WO2020002994A1

WO2020002994A1 - Method for orientation sensor use in a gateway

Info

Publication number: WO2020002994A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/000803
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Tucker; Kevin Fitzpatrick
Original assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS
Current assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS
Priority date: 2018-06-29
Filing date: 2019-06-14
Publication date: 2020-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-29

Abstract

A method performed by a first access point, the method includes acquiring a first set of received signal strength indications of other transmitting devices visible to the first access point which has a first orientation, detecting a change from the first orientation to a second orientation, acquiring a second set of received signal strength indications of the other transmitting devices visible to the first access point, determining a change of received signal strength based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications, and generating a notification based on the determining.

Description

METHOD FOR ORIENTATION SENSOR USE IN A GATEWAY

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application 62/691,911 filed 29 June 2019.

FIELD

[0002] The present principles relate to monitoring operations of gateways, specifically, they relate to a system to detect orientation changes and improved RF operations.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Broadband data gateways are commonly available as sophisticated routers / access points between wide area networks (WAN) and local area networks (LAN). Such access points or gateways provide a central point of communication to wireless client devices, such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) devices. In one implementation, access points can be configured to be free standing so that a particular model of access point may be used for multiple customers; each customer having their own access point positioned in any convenient home or office location.

[0004] The quality of service experienced by a wireless client device is dependent on a viable RF link between the access point (AP) and its wireless client devices. Structural obstructions such as walls having concrete composition or metal studs can attenuate the RF link between the access point and the wireless client device. In addition, some access points have one or more antennas for RF transmissions, the antennas being essentially polarized to operate more efficiently in one orientation (e.g. a horizontal AP mount) compared to other orientation (e.g. a vertical AP mount). The orientation of such antennas affects the effective radiated emissions of the RF signal as seen by the wireless clients. Thus, an access point can be sensitive to installation orientation such that one physical orientation of the AP provides better RF connectivity to wireless clients in a certain structural environment as compared to another physical orientation of the AP.

[0005] In one scenario, an access point can be setup in a home or office environment in a certain orientation for reasonable RF connectivity to its wireless clients. However, APs can be accidently tipped over or rotated. This change in orientation of the AP can affect the RF link to its client devices. Often, small changes in the orientation of the AP go unnoticed and slower data rates to wireless client devices can be the result of a degraded RF link. In addition, a change of orientation of the AP, such as a tipping over of an AP, can give rise to a problem such as severe reduction or loss of RF signal to a wireless client device. One problem to be solved is how to provide an informed detection of an orientation change in an AP. Another problem resulting from an orientation change is proper heat rejection of an AP that has been tipped over. Some AP designs rely on air cooling that could fail upon a tip over of the AP unit. No method currently exists to detect such orientation changes and their resulting effects on AP and wireless client performance. The present disclosure address these and other related problems with a novel solution.

SUMMARY

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features, nor is it intended to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method performed by a first access point includes acquiring a first set of received signal strength indications of other transmitting devices visible to the first access point which has a first orientation, detecting a change from the first orientation to a second orientation, acquiring a second set of received signal strength indications of the other transmitting devices visible to the first access point, determining a change of received signal strength based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications, and generating a notification based on the determining.

[0008] In a further embodiment, acquiring a first set of received signal strength indications includes acquiring at least one received signal strength measurement when the first access point is initially setup in an operational environment in the first orientation. In a further embodiment, detecting a change of orientation from the first orientation to a second orientation includes detecting one or more of a tilt or a rotation of the first access point. In a further embodiment, the process of detecting the tilt or the rotation includes reading one or more sensors and detecting a change in values of the one or more sensors. In a further embodiment, the process of determining a change of received signal strength based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications includes determining an aggregate change in received signal strength resulting from the change in orientation. In a further embodiment, the process of determining an aggregate change includes determining a weighted average change of received signal strength measurements. [0009] In a further embodiment, the process of determining a change of received signal strength based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications includes using only received signal strength data from the second set of that are also present in the first set. In a further embodiment, the process of generating a notification based on the determining includes generating one or more of a text message or graphic indicating a condition of received signal strength due to the change in orientation. In a further embodiment, the change in orientation causes a condition of no change in received signal strength, an improvement in received signal strength, or a degradation of received signal strength. In a further embodiment, the process of determining if the orientation change exceeds a value and providing a notification wherein the notification includes one or more of changing the color of indicator lights of the first access point, flashing the indicator lights of the first access point, and providing an audible alarm emanating from the access point. In a further embodiment, a repetition of acquiring a first set of received signal strength indications of other transmitting devices visible to the first access point is used to establish a new reference for future determinations. Additionally, establishing a new reference is performed by the first access point on a periodic basis.

