US20100226309A1 - Beaconing mode for wireless communication - Google Patents
Beaconing mode for wireless communication Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100226309A1 US20100226309A1 US12/396,834 US39683409A US2010226309A1 US 20100226309 A1 US20100226309 A1 US 20100226309A1 US 39683409 A US39683409 A US 39683409A US 2010226309 A1 US2010226309 A1 US 2010226309A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- beacon period
- beacon
- diluted
- timing signal
- network
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W40/00—Communication routing or communication path finding
- H04W40/24—Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
- H04W40/244—Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
- H04W48/08—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery
- H04W48/12—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using downlink control channel
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W56/00—Synchronisation arrangements
- H04W56/001—Synchronization between nodes
Definitions
- Various embodiments of the present invention pertain generally to wireless link establishment, and in particular, to establishing beacon periods of varying frequency.
- Wireless communication has moved from simply being concerned with conveying verbal information to being more focused on total digital interactivity. While originally limited to voice communication (e.g., telephone calls on cellular handsets), enhancements in wireless technology have substantially improved ability, quality of service (QoS), speed, etc. These developments have contributed to an insatiable desire for new functionality. Portable wireless apparatuses are no longer just tasked with making telephone calls. They have become integral, and in some cases essential, tools for managing the professional and/or personal life of users.
- voice communication e.g., telephone calls on cellular handsets
- QoS quality of service
- Example embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a method, apparatus, computer program and system for facilitating apparatus interaction.
- apparatuses operating within communication range of each other may interact wirelessly without user intervention.
- This interaction may comprise data-type information exchanges conducted over distributed local networks.
- Distributed local networks may establish/maintain connectivity between apparatuses without visibility from the user/application level through the use of simple low-level messaging.
- network connections may be established in accordance with protocols dictated by the particular wireless communication medium being employed.
- apparatuses participating in these networks may be kept in synchronization through the use of beaconing. While a beacon may establish timing for the entire network, certain apparatuses may desire (or may be required) to be active less frequently than dictated by network beaconing. For example, apparatuses with limited resources, low messaging levels, etc. may have activity requirements substantially below the frequency established by the beacon. These apparatuses may select an operational mode that uses a beacon period that is lower than the standard beacon period, or a “diluted” beacon period.
- beaconing apparatuses may also transmit one or more associated diluted beacon period indications in each beacon frame.
- Diluted beacon period indications may be communicated in terms of predefined information elements (IEs), and may be “associated” with a beacon in that the frequency of a diluted beacon may be expressed as a multiple of the primary beaconing period. Since diluted beacon periods are defined by the apparatus transmitting the network beacon, the operational mode of apparatuses that join the network may be established after beacon synchronization, and may further be communicated within the network so that periods where apparatuses may be contending for access to a wireless communication medium may be known to the other networked apparatuses.
- IEs information elements
- FIG. 1 discloses examples of hardware and software resources that may be utilized when implementing various example embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 discloses an example network environment in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 discloses examples of various types of messaging that may be utilized in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 discloses an example of message propagation that may result in distributed local web formation in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 discloses example beacon implementations that are usable in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 discloses an example of host responsibilities and modem responsibilities in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 discloses examples of various packet structures in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 discloses a flowchart for an example communication process in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 An example of a system that is usable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1 .
- the system comprises elements that may be included in, or omitted from, configurations depending, for example, on the requirements of a particular application, and therefore, is not intended to limit present invention in any manner.
- Computing device 100 may be, for example, a laptop computer. Elements that represent basic example components comprising functional elements in computing device 100 are disclosed at 102 - 108 .
- Processor 102 may include one or more devices configured to execute instructions, wherein a group of instructions may be constituted, for example, as program code. In at least one scenario, the execution of program code may include receiving input information from other elements in computing device 100 in order to formulate an output (e.g., data, event, activity, etc).
- Processor 102 may be a dedicated (e.g., monolithic) microprocessor device, or may be part of a composite device such as an ASIC, gate array, multi-chip module (MCM), etc.
- Processor 102 may be electronically coupled to other functional components in computing device 100 via a wired or wireless bus.
- processor 102 may access memory 102 in order to obtain stored information (e.g., program code, data, etc.) for use during processing.
- Memory 104 may generally include removable or imbedded memories that operate in a static or dynamic mode. Further, memory 104 may include read only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), and rewritable memories such as Flash, EPROM, etc.
- Code may include any interpreted or compiled computer language including computer-executable instructions. The code and/or data may be used to create software modules such as operating systems, communication utilities, user interfaces, more specialized program modules, etc.
- One or more interfaces 106 may also be coupled to various components in computing device 100 . These interfaces may allow for inter-apparatus communication (e.g., a software or protocol interface), apparatus-to-apparatus communication (e.g., a wired or wireless communication interface) and even apparatus to user communication (e.g., a user interface). These interfaces allow components within computing device 100 , other apparatuses and users to interact with computing device 100 .
- inter-apparatus communication e.g., a software or protocol interface
- apparatus-to-apparatus communication e.g., a wired or wireless communication interface
- apparatus to user communication e.g., a user interface
- interfaces 106 may communicate machine-readable data, such as electronic, magnetic or optical signals embodied on a computer readable medium, or may translate the actions of users into activity that may be understood by computing device 100 (e.g., typing on a keyboard, speaking into the receiver of a cellular handset, touching an icon on a touch screen device, etc.) Interfaces 106 may further allow processor 102 and/or memory 104 to interact with other modules 108 .
- other modules 108 may comprise one or more components supporting more specialized functionality provided by computing device 100 .
- Computing device 100 may interact with other apparatuses via various networks as further shown in FIG. 1 .
- hub 100 may provide wired and/or wireless support to devices such as computer 114 and server 116 .
- Hub 100 may be further coupled to router 112 that allows devices on the local area network (LAN) to interact with devices on a wide area network (WAN, such as Internet 120 ).
- LAN local area network
- WAN wide area network
- another router 130 may transmit information to, and receive information from, router 112 so that devices on each LAN may communicate.
- all of the components depicted in this example configuration are not necessary for implementation of the present invention. For example, in the LAN serviced by router 130 no additional hub is needed since this functionality may be supported by the router.
- interaction with remote devices may be supported by various providers of short and long range wireless communication 140 .
- These providers may use, for example, long range terrestrial-based cellular systems and satellite communication, and/or short-range wireless access points in order to provide a wireless connection to Internet 120 .
- PDA personal digital assistant
- cellular handset 144 may communicate with computing device 100 via an Internet connection provided by a provider of wireless communication 140 .
- Similar functionality may be included in devices, such as laptop computer 146 , in the form of hardware and/or software resources configured to allow short and/or long range wireless communication.
- FIG. 2 discloses an example operational space that will be utilized to describe various example embodiments of the present invention.
- the example scenario depicted in FIG. 2 is utilized herein only for the sake of explanation, and therefore, is not intended to limit the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention.
- Operational spaces may be defined using various criteria. For example, a physical space like a building, theatre, sports arena, etc. may be utilized to define an area in which users interact. Otherwise, operational spaces may be defined in view of apparatuses utilizing particular wireless transports, apparatuses within communication range (e.g., a certain distance) of each other, apparatuses that are in certain classes or groups, etc.
- Wireless-enabled apparatuses 200 are labeled “A” to “G” in FIG. 2 .
- Apparatuses 200 may, for example, correspond to any of the wireless-enabled apparatuses that were disclosed in FIG. 1 , and may further include at least the resources discussed with respect to apparatus 100 .
- these apparatuses may operate utilizing at least one wireless communication medium in common. That is, all apparatuses in the example of FIG. 2 are at least able to wirelessly communicate with each other within the operational space, and therefore, may participate in the same wireless communication network.
- FIG. 3 an example of communication between apparatuses in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention is disclosed at 300 . While only apparatus 200 A and apparatus 200 B are shown, the disclosed example scenario is being utilized only for the sake of explanation herein, and is not intended to limit the scope or applicability of any embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, the various example embodiments of the present invention, such as disclosed herein, may be implemented in order to facilitate wireless interaction between two or more apparatuses existing in an operational space.
- Apparatus 200 A may have communication requirements that require interaction with apparatus 200 B.
- these requirements may comprise interactions by apparatus users, applications residing on the apparatuses, etc. that trigger the transmission of messages that may be generally classified under the category of data-type communication 302 .
- Data-type communication may be carried out using tiny messages that may be transmitted between apparatus 200 A and 200 B. However, some form of wireless network link or connection must first be established before any data type communication messages 302 may be exchanged.
- Network establishment and MAC management messages 304 may be utilized to establish and maintain an underlying wireless network architecture within an operating space that may be utilized to convey data type communication messages 302 .
- messages containing apparatus configuration, operation and status information may be exchanged to transparently establish wireless network connections when, for example, an apparatus enters an operating space.
- Network connections may exist between any or all apparatuses existing within the operating space, and may be in existence for the entire time that an apparatus resides in the operating space.
- data-type communication messages 302 may be conveyed between apparatuses over already existent networks (a new network connection does not need to be negotiated at the time the message is to be sent), which may in turn reduce response delay and increase quality of service (QoS).
- QoS quality of service
- FIG. 4 shows an example of distributed local network formation utilizing automated network establishment and MAC management messages 304 .
- Apparatuses 200 that enter into operational space 210 may immediately begin to formulate network connections through the exchange operational information. Again, the exchange of this information may occur without any prompting from, or even knowledge of, a user.
- FIG. 4 An example of this interactivity is shown in FIG. 4 , wherein various network establishment and MAC management messages 304 are exchanged between apparatuses A to G.
- messages may be exchanged directly between an originating apparatus (e.g., the apparatus that is described by the information elements in a message) and a receiving apparatus.
- messages corresponding to one or more apparatuses in operational space 210 may be forwarded from one apparatus to another, thereby disseminating the information for multiple apparatuses.
- FIG. 5 An example of information that may be communicated in network establishment and MAC management messages 304 (e.g., through the use in an information element) is now disclosed in FIG. 5 .
- the activity flow disclosed at 500 represents an example implementation using selected features of wireless local area networking or WLAN (as set forth in the IEEE 802.11 specification).
- WLAN wireless local area networking
- various embodiments of the present invention are not strictly limited to WLAN, and thus, may be applied to various wireless network architectures using various wireless mediums.
- the WLAN logical architecture comprises stations (STA), wireless access points (AP), independent basic service sets (IBSS), basic service sets (BSS), distribution systems (DS), and extended service sets (ESS). Some of these components map directly to hardware devices, such as stations and wireless access points. For example wireless access points may function as bridges between stations and a network backbone (e.g., in order to provide network access).
- An independent basic service set is a wireless network comprising at least two stations. Independent basic service sets are also sometimes referred to as an ad hoc wireless network.
- Basic service sets are wireless networks comprising a wireless access point supporting one or multiple wireless clients.
- Basic service sets are also sometimes referred to as infrastructure wireless networks. All stations in a basic service set may interact through the access point.
- Access points may provide connectivity to wired local area networks and provides bridging functionality when one station initiates communication to another station or with a node in a distribution system (e.g., with a station coupled to another access point that is linked through a wired network backbone).
- beacon signals may be utilized to synchronize the operation of networked apparatuses.
- the initiating apparatus may establish beaconing based on it owns clock, and all apparatuses that join the network may conform to this beacon.
- apparatuses that desire to join an existing wireless network may synchronize to the existing beacon.
- apparatuses may synchronize to beacon signals utilizing a timing synchronization function (TSF).
- TSF timing synchronization function
- the timing synchronization function is a clock function that is local to an apparatus that synchronizes to and tracks the beacon period.
- a target beacon transmission time indicates the targeted beacon transmission. This time may be deemed “targeted” because the actual beacon transmission may be a somewhat delayed from the TBTT due to, for example, the channel being occupied at TBTT.
- the apparatuses that are active in the network may communicate with each other in accordance with the beacon period. However, there may be instances where it may not be beneficial, and may possibly even be detrimental, for apparatuses to be active during each beacon period. For example, apparatuses that do not expect frequent communication within the wireless network may not benefit from being active for every beacon period. Moreover, apparatuses with limited power or processing resource may be forced to waste these precious resources by the requirement of being active for every beacon period.
- functionality may be introduced utilizing the example distributed wireless network described above to allow apparatuses to operate at a standard beaconing rate, or alternatively, using a “diluted” beaconing rate.
- “Diluted” beaconing may entail a beaconing mode operating at a lower frequency than the beaconing rate originally established in the network. Diluted beaconing may be based on information (e.g., information elements) that is included in network beacon frames, wherein the included information may express one or more diluted beacon rates as multiples of the beacon.
- networked apparatuses may elect to operate (e.g., via random contention) based either on the beacon or a diluted beacon period.
- TBTT target beacon transmission time
- apparatuses operating using a diluted beacon period may be active on TBTT counts that corresponds to the multiple defined by the diluted beaconing period.
- An example diluted beacon rate of every 10 th TBTT is disclosed in FIG. 5 at 504 .
- the decision on a beaconing rate to utilize may be handled by each apparatus individually, (e.g., in the protocol stacks that manage operation of a radio modem). All apparatuses, however, will operate based on a beacon interval that remains the same for the lifetime of the network.
- the diluted beacon signal may be expressed as a multiple of the beacon signal.
- beaconing mode having an example frequency (e.g., a time period between beacon transmissions) of every 6 th TBTT
- all apparatuses may remain synchronized, but only device 3 would be active (e.g., “competing”) in beaconing periods 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 , while all apparatuses may participate in TBTT 0 , TBTT 6 , TBTT 12 , etc. Therefore, there can be at least two different beacon periods among the apparatuses, and possibly further diluted beacon periods as each apparatus may select its own diluted beaconing period based on the original beaconing period and the one or more associated diluted beacon period indications transmitted therewith.
- example frequency e.g., a time period between beacon transmissions
- beacons will contain a diluted beacon period parameter.
- the diluted beacon period parameter may, for example, be carried in vendor-specific information elements (IEs). Diluted beacon period parameter values may remain the same for the lifetime of the network.
- IEs vendor-specific information elements
- other beacon rate periods may be predefined, and all of the predefined beacon rate periods may signaled in a manner similar to the diluted beaconing rate.
- FIG. 6 discloses an example of the responsibilities of host 600 (e.g., upper level control layers that reside above a radio modem in apparatuses) and the responsibilities of radio modem 604 .
- the term “radio modem” in this instance may also be considered to encompass more complex radio “modules” that incorporate additional functionality into the radio modem.
- host 600 may be responsible for commands instructing a modem to start a network (or to join a network) and the determination of whether to utilize a beacon interval or diluted beacon period given to the modem.
- Host 600 may further be responsible for post-processing related to received beacons, the formation of beacons for transmission by the radio modem (e.g., when an apparatus is establishing a new network), communicating with networked apparatuses using host-level protocols (e.g., that exploit WLAN data type frames).
- host-level protocols e.g., that exploit WLAN data type frames.
- beacon rate transition notifications e.g., beacon rate changes during the life of a network
- Host-Modem Interface (I/F) 602 can be either a physical interface between two physically separate entities, like a host processor and wireless modem, or a logical (software) interface inside one physical entity, like wireless modem, or may comprise combinations of both.
- radio modem 604 may include, in the instance of network establishment, determining the actual time of the first TBTT (and subsequent TBTTs that are separated in accordance with the beacon interval). Further radio modem 604 may count the number TBTTs that have occurred, and may participate in beaconing for every TBTT (e.g., standard beaconing) or every Nth multiple of the TBTT (e.g., diluted beaconing) in accordance with the configuration defined by host 600 , may provide received beacon signals to the host for post-processing and may transmit and receive frames as in standard WLAN ad hoc networking.
- TBTT e.g., standard beaconing
- Nth multiple of the TBTT e.g., diluted beaconing
- beacon frames may contain a sequence of information fields that may, for example, be dedicated for fixed format fields (e.g., fields that are always fixed in the same position of the frame), or information elements (IEs) that may be the formatted as disclosed at 702 and 704 .
- Beacon interval is a dedicated fixed field that is used to indicate the number of time units between TBTTs (e.g., as in the standard WLAN).
- Beacons may also utilize vendor-specific information elements to indicate diluted beacon period values.
