US6636737B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for assigning channels for access points of a wireless network
Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
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Filing: 2000-04-10
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Granted: 2003-10-21
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Expires: 2020-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for assigning channels for access points for a network providing wireless communications coverage for an environment, including assigning a weight indicative of overlapping coverage for each pair of access points having overlapping coverage, and assigning a channel to each of the access points based on certain sums of the weights to minimize coverage overlap between access points operating at the same channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander H. Hills
- 👤 Jon P. Schlegel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W28/00; H04W28/16; H04W28/26; H04W16/00; H04W16/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for assigning channels for access points for a network providing wireless communications coverage for an environment, comprising: assigning a weight indicative of overlapping coverage for each pair of access points having overlapping coverage; and assigning a channel to each of the access points based on certain sums of the weights to minimize coverage overlap between access points, operating at the same channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for assigning channels for access points for a network providing wireless communications coverage for an environment, comprising: assigning a weight indicative of overlapping coverage for each pair of access points having overlapping coverage; and assigning a channel to each of the access points based on certain sums of the weights to minimize coverage overlap between access points, operating at the same channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein assigning a channel to each of the access points includes: determining a sum of the weights for each of first, second, and third access points; assigning a first channel to the first access point; assigning a second channel to the second access point, the second channel being different from the first channel and the second access point having overlapping coverage with the first access point; and assigning one of the first and second channels to the third access point, the third access point having overlapping coverage with the first and second access points, to minimize co-channel overlapping coverage between the first, second, and third access points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein assigning a channel to each of the access points includes: determining all possible channel assignment combinations for the access points using all available channels; calculating a sum of the weights indicative only of access points having co-channel overlapping coverage for each of the channel assignment combinations; and assigning channels to the access points corresponding to the channel assignment combination having a least sum of the weights indicative only of access points having co-channel overlapping coverage.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for assigning channels for access points for a network providing wireless communications coverage for an environment, comprising: determining an amount of overlapping coverage between pairs of access points; assigning a weight indicative of the overlapping coverage for each pair of access points having overlapping coverage; and assigning a channel to each of the access points based on certain sums of the weights to minimize coverage overlap between access points operating at the same channel.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for assigning channels for access points for a network providing wireless communications coverage for an environment, comprising: determining an amount of overlapping coverage between pairs of access points; assigning a weight indicative of the overlapping coverage for each pair of access points having overlapping coverage; and assigning a channel to each of the access points based on certain sums of the weights to minimize coverage overlap between access points operating at the same channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein determining an amount of overlapping coverage includes measuring a signal strength of a signal received at a first of the access points from a second of the access points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A computer readable medium, having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: assign a weight indicative of overlapping coverage for each pair of access points of a network for providing wireless communications coverage for an environment; and assign a channel to each of the access points based on certain sums of the weights to minimize coverage overlap between access points operating at the same channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
A computer readable medium, having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: assign a weight indicative of overlapping coverage for each pair of access points of a network for providing wireless communications coverage for an environment; and assign a channel to each of the access points based on certain sums of the weights to minimize coverage overlap between access points operating at the same channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
The computer readable medium of claim 6 , having further stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the processor cause the processor to: determine a sum of the weights for each of first, second, and third access points; assign a first channel to the first access point; assign a second channel to the second access point, the second channel being different from the first channel and the second access point having overlapping coverage with the first access point; and assign one of the first and second channels to the third access point, the third access point having overlapping coverage with the first and second access points, to minimize co-channel overlapping coverage between the first, second, and third access points.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
The computer readable medium of claim 6 , having further stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the processor cause the processor to: determine all possible channel assignment combinations for the access points using all available channels; calculate a sum of the weights indicative only of access points having co-channel overlapping coverage for each of the channel assignment combinations; and assign channels to the access points corresponding to the channel assignment combination having a least sum of the weights indicative only of access points having co-channel overlapping coverage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-10-20 | 2007-04-21 | 2007-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-20 | 2011-04-21 | 2011-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-20 | 2015-04-21 | 2015-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |