Mobile platform tracking in wireless networks

Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for METHOD OF TRACKING ASSETS AND APPLIANCE THAT DOES THE SAME.

Field [001] The present invention generally relates to asset tracking and, more specifically, asset tracking on wireless networks.

Background [002] Information technology (IT) asset tracking is becoming prominent in the enterprise. Mobile stations on wireless networks can be tracked as assets based on their location on the network. When mobile stations enter energy-saving states, asset tracking can become more challenging.

Brief Description of the Drawings [003] Figure 1 shows a diagram of a wireless network;

[004] Figure 2 shows a sequence of communications and actions on a wireless network;

[005] Figure 3 shows a configuration information transmitted between the wireless network nodes;

[006] Figures 4 and 5 show flowcharts according to various embodiments of the present invention; and [007] Figure 6 shows a system diagram according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Description of Modalities [008] In the detailed description below, reference is made to the associated drawings, which show, by way of illustration, specific modalities in which the invention can be practiced. These modalities are described in sufficient detail to allow those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood

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2/17 that various modalities of the invention , although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a particular feature, structure or feature described here in relation to one modality can be implemented in other modalities, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the location and / or arrangement of individual elements in each modality shown can be modified, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, properly interpreted, together with the full range of equivalents to which the claims are authorized. In the drawings, equal numbers refer to the same or similar functionality across all the different views.

[009] Figure 1 shows a diagram of a wireless network. Wireless network 100 includes access point (AP) 102 and mobile stations (STA) 110, 120 and 130. In some embodiments, wireless network 100 is a wireless local area network (WLAN). For example, one or more of the mobile stations 110, 120 and 130 or access point 102 may operate in compliance with a wireless network standard, such as ASNI / IEEE Standard 802.11, 1999 Edition, although this does not is a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the AP 102 and mobile stations 110, 120 and 130 can operate in accordance with IEEE 802.11ve and can provide asset tracking. For example, mobile stations 110, 120 and 130 can periodically provide “presence” information for AP 102, thereby allowing mobile stations to be tracked as active. Several modalities of the present invention provide an asset tracking according to an 802.11 standard, and other modalities provide an asset tracking not according to or only partial

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3/17 according to an 802.11 standard. As used here, the term “802.11” refers to any past, present or future IEEE 802.11 standard, including, but not limited to, the 1999 edition.

[0010] Mobile stations 110, 120 and 130 can be any type of mobile computing device capable of communicating on a network 100. For example, mobile stations can be computers, personal digital assistants, wireless capable cell phones or the like. Access point 102 communicates with mobile station 110 (also referred to as "STA1") using signal 112. Access point 102 communicates with mobile station 120 (also referred to as “STA2”) using signal 122, and access point 102 communicates with mobile station 130 (also referred to as “STA3”) using signal 132 .

[0011] One or more of the mobile stations 110, 120 and 130 may be able to save energy by entering one of many different possible energy saving modes or energy saving states (PSS). When a mobile station is in an energy-saving state, all or a portion of the mobile station can be turned off to reduce power consumption. Multiple energy-saving states can exist. For example, a mobile station can enter a “sleep mode” or a “sleep mode” for energy saving. Power-saving states can be referred to as “sleep mode”, “sleep mode”, “sleep mode” or similar. Any terminology can be used to describe low energy states without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0012] The mobile station 110 includes a network interface card (NIC) 114. In some embodiments, the mobile station 110 can be a computer, such as a notebook computer or a desktop computer that includes NIC 114. The stations furniture 120 and 130 are

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4/17 shown without NICs. In some embodiments, mobile stations 120 and 130 can be wireless devices that have a built-in wireless capability. For example, mobile station 120 may be a notebook computer having a chip set with built-in wireless connectivity. In various energy-saving states, NIC 114 can be turned off separately from the rest of mobile station 110. For example, NIC 114 can be turned off by itself, while the rest of mobile station 110 remains on. Also, for example, NIC 114 can be turned off along with most of the rest of mobile station 110. Any combination of circuits can be turned off in various energy saving states, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0013] Several embodiments of the present invention allow tracking of the location of mobile stations on wireless networks, while allowing mobile stations to enter energy-saving states. The modalities are further described with respect to asset tracking for laptop computers, but the invention is not so limited. Any asset having an energy-saving state can be tracked using the modalities of the invention described here.

[0014] Nowadays, most laptop thefts occur when a laptop is “with the lid closed”, which usually puts the laptop in an energy-saving state. In some embodiments of the present invention, laptop computers in energy-saving states periodically provide indications of presence for access points for the provision of tracking and asset management. A laptop in a power-saving state periodically "wakes up" to provide an indication of presence.