[0010] In one embodiment, an access point apparatus includes a wireless receiver that receives transmission from one or more other transmitting devices, an orientation sensor that detects a change of orientation of the access point apparatus from a first orientation to a second orientation, and a processor that acquires a first set of at least one received signal strength indications of the other transmitting devices visible to the access point apparatus when in the first orientation. The processor acquires a second set of at least one received signal strength indications of the other transmitting devices visible to the first access point when in the second orientation, the processor determines if a change of received signal strength occurred based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications due to a change in orientation from the first orientation to the second orientation. And a transmitter is used by the processor to transmit a notification of a condition in received signal strength based on the change in orientation of the access point.

[0011] In another embodiment, the orientation sensor detects a change from the first orientation to a second orientation by detecting one or more of a tilt or a rotation of the access point apparatus.

[0012] In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to carry out the method described herein. [0013] Additional features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the disclosure and is not necessarily the only possible configuration for illustrating the disclosure. Features of the various drawings may be combined in single or multiple embodiments unless otherwise stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to the present principles. In the drawings, like numbers represent similar elements.

[0015] Figure 1 is a depiction of an environment in which aspects of the disclosure may operate;

Figure 2 depicts an example flow diagram for an access point having aspects of the disclosure;

Figure 3 is a block diagram having aspects of the disclosure; and

Figure 4 is a diagram of a vertical access point in normal and tip-over orientaions.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In the following description of various illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, how various embodiments may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modification may be made without departing from the scope of the present principles.

[0017] Figure 1 depicts an example environment for the operation of the present disclosure. A first wireless local area network (WLAN) is shown as being within WLAN 1 coverage area 190. The coverage area is defined by the effective communication range of WLAN 1 access point 120 to its WLAN 1 client devices, such as client device A 180 and client device B 140. These WLAN client devices are mobile devices whose distance from the WLAN 1 AP varies as the devices move around within the coverage area 190 or move out of the coverage area 190. Under normal circumstances, the coverage area 190 is fixed by the AP 120. However, if the physical orientation of AP 120 is disturbed such that antennas 121 and 123 are moved, the shape and size of the coverage area 190 can change. As a result of an orientation change that is detrimental to the positioning of the antennas of AP 120, the strength of the links 126 and 128 to WLAN client device A 180 and WLAN client device B 140 could be reduced and quality of service for the mobile devices 180 and 140 in WLAN 1 would degrade.

[0018] The configuration disclosed in Figure 1 herein is useful for the determination of received signal strength by the WLAN 1 Access Point 120 in a first orientation. Features of the present disclosure can detect the orientation change based on sets of received RF signal strengths before and after the physical orientation change. To facilitate the detection of an orientation change of WLAN 1 AP 120, an orientation sensor may be placed in the AP. This orientation sensor can detect, at a minimum, a change in tilt or rotation of the AP 120. To facilitate the determination of whether the orientation change produces better, similar, or worse RF link signal strength, the AP 120 can use a reference set of received signal strengths (at least one signal strength indication) measured before an orientation change. After an orientation change, a new set of received signal strengths (at least one) can be examined against the previous set of at least one received signal strengths to assist in the determination of whether the RF link signal strengths are better, unchanged, or worse than the RF link signal strength before the physical orientation change.