- the first three octets of the information field may contain an organizationally unique identifier (OUI) corresponding to manufacturers, vendors, service-providers, etc.
- This OUI may further define the content of a particular vendor specific information element.
- the OUI field may be publicly available information that is assigned by an organization like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
- IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- a diluted beacon period can be associated with its own OUI, or the OUI may correspond to, for example, a device vendor or service provider specific OUI and indication of diluted beacon period parameter is in the vendor-specific content.
- step 800 links between apparatuses may be created, for example, when apparatuses enter into a particular area (e.g., an operational space) that contains other wireless-enabled apparatuses.
- Linking may comprise the establishment of new networks, or alternatively, apparatuses joining existing networks.
- new networks need to be established (e.g., as determined in step 802 ) at least one apparatus may enter a new network creation mode in step 804 .
- the new network creation mode may comprise beacon transmission wherein, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, beacon frames may comprise a timing signal and one or more associated diluted beacon indications.
- Apparatuses may then participate in the network based on a particular operational mode (in this example as beaconing apparatus) in step 806 until the network is discontinued as determined in step 808 .
- the process may then return to step 800 to await further requirements for link establishment.
- apparatus desiring network membership may attempt to synchronize to the network beacon in step 810 .
- an attempt may be made to synchronize the clock provided by the timing synchronization function to the beacon.
- the timing synchronization function allows network apparatuses to track the beacon signal and keep synchronized with the other apparatuses in the network.
- control entities e.g., host 600
- control entities e.g., host 600
- the criteria for selecting operational mode may be determined in view of, for example, the activity in an apparatus that necessitated the communication, current apparatus operating condition, the abilities/functionality of apparatuses, etc.
- a mode Once a mode has been selected from the available operational modes defined by, for example, a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and/or one or more associated diluted beacon period indications (all of which may be transmitted in beacon frames), the process may proceed to step 806 wherein the apparatus may participate in the network in accordance with the selected operational mode.
- the apparatus may participate in the network (e.g., contention) based on, for example, a multiple of the beacon period that is defined by the beaconing mode.
- the operational mode selected in apparatuses may also be known by other apparatuses, for example, through messages that contain predefined information elements (IEs) created for this purpose. Participation in the network may continue in step 806 until the network is discontinued in step 808 . The process may then return to step 800 to await the next requirement for link establishment.
- IEs information elements
- apparatuses that desire to join an existing network may continue to attempt synchronization with the existing beacon in step 810 until a threshold condition is met (as determined in step 816 ).
- a threshold condition may comprise, for example, a duration of time without successful beacon synchronization (e.g., a timeout), a number of unsuccessful synchronization attempts, etc.
- the process may proceed to step 818 wherein a decision is made that the existing network is not available. The process may then return to step 802 and follow the process flow pertaining to new network creation (e.g., steps 802 - 808 ).
- apparatuses in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention may comprise means for receiving a beacon frame comprising a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to a wireless network, means for synchronizing a timing signal function to the received beacon timing signal, and means for determining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication.
- Another example apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention may comprise means for initiating a wireless network, and means for transmitting one or more beacon frames, the beacon frames including a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to the wireless network.
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to facilitating apparatus interaction. In at least one example embodiment of the present invention, apparatuses may comprise both triggered communication activities and automated communication activities. Triggered communication activities may correspond to, for example, user and/or application instigated actions in a wireless apparatus. Automated activities may occur without any requirement for user intervention, and further, without any notification to the user that an action has occurred.
Description
- 1. Field of Invention
- Various embodiments of the present invention pertain generally to wireless link establishment, and in particular, to establishing beacon periods of varying frequency.
- 2. Background
- Wireless communication has moved from simply being concerned with conveying verbal information to being more focused on total digital interactivity. While originally limited to voice communication (e.g., telephone calls on cellular handsets), enhancements in wireless technology have substantially improved ability, quality of service (QoS), speed, etc. These developments have contributed to an insatiable desire for new functionality. Portable wireless apparatuses are no longer just tasked with making telephone calls. They have become integral, and in some cases essential, tools for managing the professional and/or personal life of users.
- The effect of this evolving technology may be seen in instances where a plurality of apparatuses have been replaced with a single multifunction device. The functionality that was formally provided by landline telephones and facsimiles, laptop computers, portable digital assistants (PDA), game systems, music players, digital storage devices may be supported in a single digital communication apparatus. The above functionality may be further supplemented through the provision of applications that were not previously available in portable apparatuses (e.g., directional/tracking features, wireless financial transactions, social networking, etc.).
- Such functionality, both existing and emerging, require systems and strategies for seamlessly interconnecting users. In particular, apparatus users will desire a virtually immediate response when applications or functions are executed. Any delay or inaccuracy in the response will negatively impact on a user's satisfaction with the application or function, and thus, may be detrimental to the acceptance of the application or function by the consuming public.
- Example embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a method, apparatus, computer program and system for facilitating apparatus interaction. In accordance with at least one example implementation, apparatuses operating within communication range of each other (e.g., in the same operational space) may interact wirelessly without user intervention. This interaction may comprise data-type information exchanges conducted over distributed local networks. Distributed local networks may establish/maintain connectivity between apparatuses without visibility from the user/application level through the use of simple low-level messaging.
- In accordance with various example embodiments of the present invention, network connections may be established in accordance with protocols dictated by the particular wireless communication medium being employed. In some instances, apparatuses participating in these networks may be kept in synchronization through the use of beaconing. While a beacon may establish timing for the entire network, certain apparatuses may desire (or may be required) to be active less frequently than dictated by network beaconing. For example, apparatuses with limited resources, low messaging levels, etc. may have activity requirements substantially below the frequency established by the beacon. These apparatuses may select an operational mode that uses a beacon period that is lower than the standard beacon period, or a “diluted” beacon period.
- In at least one implementation, beaconing apparatuses may also transmit one or more associated diluted beacon period indications in each beacon frame. Diluted beacon period indications may be communicated in terms of predefined information elements (IEs), and may be “associated” with a beacon in that the frequency of a diluted beacon may be expressed as a multiple of the primary beaconing period. Since diluted beacon periods are defined by the apparatus transmitting the network beacon, the operational mode of apparatuses that join the network may be established after beacon synchronization, and may further be communicated within the network so that periods where apparatuses may be contending for access to a wireless communication medium may be known to the other networked apparatuses.
- The above summarized configurations or operations of various embodiments of the present invention have been provided merely for the sake of explanation, and therefore, are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, inventive elements associated herein with a particular example embodiment of the present invention can be used interchangeably with other example embodiments depending, for example, on the manner in which an embodiment is implemented.
- The disclosure will be further understood from the following description of various exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with appended drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 discloses examples of hardware and software resources that may be utilized when implementing various example embodiments of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 discloses an example network environment in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3 discloses examples of various types of messaging that may be utilized in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 discloses an example of message propagation that may result in distributed local web formation in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 discloses example beacon implementations that are usable in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 discloses an example of host responsibilities and modem responsibilities in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 discloses examples of various packet structures in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 discloses a flowchart for an example communication process in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. - While the present invention has been described herein in terms of a multitude of example embodiments, various changes or alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
- An example of a system that is usable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention is disclosed in
FIG. 1 . The system comprises elements that may be included in, or omitted from, configurations depending, for example, on the requirements of a particular application, and therefore, is not intended to limit present invention in any manner. -
Computing device 100 may be, for example, a laptop computer. Elements that represent basic example components comprising functional elements incomputing device 100 are disclosed at 102-108.Processor 102 may include one or more devices configured to execute instructions, wherein a group of instructions may be constituted, for example, as program code. In at least one scenario, the execution of program code may include receiving input information from other elements incomputing device 100 in order to formulate an output (e.g., data, event, activity, etc).Processor 102 may be a dedicated (e.g., monolithic) microprocessor device, or may be part of a composite device such as an ASIC, gate array, multi-chip module (MCM), etc. -
Processor 102 may be electronically coupled to other functional components incomputing device 100 via a wired or wireless bus. For example,processor 102 may accessmemory 102 in order to obtain stored information (e.g., program code, data, etc.) for use during processing.Memory 104 may generally include removable or imbedded memories that operate in a static or dynamic mode. Further,memory 104 may include read only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), and rewritable memories such as Flash, EPROM, etc. Code may include any interpreted or compiled computer language including computer-executable instructions. The code and/or data may be used to create software modules such as operating systems, communication utilities, user interfaces, more specialized program modules, etc. - One or
more interfaces 106 may also be coupled to various components incomputing device 100. These interfaces may allow for inter-apparatus communication (e.g., a software or protocol interface), apparatus-to-apparatus communication (e.g., a wired or wireless communication interface) and even apparatus to user communication (e.g., a user interface). These interfaces allow components withincomputing device 100, other apparatuses and users to interact withcomputing device 100. Further,interfaces 106 may communicate machine-readable data, such as electronic, magnetic or optical signals embodied on a computer readable medium, or may translate the actions of users into activity that may be understood by computing device 100 (e.g., typing on a keyboard, speaking into the receiver of a cellular handset, touching an icon on a touch screen device, etc.)Interfaces 106 may further allowprocessor 102 and/ormemory 104 to interact withother modules 108. For example,other modules 108 may comprise one or more components supporting more specialized functionality provided bycomputing device 100. -
Computing device 100 may interact with other apparatuses via various networks as further shown inFIG. 1 . For example,hub 100 may provide wired and/or wireless support to devices such ascomputer 114 andserver 116.Hub 100 may be further coupled torouter 112 that allows devices on the local area network (LAN) to interact with devices on a wide area network (WAN, such as Internet 120). In such a scenario, anotherrouter 130 may transmit information to, and receive information from,router 112 so that devices on each LAN may communicate. Further, all of the components depicted in this example configuration are not necessary for implementation of the present invention. For example, in the LAN serviced byrouter 130 no additional hub is needed since this functionality may be supported by the router. - Further, interaction with remote devices may be supported by various providers of short and long
range wireless communication 140. These providers may use, for example, long range terrestrial-based cellular systems and satellite communication, and/or short-range wireless access points in order to provide a wireless connection toInternet 120. For example, personal digital assistant (PDA) 142 andcellular handset 144 may communicate withcomputing device 100 via an Internet connection provided by a provider ofwireless communication 140. Similar functionality may be included in devices, such aslaptop computer 146, in the form of hardware and/or software resources configured to allow short and/or long range wireless communication. -
FIG. 2 discloses an example operational space that will be utilized to describe various example embodiments of the present invention. The example scenario depicted inFIG. 2 is utilized herein only for the sake of explanation, and therefore, is not intended to limit the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. Operational spaces may be defined using various criteria. For example, a physical space like a building, theatre, sports arena, etc. may be utilized to define an area in which users interact. Otherwise, operational spaces may be defined in view of apparatuses utilizing particular wireless transports, apparatuses within communication range (e.g., a certain distance) of each other, apparatuses that are in certain classes or groups, etc. - Wireless-enabled
apparatuses 200 are labeled “A” to “G” inFIG. 2 .Apparatuses 200 may, for example, correspond to any of the wireless-enabled apparatuses that were disclosed inFIG. 1 , and may further include at least the resources discussed with respect toapparatus 100. For the sake of example herein, these apparatuses may operate utilizing at least one wireless communication medium in common. That is, all apparatuses in the example ofFIG. 2 are at least able to wirelessly communicate with each other within the operational space, and therefore, may participate in the same wireless communication network. - Now referring to
FIG. 3 , an example of communication between apparatuses in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention is disclosed at 300. Whileonly apparatus 200A andapparatus 200B are shown, the disclosed example scenario is being utilized only for the sake of explanation herein, and is not intended to limit the scope or applicability of any embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, the various example embodiments of the present invention, such as disclosed herein, may be implemented in order to facilitate wireless interaction between two or more apparatuses existing in an operational space. - Additional detail with respect to communication example 300 is disclosed further in
FIG. 3 .Apparatus 200A may have communication requirements that require interaction withapparatus 200B. For example, these requirements may comprise interactions by apparatus users, applications residing on the apparatuses, etc. that trigger the transmission of messages that may be generally classified under the category of data-type communication 302. Data-type communication may be carried out using tiny messages that may be transmitted betweenapparatus type communication messages 302 may be exchanged. - Network establishment and
