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US 2011/0212746 A1Published application
Reducing power consumption of wireless devices
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsShantanu SARKAR, Roger Chi-yee Cheung, Morris J. Katz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described in example embodiments herein are techniques that combine at least two network (communication) technologies (such as protocols, signaling methods, etc.) and limit when a wireless device employs one of the technologies. In an example embodiment, a passive technology, such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, can be employed to determine whether a certain network technology is available.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first wireless transceiver employing a first communication technology;
- a second wireless transceiver employing a second communication technology;
- control logic coupled to the first transceiver and second transceiver, the control logic is operable to determine whether the first wireless transceiver operates in an operating state or in a power save state;
- wherein while the first transceiver is in the operating state, the control logic is responsive to a predetermined signal received via the first transceiver to establish communication with a wireless network employing the second communication technology via the second wireless transceiver;
- and
- wherein the control logic is further operable to switch the first wireless transceiver into the power save state while the second wireless transceiver is communicating with the wireless network.
3 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first wireless transceiver employing a first communication technology;
- a second wireless transceiver employing a second communication technology;
- a wireless signal detector circuit operable to receive a wireless signal indicating that communications employing the second communication technology are available;
- control logic coupled to the first transceiver, second transceiver, and wireless signal detector, the control logic is operable to determine whether the first wireless transceiver operates in an operating state or in a power save state;
- wherein the control logic is responsive to the wireless signal detector receiving a predetermined signal indicating that communications employing the communication technology is available to establish communications with a wireless network via the second wireless transceiver and to discontinue communications using the first wireless transceiver.
2 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a wireless transceiver configured to communicate employing a first network technology;
- an interface operable to receive a first signal indicating when a wireless device is within a predetermined area;
- and
- control logic coupled to the wireless transceiver and the interface;
- wherein the control logic is configured to send a second signal to the wireless device to begin communicating using the second wireless technology via the wireless transceiver responsive to the first signal.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.