System and method for multi-mode radio operation

[0001] A standard system may use a mobile device that sends and receives signals in accordance with a wireless communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.11 standard). The IEEE 802.11 standard defines two different types of networks: ad-hoc networks. This means that an independent basic set of services ("IBSS") and an infrastructure network means an extended set of services ("ESS"). In the infrastructure network, the mobile device communicates with the next mobile device or network device through the access point in connection with the distribution system (eg WAN, WWAN, LAN, WLAN, PAN WPAN, etc.). In the ad-hoc network, on the other hand, the mobile device communicates directly with another mobile device or other network device.

[0002] In the 802.11 standard, the ad hoc network and the infrastructure network are mutually exclusive. This means that if the mobile device wants to connect to the printer, the printer can be added to the infrastructure network, thus becoming a resource available to the entire network. The mobile device would communicate with the printer via the access point. In contrast, the mobile device can establish exclusive communication with the printer first by detaching from the infrastructure network and connecting to the ad-hoc network, where the mobile device communicates directly with the printer without using an access point.

[0003] As it is currently implemented, the infrastructure network and the ad-hoc network have inherent disadvantages. For example, if the printer is added to an infrastructure network, data transmitted to the printer creates an additional burden for network traffic, while the printer becomes the subject of unwanted network activity. However, if the printer communicates with a mobile device on an ad-hoc network, the mobile device must disconnect from the infrastructure network. Therefore, there is a need for a simultaneous mode of operation in an infrastructure / ad-hoc network. This means that a simultaneous basic set of services ("SBSS"), the mobile device can maintain a connection to the infrastructure network when sending data directly to the printer.

US 2002/0141368 discloses an inter-network node for providing inter-network services for wireless mobile nodes. Each wireless mobile node is associated with at most one interconnection node. Each wireless mobile node selects which interconnect node to connect to. The inter-network node will then serve all associated wireless nodes in forwarding messages between wireless nodes or between wired and wireless nodes.

US 6 791 949 describes a method for establishing and maintaining a wireless ad hoc network comprising framework nodes that transmit packets over a network, and non-skeletal nodes that are capable of using the network but do not forward packets.

Signaling packs are effectively transmitted only by backbone nodes, thus reducing the bandwidth associated with establishing and maintaining the network.

Summary of the Invention [0004] The invention is defined as in the appended claims.

[0005] The invention relates to a system having a mobile station and an access point that connects the mobile station to the network. The mobile station has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the mobile station transmits a data packet intended for the next mobile station to the access point, while the access point transmits a data packet to the next mobile station. In the second mode of operation, the mobile station sends a data packet intended for the next mobile station directly to the next mobile station.

[0006] In addition, a mobile station having a processor and a memory storing a set of instructions for execution in a processor has been disclosed. The instruction set contains the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the mobile station transmits a data packet destined for another mobile station to an access point connected to the network, while the access point transmits a data packet to the next mobile station. In the second mode of operation, the mobile station sends a data packet intended for the next mobile station to the next mobile station.

[0007] In addition, a method of checking the field of a media access control frame transmitted to a mobile station, adjusting the transmit power of the mobile station based on field values ​​and transmitting the next access control frame to the carriers using the adjusted transmit power.

[0008] A method for sending a data packet destined for a mobile device to an access point, listening to one data packet transmission by the access point to the mobile device and transmitting the confirmation by the mobile device to the access point, adding the mobile device address to the table when one of the signals to be listened is detected and sending another data packet intended for the mobile device directly to the mobile device when the address is present in the table.

Brief description of the drawing [0009]

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a system using the first mode of operation according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the system of Fig. 1 using both the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a mobile station architecture according to the invention. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the MAC frame according to the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the MAC frame body from Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of the control field of the frame body of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a table of type values ​​and related descriptions according to the invention.

Fig. 8 is a table of subtype values ​​and related descriptions according to the invention.

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a system using the first mode of operation according to the invention.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the system of Fig. 9 utilizing the second mode of operation according to the invention.

Fig. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the system of Fig. 10 returning to the first mode of operation.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the hardware address table according to the invention.

Fig. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a method of adding a hardware address to a mobile station's reception table.

Fig. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of the determination method that the operation mode of the invention uses.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of a method for transmitting a data packet according to the invention.

Fig. 16 shows an embodiment of a method for entering a mobile station's hardware address into a table of another mobile station according to the invention.

Fig. 17 shows an example of a timer clock according to the invention.

Fig. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the power adjusting mechanism for a mobile station receiving a data packet according to the invention.

Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of the power adjusting mechanism of Fig. 18 for a mobile station transmitting a data packet according to the invention.

