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. 15, 2008
Filed:
Jan. 28, 2005
Wayne G. King, Stirling, AU;
Craig Steven Ranta, Redmond, WA (US);
Edward C. Giaimo, Iii, Bellevue, WA (US);
James Brennan, Sammamish, WA (US);
Wayne G. King, Stirling, AU;
Craig Steven Ranta, Redmond, WA (US);
Edward C. Giaimo, III, Bellevue, WA (US);
James Brennan, Sammamish, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A wireless access point is equipped with both an omnidirectional antenna and a directable antenna that can be selectively directed to any of a plurality of directional spaces overlapping the network space served by the omnidirectional antenna. The directable antenna is directed to an optimal directional space for a client when the access point is communicating with the client at a high data rate. The access point can intermittently exchange information with other clients using the omnidirectional antenna. The omnidirectional antenna enables broadcast signals to be transmitted to any client in the entire network space, but at a lower data rate. A preferred data rate and an optimal client directional space are re-determined periodically or as necessary based on parameters such as the data rate, signal strength, and rate of success in communicating data.