Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 1 of 24
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 1 of 24
`
`EXHIBIT 14
`EXHIBIT 14
`
`

`

`(12) United States Patent
`Vleugels et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`*Feb. 16, 2016
`
`USOO9264991B1
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`(73)
`
`(*)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(60)
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`INTEGRATING SHORTRANGE WIRELESS
`PERSONAL AREANETWORKS FORA
`WIRELESS LOCAL AREANETWORK
`NFRASTRUCTURE
`
`Applicant: Omega Sub Holdings, Inc., Scottsdale,
`AZ (US)
`Inventors: Katelijn Vleugels, Palo Alto, CA (US);
`Roel Peeters, Palo Alto, CA (US)
`Assignee: Omega Sub Holdings, Inc., Scottsdale,
`AZ (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`Notice:
`
`Appl. No.: 14/073,260
`Filed:
`Nov. 6, 2013
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 13/560,917, filed on
`Jul. 27, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,599,814, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/892.825, filed on
`Sep. 28, 2010, which is a division of application No.
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. C.
`H04752/02
`H04784/10
`
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`U.S. C.
`CPC .......... H04W 52/0212 (2013.01); H04W 28/06
`(2013.01); H04 W52/0216 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ............ H04W 88/08; H04W 52/0216; H04W
`52/0219; H04W 88/085; H04W 84/12: H04W
`88/O6
`USPC .......................................... 370/328–332,338
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,141,763 A * 10/2000 Smith ....................... G06F 1.28
`TO9/200
`
`6,272,140 B1
`
`8/2001 LaRowe, Jr. et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`WO
`
`5, 2002
`12O7654 A2
`97,48198 A2 12/1997
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion corresponding to
`the PCT application No. PCT/US06/09786, dated Sep. 25, 2007, 9
`pages total.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Jae Y Lee
`Assistant Examiner — Jean F Voltaire
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Davis Wright Tremaine
`LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A network system comprises a first logic block providing a
`link to a first network via an access point of a WLAN and a
`second logic block communicating with a node of a second
`network (such as a WPAN) and configured to provide a link
`between the node and the first network via the access point.
`The network system is configured to maintain continuous
`connections to both the access point and the node while
`receiving power. The second logic block can communicate
`with the node using a modified communication protocol that
`is only partially compliant with an 802.11X communications
`protocol. A wireless hub can integrate a WPAN with a WLAN
`including, in part, a wireless circuit compliant with the
`WLAN standard (such as an 802.11x standard), a processor,
`and a memory. The wireless circuit can connect to the WPAN
`without losing connectivity (Such as association and synchro
`nization) to the WLAN.
`
`20 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 2 of 24
`
`40
`
`work
`
`39
`
`monitoring
`device
`(PS-STA)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`router
`
`41
`
`47
`
`STA
`
`48
`
`48
`
`router
`
`-49
`
`As
`
`

`

`US 9.264,991 B1
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`1 1/422,945, filed on Jun. 8, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,826,
`408, which is a continuation of application No. 1 1/376,
`729, filed on Mar. 14, 2006, now abandoned.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/661,763, filed on Mar.
`14, 2005.
`
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`2003/01521 10 A1* 8, 2003 Rune .................... HO4J 3,0682
`37Of 509
`2004/0076136 A1
`4/2004 Beach
`3.863 A.
`s: R St. tal
`ea Ca
`2004/0252674 A1 12/2004 Soininen et al.
`2004/0259544 A1 12, 2004 Amos
`2004/0259.552 A1 12, 2004 Ihori et al.
`2005.0025 104 A1
`2/2005 Fischer et al.
`2005.0036484 A1
`2/2005 Barker
`2005, OO58112 A1
`3/2005 Lahey et al.
`2005.0068965 A1
`3/2005 Lin et al.
`2005/OO73967 A1
`4/2005 Hennessey et al.
`2005/008.6393 A1
`4/2005 Meng et al.
`2005.0099275 A1
`5.2005 Kamdar et al.
`2005/0101260 A1
`5/2005 Hunt et al.
`2005/01 19025 A1
`6/2005 Mohindra et al.
`2005/0176473 A1
`8/2005 Melpignano
`2005, 0192044 A1* 9, 2005 Travis ................. HO4M 1/O254
`455,550.1
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`O3,065654 A1
`8/2003
`2006/O99588 A2
`9, 2006
`
`WO
`WO
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`The State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of
`China, First Office Action for Application No. 200680013461.6,
`dated May 12, 2010, 24 pages total.
`Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/422,945, dated Nov. 21, 2008.
`Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/422,945, dated Oct. 22, 2009.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/422,945, dated Jun. 23,
`2010.
`Office Action mailed Oct. 10, 2012 in U.S. Appl. No. 12/892,825, 18
`pageS.
`Office Action mailed Dec. 6, 2012 in U.S. Appl. No. 13/560,917, 48
`pageS.
`Notice of Allowance, mailed Aug. 29, 2013, in U.S. Appl. No.
`13/560,917, 6 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(51) Int. C.
`H04784/12
`H04788/08
`H04/28/6
`HO4L 29/06
`HO4W 88/06
`HO4L 29/08
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`1939: t; al
`3.339:1 A.
`CPC .......... H04 W52/0219 (2013.01); H04W 84/10
`WaaS
`2006/0015621 A1* 1/2006 Quinn ................... HO4W 88.06
`(2013.01); H04W 84/12 (2013.01); H04W
`709,227
`88/08 (2013.01); H04W 88/085 (2013.01);
`2006/0063560 Al
`3, 2006 Herle
`H04L 29/06 (2013.01); H04L 63/08 (2013.01);
`H04L 67/02 (2013.01); H04L 67/10 (2013.01); 38: A.
`239: E. tal
`aCal (a.
`HO4W 88/06 (2013.01)
`2006/0203841 A1
`9, 2006 Fischer
`2006/0215601 A1
`9/2006 Vleugels et al.
`2007/0093 198 A1
`4, 2007 Beckers
`2008. O144493 A1
`6, 2008 Yeh
`2008/0291858 A1 11/2008 Kandala et al.
`2009 OO86619 A1
`4/2009 Santhoff et al.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1/2003 Chiu et al.
`6,505,253 B1
`6,546,253 B1 * 4/2003 Chow .................... Holy 5.9
`6,751,455 B
`6, 2004 Acampora
`6,768,896 B2
`7/2004 Tjalldinet al.
`6,771,933 B1* 8/2004 Eng..................... HO4W 88,085
`370,338
`
`1/2005 Olkkonen et al.
`6,842,460 Bl
`4/2005 Naghian et al.
`6,879,574 B2
`2/2006 Kiko
`7,003,102 B2
`5, 2006 Shellhammer et all
`T.O39.358 B1
`8/2006 Ayyagarietal
`7088.687 B2
`8, 2006 Vii etal
`7,095.748 B2
`3, 2007 Hollister etal
`719097 B1
`10/2007 Nguyen ....... o HO4W 92.00
`7.286,513 B2 :
`370338
`4. ww.
`2/2008 Malone et al.
`7,333,829 B2
`7.463,907 B2 12/2008 Smith et al.
`7,590,101 B2
`9, 2009 Forand et al.
`7,664,081 B2
`2/2010 Luoma et al.
`7,733,885 B2
`6/2010 Ayyagarietal.
`7,826,408 B1
`1 1/2010 Vleugels et al.
`2002fOO39357 A1
`4/2002 Lipasti et al.
`2003.01.19527 A1
`6, 2003 Labun et al.
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 3 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 16, 2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 4 of 24
`
`
`
`(XeWINA) 3/e9L’Z09
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 5 of 24
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 5 of 24
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 16, 2016
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 9,264,991 Bl
`
`yousoqutJ9\noJ|dv
`
`JOUI9}U!L-°208SAI
`_—_——LL'Z0843a
`
`LL’c08ASal
`
`VLS
`
`
`
`LL°c08SSSI
`
`VLS
`
`SS
`
`éOld
`
`UuOneZIUOJYOUAS
`
`uondAdiuz
`
`
`
`Jajsues}eyeqg
`
`(suooeeq)
`
`UOHPEOHUSUINY
`
`uoleloossy
`
`VLS
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 16, 2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 6 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 16, 2016
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`qn? SSÐIÐJIWA
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 7 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 16, 2016
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`ÁJOudeu
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 8 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 16, 2016
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`pueqÐSeq
`
`UuÐpOUu
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 9 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 10 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 11 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 12 of 24
`
`0 || ||Z || ||
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 13 of 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 9.264,991 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 14 of 24
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 15 of 24
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 15 of 24
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 16, 2016
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 9,264,991 Bl
`
`S4IS|
`
`
`
`OYEMEJOJCUIPJOOD
`
`
`
`eyemeZTYAd
`
`
`
`
`
`(do)desis}Yyad
`
`cbOld
`
` SAIS|
`
`S4IS|
`
`SdIsb+
`
`SAISbyg40}uoUa}U02
`aesGuHoOood
`
`
`
`Ldzswe
`
`|
`
`Ldad
`
`cdad
`
`
`
`BYEMEJOJCUIPIOODOYEMEJOJCUIPIONOD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`eyemeLY4deyemeLad
`
`
`
`(do)desis7Yad(do)desis7YAd
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US 9,264,991 B1
`
`1.
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`INTEGRATING SHORTRANGE WIRELESS
`PERSONAL AREANETWORKS FORA
`WRELESS LOCAL AREANETWORK
`INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application incorporates by reference herein U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 1 1/376,753, filed Mar. 14, 2006,
`hereinafter referred to as “Vleugels I, and U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application No. 60/661,746.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The present invention generally relates to wireless commu
`nications. More particularly, the invention relates to seam
`lessly integrating short-range wireless personal area net
`works (“WPANs) into longer-range wireless local area
`networks (“WLANs).
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 depicts some parameters associated with a few
`existing and emerging standards for wireless connectivity.
`Based on targeted range and Supported data rates, these stan
`dards can be grouped into four categories: wireless wide area
`networks (“WWANs), wireless metropolitan area networks
`(“WMANs'), wireless local area networks (“WLANs) and
`wireless personal area networks (“WPANs).
`An example of a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) is
`an 802.11x (x=a, b, g, n, etc.) network. An 802.11x NIC
`(network interface card) or 802.11x built-in circuitry might
`be used for networking an electronic device to the outside
`35
`world, or at least to devices at other nodes of a WLAN
`802.11x network.
`The 802.11x specifications uses unlicensed, free spectrum
`in either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHZ, frequency bands, supporting
`data rates of up to 54 Megabits per second (Mbps) and ranges
`of 300 feet and more. The 802.11x standard, also known as
`Wi-Fi, was adopted several years ago, and is now being
`widely deployed for WLAN connectivity in homes, offices
`and public places like airports, coffee shops and university
`campuses.
`The adoption and deployment of 802.11x-compliant
`equipment has experienced tremendous growth in recent
`years. The majority of laptops manufactured today include a
`built-in wireless circuit compliant with some variant of the
`802.11x standard. While originally devised for enabling wire
`less network connectivity (“wireless Ethernet'), WLAN con
`nectivity based on the 802.11x standard is rapidly finding its
`way in new applications like mobile phones—primarily
`driven by the adoption of Voice-over-IP (“VoIP)—and con
`Sumer electronics (home entertainment, video streaming,
`etc.). In addition, with the development of the new 802.11n
`specification, and the proliferation of citywide 802.11x
`deployment initiatives, the 802.11X standard is expanding
`into longer range applications.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a typical 802.11x WLAN configuration in
`infrastructure mode 1. Although the 802.11x standard Sup
`ports two modes of operation, namely ad-hoc mode and infra
`structure mode, the infrastructure mode is used more often. In
`the infrastructure mode, a dedicated 802.11x wireless circuit,
`also called an access point (AP), is necessary for and man
`65
`ages an infrastructure network. AP 2 is configured specifi
`cally to coordinate the activities of the infrastructure network
`
`2
`and to enable connectivity to, for example, the Internet or
`other WLANs via an Internet router 3, which may be disposed
`in AP2. Other 802.11x-compliant wireless circuits, hereafter
`alternatively referred to as stations (“STAs) 4 can become a
`member of the infrastructure network by going through an
`authentication and association procedure. Additional security
`procedures may be required as well. Once associated with the
`infrastructure network, a STA 4 can communicate with AP2.
`ASTA 4 may communicate with other STAs 4 of infrastruc
`ture network 1 via AP2. Furthermore, a STA 4 may commu
`nicate with STAs of other infrastructure networks (not
`shown) via AP 2. On a regular basis, the STAs listen to the
`beacons and pending traffic from the AP 2.
