US6130896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wireless LAN segments with point coordination
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1997-10-20
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Granted: 2000-10-10
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Expires: 2017-10-20
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment of the invention, an access point for use in a powerline based network includes first physical layer circuitry to interface with a powerline and second physical layer circuitry to interface with an antenna. The access point also includes circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer circuitry. The first and second physical layer circuitry and the circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer circuitry allow an untethered electrical device to have data communication through the powerline with an electrical device tethered to the powerline. Under another embodiment of the invention, a powerline based network includes a powerline and an access point connected to the powerline and capable of wireless communication.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan C. Lueker
- 👤 Scott B. Blum
- 👤 Steven D. Kassel
- 👤 Phil W. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B3/00; H04B3/54; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L61/00; H04B2203/00; H04B2203/54; H04B2203/5404; H04B2203/5408; H04L12/283; H04L12/2838; H04L2012/284; H04L2012/2841; H04L2012/2843; H04L2101/00; H04L2101/60; H04L2101/618; H04L2101/663; H04L69/00; H04L69/08; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/323; H04W; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/10; H04W84/12; H04W88/00; H04W88/08; H04W92/00; H04W92/02; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
An access point comprising: first physical layer circuitry to interface with an external electrical line; second physical layer circuitry to interface with an antenna; interface circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer, circuitry; and coordination circuitry to perform a point coordination operation to assign an untethered device to the access point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
An access point comprising: first physical layer circuitry to interface with an external electrical line; second physical layer circuitry to interface with an antenna; interface circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer, circuitry; and coordination circuitry to perform a point coordination operation to assign an untethered device to the access point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The access point of claim 1, wherein the first and second physical layer circuitry and the circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer circuitry allow an untethered electrical device to have data communication through the electrical line with an electrical device tethered to the electrical line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The access point of claim 1, wherein the circuitry to interface between the first and second physical layer circuitry includes a router.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The access point of claim 1, wherein the coordination circuitry includes a table holding the address of the untethered device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The access point of claim 1, wherein the coordination circuitry includes communication circuitry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The access point of claim 1, further comprising the antenna.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The access point of claim 1, wherein the access point is a brick having a package and prongs that are supported by the package.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The access point of claim 1, wherein the access point includes a package which is separated from prongs by a conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An access point comprising: a conductor; an antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals; router circuitry connected to the conductor and antenna to change communications protocols between the conductor and the antenna; and coordination circuitry to perform a point coordination operation to assign an untethered device to the access point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
An access point comprising: a conductor; an antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals; router circuitry connected to the conductor and antenna to change communications protocols between the conductor and the antenna; and coordination circuitry to perform a point coordination operation to assign an untethered device to the access point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The access point of claim 9, wherein the wireless signals are RF signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The access point of claim 9, wherein the conductor is connected to a plug for connection to an outlet of a powerline.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The access point of claim 9, wherein the access point is a brick having a package and prongs that are connected to the conductor and supported by the package.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A powerline based network, comprising: a powerline; an access point connected to the powerline and capable of wireless communication; and coordination circuitry to assign an untethered device to the access point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A powerline based network, comprising: a powerline; an access point connected to the powerline and capable of wireless communication; and coordination circuitry to assign an untethered device to the access point.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The network of claim 13, further comprising: an electrical device tethered to the powerline; and wherein the untethered electrical device is in wireless communication with the access point, and through the access point to the tethered electrical device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The network of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication includes data communication.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The network of claim 14, wherein the coordination circuitry performs a point coordination operation to assign the untethered device to the access point.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network of claim 14, wherein the tethered electrical devices is connected to the powerline through a powerline network adapter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The network of claim 14, further comprising an RF network adapter connected to the untethered electrical device, and wherein the wireless communication between the untethered electrical device and the access point is through the RF network adapter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The network of claim 18, wherein the RF network adapter is included within the untethered electrical device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The network of claim 14, wherein the access point is a first access point and wherein the network comprises a second access point connected to the powerline and capable of wireless communication.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The network of claim 20, wherein the second access point includes coordination circuitry to perform a point coordination operation to assign the untethered device to the one of the first and second access points.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The network of claim 21, wherein the coordination circuitry of the second access point performs a point coordination operation includes a table holding the address of the untethered device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
91 words
A network, comprising: an electrical line; and a first access point connected to the electrical line and capable of providing wireless communication within a first cell; and a second access point connected to the electrical line and capable of providing wireless communication within a second cell; and a first untethered electrical device and a second untethered electrical device; and wherein the first and second access points each include circuitry to perform a point coordination operation to assign the first and second untethered electrical devices among the first and second access points.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
91 words
A network, comprising: an electrical line; and a first access point connected to the electrical line and capable of providing wireless communication within a first cell; and a second access point connected to the electrical line and capable of providing wireless communication within a second cell; and a first untethered electrical device and a second untethered electrical device; and wherein the first and second access points each include circuitry to perform a point coordination operation to assign the first and second untethered electrical devices among the first and second access points.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The network of claim 23, wherein the first and second cells do not overlap.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The network of claim 23, wherein the first and second cells do overlap.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The network of claim 23, wherein the first and second access points include circuitry to determine whether the first or the second access point is responsible for communicating with a particular untethered electrical device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
A network, comprising: a conductor; and a first access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a first cell; and a second access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a second cell, wherein the first and second cells do overlap.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
A network, comprising: a conductor; and a first access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a first cell; and a second access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a second cell, wherein the first and second cells do overlap.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
72 words
A network, comprising: a conductor; and a first access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a first cell; and a second access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a second cell, wherein the first and second access points include circuitry to determine whether the first or the second access point is responsible for communicating with a particular untethered electrical device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
72 words
A network, comprising: a conductor; and a first access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a first cell; and a second access point connected to the conductor and capable of providing wireless communication within a second cell, wherein the first and second access points include circuitry to determine whether the first or the second access point is responsible for communicating with a particular untethered electrical device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |