The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 01, 2008
Filed:
Jul. 25, 2001
Jeffrey K. Jeansonne, Houston, TX (US);
Tim L. Zhang, Spring, TX (US);
James L. Mondshine, Cypress, TX (US);
Jeffrey C. Parker, Houston, TX (US);
Jeffrey K. Jeansonne, Houston, TX (US);
Tim L. Zhang, Spring, TX (US);
James L. Mondshine, Cypress, TX (US);
Jeffrey C. Parker, Houston, TX (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A computer system that is configured to wirelessly access a local area network is further configured to search for the availability of wireless access points when the notebook computer is powered-off. A computer user activates this powered-off seek mode by pressing a button mounted on the outside cover of the computer. Activation of this button then activates a power supply within the notebook computer that powers a wireless communication module. The remaining power supplies in the computer system, however, are not turned on. Once the wireless communication or radio module is powered, a side-band signal to the normal universal serial bus communication activates the wireless access seek mode. Once a determination is made by the wireless communication module, that determination is passed to the user in the form of a light emitting diode which indicates the availability or nonavailability of a wireless access point in range.