Detailed description [0010] The invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which like elements are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in Fig. 1, the invention includes a system 5 that provides for the operation of a multi-mode radio. System 5 includes a wireless network 10 (e.g., WLAN, WPAN) that is connected to access point 15 ("AP"). According to the invention, the first mobile station 20 ("MS") (e.g., PC, laptop, mobile phone, PDA, pocket computer, radio transceiver etc.) may want to communicate with a second MS 25. First MS 20 and second MS 25 work according to an existing communication protocol, such as the IEEE 802.11 standard. As such, both the first MS 20 and the second MS 25 may have similar functionalities, opportunities and elements (e.g., processors, antennas, memory, etc.), including those described here. In other embodiments of the invention, the second MS 25 may be a receiving device (e.g., a printer, a headset, etc.). Although the invention may be described with reference to the first MS 20, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be applied to any radio transceiver communicating over a network. Therefore, the terms "first" and "second" are not limiting, but used only for clarity and to illustrate embodiments of the invention. Although the invention may be described with reference to the first MS 20, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be applied to any radio transceiver communicating over a network. Therefore, the terms "first" and "second" are not limiting, but used only for clarity and to illustrate embodiments of the invention. Although the invention may be described with reference to the first MS 20, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be applied to any radio transceiver communicating over a network. Therefore, the terms "first" and "second" are not limiting, but used only for clarity and to illustrate embodiments of the invention.

[0011] The first MS 20 has a first mode of operation that is based on an existing communication protocol, such as for example the IEEE 802.11 standard. In the first mode of operation, the first MS 20 wants to send a data packet to the second MS 25. As is known in the art and in accordance with the 802.11 standard (e.g., infrastructure network), the first MS 20 transmits a data packet to AP 15 that is associated with the first MS 20. If the first MS 20 and the second MS 25 are associated with AP 15, the AP 15 then transmits this data packet to the second MS 25. However, if the second MS 25 is not associated with AP 15, the AP 15 transmits the data packet to the wireless network 10 which in turn transmits this data packet to the next AP that is associated with the second MS 25. As will be understood by those skilled in the art,

[0012] The transmission of the data packet from the first MS 20 to the AP 15 in a wireless setting, as for example described herein, is known in the prior art as "pitch". Therefore, according to the 802.11 standard, the minimum number of strokes that is required to transmit data packets from the first MS 20 to the second MS 25 is two jumps: one jump from the first MS 20 to the AP 15, the second jump from the AP 15 to the second MS 25 A minimum of two jumps occurs only when the AP 15 is associated with the first MS 20 and the second MS 25.

[0013] The first MS 20 is further able to use the second mode of operation shown in Fig. 2, based on an existing communication protocol. In the second mode and according to the invention, the first MS 20 intends to transmit a data packet to the second MS 25. However, in the second mode of operation, the data packet may be transmitted in a single hop. That is, the first MS 20 may transmit the data packet directly to the second MS 25 without having to use the AP 15. As will be described here, the second mode of operation is useful under certain conditions. However, the invention allows simultaneous use of both modes first and second by MS 20, 25. Therefore, the first MS 20 may not have to disconnect from the wireless network 10 when communicating directly with the second MS 25.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 2, the first MS 20 and the second MS 25 may be paired to form a local cell 30. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the local cell 30 is determined by a communication range in which the first MS may transmit and receive radio frequency ("RF") signals. The local cell 30 may be located within the AP cell 35, which is determined by the transmit / receive range of the RF AP 15. To effectively communicate using the second mode of operation, the second MS 25 must be within the local cell 30 (i.e., MS 20 and MS 25 find each other in their communication ranges). However, as will be described below, the MS 20 can remain in the second mode even when the MS 25 is out of range of the communication range.

[0015] The creation of a local cell 30 can be implemented in several ways. In one embodiment, the first MS 20 can be manually paired with a second MS 25. Manual pairing can be performed, for example, by entering the hardware address of the second MS 25 into the table 200, i.e. on the list of nearby devices included within the first MS 20, which is shown in Fig. 12 and described below. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the term "hardware address" may be used to describe any unique address associated with a mobile device, e.g. a media access control address ("MAC") and / or a basic service set identifier ("BSSID") ") Throughout the application. These terms may be used interchangeably throughout the description. Table 200 may further include a set of parameters associated with the hardware address. In this embodiment, the first MS 20 may be a portable computer that is manually paired with a second MS 25 that is a dedicated printer. In this way, the first MS 20 and the second MS 25 can only search for each other and communicate with each other. All other activities in the AP cell 35 can pass through AP 15. However, in the same embodiment MS 20, 25 can receive transmissions from other MSs within the AP cell 35.

[0016] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the local cell may further comprise any other MS that is in communication range with the first MS 20. The first MS 20 may be manually paired with any number of other MSs that are inside the cell. local 30 at any given time. The hardware addresses of other MSs may be entered manually into the first 200 table 200. For example, the first MS 20 may be a portable computer that is manually paired with a second MS 25 that is a dedicated printer. The local cell 30 formed by the first MS 20 and the second MS 25 may further comprise another MS, which may be a data capture device (e.g., bar code reader, RFID reader, Magstripe reader, etc.).

[0017] In a further embodiment, the local cell 30 can be created automatically. In this embodiment, the first MS 20 can monitor and track any MS that falls within the range of the local cell 30. For example, if the second MS 25 is inside the AP 35, but is not within the communication range of the first MS 20, the second MS hardware address however, when the second MS 25 moves to the communication range of the first MS 20, the first MS 20 may include the hardware address of the second MS 25 in Table 200. This process will be described in more detail below.

[0018] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the computer architecture 37 of the first MS 20. The architecture 37 allows the first MS 20 to use modes of operation of the first and second. In particular, the architecture 37 allows the first MS 20 to communicate directly with the second MS 25 without disconnecting from the wireless network 10. The operation of the computer architecture 37 will be described in more detail below.

[0019] According to the invention, the transmission of the data packet from the first MS 20 to the second MS 25 may be effected using a MAC frame 40, an embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 4. The MAC frame 40 includes a frame header 50, a frame body 55 and a frame check sequence. ("FCS") 60. The frame header 50 typically has a capacity of 30 bytes, while the frame body 55 has a capacity of 2312 bytes, while the FCS 60 has a capacity of 6 bytes. Each MAC 40 frame can correspond to another function. For example, the MAC 40 frame can be used for a control function, a management function or a data function. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, frame body 55 may vary (e.g., in the range of capacity, format, content, etc.) based on the function to be fulfilled.

[0020] The frame header 50 of the MAC frame 40 is shown in more detail in Fig. 5. The components and properties of the frame header 50 are generally known in the art. The frame header 50 includes a check box 65 adjacent to the duration / identification field 70, each of which may have a capacity of 2 bytes. The time / identity field 70 for the data function represents the duration of the MAC frame 40, while for the control function the field 70 represents the identity of the wireless station that initiated the transmission. The first address field 75 follows the duration / identification field 70 and is the source address of the transmission (e.g. the hardware address of the first MS 20). The second address field 80 adjacent to the first address field 75 represents the destination address of the transmission (e.g., the hardware address of the second MS 25). A third address field 85 adjacent to the second address field 80 represents the address of the receiving station. As shown in Fig. 5, a control field of sequence 90 may be adjacent to the third address field 85. The sequence control field 90 may have a capacity of 2 bytes. The fourth address field 95 represents the address of the transmitting station. In one exemplary embodiment, each address field 75, 80, 85, 95 may have a capacity of 6 bytes, but the invention may be implemented irrespective of size.

An enlarged view of the frame check box 65 is shown in Fig. 6. As mentioned above, the control field 65 of the frame has a capacity of 2 bytes, while the expanded view shows the view bit by bit. The protocol version field 100 is shown as the first part of the frame control field 65. Protocol field 100 is usually set to zero. The type 105 field and the sub-field field 110 follow the protocol version field 100 and together describe the function (e.g., control, management) of the MAC frame 40. The "to DS" field 115 adheres to the sub-field field 110. When the field "to DS" field 115 is one, the MAC frame is transmitted to the distribution system. Adjacent to the field "to DS" 115 is the field "from DS" 120. If the field "from DS" 120 is equal to one, the MAC frame has arrived from the distribution system.

[0022] Also included in the control box 65 is the field "more frag" 125 that adheres to the frame "from DS" 120. A value of one in the field "more frag" 125 means that one or more fragmentary frames may be followed, when zero means that this MAC 40 frame is an unfragmented frame or the last MAC frame. Adjacent to the "more frag" field 125 is a retry field 130 which, if one is present, means that this MAC frame 40 is a retransmission. Power management field

135 can be seen next to the retry field 130. The value of one means that the wireless station is in active mode, while the zero value indicates that the wireless station is in a power saving mode (e.g., sleep mode).

[0023] Also included in the check box 65 is the "more data" field 140 that adheres to the power management field 135. The value one in the "more data" field 140 indicates that the additional MAC frame (s) are buffered with the intention of sending on Destination address of the transmission. A value of one in the wired equivalent privacy field ("WEP") 145 indicates that the data packet has been processed by the WEP algorithm. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, WEP is a security protocol for WLANs as defined in the 802.11 standard. The last field in the frame control field 65 is the order field 150, which if one is present in it, indicates that the MAC frames must be strictly ordered when they are transmitted / received.

[0024] As mentioned above, the type 105 field together with the sub-type field 110 describe the operation of the MAC frame 40. As seen in Fig. 7, a value of type "00" indicates that the MAC frame 40 will perform a management function; value type "01" indicates a control function; "10" indicates the data function. The "11" value is marked as reserved, in accordance with the 802.11 standard. In this way, with the use of a restricted type, each function (eg management, control, data) can have up to eight reserved subtypes, these dedicated functions (four) plus reserved type (four). For example, a data function can have up to eight dedicated subtypes (e.g. from 1000 hex to 1111 hex).

[0025] An embodiment of the proposed combination of type and subtype is shown in Fig. 8. Subtype field 110 may include four bit values ​​(i.e., b4 b7), each of which may indicate an event, state, setting, change, etc. For example in the illustrated for example, the value b6 may indicate a change in power. As such, the power increase can be indicated by a value of zero, while the power reduction can be indicated by the value of one. In this way, the b6 value can be used to determine the increase or decrease in transmission power. The value b7 may be used to indicate to further wireless stations that this MAC frame 40 has arrived from a wireless station operating in accordance with the second mode of operation.

