Abstract: Described is a system and method for tracking an asset. The system may include a plurality of wireless access points and a computing arrangement communicating with the access points. The arrangement determines a location area of the device as a function of first data and a location of each of at least three access points of the plurality of the access points. The first data includes at least one of first signal strength data and second signal strength data. The first signal strength data is indicative of a strength of a first signal transmitted by the device and received by the at least three access points. The second signal strength data is indicative of a strength of a second signal transmitted by the at least three access points and received by the device. The location area is an area within a predetermined reception range of the at least three local access points.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to facilitate communication with a plurality of remote units in a communication area that includes a plurality of spatial sectors. The system includes a network controller configured to receive and transmit under IEEE 802.11 specifications, and a plurality of directional antennas coupled to the network base station. Each of directional antennas functions as an access point for a respective spatial sector. The directional antennas and the network controller are combined as a single base station apparatus in an exemplary embodiment. Further, an exemplary network controller is configured to concurrently transmit a plurality of the data frames to more than one of the spatial sectors, and to synchronize the transmissions in a manner whereby all of the concurrently transmitted frames end simultaneously.

Abstract: Described are a method and system for determining a location of an unauthorized wireless access point (“AP”) accessing a communication network. The system may include at least three authorized wireless devices and a computing arrangement generating a tracking data record. The tracking record includes a location of each of the at least three authorized wireless devices and strength data corresponding to strengths of signals of the unauthorized AP as measured by each of the at least three authorized wireless devices. The computing arrangement determines the location of the unauthorized AP as a function of the tracking record.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for clustering mobile devices in a wireless network. The system includes a wireless access point (“AP”) and a plurality of mobile units (“MUs”). Each of the MUs has a wireless transducer. At least two MUs of the MUs are grouped, based on a predetermined parameter, into a cluster which included a head MU and at least one member MU. Communications between the at least one member MU and the AP are conducted via the head MU.

Abstract: Described are a method and system for determining a location of an unauthorized wireless access point (“AP”) accessing a communication network. Upon notification of existence of the unauthorized AP, at least three authorized APs of the communication network initiate tracking a beacon of the unauthorized AP. A tracking data record is generated partially based on information obtained during the tracking of the tracking beacon. The tracking record may include a location of each of the authorized APs and at least one of (i) a first strength data corresponding to a strength of the tracking beacon as measured by each of the authorized APs and (ii) a first time data corresponding to a time period that it takes for the tracking beacon to arrive at each of the authorized APs. The location of the unauthorized AP is determined as a function of at least one of (i) the tracking record and (ii) a calibrating record.

Abstract: Described is an RFID tracking system, an RFID tag and method. The tag includes a memory storing identification data and a radio frequency transceiver receiving a signal from a first wireless transceiver. The first wireless transceiver is part of a wireless wide area network WWAN). The radio frequency transceiver transmits a response signal including the identification data to at least one second wireless transceiver. The at least one second wireless transceiver being part of a wireless local area network WLAN). A location of the RFID tag is determined as a function of the response signal.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for frequency coordination among two different wireless network protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth protocols, operating in proximity with one another. Coordination is accomplished by the use of a first radio transceiver operating in accordance with a first communication protocol (which may be the 802.11 protocol) and using a frequency band (which may be the 2.4 GHz band), a base station connected to a wired network and operating in accordance with the first communication protocol, a second radio transceiver operating in accordance with a second communication protocol (which may be the Bluetooth protocol) and using the frequency band, and a coordinator associated with the base station for, in turn, activating the first radio transceiver, deactivating the first radio transceiver, activating the second radio transceiver, and deactivating the second radio transceiver.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for tracking an asset. The system may include an RF tag coupled to the asset; a wireless wide area network (“WWAN”) including a plurality of transceivers and having a first coverage area; and a plurality of wireless local area networks (“WLAN”). Each of the WLANs has a second coverage area within the first coverage area. In addition, the system includes a computer which communicates with the WWAN and the WLANs. The computer generates a signal to be transmitted to the asset using a first transceiver of the WWAN. The asset receives the signal and generates a response signal; the asset transmits the response signal to a particular WLAN within which second coverage area the asset is located via a plurality of second transceivers. The computer determines the location of the asset within the second coverage area as a function of the response signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for securely controlling access to a cryptographic processor including a semiconductor package with a biometric data capture device therein operative to acquire data associated with predetermined biometric characteristic of a user and store it as a biometric key, and a processing unit in the package coupled to the data capture device. An encryption/decryption circuit is also disposed in the semiconductor package and is operative to perform encryption or decryption on input data utilizing the biometric key.

Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of appending a data packet to a data stream queue (“DSQ”), the DSQ having a priority level, allocating a quantum of bandwidth to the DSQ and transmitting the data packet as a function of the priority level and the quantum of bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of calibrating a wireless tracking system and a method of tracking a mobile unit in a wireless local area network. The method includes providing at least one calibration signal using a mobile unit having a first plurality of antennae while the mobile unit is proximate at least one predetermined location and receiving a plurality of signals at a second plurality of antennae in response to providing the at least one calibration signal. The method also includes determining a portion of a transmission matrix using the plurality of received signals and the at least one calibration signal and associating the portion of the transmission matrix with the predetermined location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless local area network and a method for the implementing same. The method includes receiving a plurality of signals from a first plurality of antennae substantially concurrently at a second plurality of antennae, the plurality of signals having a substantially common frequency. The method also includes determining at least one transmission channel between the first and second pluralities of antennae using the plurality of signals.

Abstract: A intrusion detection method is disclosed for use in a wireless local area data communications system, wherein mobile units communicate with access points, and wherein the system is arranged to locate transmitters using signals transmitted by the transmitters. A database relating authorized transmitters to location is maintained. Selected signals are detected at the access points and location data corresponding to the selected signals for use in locating a source of the signals is recorded. The source location is determined using the location data, and the source location is compared to a corresponding location in the database. An alarm is signaled if the source location is inconsistent with the corresponding database location.

Abstract: Described are a method and system for determining a location of an unauthorized wireless access point (“AP”) accessing a communication network. Upon notification of existence of the unauthorized AP, at least three authorized APs of the communication network initiate tracking a beacon of the unauthorized AP. A tracking data record is generated partially based on information obtained during the tracking of the tracking beacon. The tracking record may include a location of each of the authorized APs and at least one of (i) a first strength data corresponding to a strength of the tracking beacon as measured by each of the authorized APs and (ii) a first time data corresponding to a time period that it takes for the tracking beacon to arrive at each of the authorized APs. The location of the unauthorized AP is determined as a function of at least one of (i) the tracking record and (ii) a calibrating record.

Abstract: A system for wireless communication utilizing a first wireless band and a second wireless band. The system including a first dual-band wireless transceiver and a smart antenna, the first device, using the smart antenna, uni-directionally transmitting payload data exclusively on the first band without having to reserve the first band prior to transmission and at least one second wireless device including a second dual-band wireless transceiver, the second device acknowledging reception of the payload data using at least one of the first and second bands by omni-directionally transmitting acknowledgment data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for bandwidth management. The method includes receiving a value representative of a target bandwidth from a remote device; storing a data packet in a data queue; associating a quantum of bandwidth to the data queue, wherein the quantum of the bandwidth is a function of at least the target bandwidth and time; and transmitting the data packet based on at least the quantum associated with the data queue. A method and apparatus for network congestion control are also provided.

Abstract: A portable data input or computer system includes an input/output device such as a keyboard and a display, another data input device such as an optical bar code scanner, and a data processor module. To scan bar code type indicia, the operator points the scanner at the bar code and triggers the scanner to read the indicia. All the system components are distributed on an operator's body and together form a personal area system (PAS). Components may include a scanner or imager, a wrist unit, a headpiece including an eyepiece display, speaker and a microphone. Components within a particular PAS communicate with each other over a personal area network (PAN). Individual PASs may be combined into a network of PASs called a PAS cluster. PASs in a particular PAS cluster can communicate with each other over another wireless communication channel. Individual PAS can gain access to a Local Area Network (LAN) and/or a Wide Area Network (WAN) via an access point.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for an access control in a communication network which includes a first wireless unit, a second wireless unit and at least one further unit. The first unit generates a frame for the second unit. The frame includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes data indicating that the first unit is about to establish a direct communication channel with the second unit. The first portion is transmitted to the second unit and is received by the at least one further wireless unit. The direct communication channel is established between the first unit and the second unit for transmission the second portion. During the transmission of the second portion, the at least one further unit abstains from communications using the direct communication channel.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for an access control in a communication network which includes a first wireless unit, a second wireless unit and at least one further unit. The first unit generates a frame for the second unit. The frame includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes data indicating that the first unit is about to establish a direct communication channel with the second unit. The first portion is transmitted to the second unit and is received by the at least one further wireless unit. The direct communication channel is established between the first unit and the second unit for transmission the second portion. During the transmission of the second portion, the at least one further unit abstains from communications using the direct communication channel.

Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of appending a data packet to a data stream queue (“DSQ”), the DSQ having a priority level, allocating a quantum of bandwidth to the DSQ and transmitting the data packet as a function of the priority level and the quantum of bandwidth.