Energy-saving indicator in transmitted frames

A wireless apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• a receiver;
• a transmitter;
• a controller coupled to the receiver, the transmitter, and the memory, the controller is configured to:
• determine that payload data for transmitting from the wireless apparatus to a wireless device is unavailable,
• transmit a first value of an indicator from the wireless apparatus to the wireless device when the payload data is unavailable, and
• transmit a first time reference value from the wireless apparatus to said wireless device, the first value of the indicator indicating that the wireless apparatus will not transmit to the wireless device for a first period of time, the first period of time having a length defined by the first time reference value.

A machine-readable medium comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one controller of a wireless apparatus, the instructions cause the wireless apparatus to perform steps comprising:

• determining that payload data for transmitting from the wireless apparatus device to a wireless device is unavailable;
• transmitting a first value of an indicator from the wireless apparatus to the second device in response to the determining step;
• and
• transmitting a first time reference value from the wireless apparatus to the second device, the first value of the indicator indicating that the wireless apparatus will not transmit to the wireless device for a first period of time, the first period of time having a length defined by the first time reference value.

A wireless apparatus comprising:

• a means for storing data;
• a means for receiving data over a wireless medium;
• a means for transmitting data over the wireless medium;
• and
• a controller means for controlling the means for receiving and the means for transmitting, wherein the controller means is configured to:
• determine that payload data for transmitting from the wireless apparatus to a wireless device is unavailable,
• transmit a first value of an indicator from the wireless apparatus to the wireless device when the payload data is unavailable, and
• transmit a first time reference value from the wireless apparatus to said wireless device, the first value of the indicator indicating that the wireless apparatus will not transmit to the wireless device for a first period of time defined by the first time reference.

A method of operating a wireless device, the method comprising:

• receiving an indicator from a wireless apparatus;
• determining that the indicator has a first value;
• receiving a time reference value from the wireless apparatus in response to the indicator having the first value;
• selecting a length of time corresponding to the time reference value;
• turning at least part of a receiver of the wireless device to an off state for the length of time;
• and
• turning said at least part of the receiver to an on state upon expiration of the length of time.

A wireless device comprising:

• a memory;
• a receiver;
• a transmitter;
• and
• a controller coupled to the receiver, the transmitter, and the memory, the controller is configured to:
• receive an indicator from a wireless apparatus;
• determine that the indicator has a first value;
• receive a time reference value from the wireless apparatus in response to the indicator having the first value;
• select a length of time corresponding to the time reference value;
• turn at least part of the receiver to an off state for the length of time;
• and
• turn said at least part of the receiver to an on state upon expiration of the length of time.

A machine-readable medium comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one controller of a wireless device, the instructions cause the wireless device to perform steps comprising:

• receiving an indicator from a wireless apparatus;
• determining that the indicator has a first value;
• receiving a time reference value from the wireless apparatus in response to the indicator having the first value;
• selecting a length of time corresponding to the time reference value;
• turning at least part of a receiver of the wireless device to an off state for the length of time;
• and
• turning said at least part of the receiver to an on state upon expiration of the length of time.

A wireless device comprising:

• a means for storing data;
• a means for receiving data over a wireless medium;
• a means for transmitting data over the wireless medium;
• a controller means for controlling the means for receiving and the means for transmitting, wherein the controller means is configured to:
• receive an indicator from a wireless apparatus;
• determine whether the indicator has a first value or a second value;
• receive a time reference value from the wireless apparatus in response to the indicator having the first value;
• select a length of time corresponding to the time reference value;
• turn at least part of the means for receiving to an off state for the length of time;
• and
• turn said at least part of the means for receiving to an on state upon expiration of the length of time.