[0019] Figure 1 depicts WLAN 2 AP 160 having antenna 165 and RF signal link 122 that reaches antenna 121 of WLAN 1 AP 120. WLAN 3 AP 170 having antenna 175 and RF signal link 124 can reach antenna 121 of WLAN 1 AP 120. Although the WLAN coverage areas of the WLAN 2 AP 160 and the WLAN AP 3 AP 170 are not shown, it is assumed that these APs are visible to the WLAN 1 AP 120. This situation is common in areas where multiple APs co exist in close proximity locations such as apartment buildings, office buildings, and other residential and work environments. In this scenario, it is assumed that WLAN 2 AP 160 and WLAN 3 AP 170 and perhaps other APs visible to WLAN 1 AP 120 have more or less fixed locations. Thus, the signals received by AP 120 are merely the transmitted service set identifiers (SSIDs) of the various APs and/or other transmitting devices within receiving range of the AP 120. In general terms, access points are transmitters and as such may be referred to herein as transmitting devices. In addition, there may be other transmitting devices, not shown in Figure 1, that may be used as references to determine the orientation of the access point according the principles disclosed herein. As such, AP 120 can use the signal strength of the SSID transmissions from the various neighborhood proximity APs and/or other transmitting devices, such as AP 160 and AP 170, as initial reference points for received signal strength. AP 120 measures and records the signal strength of AP 160 and AP 170 and other close-proximity APs and/or other transmitting devices when AP 120 is setup and in an initial acceptable orientation. This initial orientation allows WLAN 1 client devices A 180 and B 140 to operate with a signal strength that is acceptable for WLAN 1 operation.

[0020] If, at a later time, the orientation of WLAN 1 AP 120 changes such that fixed antennas 121 and 123 have a different orientation compared to an initial orientation, then AP 120 can measure again the received signal strength of the SSIDs of AP 160 and AP 170 to determine if the link 122 and 124 performance is affected by the orientation change. If the link 122 and 124 performance is adversely affected, then it is very likely that the link 126 performance of WLAN 1 client device A 180 and link 128 of WLAN 1 client device B 140 are also adversely affected. Thus, a determination of an orientation change can trigger a re measurement of signal strength of proximity AP devices to determine if link performance is affected.

[0021] If a link performance change is determined to exist as a result of an orientation change, the AP 120 can inform WLAN 1 client devices of the change. In one example notification of a change in physical orientation, the WLAN 1 AP 120 sends a message to IP network 110 to interface with cell network interface 115. The cellular network interface 115 utilizes a base station 117 connected to cell tower 118 to contact a cellular device that has WLAN 1 access. In Figure 1, WLAN 1 client device B has both cellular and WLAN 1 access. A message sent to the WLAN 1 client device B 140 cell phone can inform the user of the resources of AP 120 that the physical orientation of AP 120 has changed. This message provides a notification and an opportunity for the cell phone user to correct the physical orientation of AP 120.

[0022] The cellular path notification to WLAN 1 client device B 140 is advantageous. The orientation change of AP 120 could be so severe, such as a complete tip-over of AP 120, that RF link 128 to antenna 145 of client device 140 became non-operable. In that instance, a message from the AP 120 via antenna 123 to client device 140 may not be possible. Even if the WLAN 1 client device B 140 is not currently in the range of the WLAN AP 120, the notification is still received by the client device and action can be taken by the user of device 140. The notification can take the form of a text message or voicemail message or a user interface display that indicates the nature of the orientation change, such as angular displacement from the previous orientation, and a measure or estimate of the RF degradation that has resulted.

[0023] Other types of notifications are also contemplated. One notification of an orientation change of AP 120 can be from the AP 120 to the personal computer 125 via link l25a. If link l25a is an Ethernet hardline, then the orientation change may have no effect on the notification delivery to the PC 125. Another notification of an orientation change to AP 120 can be from the AP 120 to the IP network 110. There the IP network can forward the message to the administrator of WLAN 1 via any other link such as e-mail, cellular notification via voicemail, or text.

[0024] Yet another notification of a physical orientation change in AP 120 can be a change in the color of illumination of one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are on the chassis of the AP 120. Another notification of a physical orientation change in AP 120 can be an audible alarm that can notify a local user that the AP 120 needs an orientation adjustment. Such an alarm can be used in instances where a full tip-over of the AP 120 occurs and a threat of overheating may result from ineffective cooling due to a critical orientation change. In this instance if a tip-over angular value (threshold) is exceeded, then an audible alarm could bring the assistance of a person nearby to reorient the AP 120 into a proper orientation.