[0026] The first and second modes of operation will now be described in more detail. As shown in Fig. 9, system 5 includes AP 15, first MS 20, second MS 25 and third MS 155. Each MS 20, 25, 155 has a radio frequency coverage area ("RF") associated thereto, 160, 165 respectively. , 170, which defines a range in which the MS can effectively transmit and receive RF signals. According to the first mode of operation, the first MS 20 intends to send a data packet to the second MS 25, but does not know that the second MS 25 is in the coverage area 160 of the first MS 20. As such, the first MS 20 sends the data signal source 175 to the AP 15 AP 15 sends an AP 180 acknowledgment signal back to the first MS 20 confirming the reception of the source signal of the data packet 175. As will be understood by those skilled in the art,

[0027] Next, the AP 15 transmits the data packet to the second MS 25 using the target data packet 185. The second MS 25 sends the confirmation signal MS ("ACK") 190 back to AP 15 to acknowledge the reception of the target data packet 185. the first MS 20 after sending the source signal of the data packet 175 starts listening for transmissions from other wireless stations (e.g., different AP, MS) in its coverage area RF 160. In particular, the first MS 20 listens to the signal of the target data packet 185 from the AP 15 and / or The first MS 20 can not hear the target signal of the data packet 185 if, for example, the second MS 25 is not within the AP 35 cell. This means that if the second MS 25 is associated with another AP connected to the network 10,The AP 15 may transmit the target signal of the data packet 185 to the next AP via the network 10. In this way, the first MS 20 can not hear the target signal of the data packet 185 transmitted from the next AP that is outside the local cell 30. Similarly, the first MS 20 does not it may hear a confirmation signal MS 190 if the second MS 25 is outside the local cell 30.

If the first MS 20 hears one or both of signals 185, 190, the first MS 20 may recognize that the second MS 25 is in the coverage area of ​​RF 160 of the first MS 20. As such, the first MS 20 may switch to the second mode. and may send another signal (s) of the data packet 195 directly to the second MS 25 without using AP 15. The second MS 25 may then send a confirmation signal MS 190 to the first MS 20 instead of AP 15. However, if the first MS 20 does not hear the target signal the data packet 185 and / or the confirmation signal MS 190, then the first MS 20 may continue to send data packet signals according to the first mode of operation (i.e., via AP 15). Furthermore, if the first MS 20 sends another data packet signal 195 to the second MS 25 and does not receive a confirmation signal MS 190 from the second MS 25, the first MS 20 may interrupt communication using the second mode of operation and return to the first mode of operation. This can happen when, for example, the second MS 25 is outside of the coverage area RF 160 of the first MS 20.

[0029] After the first MS has received information that the second MS 25 is in the coverage area RF 160, the first MS 20 may include the hardware address of the second MS 25 in Table 200. Thus, the first MS 20 may still communicate with the second MS. a second MS 25 using the second mode of operation until, for example, the second MS 25 is outside the RF 160 coverage area. However, the first MS 20 may store the second MS hardware address in Table 200 for a predetermined amount of time, as will be explained below . As shown in Fig. 10, the second MS 25 is again in the RF 160 coverage area of ​​the first MS 20 after temporarily being outside of the RF 160 coverage area. The first MS 20 stores the hardware address of the second MS 25 for a predetermined time after writing the hardware address in the first MS 20. This time will be described in more detail below. In this way, the first MS 20 may immediately initiate communication with the second MS 25 using the second mode of operation during this predetermined period. This means that the first MS 20 does not have to wait to hear the confirmation signal MS 190 from the second MS 25 to initiate the second mode of operation. Therefore, the first MS 20 can assume that the second MS 25 remains in the RF 160 coverage area, and send the data signal source 175 directly to the second MS 25. If the first MS 20 receives the MS 190 confirmation signal from the second MS 25, the first MS 20 has the same confirms that the second MS 25 remains in the local cell and can continue to transmit consecutive data packet signals 195 using the second mode.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 11, a first MS 20 may send a source signal of the data packet 175 or a subsequent data packet signal 195 to the second MS 25, but the second MS 25 may have left the RF 160 coverage area of ​​the first MS 20. Accordingly, the first MS 20 may The MS 20 may attempt a predetermined number of retransmissions with identical or exponential time intervals (e.g., backoff) between each retransmission attempt. However, when a predetermined number of retransmissions reaches zero or a predetermined time is completed, the first MS 20 can delete the second MS hardware address from Table 200. Therefore, the first MS 20 may need to obtain the second MS hardware address again at a later time, e.g. when the second MS 25 is back in the area of ​​the RF 160 cover of the first MS 20.

[0031] A further embodiment of the invention consists in using a second mode of operation by a second MS 25. In this embodiment, the first MS 20 has previously sent the source signal of the data packet 175 and / or the next data packet signal 195 to the second MS 25. When the second MS 25 receives signals 175, 195, the logic circuit in the second MS 25 checks the fourth address field 95 to determine the hardware address of the wireless station that transmitted the data packet. Those skilled in the art will understand that a logic circuit, as described herein, can be implemented by hardware or software. In addition, each wireless station, including the first MS 20, may include a logic circuit described herein. If the fourth address field 95 has the hardware address AP 15 associated with the second MS 25, then the second MS 25 may assume that the first MS 20 is not in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25, while the second MS 25 can transmit / receive data packets according to the first mode of operation. However, if the fourth address field 95 has a hardware address of the first MS 20, the second MS 25 may assume that the first MS 20 attempts to initiate communication using the second mode of operation. Then the second MS 25 may add the hardware address of the first MS 20 to the table 200 in the second MS 25, which lists the hardware addresses of each wireless station in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25m. As mentioned above, the second MS 25 may return to the first mode of operation after a predetermined number of failed retransmissions to the first MS 20, or when the counter in the second MS 25 reaches a zero or predetermined number. while the second MS 25 may transmit / receive data packets in accordance with the first mode of operation. However, if the fourth address field 95 has a hardware address of the first MS 20, the second MS 25 may assume that the first MS 20 attempts to initiate communication using the second mode of operation. Then the second MS 25 may add the hardware address of the first MS 20 to the table 200 in the second MS 25, which lists the hardware addresses of each wireless station in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25m. As mentioned above, the second MS 25 may return to the first mode of operation after a predetermined number of failed retransmissions to the first MS 20, or when the counter in the second MS 25 reaches a zero or predetermined number. while the second MS 25 may transmit / receive data packets in accordance with the first mode of operation. However, if the fourth address field 95 has a hardware address of the first MS 20, the second MS 25 may assume that the first MS 20 attempts to initiate communication using the second mode of operation. Then the second MS 25 may add the hardware address of the first MS 20 to the table 200 in the second MS 25, which lists the hardware addresses of each wireless station in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25m. As mentioned above, the second MS 25 may return to the first mode of operation after a predetermined number of failed retransmissions to the first MS 20, or when the counter in the second MS 25 reaches a zero or predetermined number. However, if the fourth address field 95 has a hardware address of the first MS 20, the second MS 25 may assume that the first MS 20 attempts to initiate communication using the second mode of operation. Then the second MS 25 may add the hardware address of the first MS 20 to the table 200 in the second MS 25, which lists the hardware addresses of each wireless station in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25m. As mentioned above, the second MS 25 may return to the first mode of operation after a predetermined number of failed retransmissions to the first MS 20, or when the counter in the second MS 25 reaches a zero or predetermined number. However, if the fourth address field 95 has a hardware address of the first MS 20, the second MS 25 may assume that the first MS 20 attempts to initiate communication using the second mode of operation. Then the second MS 25 may add the hardware address of the first MS 20 to the table 200 in the second MS 25, which lists the hardware addresses of each wireless station in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25m. As mentioned above, the second MS 25 may return to the first mode of operation after a predetermined number of failed retransmissions to the first MS 20, or when the counter in the second MS 25 reaches a zero or predetermined number. Then the second MS 25 may add the hardware address of the first MS 20 to the table 200 in the second MS 25, which lists the hardware addresses of each wireless station in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25m. As mentioned above, the second MS 25 may return to the first mode of operation after a predetermined number of failed retransmissions to the first MS 20, or when the counter in the second MS 25 reaches a zero or predetermined number. Then the second MS 25 may add the hardware address of the first MS 20 to the table 200 in the second MS 25, which lists the hardware addresses of each wireless station in the coverage area RF 165 of the second MS 25m. As mentioned above, the second MS 25 may return to the first mode of operation after a predetermined number of failed retransmissions to the first MS 20, or when the counter in the second MS 25 reaches a zero or predetermined number.

[0032] An embodiment of table 200 is shown in Fig. 12. Table 200 will be described with respect to the first MS 20, but those skilled in the art will understand that any wireless station may include table 200. Table 200 may include a hardware address field , time field and / or field of retransmission 210. Hardware address field

205 may include a hardware address of any of the wireless stations (e.g. AP 15, second MS 25, third MS 155) located within the coverage area RF 160 of the first MS 20. Time field 210 may include clock values ​​that are associated with each hardware address in the hardware address field 205. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the hardware address & quot; 00: A0: F8: 23: EA: F7 & quot; has its associated clock value & quot; 5000 & quot ;. As mentioned above, the value of the clock may decrease to zero from a predetermined value (e.g., 45,000 milliseconds) or increase to a predetermined value. Time field 210 may alternatively be a retransmission field that counts the number of failed retransmissions. According to the invention, when the clock value reaches a limit value (e.g., zero, a predetermined number), the associated hardware address, and thus a wireless station, can be removed from table 200. As such, the first MS 20 can no longer initiate communication with this wireless station using the second mode of operation. However, the hardware address previously deleted may be added back to table 200 if the wireless device is again in the RF 160 coverage area of ​​the first MS 20.

[0033] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a station or wireless device that has been manually paired with the first MS 20 may have an associated clock value set to a value that reflects such manual pairing. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the hardware address & quot; 00: 0B: F2: 00: 10: 60 & quot; has a clock value set to zero. This may indicate that the hardware address should not be removed unless it is done manually (ie, no reduction or increase in the value of the clock).

[0034] Table 200 may further comprise an ordered list 215 (e.g., a fixed table of indicators) for optimizing searches and referencing table 200, for example when hardware addresses are added / removed. When it is desired to find the hardware address in the hardware address field 205, a binary search in the ordered list 215 can be used to quickly resolve the presence of the hardware address being sought. Similarly, when a new hardware address is added to table 200, the ordered list 210 may be reorganized to include the new hardware address. In this way, less memory manipulation may be required in the first MS 20. However, each search algorithm may be implemented based on the specific requirements of the individual system.

The operation of the logic circuit that checks the hardware address of the received data packet with the list of hardware addresses in table 200 is shown generally in the example method 300 of Fig. 13. In step 305, the second MS 25 receives the data packet from the wireless station. In step 310, the logic circuit in the second MS 25 checks the fourth address field 95 of the MAC frame 40 to determine if the data packet originates from the AP 15 or the first MS 20. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the second MS 25 may recognize that the packet the data originates from another MS if the fourth address field 95 does not contain the AP hardware address to which the second MS 25 is currently associated (e.g., AP 15). If the data packet originates from AP 15, then the second MS 25 processes the MAC frame 40 in the normal manner as shown in step 325. However, if the data packet is from the first MS 20, as shown in step 315, then the second MS 25 checks its table 200 to determine if the hardware address of the first MS 25 is inscribed in table 200. If the hardware address of the first MS 20 is found in table 200, the associated clock value is reset, and the second MS 25 processes the MAC 40 frame as shown in step 325. As shown in step 320, if the hardware address of the first MS 20 was not in the second MS table 200, then the hardware address is added to table 200, while table 200 is re-ordered. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, resetting the clock value in step 325 and adding the hardware address in step 320 may allow the second MS 25 to initiate communication with the first MS 20 using a second mode of operation assuming that the first MS 20 is in the coverage area RF 165. The clock value for the hardware address can be set, for example, via the management information base ("MIB") configuration parameter and start to increase / decrease. In step 325, the MAC frame 40 is processed by the second MS 25.

[0036] The decision of the first MS 20 regarding which mode of operation to use is generally represented by the exemplary method 400 of Fig. 14. In step 405, the logic circuit determines whether the second mode of operation is on. If not enabled, the first MS 20 sends a data packet according to the first mode of operation, as shown in step 410. In the case where the second mode of operation is enabled, the method 400 moves to step 415, wherein the logic circuit in the first MS determines whether the hardware address of the target MS (e.g., second MS 25) is in table 200 of the first MS 20. In step 420, if the hardware address of the second MS 25 is not in table 200, the data packet is marked to be sent to AP 15.

[0037] An embodiment of a method of transmitting a data packet 500 is shown in Fig. 15. In step 505, the first MS 20 determines whether the data packet is marked to be sent directly to the second MS 25. If not, the first MS 20 sends the data packet. to AP 15, as illustrated in step 510. If the data packet is marked to be sent directly to the second MS 25, step 515 shows that the first MS 20 sets the emergency timer. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the emergency timer may decrease from or increase to a predetermined value which, when reached, may cause the first MS 20 to retransmit the data packet to the second MS-25 or transmit the data packet to AP 15 As will be understood by those skilled in the art,

[0038] In step 520, the first MS 20 transmits a data packet to the second MS 25. After transmission, as shown in step 525, the first MS 20 determines whether it has received an acknowledgment signal MS 190 from the second MS 25 before the emergency timer has reached a predetermined value. If the confirmation signal MS 190 has not been received by the first MS 20 before the emergency timer has reached a predetermined value, the data packet is transmitted to AP 15, as depicted in step 510. If the confirmation signal MS 190 has been received by the first MS 20, then it transmits the next data packet signal 195 directly to the second MS 25 and reset the emergency timer (when there is no manual pairing).

[0039] To further increase the efficiency, the invention may use a dispatch / readiness send ("RTS / CTS") mechanism as defined by the 802.11 standard and well known in the art. In this way, the first MS 20 can terminate the RTS / CTS response before transmitting the data packet over the wireless network. The use of responses can provide positive control over the wireless network and minimize collisions between wireless stations that may be hidden.

An example 600 for automatically entering hardware addresses into table 200 is shown in Fig. 16. In step 605, the first MS 20 hears a wireless station transmitting in the RF coverage area 160. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the wireless station does not need to transmit to the first MS 20, but simply transmits a data packet to another wireless station that may be within or outside the coverage area RF 160 of the first MS 20.

[0041] In step 610, the first MS 20 determines whether the hardware address of the wireless station to be heard is currently included in table 200. If the hardware address is in table 200, the first MS 20 may reset the associated clock value. If the hardware address is not in table 200, it is added to the table as shown in step 615, while the clock value is set as shown in step 620. The hardware address of the wireless station being heard is maintained in table 200, while the clock value is increased / decrease. In step 625, the first MS 20 determines whether the clock value has reached the limit value, and thus whether the hardware address of the wireless station to be heard can be removed from table 200.

[0042] An embodiment of the pairing clock 700 used by the first MS will be described with reference to Fig. 17. In one embodiment, the first MS 20 may be active at all times, listening to other wireless stations within the coverage area of ​​RF 160. In the second example The first MS 20 can be active only at certain intervals of time. LikeIn FIG. 17, the pairing clock 700 may include a first clock 705 and a second clock 710. The first clock 705 may be used for passive listening. This means that the first timer 705 can activate the first MS 20 for a predetermined time (e.g., 3-5 signal intervals). The first timer 705 may allow the first MS 20 to hear the wireless stations in the coverage area RF 160, thereby populating / updating the table 200 of the first MS 20. The first timer 705 may then deactivate the first MS 20 after a predetermined time or by the MIB (e.g., 10 intervals) signals). As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the number of signal intervals for activating / deactivating a receiver can be optimized depending on the traffic in the AP cell 35 and / or in the wireless network 10.

[0043] The second timer 710 may be used to activate the first MS 20 after transmitting the data packet to AP 15. In this way, the first MS 20 is activated to listen the target signal of the data packet 185 from the AP 15 and / or the confirmation signal MS 190 from the second MS. 20 for the time specified in advance or determined by the MIB (eg 5-7 times the current signal interval). As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a predetermined time for listening signals 185, 190 may be modified to increase the likelihood of hearing signals 185, 190 in wireless network 10. Further optimization of a predetermined time interval may be accomplished by averaging the time intervals between transmitting the source signals of the data packet 175 and the heard destination signals of the data packet 185 and / or the confirmation signals MS 190.

[0044] The invention further provides for controlling the power of the first MS 20 (e.g., a transmitting wireless station) by means of a second MS 25. Fig. 18 shows an embodiment of a power control mechanism 800 that can be used by a second MS 25 (e.g., a wireless station) receiving the data packet). In the idle state 805, the second MS 25 is idle, listening for the movement in its RF coverage area 165. In the processing state of the packet 810, the second MS 25 received the data packet and begins to process the packet. In addition to the standard packet processing, the logic circuit of the second MS determines whether the data packet comes from a wireless station whose hardware address is in the second MS table 200, or from a wireless station whose hardware address is not in the second MS table 200.

[0045] In the state of the existing source 815, the field of the subtype 110 (shown in Fig. 6) in the control frame 65 is checked to determine whether it contains a power control subtype, such as, for example, shown in Fig. 8. If the subfield field 110 is not includes power to adjust the subtype, processing returns to standby 805. If the subtype field 110 does not contain a power control subtype, the processing switches to the state of updating entry 820. Depending on the power control subtype, the power setting for the next transmission to the first MS will be saved. For example, with reference to Fig. 8, the second MS 25 may indicate the first MS 20 to increase the power of the next transmission by including the value of the subtype "1000" in the field of the subtype 110.

[0046] The invention further provides for controlling the power of a second MS 25 (e.g., a receiving wireless station) by means of the first MS 20. Fig. 19 shows an embodiment of the power adjusting mechanism 900 that may be used by the first MS.

MS 20 (e.g., a wireless station transmitting a data packet). In the idle state 905, the first MS 20 is idle, waiting for the data packet to be transmitted. In the packet processing state 910, the data packet is to be transmitted from the first MS 20. The first MS logic circuit 20 determines whether the data packet will be sent to the wireless station whose hardware address is in the first MS table 200, or to the wireless station the hardware address is not in the first MS table 200. If the hardware address is not present in table 200, the processing switches to the transmission state of the 920 packet. If the hardware address is present in the table, the first MS 20 switches to the state of the existing target 915.

[0047] In the state of the existing target 915, the hardware address of the second MS 25 has a previous power of the received signal associated therewith. The previous received signal power is compared to the optimal received signal power stored in the first MS 20. The subtype value in the sub-type field 110 can be adjusted to account for the difference between the previous power and the optimal power. For example, the first MS 20 may enter the value "1000", thus instructing the second MS 25 to increase the power of its next transmission. Once the value of the subtypes has been adjusted, the processing switches to the transmission state of the packet 920. When the transmission is completed, the processing system returns to standby 905.

[0048] The invention further relates to a communication encryption mechanism using a second mode of operation. As is well known to those skilled in the art, encryption is a mechanism that encodes transmitted data into encrypted text to hide its meaning. For wireless stations to communicate directly, they can use a common set of encryption keys. For wireless stations that are manually paired, cryptographic keys can also be entered manually. In the case of wireless stations that are automatically paired, the method of pairing with the AP 15 requires that the correct encryption keys are in place.

[0049] The invention further provides a mechanism for authentication by means of which wireless stations attempting to access wireless network 10 prove their identity. Manual pairing of wireless stations includes indispensable authentication because the user, by pairing wireless stations, authenticates each of them. Automatic pairing of wireless stations is indispensable in the methods and mechanisms described above, because the wireless station wants to access the wireless network 10, at some point it authenticates itself to the network 10.

[0050] The invention further provides a layer management mechanism in the 802.11 standard. Linking is a service that establishes AP / MS mapping that allows a wireless station to access the distribution system. According to the invention, the wireless station wanting to access the network 10 at some point communicates with AP 15. Solving is a service that removes an existing association that follows when the wireless station leaves the network. According to the invention, wireless stations may leave the network 10 and remain paired. Reconnection (i.e. roaming) is a service that transfers the established connection between MS and AP from the AP to the next AP. Reconnection remains a viable service in connection with the invention. Synchronization service between MS 20,

[0051] Another service provided by the invention is power management. As is known in the art, MS go into sleep mode when they are inactive for a predetermined time. Therefore, MS may never be heard by other MSs listening for activity in the wireless network 10. According to the invention, the MS enters a modified sleep mode, thereby periodically transmitting a NULL data packet or "signals". The signals will enable other wireless stations in the RF MS coverage area to establish communication with it using the second mode of operation. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the transmission frequency of the NULL data packets can be changed and / or set to any value.

