Abstract: In a computer system configured to handle I/O signals received by the computer system from input devices and/or output signals output by the computer system, a virtual attachment module includes logic for selecting such that program code for coupling can alter the operating system's selection of I/O devices used for particular I/O device operations, coupling to a wireless I/O device at least for determining whether the wireless I/O device is available, and causing redirection of I/O signals destined to a default I/O device to be to the wireless I/O device, if the program code for coupling determines that the wireless I/O device is available. A virtual connection module could be used to intercept system messages indicating a wireless device is present and connected, determine whether the wireless device is present and/or connected, and determine which intercepted messages to forward, drop, delay or reformulate.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for requesting a measurement to be performed at a communication station of a radio communication system, such as a WLAN. A measurement request message is generated at a requesting station. The measurement request message includes fields identifying a selected measurement type and a field identifying a duration period for which the measurement is requested to be made. The duration period is mandatory or non-mandatory. The request message is communicated to a communication station whereat the message is detected and the values contained therein are identified. Selection is made at the communication station to which the message is delivered whether to perform the requested measurement for the requested duration period. If the requested duration period is non-mandatory, the communication station is able to select a duration period of lesser length during which to perform the requested measurement.

Abstract: In a computer system configured to handle I/O signals received by the computer system from input devices and/or output signals output by the computer system, a virtual attachment module includes logic for selecting such that program code for coupling can alter the operating system's selection of I/O devices used for particular I/O device operations, coupling to a wireless I/O device at least for determining whether the wireless I/O device is available, and causing redirection of I/O signals destined to a default I/O device to be to the wireless I/O device, if the program code for coupling determines that the wireless I/O device is available. A virtual connection module could be used to intercept system messages indicating a wireless device is present and connected, determine whether the wireless device is present and/or connected, and determine which intercepted messages to forward, drop, delay or reformulate.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning emergency services in a wireless local area network is provided. A station may assert an emergency service in a network by generating an association request that includes an indication of a request for an emergency service. The association request is transmitted to a network access point, and the station may be associated with the access point without engaging in an authentication procedure. Additionally, a network access point is provided that facilitates provisioning of emergency services to authenticated or unauthenticated network stations. An access point receives an association request that includes an indication of a request for an emergency service, and transmits an association response to a station that originated the association request. The originator of the association request may be associated with the access point without the access point engaging in an authentication procedure with the requesting station.

Abstract: A mechanism to enable secure identification of roaming rights prior to authentication/association is provided. The mechanism may include using a Roaming ID, and may also include the use of wild cards and group IDs to reduce the length of transmissions. The mechanism may further employ public key infrastructure and puzzles to further enhance security and reduce the risk of denial of service attacks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method and apparatus for coupling an access point (AP) or other suitable network node or terminal to a station (STA) or other suitable network node or terminal in a wireless LAN network. The present invention features the AP and the STA agreeing on an arbitrary Medium Access Address (MAC) or other suitable arbitrary address, associated with a secret value, where the arbitrary MAC is for use by the STA and AP during the connection. The arbitrary MAC address, called an “Association MAC Identifier” (AMID), may be used by the STA and AP to form a mutual connection and in all subsequent communications for the connection. The STA may also discard the AMID and acquire a new one to establish a new connection at any time or may operate with multiple AMIDs at the same time. Once an AMID is assigned to a STA, the AP prevents another STA from acquiring the same AMID value until the original STA has relinquished it or its validity has expired.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for requesting, and allocating communication resources at a new fixed-site transceiver of a radio communication system, such as a new access point of a wireless local area network. A resource information container is formed that is structured to include information elements that identify, amongst other things, resource requirements of a mobile unit. The information elements of a resource information container include a root node, one or more leaf nodes, and, selectably, one or more group nodes. The resource information container is communicated prior to commencement of transition procedures to early-reserve or determine availability of resources at a new access point.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, computer-readable medium, and method to facilitate quick transition of communications of a mobile station between network stations of a radio communication system, such as a WLAN operable to a variant of an IEEE 802 operating specification, is provided. Implementations of embodiments described herein reduce the transition duration by a pre-keying mechanism that performs authentication procedures prior to commencement of reassociation procedures. In other embodiments, a mobile station is allowed to select whether to perform pre-keying processes over an air interface with a target transition access point or whether to perform the pre-keying processes over a distribution system.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for requesting a measurement to be performed at a communication station of a radio communication system, such as a WLAN. A measurement request message is generated at a requesting station. The measurement request message includes fields identifying a selected measurement type and a field identifying a duration period for which the measurement is requested to be made. The duration period is mandatory or non-mandatory. The request message is communicated to a communication station whereat the message is detected and the values contained therein are identified. Selection is made at the communication station to which the message is delivered whether to perform the requested measurement for the requested duration period. If the requested duration period is non-mandatory, the communication station is able to select a duration period of lesser length during which to perform the requested measurement.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing secure data communication between a client device and a network device, wherein the method comprises arranging a periodically varying broadcast code (N) to be transmitted such that the network and client devices have knowledge of the broadcast code (N), providing the network and client devices each with the same secret key code (K) and encryption/decryption algorithm, wherein the algorithm is arranged to encrypt and decipher a encrypted transmission data code used for network authentic data transmissions between the client and network devices, and wherein the encrypted data code is generated from a combination of the data and a secret key (X) which is itself derived from a combination of the secret key code (K) and broadcast code (N). One embodiment provides that the broadcast code (N) is transmitted on request by a network/client device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an access point device arranged to receive data packets from one or more client devices and transmit them along an area network characterised wherein the access point device comprises security means arranged to configure the client data packets such that they are directed only to one or more permitted area network device(s).

Abstract: The invention provides an access point device arranged to receive data packets from one or more client devices and transmit them along a public area network characterised wherein the access point device comprises security means arranged to consider the source/destination of data packets and control the forwarding/discarding of a data packet according to whether the data packet originates from a client device and is destined for a client device.