[0025] Figure 2 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the method 200 of the disclosure. The method of Figure 2 may be practiced using components introduced in Figure 1. At step 205 of Figure 2, an access point, such as access point 120 of Figure 1 acquires a set of at least one received signal strength indications. In one embodiment, the received signal strength indications are at least one indication of the received signal strength of the at least one transmission from other access points (APs) and/or other transmitters, such as AP 160 and AP 170 of Figure 1. These other APs, such as AP 160 or AP 170 or other transmitters, may be referred to as reference APs or refence transmitters. Such transmissions can include the service set identifier (SSID) of the other APs, such as AP 160 and AP 170 or other transmitters. The AP 120 can measure the SSID transmission of the other APS or transmitters in the local vicinity.

[0026] One characteristic of the other access points can be that they are relatively non- mobile. Such APs may be in the local vicinity of AP 120 and can serve as reference points for transmission strength. In general, it is assumed that the transmission strengths of the other APs are generally constant. Overall, a plurality of APs is assumed available in the vicinity of measuring AP 120. Although Figure 1 shows only two external APs 160 and 170, more APs are likely to be in the environment of the measuring AP 120. The acquisition of received signal strength indication of the transmission of the other APs, such as AP 160 and AP 170 or other transmitters, can serve as a first data set (at least one measurement) from which later determinations or possible comparisons can be made. Thus, for example, after initial set-up of AP 120 in its environment, a first set of at least one received signal strength indications from external APs or other transmitters may be acquired. The acquisition of a first set of at least one measurement of a received signal strength indication includes gathering at least one received signal strength measurement when the first access point is initially setup in an operational environment in a first orientation.

[0027] At step 210, the AP 120 monitors its internal orientation sensor to determine if a change of orientation is perceived. A change of orientation can be a rotation or tilting of the physical AP 120 device from some previous orientation. In one embodiment, one or more orientation sensors can generate a measure rotation or tilt in a plurality of axis. In one implementation the orientation sensor can detect changes or orientation in in pitch (tilt) and yaw (rotation) by measuring six directions of movement including up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. Detecting a change from the first orientation to a second orientation includes detecting one or more of a tilt or a rotation of the access point 120. Detecting the tilt or the rotation includes reading one or more sensors and detecting a change in values of the one or more orientation sensors. If no change in orientation is present, the step 210 loops at 215 until there is a change in orientation.

[0028] Upon a change in orientation, the method 200 moves to step 220. At step 220, a second set of at least one received signal strength indication is acquired by the AP 120. This second set of at least one received signal strength indication of the transmission of other APs or transmitters in the local vicinity of AP 120 may or may not include all of the APs or other transmitters from a previous or first set of received signal strength indications. However, it is assumed that at least one or more APs or other transmitters from the first set of the received signal strength indications is still available. Thus, a plurality of other APs in both measurements is desirable in the instance where one or more of the initial APs present in the first data set is missing. The second set of received signal strength indications are associated with the second orientation. Thus, the AP 120, due to its change in orientation, may view the other APs, such as AP 160 and AP 170, with a changed position of its antennas 121 and 123. Thus, the change in orientation has effectively changed the RF reception environment in which AP 120 operates. This change in operating orientation can also affect the client communications of the AP 120. As such Client devices 140 and 180 can be affected by a change in orientation of the AP 120.

[0029] After acquiring a second set of signal strength indications in step 220, the method 200 moves to step 225. At step 225, a determination is performed using the first set (a previous set) of at least one received signal strength indication and the second set (newly acquired set) taken after the orientation change. The results of the determination indicate that a change in orientation has possibly changed the received signal strength of the AP 120. This determination may be a comparison and can be best performed by evaluating changes in received signal strengths of the other APs or transmitters that are listed in both the previous received signal strength set and the after-orientation change received signal strength set. Comparing the first set of received signal strength indications to the second set of received signal strength indications to determine a change of received signal strength indications can include using only received signal strength data from the second set of APs that are also present in the first set. In one embodiment, an aggregate change over all of the APs found in both data sets is assessed and quantified. Determining an aggregate change can include determining a weighted average change of received signal strength measurements.

