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Apple patents Wi-Fi power saving switch for mobile routers

Apple describes a method for mobile Wi-Fi routers to briefly switch to a high-power mode to send data to connected devices, then return to a low-power mode. The router waits for a specific signal from a device before waking up, sends the data, and then pauses its activity for a set time to save energy. This process helps manage battery life in portable networking equipment.

Why it mattersThis filing details a specific technical method for improving battery efficiency in mobile Wi-Fi hardware, which is routine engineering for portable routers and hotspots.

In the filing’s own words

This disclosure relates to methods for access point mode switching during dynamic power save (DPS) mode operation in a wireless local area network system. A wireless device can operate in a lower capability mode of DPS operation and buffer data intended for a wireless station. Further, the wireless device can transition to a higher capability mode of DPS operation to participate in a transmit opportunity and transmit, during the transmit opportunity, the data to the wireless station. In addition, the wireless device can defer channel access for at least a first period of time upon completion of the transmit opportunity.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method for dynamic power save (DPS) mode operation performed by a mobile access point (AP), the method comprising: receiving, while operating in a lower capability (LC) mode of DPS operation, an initial control frame (ICF) from a wireless station at a start of a transmit opportunity; transitioning, in response to receiving the ICF, from the LC mode to a higher capability (HC) mode of DPS operation; transmitting, while operating in the HC mode, an initial control response (ICR) frame to the wireless station during the transmit opportunity; transitioning, during a transition delay associated with switching from the HC mode to the LC mode, from the HC mode to the LC mode; and deferring channel access during the transition delay.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Access Point Mode Switching in Dynamic Power Save Operation
Publication number
US20260270865A1
Application number
19556948
Filed
Mar 4, 2026
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
11
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 52/0206 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.