`In contrast to WLAN, no such unifying standard exists for
`WPAN. Instead, a number of proprietary and standardized
`communication protocols have been and are being developed
`for establishing short-range WPAN connectivity. Standard
`ized protocols include the Bluetooth specification (based on
`the IEEE 802.15.1 standard), the recently approved Zigbee
`specification (based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard), and the
`Ultra-Wideband (“UWB) specification which is still under
`development. In addition, there are several proprietary pro
`tocols in the unlicensed 27 MHz, 900 MHZ, and 2.4 GHz
`frequency bands developed for the sole purpose of providing
`short-range wireless connectivity. Examples include Cypress
`Semiconductor's proprietary wireless USB solution, or Log
`itech's proprietary FastRF solution. The lack of a unified
`standard is hindering the widespread adoption of WPAN
`technologies. In addition, several WPAN communication
`protocols co-exist in the same 2.4-GHz frequency band as a
`commonly used version of the WLAN protocol. Because they
`use different methods of accessing the wireless medium, and
`are not synchronized with one another, severe interference
`may result when devices conforming to Such standards are
`made to co-exist and are positioned in the same physical
`vicinity.
`One alternative for avoiding the above mentioned prob
`lems when seeking to establish interoperability between
`WPAN and WLAN networks, is to use network interface
`circuitry based on the WLAN protocol in WPAN STAs. How
`ever, the power dissipation of the resulting STA would be
`several orders of magnitude higher than what is acceptable in
`typical WPAN applications. WPAN technologies are typi
`cally used to establish communication with a remote battery
`operated device for which it is inconvenient, impractical, or
`may be impossible to replace batteries. Examples include
`security sensors in windows, wearable or implanted medical
`monitoring devices or environmental sensors to monitor tem
`perature, humidity or other environmental parameters. To
`minimize the frequency at which batteries need replacement,
`maximizing the battery life is of paramount importance, thus
`placing stringent requirements on the power that can be dis
`sipated in establishing and maintaining the wireless commu
`nication link.
`The power dissipation of a standard WLAN STA is several
`orders of magnitude higher than what is acceptable in most
`battery-operated devices for a number of reasons. First, in
`order to be able to communicate with the AP, which may be,
`for example, 300 feet away, a standard WLAN STA transmits
`at high transmit powers (up to 20 dBm) and is also required to
`receive relatively weak signals, attenuated heavily by the path
`loss it encounters in the over-the-air transmission. Second,
`the WLAN must adhere to stringent receiver sensitivity
`requirements. Both the transmit and receive requirements
`result in relatively large power dissipation in the network
`interface circuits. Furthermore, WLANs typically operate at
`relatively high data rates (up to 54 Mbps). It is thus undesir
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 16 of 24
`
`

`

`US 9,264,991 B1
`
`3
`able to have a STA that is part of an infrastructure network to
`communicate at lower data rates, since Such a STA will slow
`down the entire infrastructure network. This is the case
`because some of the communication between the AP and its
`associated STAS occurs at the lowest common data rate Sup
`ported by all STAs. The noise and linearity requirements
`associated with transmitting at high data rates thus result in
`large power dissipation of the wireless 802.11x wireless cir
`cuit. Furthermore, there is significant protocol overheadasso
`ciated with the services and procedures required to establish
`and maintain an association with an infrastructure network.
`This overhead translates directly in higher power dissipation.
`As a member of an infrastructure network coordinated by an
`AP, the STA has, on a regular basis, to listen to the beacons
`transmitted by the AP. Also, although the 802.11x standard
`specifies power save modes that allow the STA to skip some
`of the beacons, the STA is still required to wake up on a
`regular basis to maintain association and synchronization
`with the AP.
`Accordingly, a need continues to exist for a method and
`apparatus that overcome the above-described problems and
`enable seamless integration of WPAN into WLAN infrastruc
`ture, and at power dissipation levels that meet the stringent
`requirements of battery-operated devices.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`4
`trolled from any location when access to the Internet is avail
`able. The longer communication range and seamless integra
`tion into the larger WLAN infrastructure is obtained without
`incurring the power penalty that is typically unavoidable in
`longer range communication and is inherent to the protocol
`overhead of typical WLAN networks.
`Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
`invention will become apparent upon consideration of the
`following detailed description and the accompanying draw
`ings, in which like reference designations represent like fea
`tures throughout the figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 depicts a number of parameters associated with a
`few existing and emerging standards for wireless connectiv
`ity, as known in the prior art.
`FIG. 2 illustrates some of different components of an
`802.11x WLAN in infrastructure mode, as known in the prior
`art.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus configured to integrate a
`wireless personal area network (“WPAN') into a wireless
`local area network (“WLAN), in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a number of WPANs integrated into a
`WLAN, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 5 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a power
`sensitive station (“PS-STA), in accordance with an embodi
`ment of the present invention
`FIG. 6 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a wire
`less hub configured for use as a bridge between a WPAN and
`a WLAN.
`FIG. 7 illustrates a WPAN used for remote monitoring and
`controlling, in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating various devices oper
`ating as part of a primary wireless network (PWN), a sec
`ondary wireless network (“SWN), or both, wherein the
`SWN operates using an SWN protocol that co-exists with the
`PWN protocol.
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a subpart of the
`elements of FIG. 8, in greater detail.
`FIG.10 is a block diagram illustrating a secondary network
`including multiple WPAN peripherals (“PERs').
`FIG. 11 illustrates method to coordinate the communica
`tion between a WPAN coordinator (“COORD) and multiple
`WPAN peripherals.
`FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative frame exchange sequence
`for the coordination of multiple WPAN peripherals.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless personal area network
`(“WPAN) 10 integrated with wireless local area network
`(“WLAN) 6 to forman integrated network 5, in accordance
`with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodi
`ments described below, WLAN 6 is compliant with the
`802.11x specification. It is understood, however, that the
`WLAN may be compliant with other protocols, such as
`WiMax. WLAN 6 may operate either in ad-hoc or in infra
`structure mode. Moreover, the following description is pro
`vided with reference to the infrastructure mode of operation
`of WLAN 6. It is understood that the present disclosure
`equally applies to the ad-hoc or any other mode. The infra
`structure WLAN 6 is shown as including an AP 7 and one or
`
`A wireless hub for integrating a wireless personal area
`network (“WPAN) seamlessly into a wireless local area
`network (“WLAN) includes, in part, a wireless circuit com
`30
`pliant with the WLAN standard, a processor coupled to the
`wireless circuit and a memory module that is coupled to the
`wireless circuit and the processor.
`In some embodiments, the WLAN standard is the 802.11X
`standard. In such an embodiment, the wireless circuit is an
`802.11x-compliant wireless circuit, and the memory module
`may be integrated with the wireless circuit. The hub further
`includes software modules forming a Software platform that
`allows the wireless circuit to connect to both the WPAN and
`WLAN. In accordance with one embodiment, the software
`platform allows the wireless circuit to connect to the WPAN,
`without losing connectivity (Such as association and synchro
`nization) to the WLAN. In another embodiment, the wireless
`circuit is configured to connect to the WLAN and WPAN
`alternately. In some embodiments, an operating system
`45
`enables the operation of the wireless hub, thereby enabling
`users to write application-specific application Software. The
`operating system may be Windows XP, Windows CE, Linux,
`Symbian, or the like, that may be used to develop additional
`applications.
`In accordance with one embodiment, the wireless hub is
`seamlessly integrated into an electrical power outlet. This
`allows the hub to be unobtrusively and conveniently inte
`grated in a home, business or industrial setting. Such embodi
`ments are hereinafter alternatively referred to as “Wi-Fi-en
`abled power outlets'. As is known, “Wi-Fi' is often used to
`refer to “wireless fidelity, and refers to 802.11x-based radio
`technologies.
`Advantageously, the present invention extends the commu
`nication range of power-sensitive battery-operated devices
`60
`and allows power-sensitive battery operated devices to
`become part of the larger WLAN infrastructure, thus enabling
`monitoring and control from any location that is within the
`range covered by the WLAN In addition, since battery-oper
`ated devices are IP addressable and since the AP of the
`WLAN can be connected to the Internet via an Internet router,
`the battery-operated devices may be monitored and con
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 17 of 24
`
`

`

`6
`power outlet. The wireless hub 12 can also be integrated
`inside other electronic devices, such as light bulbs, light
`Switches, thermostats, energy meters, personal computers,
`Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs), cellular phones, home
`entertainment equipment and the like.
`In some embodiments, a multitude of WPANs 13 may be so
`configured so as to be coupled to and in communication with
`a single WLAN 14, as shown in FIG. 4. Each WPAN 13 is
`coupled to the WLAN 14 by using a wireless hub 15, as
`described above. If WPANs 13 are configured to operate
`independently, no additional coordination is required and
`each wireless hub 15 decides autonomously when to commu
`nicate with each of its respective PS-STAs under its control.
`However, in cases where additional coordination between the
`different WPANs is desirable, the necessary timing and con
`trol information can be exchanged between the wireless hubs
`15 via the longer-range WLAN 14.
`FIG. 5 illustrates some of the components disposed in a
`PS-STA 11, in accordance with one embodiment. PS-STA 11
`typically includes, in part, a battery 16, a sensor or stimulus
`unit 17, a clock or crystal 18, a wireless circuit 19 and an
`antenna 20. Although not shown, other components like
`capacitors, resistors, inductors, an external power amplifier
`(“PA) and an external low-noise amplifier (“LNA) may also
`be included in PS-STA11. Wireless circuit 19 is configured so
`as to communicate over the physical layer (“PHY.) of a
`standard 802.11x-compliant circuit chip disposed in the wire
`less hub (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Wireless circuit 19 may be an
`embedded System-on-Chip (“SoC), having disposed therein
`a radio 21 operating, for example, in the unlicensed 2.4-GHz
`and/or 5-GHz frequency bands, a baseband modem 22, dedi
`cated control and datapath logic 23, a central processing unit
`(“CPU) 24, a memory module 25 and interface circuitry 26.
`CPU 24 and memory module 25 are used to implement the
`portion of the communication protocol that is not imple
`mented in the dedicated control and datapath logic (also
`referred to as the 802.11x device drivers), together with any
`application-specific software. Wireless circuits are well
`known in the art and are not described herein.
`FIG. 6 shows various blocks of a wireless hub, such as
`wireless hubs 12 and 15 shown respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4,
`in accordance with one embodiment. The wireless hub acts as
`a pivot and provides communication between the correspond
`ing WPAN and WLAN. The wireless hub includes an
`802.11x-compliant wireless circuit 27, a processing unit 28
`coupled to or integrated with the 802.11x-compliant circuit, a
`memory module 29 that is coupled to or integrated with the
`802.11x-compliant circuit, a crystal or clock 30, and an
`antenna 38. The 802.11x-compliant circuit 27 is shown as
`including a radio 31 operating, for example, in the unlicensed
`2.4-GHz and/or 5-GHz frequency bands, a baseband modem
`32, and dedicated control and datapath logic 33. Interface
`circuitry 34 provides an interface to the processing unit 28
`and memory module 29. Wireless hub may be connected to
`the power grid, in which case no batteries are needed to
`operate the device. Regulator 35 is adapted to regulate the
`supply. The wireless hub may further include various passive
`components like capacitors, resistors and/or inductors and an
`external power amplifier (“PA) and/or external low-noise
`amplifier (“LNA) (not shown).
`The wireless hub further includes a number of software
`modules forming a software platform 36 that enable circuit 29
`to communicate with both the WPAN and WLAN. In one
`embodiment, the software platform 36 enables circuit 27 to
`connect to the WPAN, without losing connectivity (such as
`association and synchronization) to the WLAN, as described
`
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-14 Filed 03/31/23 Page 18 of 24
`
`35
`
`40
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 9,264,991 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`5
`more STAs 8. STAS 8 are associated with and synchronized to
`AP 7 and periodically listen to beacons from AP 7.
`Each STA 8 is configured to include an 802.11x-compliant
`wireless circuit, such as a wireless enabled computer, a wire
`less Personal Digital Assistant, a Wi-Fi enabled cellular
`phone, or the like. The AP 2 can be connected to the Internet
`via an Internet router 9. Internet connectivity can be estab
`lished through any number of communication services,
`including Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL), cable, satellite, or
`the like, as is well known.
`WPAN 10 is shown as including one or more power-sen
`sitive stations 11 (“PS-STA'). APS-STA is defined herein as
`a device that is battery-operated and for which maximizing
`battery-life is beneficial to the application and/or user.