[0030] At step 230, a user of the AP 120 is notified of at least the occurrence of an orientation change detected in the AP 120. In one embodiment, the notification is an alert delivered via any one or more of multiple interfaces. Such delivery interface include delivery to the personal computer 125 attached to the AP 120 via an Ethernet or other hardline l25a, via WiFi connection to any client that is still available to AP 120, via cellular interface to a client device that is either in WiFi range of AP 120 or not, or via communication to the IP network 110. The notification of an orientation change may also include parameters of the new orientation, such as direction and magnitude of the orientation change. The notification can also include an effect of the orientation change, such as a change of received signal strength as perceived by the AP 120 in looking at the other AP or other transmitting devices transmission and their respective received signal strength indication. The change of received signal strength may be indicated as an aggregate change. One method to express such an aggregate change would be the difference between the first set of received signal strengths and the second set of received signal strengths when calculated using a difference equation, such as a square root of the sum of the squares difference. Generating a notification to a wireless client device of the access point 120 of an aggregate change based on the change in orientation of the access point can include generating one or more of a text message or graphic indicating the change of received signal strength due to the orientation change. It should be noted that an orientation change may cause a condition of one of: no change in received signal strength, an improvement in received signal strength, or the degradation of received signal strength. Any of the above conditions may be reported to a client device or a user. Also, in one embodiment, the aggregate change may be compared to a minimum value (threshold) and an alert may be generated only if the aggregate change exceeds a minimum value of change, such as an aggregate change of +/- 0.5 dB so as to reduce the number of alters due to orientation sensor noise due to slight vibration, etc.

[0031] The notification delivered in step 230 may be followed (or preceded) by an additional notification. In the circumstance where an orientation change exceeds some value, such as exceeding a certain degree of tilt, the test of step 235 would result in an activation of local notifications/alarms at the AP 120 at step 240. The local notifications/alarms can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) activated on the AP 120 unit to flash or to flash in different colors to indicate a more severe orientation change event. Another possible notification is an audible alarm emanating from the AP 120 to alert some personnel near the AP 120 that a physical correction is necessary. Such an orientation event may include a tip-over event where a normally vertical AP has been tipped over. In such a condition, the AP 120 may overheat or stop functioning according to specifications. In such an instance, another or enhanced communication to an IP network 110 can occur to notify a service provider that a service event may be imminent. The service provider can then notify the AP owner that an orientation correction is needed. Once the physical correction of orientation is made, the alarm or notification would cease and the method of Figure 2 returns to step 210 to detect a next possible orientation change.

[0032] In one aspect of the disclosure, a severe orientation change, such as a tip-over event, can be detected and a physical alert can be provided. For example, Figure 4 depicts a normally vertically oriented access point 120 in its upright and normal operating condition. In this orientation, the operating light emitting diodes (LEDs) 405 can all be displayed in their normal color, such as green, to indicate a normal operating state. In a tip-over condition, where the orientation of the access point 120 is adversely affected, the normally green LEDs can be made to either flash or turn red, or both to draw attention to a nearby user that an anomaly is present in the orientation of the access point. As discussed above, an audible alarm can also be made to emanate from the AP 120 that further draws attention to the anomalous orientation.

[0033] Included but not shown in Figure 2 is the option to repeat the step of gathering a first set of received signal strength indications of other access points or transmitting devices, such as in step 220, that are visible to the access point 120 to establish a new reference for future determination of change in orientation or received signal strength. The new reference set may be acquired by the access point on a periodic basis. For example, a new set of received signal strength indications can be performed on a weekly or monthly basis to accommodate the occurrence of different reference APs in the local environment.

[0034] Figure 3 is an example embodiment of an apparatus to perform the method of Figure 2. The apparatus of Figure 3 can be either a special-purpose machine, or part of a larger machine that performs other tasks. For example, the apparatus of Figure 3 can be an access point or a access point embedded in a home gateway that supports a wireless local area network. Such a machine can be a gateway, a modem, a laptop, a personal computer, a phone or tablet, and the like. Here, for simplicity, the description can follow that of a home or business gateway, but other devices are also possible as is well understood by those of skill in the art.

