Methods and apparatus for controlling access points coupled to a common power source

A gateway device comprising:

• means for controlling a first subset of access points, in a plurality of access points, which obtain power from a common power source, to monitor for a signal from a wireless terminal during a first period of time during which at least some access points in said plurality of access points do not monitor for wireless terminal signals, said first subset of access points including one or more access points, said first subset of access points including a first access point;
• means for receiving a signal from said first access point indicating detection of a signal from a wireless terminal;
• means for controlling, in response to receiving said signal indicating detection of a wireless terminal, at least a second access point in said plurality of access points to switch from a non-monitoring mode of operation to a monitoring mode of operation;
• and
• means for controlling at least the second access point to monitor for wireless terminal signals during a second period of time while said first access point does not monitor for wireless terminal signals.

A computer program product for use in a gateway device, the computer program product comprising:

• a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:
• code for causing at least one computer to control a first subset of access points, in a plurality of access points, which obtain power from a common power source, to monitor for a signal from a wireless terminal during a first period of time during which at least some access points in said plurality of access points do not monitor for wireless terminal signals, said first subset of access points including one or more access points, said first subset of access points including a first access point;
• code for causing said at least one computer to receive a signal from said first access point indicating detection of a signal from a wireless terminal;
• code for causing said at least one computer to control, in response to receiving said signal indicating detection of a wireless terminal, at least a second access point in said plurality of access points to switch from a non-monitoring mode of operation to a monitoring mode of operation;
• and
• code for causing said at least one computer to control at least the second access point to monitor for wireless terminal signals during a second period of time while said first access point does not monitor for wireless terminal signals.

A gateway device comprising:

• at least one processor configured to:
• control a first subset of access points, in a plurality of access points, which obtain power from a common power source, to monitor for a signal from a wireless terminal during a first period of time during which at least some access points in said plurality of access points do not monitor for wireless terminal signals, said first subset of access points including one or more access points, said first subset of access points including a first access point;
• receive a signal from said first access point indicating detection of a signal from a wireless terminal;
• control, in response to receiving said signal indicating detection of a wireless terminal, at least a second access point in said plurality of access points to switch from a non-monitoring mode of operation to a monitoring mode of operation;
• and
• control at least the second access point to monitor for wireless terminal signals during a second period of time while said first access point does not monitor for wireless terminal signals;
• and
• memory coupled to said at least one processor.