`Examples of PS-STAs include peripherals and accessories for
`personal computers, cellular phones, home entertainment
`accessories such as remote controls, monitoring devices for
`security, automation medical applications, or the like.
`In accordance with one embodiment, a PS-STA is typically
`in a sleep mode the majority of the time, only waking up
`occasionally to communicate and exchange information with
`the outside world. In some systems described herein, each
`PS-STA 11 is equipped with a wireless circuit that can com
`municate directly with a standard 802.11x-compliant wire
`less circuit. PS-STAs 11 however are not required to be fully
`compliant with the 802.11x specification; some PS-STAs 11
`may have reduced power dissipation thereby extending the
`battery life.
`In embodiments in which PS-STAs 11 are not fully com
`pliant with the 802.11x specification, the drivers or firmware
`30
`of the 802.11x-compliant wireless circuit at the other end of
`the communication link (i.e., the device with which the PS
`STA is interacting) may require modification. Thus, in some
`implementations, both the wireless circuit at the other end as
`well as the PS-STA are 802.11x-compliant, while in others
`the wireless circuit at the other end is 802.11x-compliant, but
`the PS-STA is not a fully compliant 802.11x wireless circuit,
`while in yet other implementations the driver or firmware of
`the 802.11x-compliant wireless circuit at the other end of the
`link requires modifications to accommodate the PS-STA.
`Integrated network 5 is also shown as including a wireless hub
`12 adapted to facilitate seamless communication between the
`WLAN and the WPAN. The wireless hub 12 includes, in part,
`a wireless 802.11x-compliant wireless circuit that can com
`municate with the AP 7 disposed in infrastructure WLAN 6as
`45
`well as with PS-STAs 11 disposed in WPAN 10. If more than
`one PS-STA is present in the WPAN, the wireless hub coor
`dinates the timing and communication with each of the PS
`STAs. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to shift as
`much as possible of the protocol overhead associated with the
`communication between wireless hub 12 and the PS-STAS 11
`Such as, for example, access to the medium, reservation of the
`medium, synchronization, etc., onto the wireless hub 12.
`where power consumption is much less of a concern com
`pared to the PS-STA. In such cases, the driver or firmware of
`55
`the 802.11x-compliant components disposed in wireless hub
`12 may require modification
`To operate, wireless hub 12 is placed within the range of the
`AP 7 of the infrastructure WLAN 6; this range is typically on
`the order of 300+ feet. The wireless hub 12 is also be placed
`within the range of each of the PS-STAs 11 in the WPAN 10
`The PS-STAs 11 typically have a range of about 30 feet. This
`range can be longer or shorter depending on the application.
`In one embodiment, the wireless hub 12 (alternatively
`referred to herein below as a “hub”) is seamlessly integrated
`within an electrical power outlet. In a different embodiment,
`the hub can be a separate device that can be plugged into a
`
`50
`
`

`

`US 9,264,991 B1
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`7
`in Vleugels I. Circuit 27 can be connected to the WLAN and
`WPAN in alternating cycles, however added latency would be
`incurred.
`In some embodiments, the wireless hub may further
`include an operating system 37 that may be used to write
`application-specific Software. The operating system may be,
`for example, Windows XP, Windows CE, Linux, Symbian, or
`any operating system that may enable writing of applications.
`The processing unit 28 and memory module 29 are used to
`implement that portion of the communication protocol that is
`not implemented in dedicated control and datapath logic; this
`portion of the communications protocol is referred to as the
`802.11x device driver. If the communication protocol
`between the wireless hub and a PS-STA is modified to reduce
`power consumption of the PS-STA, the 802.11x device driver
`may also require slight modification to accommodate Such
`changes. The CPU and memory module are also used for the
`implementation of the software platform that enables concur
`rent or alternating WLAN/WPAN connectivity, and can fur
`thermore be used to run application-specific software.
`The following example is provided to further aid in under
`standing the invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a WPAN used for
`remote monitoring and controlling, in accordance with one
`embodiment of the present invention. A user desires to check
`one or more security monitoring devices 39 inside or around
`his house 40 while at work 41. Each security monitoring
`device is a PS-STA and is wirelessly connected to a Wi-Fi
`enabled power outlet 4