[0035] The apparatus 120 of Figure 3 includes a transmitter/receiver interface 302 providing connectivity to IP network 110. The interface 302 connects to the bus interface 304 which allows access to the internal bus 324. Other non-bus implementations are also possible as is well known to those of skill in the art. Present on bus 324 are a storage device 306 which can be used for any general storage such as retrieved or requested data and network management data, parameters, and programs. Storage device 306 may also serve as disk or solid-state storage for the information collected during the monitoring mode. Such information can include the received signal strength measurement of a wireless device, such as AP 160, AP 170, or other transmiting device of Figure 1, and other parameters needed to conduct the method of Figure 2. Main program or utility and other programs are under the control of controller/processor 308.

[0036] This controller/processor 308 may be a single processor or a multiplicity of processors performing the tasks of sensor data acquisition, user interface control, and resource management. Controller/processor 308 can perform the method described in Figure 2. Control memory 310 can supply program instruction and configuration control for controller/processor 308. The status indicators are a user interface 318 and allows a user, system owner, or system manager to see a status of the gateway apparatus 120. Such indicators may include a display, LEDs, printer interface, or data logging interface. In addition, a speaker, buzzer, or other type of annunciator is used to provide an audible indication of an orientation change as described above. This audible alarm is available as another status indicator 318 made to audibly emanate from the AP 120 that further draws attention to an anomalous orientation. Thus, both visual and audible indicators are provided to indicate orientation status. Such a status indicator 318 is driven by an input output (I/O) interface 316 which can also drive other LO interfaces.

[0037] The input/output (I/O) interface 316 allows the gateway 120 to connect to a personal computer, such as PC 125 or another device that can be used to configure and control the gateway functionality. The LO interface 316 may be a hardline interface, such as an Ethernet interface (local area network) or may operationally be substituted with an RF interface so that the gateway 120 can communicate with a PC 125. Alternately, a remote terminal, such as PC 125 may also be optionally connected to the WLAN 1. Other interfaces that are possible via LO interface 316 are an interactive interface which may include the use of a display device, keyboard, mouse, light pen, and the like.

[0038] Gateway 120 has a wireless network interface 312 which allows access to and from wireless devices, such as wireless clients 140 and 180 of Figure 1. Such an interface 312 (receiver/transmitter) includes all elements to control a wireless network, including the use of wireless network protocols such as IEEE 802.XX and the like. The wireless network interface includes a wireless receiver to receive wireless signals such as those from client devices and SSID transmissions of other APs within RF receiving distance of the AP 120. The wireless network interface includes a wireless transmitter to transmit notification information, such as notifications and/or alerts sent to mobile devices 140 and 180 of Figure 1. Interface 302 may also be used to transmit notifications and or alerts to indicate a change in orientation and a condition of at least one received signal strength from a reference transmitter. The wireless receiver / transmitter 312 also contains a detector configured to measure the received RF signal strength of a wireless device such as AP 160, AP 170, or other transmitting device. In one embodiment, the wireless receiver transmitter 312 can include an interface to a separate signal strength detector 3 l2a to assess the received signal strength of reference access point units such as AP 160 and AP 170, or another transmitting device. Either an internal or external signal strength detector may be used with wireless receiver / transmitter 312. Such received signal strength indications, when acquired, are available to the controller/processor 308 for logging and analysis purposes.

[0039] The controller/processor 308 of the gateway 120 of Figure 3 is configured to provide processing services for the steps of the method of Figure 2. For example, the controller processor can provide instruction control to monitor and control the gateway via network interface 302, the I/O interface 316 and 318 status indicators and display, and the wireless network interface 312.

