US 8156360

US Patent 8156360: Systems and Methods for Waking Wireless LAN Devices

Title: Systems and methods for waking wireless LAN devices

Current Assignee: Integral Wireless Technologies LLC

Inventors: Michael Paljug

Filing Date: 2008-07-07

Issue Date: 2012-04-10

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly waking computing devices over a computer network is provided. A signal is broadcast over the network that includes one or more device-specific wake-up data sequences. Each device-specific wake-up data sequence includes multiple iterations of the hardware address of the wireless network card associated with that device. While in a reduced power or “sleep mode”, the wireless network card monitors wireless channels for packets containing a wake-up data sequence. If a wake-up data sequence is received, the sequence is matched against the hardware address information for that network card. If a match is determined, the network card sends a signal to the computing device causing full system power to be restored. A signal is sent to the network confirming that the device has been successfully woken from the sleep mode.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent US8156360 contains four independent claims (Claims 1, 8, 15, and 22), each describing a different aspect of the invention.

• Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a method for a wireless device to manage its power state. It involves actively checking multiple wireless channels for a special "wake-up packet" during a defined monitoring period. This packet is designed to switch the wireless device from a low-power mode to a higher-power operational mode. If the device receives the correct wake-up packet within the monitoring period, it transitions to the higher power mode. However, if no wake-up packet is received after the monitoring period has passed, the device stops monitoring the channels.
• Claim 8 (Apparatus): This claim describes a physical device (apparatus) that performs the power management described in Claim 1. It includes a controller configured to monitor multiple wireless channels for a wake-up packet within a specified timeframe. The controller is programmed to initiate a power mode transition from a first (lower) power mode to a second (higher) power mode upon receiving the wake-up packet within the timeframe. Conversely, if no such packet is received after the timeframe expires, the controller ceases monitoring the channels.
• Claim 15 (Apparatus with Means-Plus-Function): This claim is similar to Claim 8 but is written using "means-plus-function" language. It describes an apparatus comprising "means for monitoring" wireless channels, "means for transitioning" between power modes upon receiving a wake-up packet, and "means for ceasing to monitor" if no packet is received after a monitor timeframe. These "means" correspond to the functional components described in Claim 8 (e.g., the controller and its associated circuitry).
• Claim 22 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium): This claim covers a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory chip or hard drive) that stores instructions. When a computing device executes these instructions, it performs the method outlined in Claim 1. Specifically, the instructions cause the device to monitor wireless channels for a wake-up packet during a monitor timeframe, transition between power modes if the packet is received, and stop monitoring if it isn't.

Legal Status Note:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of CAFC 2026 dockets and Unified Patents for specific litigation related to US patent 8156360 did not yield definitive information. Therefore, I cannot definitively report on specific 2026 CAFC litigation dockets for this patent at this time. The legal status according to the Google Patents overview is "Active, expires 2027-03-13".