[0015] The period of time that a mobile station remains in an energy-saving state between waking up to provide

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5/17 presence indications are referred to here as an “energy saving interval”. Several embodiments of the present invention provide multiple possible time values ​​for an energy saving interval. For example, a station can select the length of an energy-saving interval based on whether the station is mobile or stationary. In addition, a station can select the length of an energy saving interval based on configuration information. The configuration information can be provided by a user or a network administrator, and can include information such as an asset protection level.

[0016] As more fully described below, shorter energy saving intervals can be selected for stations with a high asset protection level or for stations that are in motion, and longer energy saving intervals can be selected for stations with a low asset protection level or for stations that are stationary. By allowing mobile stations to indicate their presence, while in energy-saving states. The various embodiments of the present invention reduce energy consumption and extend battery life while providing an asset tracking management capability.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a sequence of communications and actions on a wireless network. Sequence 200 includes communications between a user and a mobile station and between an access point and a mobile station, such as access point 102 and mobile station 110 (Figure 1). As shown in Figure 2, time progresses from the top of the 200 sequence to the bottom of the 200 sequence. During sequence 200, the mobile station is provided with configuration information by a user and / or an access point, and the mobile station then periodically provides presence indications. The various

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6/17 modes of interaction shown between an access point and mobile stations are also further described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5, which show flowcharts of methods performed by an access point and a mobile station, respectively.

[0018] In 210, a user provides configuration information for the mobile station. In some embodiments, this may correspond to providing an asset protection level for the mobile station. For example, in some embodiments, a user can provide a higher level of asset protection for a laptop with sensitive information stored on a hard drive. Also, for example, the interaction at 210 may correspond to a network administrator providing an asset protection level that cannot be modified by a user with less privileges.

[0019] Once a mobile station is associated with an access point, the mobile station and the access point can communicate for the determination of the appropriate energy saving interval (s) for the mobile station to use, when in an energy-saving state. These AP / STA communications are shown at 220 and 230. In 220, the access point transmits a “presence configuration request” to the mobile station, and in 230 the mobile station transmits a “presence configuration response” to the access point. The presence configuration request can include many fields, including:

- Maximum stationary energy saving interval

- Maximum moving energy saving interval

- Nominal stationary energy saving interval

- Energy saving interval in nominal movement [0020] The presence configuration request fields can have any values. For example, the savings

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7/17 maximum stationary energy can be greater or less than the maximum moving energy saving interval. In some embodiments, the maximum moving energy saving interval value is equal to the maximum stationary energy saving interval value. In addition, the nominal stationary energy saving interval can be greater or less than the nominal moving energy saving interval. In some embodiments, the value of the nominal energy saving interval in motion is equal to the value of the nominal stationary energy saving interval.

[0021] An example presence configuration request

310 is shown in Figure 3. When the mobile station receives the presence configuration request, the mobile station determines a stationary energy saving interval and a moving energy saving interval. This determination is based, at least in part, on the information received in the presence configuration request received in 220, and also based on the configuration information received in 210. As described above, configuration information can include at least one asset protection level configured from a user profile, a user interface or some other method. In some modalities, the asset protection level can be adjusted to one of these values: Low, Medium or High. If the asset protection level is set to Low, the mobile station can use the maximum energy saving interval provided by the access point. If the asset protection level is set to High, the mobile station can use the nominal stationary interval and the nominal moving interval provided by the access point. If the asset protection level is set to Medium, the mobile station can adjust a value between the maximum energy saving interval and the normal interval for the

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8/17 stationary energy saving and the energy saving interval in motion.

[0022] The example in the previous paragraphs describes three discrete asset protection levels, and three different settings for each of the stationary energy saving interval and the energy saving interval in motion. In some embodiments, the asset protection level can be selected from a much larger number of possible settings, and the corresponding energy savings intervals can also be selected from a much larger set of possible values.

[0023] Once the station determines the stationary energy saving interval and the energy saving interval in motion, the station includes these two additional fields in a presence configuration response to be sent back to the access point (shown in 230, Figure 2).

- stationary energy saving interval

- energy saving interval in motion [0024] The presence configuration response 320 is shown in

Figure 3. The presence configuration response can include a lot of information, in addition to stationary and moving energy saving intervals. In some embodiments, the presence configuration response may be in compliance with a standard, such as 802.11v, and in other embodiments, the presence configuration response is not necessarily in compliance with a network standard.

[0025] After the presence configuration shown in 220 and in

230, the mobile station determined a stationary energy saving interval and a moving energy saving interval, and communicated them to the access point. During a subsequent operation, when the mobile station is in a low power state

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9/17 power, the mobile station provides presence indications at stationary or moving energy saving intervals, based on whether the mobile station is stationary or moving.