[0040] It should be noted that the implementation of the concepts and principles applied in the disclosed innovation require the tangible application of hardware and or software that are adapted from components that can interface to a wireless local area network of an access point. As such, the present innovation adapts hardware and software in a manner that advances the technology of monitoring an orientation and RF links of an access point in a WEAN. The inventive principles, when applied to the functional adaptations of apparatus described herein result in a novel improvement over the existing art of monitoring the orientation of an access point in a WFANs and provide benefit to a user of the WEAN by providing information that can be used to assess orientation and signal strength of the access point. By using the principles of the disclosed innovation, a user can adjust or maintain the orientation and consequently the RF performance of an access point. All or some of the various described features or elements of the disclosure may be combined into a single embodiment or implemented in multiple different embodiments unless otherwise stated. [0041] The implementations described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method or process, an apparatus, or a combination of hardware and software. Even if only discussed in the context of a single form of implementation (for example, discussed only as a method), the implementation of features discussed may also be implemented in other forms. For example, implementation can be accomplished via a hardware apparatus, hardware and software apparatus. An apparatus may be implemented in, for example, appropriate hardware, software, and firmware. The methods may be implemented in, for example, an apparatus such as, for example, a processor, which refers to any processing device, including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device.

[0042] Additionally, the methods may be implemented by instructions being performed by a processor, and such instructions may be stored on a processor or non-transitory computer- readable storage medium such as, for example, an integrated circuit, a software carrier or other storage device such as, for example, a hard disk, a compact diskette (“CD” or“DVD”), a random-access memory (“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”) or any other magnetic, optical, or solid-state media. The instructions may form an application program tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium such as any of the media listed above or known to those of skill in the art. The instructions thus stored are useful to execute elements of hardware and software to perform the steps of the method described herein.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method performed by a first access point, the method comprising:

acquiring a first set of received signal strength indications (205) of other transmitting devices visible to the first access point which has a first orientation;

detecting a change of orientation (210) of the first access point from the first orientation to a second orientation;

acquiring a second set of received signal strength indications (220) of the other transmitting devices visible to the first access point;

determining a change of received signal strength (225) based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications; generating a notification (230) based on the determining.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring a first set of received signal strength indications comprises acquiring at least one received signal strength measurement when the first access point is initially setup in an operational environment in the first orientation.

3. The method of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein detecting a change of orientation from the first orientation to a second orientation comprises detecting one or more of a tilt or a rotation of the first access point.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein detecting the tilt or the rotation comprises reading one or more sensors and detecting a change in values of the one or more sensors.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein determining a change of received signal strength based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications comprises determining an aggregate change in received signal strength resulting from the change in orientation.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining an aggregate change comprises determining a weighted average change of received signal strength measurements.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein determining a change of received signal strength based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications comprises using only received signal strength data from the second set of that are also present in the first set.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein generating a notification based on the determining comprises generating one or more of a text message or graphic indicating a condition of received signal strength due to the change in orientation.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the change in orientation causes a condition of: no change in received signal strength, an improvement in received signal strength, or a degradation of received signal strength.

10. The method of any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising:

determining if the orientation change exceeds a value and providing a notification wherein the notification comprises one or more of changing the color of indicator lights of the first access point, flashing the indicator lights of the first access point, and providing an audible alarm emanating from the access point.

11. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:

repeating acquiring a first set of received signal strength indications of other transmitting devices visible to the first access point to establish a new reference for future determinations.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein establishing a new reference is performed by the first access point on a periodic basis.

13. An access point apparatus comprising:

a wireless receiver (312) that receives transmission from one or more other transmitting devices;

an orientation sensor (305) that detects a change of orientation of the access point apparatus from a first orientation to a second orientation;

a processor (308) that acquires a first set of at least one received signal strength indications of the other transmitting devices visible to the access point apparatus when in the first orientation, the processor acquiring a second set of at least one received signal strength indications of the other transmitting devices visible to the first access point when in the second orientation, the processor determining if a change of received signal strength occurred based on the first set of received signal strength indications and the second set of received signal strength indications due to a change in orientation from the first orientation to the second orientation;

a transmitter (312, 302) used by the processor to transmit a notification of a condition in received signal strength based on the change in orientation of the access point.

14. The access point apparatus any of claims 13-16, wherein the orientation sensor detects a change from the first orientation to a second orientation by detecting one or more of a tilt or a rotation of the access point apparatus.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to carry out the method of any of claims 1- 12.