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`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 1 of 24
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`EXHIBIT 8
`EXHIBIT 8
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`

`

`GOvLEOWet
`
`AAA
`OldSN
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`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 2 of 24
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 2 of 24
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`PTO/SB/16 (04-04)
`
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT COVER SHEET
`This is a requestfor filing a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT under 37 CFR 1.53(c).
`
`Express Mail Label No.
`
`EV 566960877 US
`
`,
`
`INVENTOR(S
`
`mms
`Tif
`«alte
`;
`Given Name(first and middle [if any})
`Katelijn
`
`;
`Family Name or Sumame
`Vieugels
`
`City
`
`Residence
`and either State or Foreign Coun
`SanCarlos, CA
`
`0U.S.PTO60/661
`
`763mom
`
`:
`
`(] Additional inventors are being named on the separately numbered sheets attached hereto
`TITLE OF THE INVENTION (500 characters max)
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA
`NETWORKSFORA WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
`
`Direct all correspondenceto:
`
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`Firm or
`Individual Name
`
`OR
`0
`Address
`
`Address
`
`
`
`[citytteee
`
`
`
`
`
`|Countyse TeteptoneProx
`
`ENCLOSED APPLICATION PARTS(check all that apply)
`X< Specification Number of Pages
`[] CD(s), Number
`Drawing(s) Numberof Sheets
`X] Other(specify)
`
`Postcard
`
`
`
`[_] Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76
` METHOD OF PAYMENTOF FILING FEES FOR THIS PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT
`[X]
`Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`CI
`A check or money orderis enclosed to cover thefiling fees
`
`XxX
`
`
`
`The Director is hereby authorized to chargefiling
`‘
`
`
`fees or credit any overpayment to Deposit Account Number:
`20-1430
`100
`CI Paymentby credit card. Form PTO-2038is attached.
`
`
`
`The invention was made by an agencyof the United States Government or under a contract with an agencyof the
`United States Government.
`
`
`EI No.
`(2 Yes, the nameof the U.S. Government agency and the Governmentcontract numberare: .
`
`
`Respectfully submitt@q
`
`SIGNATURE
`
`
`TYPEDor PRINTED NA E Philip H. Albert
`(if appropriate)
`
`Docket Number: 025796-000200US
`
`FILING FEE
`Amount($)
`
`TELEPHONE
`
`415-576-0200
`
`USE ONLY FOR FILING A PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT
`60443403 vi
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`DELL-OZMO-1-025991
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`

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`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 3 of 24
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`Attorney Docket No.: 025796-000200US
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`PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION
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`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING SHORT-RANGE
`
`WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORKS FOR A WIRELESS
`
`LOCAL AREA NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
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`Inventor:
`
`Katelijn Vleugels, a citizen of Belgium,residing at
`152 Coronado Avenue
`San Carlos, CA 94070
`
`Assignee:
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`H-Stream Wireless, Inc.
`5050 El Camino Real, Suite 270
`Los Altos, CA 94022
`(a Delaware corporation)
`
`Entity:
`
`Smal] business concern
`
`TOWNSEND and TOWNSEND and CREW LLP
`Two Embarcadero Center, Eighth Floor
`San Francisco, California 94111-3834
`Tel: 650-326-2400
`
`DELL-OZMO-1-025992
`
`

`

`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 4 of 24
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`Attorney Docket No.: 025796-000200US
`
`PATENT
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING SHORT-RANGE
`
`WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORKSFOR A WIRELESS
`
`LOCAL AREA NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention generally relates to wireless communications. Moreparticularly, the
`invention relates to seamlessly integrating short-range Wireless Personal Area Networks
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`(WPANSs)into longer-range Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs).
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`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
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`Figure 1 depicts some parameters associated with a few existing and emerging standards for
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`wireless connectivity. Based on targeted range and supported data rates, these standards can
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`be grouped into four categories: Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN), Wireless
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`Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) and
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`Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN).
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`Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)connectivity is specified by, in part, the IEEE 802.11
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`standard. The IEEE 802.11 specification uses unlicensed, free spectrum in either the 2.4GHz
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`or 5GHz frequency bands, supporting data rates of up to 54 Megabits per second (Mbps) and
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`ranges of 300 feet and more. The IEEE 802.11 standard, also known as Wi-Fi, was adopted
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`several years ago, and is now being widely deployed for WLAN connectivity in homes,
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`offices and public places like airports, coffee shops and university campuses.
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`The adoption and deployment of IEEE 802.11-compliant equipment has experienced
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`tremendous growth in recent years. The majority of laptops manufactured today include a
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`built-in wireless circuit compliant with somevariant of the IEEE 802.11 standard. While
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`originally devised for enabling wireless network connectivity (‘wireless Ethernet”), WLAN
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`connectivity based on the IEEE 802.11 standard is rapidly finding its way in new applications
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`like mobile phones - primarily driven by the adoption of Voice-over-IP (VoIP) - and
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`consumerelectronics (homeentertainment, video streaming etc.). In addition, with the
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`developmentof the new IEEE 802.11n specification, and the proliferation of citywide IEEE
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`802.11 deploymentinitiatives, the IEEE 802.11 standard is expanding into longer range
`applications.
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`Figure 2 illustrates a typical TEEE802.11 WLAN configuration in infrastructure mode 1.
`Although the IEEE 802.11 standard supports two modesof operation, namely ad-hoc mode
`and infrastructure mode, the infrastructure mode is used more often. In the infrastructure
`mode, a dedicated IEEE 802.11 wireless circuit, also called an access point (AP), is necessary
`for and managesaninfrastructure network. AP 2 is configured specifically to coordinate the
`activities of the infrastructure network and to enable connectivity to, for example, the Internet
`or other WLANsvia an Internet router 3, which maybe disposed in AP 2. Other IEEE
`802.11-compliant wireless circuits, hereafter alternatively referred to as stations (STAs) 4 can
`become a memberofthe infrastructure network by going through an authentication and
`association procedure. Additional security procedures may be required as well. Once
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`associated with the infrastructure network, a STA 4 can communicate with AP 2. A STA4
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`may communicate with other STAs4 of infrastructure network 1 via AP 2. Furthermore, a
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`STA 4 may communicate with STAsof other infrastructure networks (not shown) via AP 2.
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`On a regular basis, the STAs listen to the beacons and pendingtraffic from the AP 2.
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`In contrast to WLAN,no such unifying standard exists for WPAN. Instead, a numberof
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`proprietary and standardized communication protocols have been and are being developed for
`establishing short-range WPAN connectivity. Standardized protocols include the Bluetooth
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`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)
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`In addition, there are several proprietary
`specification whichis still under development.
`protocols in the unlicensed 27MHz, 900MHz,and 2.4GHz frequency bands developed for the
`sole purpose of providing short-range wireless connectivity. Examples include Cypress
`Semiconductor’s proprietary wireless USB solution, or Logitech’s proprietary FastRF
`solution. The lack of a unified standard is hindering the widespread adoption of WPAN
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`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
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`another, severe interference may result when devices conforming to such standards are made
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`to co-exist and are positioned in the same physicalvicinity.
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`Onealternative for avoiding the above mentioned problems when seeking to establish
`interoperability between WPAN and WLAN networks,is to use network interface circuitry
`based on the WLANprotocol in WPAN STAs. However, the powerdissipation of the
`resulting STA would be several orders of magnitude higher than whatis acceptable in typical
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`WPAN applications. WPAN technologies are typically used to establish communication with
`a remote battery-operated device for whichit is inconvenient, impractical, or may be
`impossible to replace batteries. Examples include security sensors in windows, wearable or
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`implanted medical monitoring devices or environmental sensors to monitor temperature,
`humidity or other environmental parameters. To minimize the frequency at which batteries
`need replacement, maximizingthe battery life is of paramount importance, thus placing
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`stringent requirements on the powerthat can be dissipated in establishing and maintaining the
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`wireless communication link.
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`The powerdissipation of a standard WLANSTAis several orders of magnitude higher than
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`what is acceptable in mostbattery-operated devices for a numberof reasons. First, in order to
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`be able to communicate with the AP, which may be, for example, 300 feet away, a standard
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`WLAN STAtransmits at high transmit powers (up to 20dBm) andis also required to receive
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`relatively weak signals, attenuated heavily by the path loss it encounters in the over-the-air
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`transmission. Second, the WLAN mustadhereto stringent receiver sensitivity requirements.
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`Both the transmit and receive requirements result in relatively large power dissipation in the
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`networkinterface circuits. Furthermore, WLANstypically operate at relatively high data
`rates (up to 54Mbps).
`It is thus undesirable to have a STAthat is part of an infrastructure
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`network to communicate at lower data rates, since such a STA will slow downtheentire
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`infrastructure network. This is the case because some of the communication between the AP
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`and its associated STAsoccurs at the lowest commondata rate supported by all STAs. The
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`noise and linearity requirements associated with transmitting at high data rates thus result in
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`large powerdissipation of the wireless IEEE 802.11 wireless circuit. Furthermore, there is
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`significant protocol overhead associated with the services and procedures required to
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`establish and maintain an association with an infrastructure network. This overhead
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`translates directly in higher powerdissipation. As a memberof aninfrastructure network
`coordinated by an AP, the STA has, on a regular basis, to listen to the beaconstransmitted by
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`the AP. Also, although the IEEE 802.11 standard specifies power save modesthat allow the
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`STAto skip someof the beacons, the STAis still required to wake up on a regular basis to
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`maintain association and synchronization with the AP.
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`Accordingly, a need continues to exist for a method and apparatus that overcome the
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`above-described problems and enable seamless integration of WPAN into WLAN
`infrastructure, and at powerdissipation levels that meet the stringent requirements of
`battery-operated devices.
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`DELL-OZMO-1-025995
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`_ BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`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 compliant 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.
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`In some embodiments, the WLAN standard is IEEE802.11 standard. In such embodiment,
`the wireless circuit is an IEEE802.11-compliant wireless circuit, and the memory module
`maybe integrated with the wireless circuit. The hub further includes software modules
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`forming a software platform that allows the wireless circuit to connect to both the WPAN and
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`WLAN. In accordance with one embodiment, the software platform allows the wireless
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`circuit to connect to the WPAN,without loosing connectivity (such as association and
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`synchronization) to the WLAN,as described in U.S. Patent Application No. __—___ entitled
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`“Method and Apparatus for Interfacing a Networkable Device to a Wireless Network and a
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`Personal Area Network Using a Common NetworkInterface”, to Vleugels, filed of even date
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`15
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`herewith and commonly owned with the present application [Attorney Docket No.
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`025796-000100US], the content of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety
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`for all purposes (hereinafter ““Vieugels I’).
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`In another embodiment, the wirelesscircuit is
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`configured to connect to the WLAN and WPAN alternately. In some embodiments, an
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`operating system enables the operation of the wireless hub, thereby enabling users to write
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`application-specific application software. The operating system may be Windows XP,
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`WindowsCE, Linux, Symbian,or the like, that may be used to develop additional
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`applications.
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`In accordance with one embodiment, the wireless hub is seamlessly integrated into an
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`electrical poweroutlet. This allows the hub to be unobtrusively and conveniently integrated
`in a home, business or industrial setting. Such embodiments are hereinafter alternatively
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`25
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`referred to as ““Wi-Fi-enabled power outlets’. As is known, “Wi-Fi” is often used to refer to
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`“wireless fidelity”, and refers to IEEE802.11-based radio technologies.
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`Advantageously, the present invention extends the communication range of power-sensitive
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`battery-operated devices and allows power-sensitive battery operated devices to become part
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`30
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`of the larger WLANinfrastructure, thus enabling monitoring and control from any location
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`that is within the range covered by the WLAN In addition, since battery-operated devices are
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`IP addressable and since the AP of the WLAN can be connected to the Internet via an
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`Internet router, the battery-operated devices may be monitored and controlled from any
`location when access to the Internet is available. The longer communication range and
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`seamless integration into the larger WLANinfrastructure is obtained without incurring the
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`powerpenalty that is typically unavoidable in longer range communication andis inherent to
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`the protocol overhead of typical WLAN networks.
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`Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon
`consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which
`like reference designations representlike features throughoutthe figures.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Figure 1 depicts a number of parameters associated with a few existing and emerging
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`10
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`standards for wireless connectivity, as known in theprior art.
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`Figure 2 illustrates some of different components of an IEEE802.11 WLANin infrastructure
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`mode, as knownin thepriorart.
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`Figure 3 illustrates an apparatus configured to integrate a wireless Personal Area Network
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`into a wireless Local Area Network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
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`invention.
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`Figure 4 illustrates a number of wireless Personal Area Networks integrated into a wireless
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`Local Area Network, in accordance with one embodimentofthe present invention.
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`Figure 5 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a power-sensitive station (PS-STA),in
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`accordance with an embodimentof the present invention
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`Figure 6 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a wireless hub configured for use as a
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`bridge between a wireless Personal Area Network and a wireless Local Area Network.
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`Figure 7 illustrates a wireless personal Area Network used for remote monitoring and
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`controlling, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`Figure 3 illustrates a wireless personal are network (WPAN) 10 integrated with wireless
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`Local Area Network (WLAN) 6 to form an integrated network 5, in accordance with one
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`embodimentof the present invention. In the embodiments described below, WLAN6is
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`compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specification. It is understood, however, that the WLAN
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`may be compliant with other protocols, such as WiMax. WLAN 6 mayoperate eitherin
`ad-hocorin infrastructure mode. Moreover, the following description is provided with
`reference to the infrastructure mode of operation of WLAN 6.
`It is understood that the
`present equally applies to the ad-hoc or any other mode. The infrastructure WLAN6 is -
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`shownas including an AP 7 and one or more STAs 8. STAs8 are associated with and
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`synchronized to AP 7 and periodically listen to beacons from AP 7.
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`Each STA8is configured to include an IEEE 802.11-compliant wireless circuit, such as a
`wireless enabled computer, a wireless Personal Digital Assistant, a Wi-Fi enabled cellular
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`phone, or the like. The AP 2 can be connected to the Internet via an Internet router 9.
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`Internet connectivity can be established through any number of communication services,
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`including Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, satellite, or the like, as is well known
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`WPAN 10 is shown as including comprises one or more power-sensitive stations 11
`(PS-STA). A PS-STAis defined herein as a devicethat 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-STAis 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 communicate directly with a standard IEEE802.11-compliant
`wireless circuit. PS-STAs 11 howeverare not required to be fully compliant with the
`TEEE802.11 specification; some PS-STAs 11 may have reduced powerdissipation thereby
`extending the battery life.
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`In embodiments in which PS-STAs11 are not fully compliant with the IEEE802.11
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`specification, the drivers or firmware of the IEEE802.11-compliant wireless circuit at the
`other end of the communication link (i.e., the device with which the PS-STAis interacting)
`may require modification. Thus, in some implementations, both the wireless circuit at the
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`30
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`other end as well as the PS_STAare both IEEE802.11-compliant, while in others the wireless
`circuit at the other end is IEEE802.11-compliant, but the PS-STA is not a fully compliant
`IEEE802.11 wireless circuit, while in yet other implementations the driver or firmware ofthe
`TEEE802.11-compliant wireless circuit at the other end of the link requires modifications to
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`accommodate the PS-STA. Integrated network 5 is also shownas including a wireless hub
`12 adaptedto facilitate seamless communication between the WLAN and the WPAN. The
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`wireless hub 12 includes, in part, a wireless IEEE802.11-compliant wireless circuit that can
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`communicate with the AP 7 disposed in infrastructure WLAN6 as well as with PS-STAs 11
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`disposed in WPAN5. If more than one PS-STAis present in the WPAN,the wireless hub
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`coordinates the timing and communication with each of the PS-STAs. In some embodiments,
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`it may be desirable to shift as much as possible of the protocol overhead associated with the
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`communication between wireless hub 12 and the PS-STAs11 such as, for example, access to
`the medium,reservation of the medium, synchronization, etc., onto the wireless hub 12,
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`In such cases,
`where power consumption is much less of a concern compared to the PS-STA.
`the driveror firmware of the IEEE802.1 1-compliant components disposed in wireless hub 12
`may require modification
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`To operate, wireless hub 12 is placed within the range of the AP 7 of the infrastructure
`WLAN6; this range is typically on the order of 300+ feet. The wireless hub 12 is also be
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`placed within the range of each of the PS-STAs 11 in the WPAN 10 The PS-STAs11
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`typically have a range of about 30 feet. This range can be longer or shorter depending on the
`application.
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`In one embodiment, the wireless hub 12 (alternatively referred to herein below as a “hub”) is
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`seamlessly integrated within an electrical power outlet. In a different embodiment, the hub
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`can be a separate device that can be plugged into a poweroutlet. The wireless hub 12 can
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`also be integrated inside other electronic devices, such as light bulbs, light switches,
`thermostats, energy meters, personal computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), cellular
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`phones, home entertainment equipment andthelike.
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`In some embodiments, a multitude of WPANs13 may be so configured so as to be coupled to
`and in communication with a single WLAN 14, as shown in Figure 4. Each WPAN 13 is
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`coupled to the WLAN 14 by using a wireless hub 15, as described above. If WPANs13 are
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`configured to operate independently, no additional coordination is required and each wireless
`hub 15 decides autonomously when to communicate with each ofits respective PS-STAs
`underits control. However, in cases where additional coordination between the different
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`WPANsis desirable, the necessary timing and control information can be exchanged between
`the wireless hubs 15 via the longer-range WLAN 14.
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`Figure 5 illustrates some of the components disposed in a PS-STA 11, in accordance with one
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`embodiment. PS-STA 11 typically includes, in part, a sensor or stimulus unit 17, a clock or
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`crystal 18, a wireless circuit 19 and an antenna 20. Although not shown, other components
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`like capacitors, resistors, inductors, an external power amplifier (PA) and an external
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`low-noise amplifier (LNA) mayalso be included in PS-STA 11. Wireless circuit 19 is
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`configured so as to communicate over the physical layer (PHY)of a standard
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`[EEE802.11-complhiantcircuit chip disposed in the wireless hub (see Figures 3 and 4).
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`Wireless circuit 19 may be an embedded System-on-Chip (SoC), having disposed therein a
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`radio 21 operating, for example, in the unlicensed 2.4-GHz and/or 5-GHz frequency bands, a
`baseband modem 22, dedicated control and datapath logic 23, a central processing unit (CPU)
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`24, amemory module 25 and interface circuitry 26. CPU 24 and memory module 25 are
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`used to implementthe portion of the communication protocol that is not implemented in the
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`dedicated control and datapath logic (also referred to as the IEEE802.11 device drivers),
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`together with any application-specific software. Wireless circuits are well known in the art
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`and are not described herein.
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`Figure 6 shows various blocks of a wireless hub, such as wireless hubs 12 and 15 shown
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`respectively in Figures 3 and 4, in accordance with one embodiment. The wireless hub acts
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`as a pivot and provides communication between the corresponding WPAN and WLAN. The
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`wireless hub includes an IEEE802.11-compliant wireless circuit 27, a processing unit 28
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`coupled to or integrated with the IEEE802.11-compliant circuit, a memory module 29 that is
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`coupled to or integrated with the IEEE802.11-compliant circuit, a crystal or clock 30, and an
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`antenna 38. The IEEE802.11-compliant circuit 27 is shown as including a radio 31
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`operating, for example, in the unlicensed 2.4-GHz and/or 5-GHz frequency bands, a baseband
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`modem 32, and dedicated control and datapath logic 33. Interface circuitry 34 provides an
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`25
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`interface to the processing unit 28 and memory module 29. Wireless hub may be connected
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`to the powergrid, 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
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`componentslike capacitors, resistors and/or inductors and an external power amplifier (PA)
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`and/or external low-noise amplifier (LNA) (not shown).
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`30
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`The wireless hub further includes a number of software modules forming a software platform
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`36 that enable circuit 29 to communicate with both the WPAN and WLAN.
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`In one
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`embodiment, the software platform 36 enables circuit 27 to connect to the WPAN,without
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`losing connectivity (such as association and synchronization) to the WLAN, as described in
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`Vieugels I. Circuit 27 can be connected to the WLAN and WPAN in alternating cycles,
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`howeveradded latency would beincurred.
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`In some embodiments, the wireless hub mayfurther include an operating system 37 that may
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`be used to write application-specific software. The operating system may be, for example,
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`Windows XP, WindowsCE,Linux, Symbian, or any operating system that may enable
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`writing of applications.
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`The processing unit 28 and memory module 29 are used to implementthat portion of the
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`communication protocol that is not implemented in dedicated control and datapath logic;this
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`portion of the communications protocol is referred to as the IEEE802.11 device driver. If the
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`communication protocol between the wireless hub and a PS-STA is modified to reduce power
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`consumption ofthe PS-STA, the IEEE802.11 device driver mayalso require slight
`modification to accommodate such changes. The CPU and memory moduleare also used for
`the implementation ofthe software platform that enables concurrentor alternating
`WLAN/WPAN connectivity, and can furthermore be used to run application-specific
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`software.
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`The following example is provided to further aid in understanding the invention. Figure 7
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`illustrates a wireless personal Area Network used for remote monitoring and controlling, in
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`accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. A user desires to check one or
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`more security monitoring devices 39 inside or around his house 40 while at work 41. Each
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`security monitoring device is a PS-STA and is wirelessly connected to a Wi-Fi-enabled
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`poweroutlet 42. The Wi-Fi-enabled power outlet is furthermore within the range of a
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`WLANinfrastructure network 43 which the user is assumed to have set up at his home.
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`The WLANinfrastructure network 43 is adapted to establish communication with the Internet
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`via an Internet router 44 that is coupled to the AP 45. At the office, the user has access toa
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`laptop 46 that is equipped with an IEEE802.11-compliant wireless circuit. This circuitis
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`associated with a WLANinfrastructure network 47 that has been set up in the user’s office
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`41. The WLAN network47is adapted to establish communication with the Internet via an
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`Internet router 48 that is coupled to the infrastructure’s network AP 49. The connection at
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`the office may be wireless or wired. In a wired office environment, the user’s laptop is
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`hookedup directly through the Internet router 48 with a cable, without making use ofthe
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`WLAN 47.
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`DELL-OZMO-1-026001
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`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 13 of 24
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA - Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 13 of 24
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`Application software on the user’s laptop 46 allowsthe user to poll information from a
`specific PS-STA at home. Todo so, the user sends a poll request, which contains the
`information required to unambiguously identify the PS-STA ofinterest, and possibly
`additionally information about the data to be retrieved. Destination address information
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`includes the addressof the router 44, the address of the Wi-Fi-enabled power outlet 42 that
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`controls the PS-STA ofinterest and the address of the PS-STA 39 itself. PS-STA addressis
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`typically required where multiple PS-STAsare connected to, for example, a single
`Wi-Fi-enabled power outlet. The poll request is transmitted over the WLAN47 in the office,
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`and via Internet router 48 transported over the Internet to the Internet router 44 at the home.
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`At the user’s home,the poll request is directed to the Wi-Fi-enabled poweroutletthat
`coordinates the PS-STA ofinterest. The Wi-Fi-enabled poweroutlet receives this request
`over the home’s infrastructure WLAN.If the requested information has already been
`retrieved from the PS-STA during a previous data transfer event, the Wi-Fi-enabled power
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`outlet respondsto the poll request by sending the requested information over the home’s
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`infrastructure WLAN 43to the Internet router that is connected to the home’s WLAN AP.
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`The requested information is transported over the Internet to the Internet routerat the office,
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`and from there directed to the user’s laptop over the offices WLANinfrastructure network.
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`Application software on the user’s laptop receives the information and presentsit to the user.
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`In case the requested information has not yet been previously retrieved from the PS-STA,the
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`Wi-Fi-enabled outlet does so during the next scheduled WPAN communication event. The
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`timing of the occurrenceofthis event, depends, in part, on the power managementtechniques
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`used for the WPAN communication.
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`To conserve power, the PS-STAsare typically mostly in sleep mode and only occasionally
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`wake up as neededto transmit or receive data and/or control signals. When connectedto the
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`WPANcoordinated by the Wi-Fi-enabled poweroutlet 42, a PS-STA 39 is synchronized to
`the Wi-Fi-enabled poweroutlet 42, which as part of the infrastructure network, is in tum
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`synchronized to the AP 45. The synchronization between the PS-STAsand the
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`Wi-Fi-enabled poweroutlet ensures that the Wi-Fi-enabled power outlet is in WPAN modeat
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`the same time that a PS-STA wakesup to transmit or receive. The above example describes
`an instance where the information from a single PS-STA is remotely accessed, using a
`Wi-Fi-enabled power outlet.
`It is understood that the wireless hub does not have to be a
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`Wi-Fi-enabled poweroutlet, and may be any wireless hub, as described above. Furthermore,
`it is understood that multiple PS-STAs maybe connected to a single as well as to multiple
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`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA Document 32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 14 of 24
`Case 6:22-cv-00642-ADA - Document32-8 Filed 03/31/23 Page 14 of 24
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`wireless hubs. The present invention mayalso be usedto activate or steer PS-STAs,in
`addition to monitoring or retrieving information.
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`In some embodiments, rather than having datatransfer be triggered by a poll request, the
`PS-STAs mayalso transmit data to the wireless hub periodically.
`In such embodiments, the
`retrieved data can be stored and/or processed locally on the wireless hub,or, alternatively, be
`transferred to a different location.
`
`In some
`The association of a PS-STA with a wireless hub may or maynotbestatic.
`embodiments, the PS-STA maybeattached to a moving object, in which case the nearest
`wireless hub is dynamic and may changeover time. This scenario is commonin the context
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`of medical monitoring/treatment.
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`In such embodiments, medical sensors and stimulus
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`devices in, on and around a person’s body communicate to a nearby wireless hub that acts as
`a seamless bridge between the low-power WPANand the longer-range WLAN. Asthe
`person/patient movesaroundthe house, the nearest wireless hub may change over time. In
`such applications, seamless transitioning between wireless hubs is carried out and includes
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`dynamic association capabilities inside the PS-STA, as well as software on the wireless hub
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`side to seamlessly handle the required hand-offs among wireless hubs. The present invention
`is also applicable, for example, to the following situations:
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`- Remote medical monitoring
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`- Medical monitoring/treatment in hospitals
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`~ In-house monitoring and control from any location to any location
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`- Industrial monitoring/warehouse monitoring
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`- Home automation
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`- Energy metering
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`~ PC, cell phone and home entertainment peripherals and accessories
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`The following are amongthe advantages of embodimentsof the pre