[0026] When the mobile station is in an energy-saving state, it will periodically wake up to provide an indication of presence for one or more access points. For example, when the station is stationary, it wakes up at the end of each stationary energy saving interval to provide an indication of presence. Also, for example, when the station is in motion, it wakes up at the end of every energy saving interval in motion to provide an indication of presence.

[0027] In some modalities, a station may provide an indication of the presence of a single or multicast, based on whether the station is currently associated with an access point. For example, if a mobile station is in the associated state, the station can send an indication of the presence of a broadcast on the current channel to the current access point. Also, for example, if a mobile station is in the non-associated state, the station can send broadcast presence indications, on one or more channels, as received from previous presence configuration requests.

[0028] Figure 2 shows two presence indication transmissions at 240 and 250. When the mobile station is stationary, the time between transmissions 240 and 250 is the stationary energy saving interval, and when the mobile station is in movement, the time between transmissions 240 and 250 is the energy saving interval in motion. In some embodiments, the presence indications include a null frame (empty frame) or include minimal information. For example, a presence indication table may include only pre-transmitted transmission power information

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10/17 configured. In some embodiments, no action is taken while a station is in an energy-saving state. This allows a mobile station to send back its presence indication without involving a higher MAC operation and conducting any measurements. This feature leaves more calculation and measurement on the access point side, when the station is in an energy-saving state.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a flow chart in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, method 400 describes the operation of an access point on a wireless network. In some modalities, method 400, or portions thereof, is performed by an access point, a network interface card, a processor or an electronic system, the modalities of which are shown in the various figures. Method 400 is not limited by the type of device in particular, the software element or the system performing the method. The various actions in Method 400 can be performed in the order presented, or they can be performed in a different order. Also, in some modalities, some actions listed in Figure 4 are omitted from the 400 method.

[0030] Method 400 is shown starting at block 410, in which the stationary and maximum and nominal moving energy savings intervals are transmitted to one or more mobile stations as part of a presence configuration request. The examples of these fields are shown in Figure 3. The presence configuration request can include additional information in addition to these fields. At 420, a stationary energy saving interval and a moving energy saving interval are received from a mobile station as part of a presence configuration response.

[0031] In 430, the access point receives presence indications

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11/17 from the mobile station. When the mobile station is stationary and in an energy-saving state, the access point receives an indication of presence at any stationary energy-saving interval. When the mobile station is in motion and in an energy-saving state, the access point receives an indication of presence throughout the energy-saving interval in motion. [0032] Figure 5 shows a flow chart in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, method 500 describes the operation of a mobile station on a wireless network. In some modalities, the method 500, or portions thereof, is performed by a mobile station, a network interface card, a processor or an electronic system, the modalities of which are shown in the various figures. Method 500 is not limited by the particular device type, software element or system executing the method. The various actions in method 500 can be performed in the order presented, or they can be performed in a different order. Also, in some modalities, some actions listed in Figure 5 are omitted from the 500 method.

[0033] Method 500 is shown starting at block 510, in which an asset protection level is received. In some embodiments, the asset protection level can be a piece of information included in a configuration information received from a user or a system administrator. The asset protection level can have any number of levels. In some embodiments, the asset protection level is hard code on the mobile station, and is not modifiable by a user. In other modalities, the asset protection level is received from an access point.

[0034] At 520, the stationary and maximum and nominal movement energy saving intervals are received from an access point as part of a presence configuration request 870190107238, of 10/23/2019, pg. 15/29

12/17 ça. Examples of these fields are shown in Figure 3.

[0035] In 530, the mobile station determines a stationary energy saving interval and a moving energy saving interval. In some embodiments, these ranges are determined as a function of the maximum and nominal ranges received at 520 and the asset protection level received at 510. For example, the stationary energy saving interval can be between the nominal and maximum stationary energy saving intervals, and the moving energy saving interval can be between the nominal and maximum moving energy saving intervals. The energy saving intervals can be adjusted longer for high asset protection levels. At 540, stationary and moving energy saving intervals are transmitted back to the access point as part of a presence configuration response.

[0036] In 550, the mobile station enters a state of energy saving (PSS). As described above, the energy-saving state can be any state in which the mobile station consumes less power. All or a portion of the mobile station can be turned off, or placed "inactive" in an energy-saving state.

[0037] In 560, the mobile station determines whether it is stationary or in motion. This can be determined in any way. For example, a mobile station can look at its access point membership history to determine if it is on the move. Also, for example, the mobile station can receive broadcast packets from surrounding stations and access points and determine whether it remains in the same location or is on the move. The way in which the mobile station determines whether it is stationary is not a limitation of the present invention.

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13/17 [0038] If the mobile station is stationary, then, at 570, the mobile station will be activated at every stationary energy saving interval and will transmit an indication of presence. If the mobile station is in motion, then, in 560, the mobile station will activate at every energy saving interval in motion and transmit an indication of presence. When a mobile station “activates” to transmit a presence indication, the mobile station may or may not enter a full power state from a reduced power state. For example, in some embodiments, the mobile station only activates the circuits used to transmit the presence indication, and the rest of the mobile station remains in a low power state.

[0039] In some modalities, in 560 and 570, the mobile station can transmit frames indicating the presence of unidiffusion or diffusion. For example, if the mobile station is currently associated with an access point, the mobile station may transmit a frame for the indication of the presence of a broadcast to the access point. Also, for example, if the mobile station is not currently associated with an access point, the mobile station can transmit an indication of the presence of broadcast or multicast. In addition, the presence indication can be transmitted on one or more channels.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a system diagram according to various embodiments of the present invention. The electronics 600 includes an antenna 610, a radio interface 620, a processing component 630, an energy saving interval determination component 640, a presence indication component 670, a memory 650, and an access memory random static (SRAM) 660. In some embodiments, the electronic system 600 can be an access point, a mobile station, a wireless interface, a NIC or similar. For example, the electronic system 600 can be

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14/17 used in the network 100 as any one of the access point 102, the mobile stations 110, 120 and 130 or the NIC 114. Also, for example, the electronic system 600 can be a device capable of carrying out any of the modalities methods described with reference to the previous figures.

[0041] In some modalities, the electronic system 600 may represent a system that includes a wireless interface, active like other circuits. For example, in some embodiments, the electronic system 600 may be a computer, such as a personal computer, a workstation, or the like, which includes a wireless interface as a peripheral or as an integrated unit.

[0042] In operation, system 600 sends and receives signals using antenna 610 and the signals are processed by the various elements shown in Figure 6. Antenna 610 can include one or more directional antennas or one or more omnidirectional antennas. As used here, the term omnidirectional antenna refers to any antenna having a substantially uniform pattern in at least one plane. For example, in some embodiments, antenna 610 may include an omnidirectional antenna such as a dipole antenna or a quarter-wave antenna. Also, for example, in various embodiments, the 610 antenna may include a directional antenna, such as a satellite dish or a Yagi antenna. In some embodiments, the 610 antenna forms an arrangement capable of supporting multiple space-division (SDMA) or multiple-entry and multiple-exit (MIMO) communications. In other embodiments, antenna 610 includes only a physical antenna.

[0043] The radio interface 620 is coupled to the antenna 610 for interaction with a wireless network. The radio interface 620 may include a circuit to support the transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) signals. For example, in some modalities, the interface

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Radio 15/17 620 includes an RF receiver for receiving signals and performing "front end" processing, such as low noise amplification (LNA), filtration, frequency conversion or the like. Also, in some embodiments, the radio interface 620 includes a beam-forming circuit to support SDMA processing. Also, for example, in some embodiments, the radio interface 620 includes circuits to support upward frequency conversion and an RF transmitter. The various embodiments of the invention are not limited by the contents or function of the 620 radio interface.

[0044] Processing component 630 can carry out method modalities of the present invention, such as method 400 (Figure 4) or method 500 (Figure 5), or methods represented by the sequence 200 (Figure 2). Processing component 630 represents any type of processor, including, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller or the like. In some embodiments, the processing component 630 may be capable of one or more energy-saving states. For example, the processing component 630 can enter a suspended state, a hibernate state or the like to reduce energy consumption.

[0045] The energy saving interval determination component 640 can determine stationary and moving energy saving intervals based on information received from users and networks. For example, the energy saving interval determination component 640 can include asset protection level information and can perform block 530 actions (figure 5). The energy saving interval determination component 640 can be implemented in hardware, software or any combination thereof. For example, the

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16/17 determination of energy saving interval 640 can be implemented in software that is executed by processing component 630, or can be implemented in hardware as an integrated circuit separate from processing component 630.

[0046] The presence indicator component 670 provides presence indication frames using the radio interface 620 and antenna 610. As described above, the presence indication component 670 can provide presence indications at different intervals, based on whether the electronic system 600 is in motion or is stationary. The presence indicator component 670 can be implemented in hardware, software or any combination thereof. For example, the presence indication component 670 can be implemented in software that is run by processing component 630, or it can be implemented in hardware on a separate integrated circuit from processing component 630.

[0047] Memory 650 represents an article that includes a medium that can be read on a machine. For example, memory 650 represents a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a fast memory, or any other type of article that includes a medium that can be read by the processing component 630. Memory 650 can store instructions for carrying out the execution of the various method modalities of the present invention. The static random access memory (SRAM) 660 is a volatile memory that can hold information during system 600 operating periods. In some embodiments, the SRAM 660 is omitted.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described together

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17/17 with certain modalities, it is to be understood that modifications and variations can be used, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. These modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the invention and in the appended claims.