Patent ID: 8630205

Claim:
A method of discovering hidden wireless devices in a wireless network using a directional antenna system, preventing partitioning of the wireless network, the method comprising: joining a first wireless device located in a first antenna sector in response to an initial first beacon received from the first wireless device; receiving a plurality of first beacons from the joined first wireless device during a corresponding plurality of first beacon periods; scanning at least a second antenna sector during at least one first beacon period of the plurality of first beacon periods to listen for second beacons from a second wireless device in the second antenna sector, while remaining joined with the first wireless device; receiving an initial second beacon from the second wireless device while scanning the second antenna sector; joining the second wireless device in response to the initial second beacon; and receiving a plurality of second beacons from the joined second wireless device during a corresponding plurality of second beacon periods, and continuing to receive at least a portion of the plurality of first beacons, wherein the first beacons are not received while scanning at least the second antenna sector, and wherein when the first beacon periods occur at the same times as the second beacon periods, the method further comprises: alternating between receiving the first beacons and the second beacons.