Patent ID: 6377608
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
For use with a communication network having a wireless access point through which wireless connectivity is available for users of said communication network within a first portion of a prescribed band of the wireless communication spectrum, a method of preventing interference between first wireless communication devices of said users of said communication network and second wireless communication devices of others than said users of said communication network, who are capable of transmitting within said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum, said method comprising the steps of:(a) at a location in the vicinity of said wireless access point, generating a wireless beacon in a second portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum that does not overlap said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum; (b) at a second wireless communication device, monitoring said second portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum for the presence of said wireless beacon; and (c) in response to detecting said wireless beacon, causing said second wireless communication device to avoid use of said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum.