Systems and Methods for Retrieving Buffered Data from an Access Point
Systems and methods for retrieving data from an access point within a wireless communications system are described. At least one embodiment includes a method for retrieving buffered data in a wireless communication system. In accordance with some embodiments, the method comprises transmitting a paging request to a plurality of access points while in a low power mode, receiving a Paging Indication element or a TIM Response element while remaining in low power mode, and exiting low power mode if buffered data is present and retrieving the buffered data. The Paging Indication element or TIM Response element indicates whether buffered data is present.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method for use by a station device in a wireless communication system including an access point device, the method comprising:
transmitting a TIM (Traffic Indication Map) request by the station device to the access point device while the station device is in a low power mode in which mode the station device is unable to detect beacon frames from the access point device;
receiving a TIM response by the station device from the access point device while the station device remains in the low power mode, wherein the TIM response indicates whether a buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device;
in response to the TIM response indicating that the buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device:
exiting the low power mode by the station device; and
obtaining the buffered data by the station device from the access point device.
22 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising transmitting a second TIM request by the station device to the access point device if the TIM response is not received within a predetermined period of time after the transmitting of the TIM request.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the TIM request is a PS-Poll sent to the access point device, and wherein the TIM response is a short No-ACK Data frame with at least one of a More Data (MD) bit and an End of Service Period (EOSP) bit set.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein transmitting the TIM request comprises sending the TIM request to access points within a pre-defined group including the access point device.
25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein transmitting the TIM request is performed independent of time intervals designated for receiving beacons.
26 . The method of claim 21 , wherein receiving the TIM response comprises receiving a TIM and a timestamp, wherein the TIM indicates that the buffered data is present for the station device, and wherein the timestamp is used to synchronize a TSF (timing synchronization function) timer.
27 . A station device in a wireless communication system including an access point device, the station device comprising:
one or more circuits configured to:
transmit a TIM (Traffic Indication Map) request by the station device to the access point device while the station device is in a low power mode in which mode the station device is unable to detect beacon frames from the access point device;
receive a TIM response by the station device from the access point device while the station device remains in the low power mode, wherein the TIM response indicates whether a buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device;
in response to the TIM response indicating that the buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device:
exit the low power mode by the station device; and
obtain the buffered data by the station device from the access point device.
28 . The station device of claim 27 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to transmit a second TIM request by the station device to the access point device if the TIM response is not received within a predetermined period of time after the transmitting of the TIM request.
29 . The station device of claim 27 , wherein the TIM request is a PS-Poll sent to the access point device, and wherein the TIM response is a short No-ACK Data frame with at least one of a More Data (MD) bit and an End of Service Period (EOSP) bit set.
30 . The station device of claim 27 , wherein transmitting the TIM request comprises sending the TIM request to access points within a pre-defined group including the access point device.
31 . The station device of claim 27 , wherein transmitting the TIM request is performed independent of time intervals designated for receiving beacons.
32 . The station device of claim 27 , wherein receiving the TIM response comprises receiving a TIM and a timestamp, wherein the TIM indicates that the buffered data is present for the station device, and wherein the timestamp is used to synchronize a TSF (timing synchronization function) timer.
33 . A method for use by an access point device in a wireless communication system including a station device, the method comprising:
receiving a TIM (Traffic Indication Map) request by the access point device from the station device while the station device is in a low power mode in which mode the station device is unable to detect beacon frames from the access point device;
transmitting a TIM response by the access point device to the station device while the station device remains in the low power mode, wherein the TIM response indicates whether a buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device;
in response to the TIM response indicating that the buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device, allowing the station device to retrieve the buffered data from the access point device.
34 . The method of claim 33 , further comprising receiving a second TIM request by the access point device from the station device if the TIM response is not transmitted within a predetermined period of time after the receiving of the TIM request.
35 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the TIM request is a PS-Poll received by the access point device, and wherein the TIM response is a short No-ACK Data frame with at least one of a More Data (MD) bit and an End of Service Period (EOSP) bit set.
36 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the access point device is one of a plurality of access points receiving the TIM request.
37 . An access point device in a wireless communication system including a station device, the access point device comprising:
one or more circuits configured to:
receive a TIM (Traffic Indication Map) request by the access point device from the station device while the station device is in a low power mode in which mode the station device is unable to detect beacon frames from the access point device;
transmit a TIM response by the access point device to the station device while the station device remains in the low power mode, wherein the TIM response indicates whether a buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device;
in response to the TIM response indicating that the buffered data for the station device is present at the access point device, allow the station device to retrieve the buffered data from the access point device.
38 . The access point device of claim 37 , wherein the one or more circuits are further configured to receive a second TIM request by the access point device from the station device if the TIM response is not transmitted within a predetermined period of time after the receiving of the TIM request.
39 . The access point device of claim 37 , wherein the TIM request is a PS-Poll received by the access point device, and wherein the TIM response is a short No-ACK Data frame with at least one of a More Data (MD) bit and an End of Service Period (EOSP) bit set.
40 . The access point device of claim 37 , wherein the access point device is one of a plurality of access points receiving the TIM request.