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US 7,613,914 B2Granted
Wireless user device having integrated hotspotter technology
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorJoseph H. Schwendt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wireless user device includes functionality for detecting and collecting information about network hotspots in a surrounding environment before an operating system is loaded. In this manner, a mobile user can check for wireless network availability without having to first complete a lengthy boot sequence.
Claims13
A method comprising:
- executing a utility within a wireless user device that detects wireless networks operating within range of said wireless user device, before loading an operating system in said wireless user device;
- presenting information about wireless networks detected by said utility, if any, to a user via a user interface;
- and
- prompting said user for input on whether to continue a boot process or turn off said wireless user device, after presenting said information;
- wherein executing a utility is performed automatically after a user presses a dedicated hardware key on said wireless user device, said dedicated hardware key being different from a normal power button of said wireless user device, wherein depression of said dedicated hardware key both turns on said wireless user device and causes said utility to be executed.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a digital processor having associated random access memory (RAM);
- firmware;
- at least one wireless network interface unit;
- a user interface;
- and
- a hard drive storing an operating system (OS);
- wherein said firmware includes instructions to execute within said digital processor before said OS is loaded into RAM, said instructions including:
- first instructions to perform a signal survey using said at least one wireless network interface unit to detect available wireless networks in range of said apparatus;
- second instructions to present information to a user, via said user interface, that describes available wireless networks detected by said first instructions, if any;
- and
- third instructions to prompt said user, via said user interface, for input on whether to turn said apparatus off or to continue a boot sequence, wherein continuation of said boot sequence will include loading said OS into RAM;
- wherein said user interface includes a dedicated hardware button which, when pressed, both turns on said apparatus and initiates execution of said first instructions, wherein said dedicated hardware button is different from a normal power button of said apparatus.
9 more elements
An article comprising a storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computing platform, operate to:
- detect wireless networks operating within range of a wireless user device before an operating system (OS) is loaded into RAM in said wireless user device;
- present information about detected wireless networks, if any, to a user of said wireless user device via a user interface of said wireless user device;
- and
- prompt said user for input on whether to continue a boot process or turn off said wireless user device after said information has been presented to said user;
- wherein detection of wireless networks is performed automatically after depression of a dedicated hardware key on said wireless user device, said dedicated hardware key being different from a normal power button of said wireless user device, wherein depression of said dedicated hardware key both turns on said wireless user device and causes said wireless networks to be detected.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- at least one dipole antenna;
- a digital processor having associated random access memory (RAM);
- firmware;
- at least one wireless network interface unit coupled to said at least one dipole antenna;
- a user interface;
- and
- a hard drive storing an operating system (OS);
- wherein said firmware includes instructions to execute within said digital processor before said OS is loaded into RAM, said instructions including:
- first instructions to perform a signal survey using said at least one wireless network interface unit to detect available wireless networks in range of said apparatus;
- second instructions to present information to a user, via said user interface, that describes available wireless networks detected by said first instructions, if any;
- and
- third instructions to prompt said user, via said user interface, for input on whether to turn said apparatus off or to continue a boot sequence, wherein continuation of said boot sequence will include loading said OS into RAM;
- wherein said user interface includes a dedicated hardware button which, when pressed, both turns on said apparatus and initiates execution of said first instructions, wherein said dedicated hardware button is different from a normal power button of said apparatus.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.