining the specific path with the least metric value as the routing path.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient scanning for WLANs based on mobile device velocity are described. In one illustrative example, a mobile device identifies whether its velocity is less than or greater than a threshold value. While it is identified that the velocity of the mobile device is less than the threshold value, the mobile device scans to search for one or more WLANs identified in a first subset of WLAN profiles (e.g. “stationary” WLANs). While it is identified that the velocity of the mobile device is greater than the threshold value, the mobile device scans to search for the one or more WLANs identified in a second subset of WLAN profiles (e.g. “mobile” WLANs). Advantageously, a suitable WLAN may be more efficiently identified with use of a technique which reduces power consumption of the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile communication device invokes a first application or a second application. When the first application is invoked, the mobile device scans to search for one or more WLANs identified in a first subset of WLAN profiles. When the second application is invoked, the mobile device scans to search for one or more WLANs identified in a second subset of WLAN profiles. The first application may be a messaging application, such as a personal information manager (PIM) application, which may utilize WLANs having external network connectivity. The second application may be a streaming media application, which may utilize WLAN appliances having no external network connectivity. Alternatively, the second application may be a conference meeting application or military application which may utilize ad hoc networks having no external network connectivity.

Abstract: A target access point is selected from the results of a discovery scan so that a mobile station can attempt a connection with the target access point. The mobile station determines whether the target access point belongs to a small office/home office (SOHO)-type wireless local area network (WLAN) deployment or to a corporate/enterprise-type WLAN deployment. The mobile station then configures itself according to the determination of the type of WLAN deployment to which the target access point belongs.

Abstract: A method for network access and a mobile station configured for the same is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for Wi-Fi network access on a mobile station comprising: scanning for wireless access points (APs) of a Wi-Fi network; receiving responses from available APs of the Wi-Fi network; selecting an AP in accordance with past connectivity data associated with the available APs; and attempting to connect or switch to the Wi-Fi network using the selected AP.

Abstract: A method for network access and a mobile station configured for the same is described. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for network access on a mobile station comprising: scanning for Wi-Fi networks; receiving responses from available wireless access points (APs) of the Wi-Fi networks; selecting a Wi-Fi network in accordance with past connectivity data associated with the Wi-Fi networks of the available APs; and attempting to connect to the selected Wi-Fi network.

Abstract: Techniques in a mobile communication device for communicating with a wireless access point (AP) are described. The mobile device receives from the AP data which indicate a plurality of activated service intervals in the superframe that are made available to mobile devices for communication access. The mobile device attempts to access, during the indicated activated service intervals, a radio medium via the AP. The mobile device refrains from attempting to access the radio medium via the AP during each power conservation interval provided in between the indicated activated service intervals.

Abstract: Techniques for use in controlling an access point mode of operation of a mobile terminal are described. Initially, the mobile terminal operates in the access point mode of operation for communication with one or more other mobile terminals. While operating in the access point mode, the mobile terminal receives, from the one or more other mobile terminals, network information comprising one or more network identifiers which identify one or more wireless networks within coverage of the one or more other mobile terminals. The mobile terminal disables the access point mode of operation in response to identifying that at least one of the received network identifiers corresponds to a predetermined wireless network or predetermined type of wireless network. In one example, the mobile terminal is operative in accordance with IEEE 802.11, the received network identifiers comprise service set identifiers (SSIDs), and the predetermined wireless network is an enterprise network.

Abstract: Techniques in a mobile device for use in initiating vertical handover of a voice or a data call between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a wide area wireless network (WWAN) are described. The mobile device performs communication operations for maintaining the voice or the data call via the WLAN or the WWAN. During the voice or the data call, the mobile device identifies a WLAN signal quality value of signals with the WLAN, as well as a WWAN signal quality value of signals with the WWAN. The mobile device then performs a comparative evaluation of the WLAN and the WWAN signal quality values, and initiates a vertical handover of the voice or the data call between the WLAN and the WWAN based on the comparative evaluation of the WLAN and WWAN signal quality values. The comparative evaluation may involve calculating a signal indicator value which is based on a ratio of the WLAN and the WWAN signal quality values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a wireless access point (AP) (e.g. a battery-powered wireless AP) for reduced power consumption are provided. In one illustrative example, the AP is adapted to provide communication access for end stations in one or more activated service intervals of each superframe. During operation, the AP changes the number of activated service intervals that are available to end stations for the communication access, as well as the durations of their active subinterval durations, in accordance with a change in traffic requirements. The AP regularly broadcasts data which indicates the activated service intervals that are made available to the mobile devices. A wireless transceiver of the AP is enabled during each activated service interval made available to the mobile devices, but the AP is placed in a power conservation mode during each deactivated service interval provided in between the activated service intervals.