[0052] The second mode of operation provides advantages that are not available when using only the first mode of operation. For example, the second mode of operation may increase system performance 5. As is known in the art, wireless stations (e.g., MS, AP and any other wireless devices) temporarily compete for wireless network access while dispersed (DCF) functions are performed. Wireless stations use a network access mechanism, such as, for example, multi-access with channel state testing and collision avoidance ("CSMA / CA") or multiple access with channel state testing and collision detection ("CSMA / CD"). CSMA / CA is a technique in which a wireless station wanting to access a wireless network 10 listens for activity on a wireless network 10 before making a transmission. Activity in the wireless network 10 is derived from the channel condition testing mechanism provided by the physical layer of the 802.11 standard, which is known to those skilled in the art. Using CSMA / CA, the wireless station tries to avoid collisions with activity in the wireless network by listening, rather than responding to detected collisions (ie CSMA / CD).

[0053] Another advantage of the second mode of operation is the reduced transmission time of the data packet. As mentioned above, the minimum number of hops for transmission of a data packet is two jumps. However, in the second mode of operation, the data packet is transmitted in one stroke, because the transmission through AP 15 has been eliminated. The direct communication between the first MS 20 and the second MS 25 may increase the total system throughput 5, reduce the transmission delay of the data packet and reduce the total system power 5 that is consumed by transmitting the data packet. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, power consumption is inversely proportional to the battery life. Therefore, reducing the total power can extend battery life.

Another advantage of the second mode of operation is to reduce the amount of noise present in the wireless network 10. Like traffic reduction, transmissions between the first MS 20 and the second MS 25 may use less power because the MS 20, 25 may be in close range . Short-range communication can reduce interference in the wireless network 10.

[0055] The above-described advantages are simply illustrative and in no way exhaust all the advantages of the invention. The invention may further be used in a person-to-person voice system (& quot; P2P & quot;), a P2P priority system and a P2P communication system that uses a mesh network.

[0056] The invention has been described with reference to MS 20, 25, AP 15 and the areas of coverage RF 160, 165. A person skilled in the art will also understand that the invention can be successfully implemented. Accordingly, various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. In connection with the above, the description and drawing should be treated in an illustrative way, not restrictive.

Aspects of the invention [0057]

1. A system comprising: a mobile station; and an access point connecting the mobile station to the network;

wherein the mobile station has a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the first mode of operation comprises transmitting by the mobile station a data packet destined for another mobile station to the access point and transmitting by the access point a data packet to another mobile station, the second mode of operation comprises transmitting by the mobile station of the data packet, destined for the next mobile station, directly to the next mobile station.

2. The system according to aspect 1, wherein the mobile station includes a table for storing the hardware address of the next mobile station.

3. The system according to aspect 2, wherein the hardware address has a related clock value.

4. The system according to aspect 3, wherein when the value of the clock reaches the limit value, the hardware address is removed from the table.

5. The system according to aspect 3, wherein the mobile station initiates communication with another mobile station using the second mode of operation before the timer value expires.

6. The system according to aspect 1, wherein the mobile station switches from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation when the mobile station hears a confirmation signal transmitted from another mobile station to the access point.

7. The system according to aspect 1, wherein the mobile station switches from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation when the next mobile station enters the radio frequency coverage area of ​​the mobile station.

8. The system according to aspect 1, wherein the next mobile station uses the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation for transmitting the next data packet to the mobile station.

9. The system according to aspect 8, wherein the next mobile station includes a table for storing the hardware address of the mobile station.

10. The system according to aspect 1, wherein the mobile station operates in a second mode of operation for transmitting a data packet to another mobile station and operates in a first mode of operation for transmitting data packets to additional mobile stations without leaving the second mode of operation.

11. A mobile station, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a set of instructions for execution in the processor;

wherein the instruction set comprises a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the first mode of operation comprises transmitting by a mobile station a data packet destined for another mobile station to an access point connected to the network and transmitting by the access point a data packet to another mobile station, the other the mode of operation includes transmitting by a mobile station a data packet destined for another mobile station to the next mobile station.

12. The mobile station according to aspect 11, wherein the mobile station comprises a table for storing the hardware address of the next mobile station.

13. The mobile station according to aspect 12, wherein the hardware address has a related clock value.

14. The mobile station according to aspect 13, wherein when the clock value reaches a limit value, the hardware address is removed from the table.

15. The mobile station according to aspect 11, wherein the mobile station operates in a first mode of operation for transmitting data packets to additional mobile stations without leaving the second mode of operation.

16. A method comprising:

checking the field of the media access control frame transmitted to the mobile station;

regulating the transmission power of the mobile station based on the value in the field; and transmitting the next access control frame to the carriers using the adjusted transmission power.

17. The method according to aspect 16, wherein the field is one of a type field and a sub-type field.

18. A method comprising:

sending a data packet destined for the mobile device to the access point;

listening for one data packet transmission by the access point to the mobile device and transmitting the confirmation by the mobile device to the access point;

adding the mobile device's address to the table when one of the signals to be listened to is detected; and sending another data packet intended for the mobile device directly to the mobile device when the address is present in the table.

19. The method according to aspect 18, wherein the address is an access control address for carriers.

20. The method of aspect 18, further comprising removing the address from the table when the clock value associated with the address has elapsed.

21. The method of aspect 18, further comprising receiving an acknowledgment from the mobile device after the mobile device has received the next data packet.

22. The method of aspect 18, further comprising re-sending the next data packet to the mobile device when the clock time has elapsed before receiving the acknowledgment.

23. The method of aspect 18, further comprising re-sending the next data packet to the access point when the clock time elapses before reception of the acknowledgment.