MAC management messages 304 may be utilized to establish and maintain an underlying wireless network architecture within an operating space that may be utilized to convey datatype communication messages 302. In accordance with various example embodiments of the present invention, messages containing apparatus configuration, operation and status information may be exchanged to transparently establish wireless network connections when, for example, an apparatus enters an operating space. Network connections may exist between any or all apparatuses existing within the operating space, and may be in existence for the entire time that an apparatus resides in the operating space. In this way, data-type communication messages 302 may be conveyed between apparatuses over already existent networks (a new network connection does not need to be negotiated at the time the message is to be sent), which may in turn reduce response delay and increase quality of service (QoS). - The example scenario disclosed in
FIG. 2 is now revisited inFIG. 4 , which shows an example of distributed local network formation utilizing automated network establishment andMAC management messages 304.Apparatuses 200 that enter intooperational space 210 may immediately begin to formulate network connections through the exchange operational information. Again, the exchange of this information may occur without any prompting from, or even knowledge of, a user. An example of this interactivity is shown inFIG. 4 , wherein various network establishment andMAC management messages 304 are exchanged between apparatuses A to G. In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention, messages may be exchanged directly between an originating apparatus (e.g., the apparatus that is described by the information elements in a message) and a receiving apparatus. Alternatively, messages corresponding to one or more apparatuses inoperational space 210 may be forwarded from one apparatus to another, thereby disseminating the information for multiple apparatuses. - An example of information that may be communicated in network establishment and MAC management messages 304 (e.g., through the use in an information element) is now disclosed in
FIG. 5 . The activity flow disclosed at 500 represents an example implementation using selected features of wireless local area networking or WLAN (as set forth in the IEEE 802.11 specification). However, various embodiments of the present invention are not strictly limited to WLAN, and thus, may be applied to various wireless network architectures using various wireless mediums. - The WLAN logical architecture comprises stations (STA), wireless access points (AP), independent basic service sets (IBSS), basic service sets (BSS), distribution systems (DS), and extended service sets (ESS). Some of these components map directly to hardware devices, such as stations and wireless access points. For example wireless access points may function as bridges between stations and a network backbone (e.g., in order to provide network access). An independent basic service set is a wireless network comprising at least two stations. Independent basic service sets are also sometimes referred to as an ad hoc wireless network. Basic service sets are wireless networks comprising a wireless access point supporting one or multiple wireless clients. Basic service sets are also sometimes referred to as infrastructure wireless networks. All stations in a basic service set may interact through the access point. Access points may provide connectivity to wired local area networks and provides bridging functionality when one station initiates communication to another station or with a node in a distribution system (e.g., with a station coupled to another access point that is linked through a wired network backbone).
- In wireless network architectures like WLAN, beacon signals may be utilized to synchronize the operation of networked apparatuses. In situations where new ad hoc networks are being created, the initiating apparatus may establish beaconing based on it owns clock, and all apparatuses that join the network may conform to this beacon. Similarly, apparatuses that desire to join an existing wireless network may synchronize to the existing beacon. In the case of WLAN, apparatuses may synchronize to beacon signals utilizing a timing synchronization function (TSF). The timing synchronization function is a clock function that is local to an apparatus that synchronizes to and tracks the beacon period.
- An example of a beacon signal is shown in
FIG. 5 at 502 wherein a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) indicates the targeted beacon transmission. This time may be deemed “targeted” because the actual beacon transmission may be a somewhat delayed from the TBTT due to, for example, the channel being occupied at TBTT. The apparatuses that are active in the network may communicate with each other in accordance with the beacon period. However, there may be instances where it may not be beneficial, and may possibly even be detrimental, for apparatuses to be active during each beacon period. For example, apparatuses that do not expect frequent communication within the wireless network may not benefit from being active for every beacon period. Moreover, apparatuses with limited power or processing resource may be forced to waste these precious resources by the requirement of being active for every beacon period. - In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention, functionality may be introduced utilizing the example distributed wireless network described above to allow apparatuses to operate at a standard beaconing rate, or alternatively, using a “diluted” beaconing rate. “Diluted” beaconing may entail a beaconing mode operating at a lower frequency than the beaconing rate originally established in the network. Diluted beaconing may be based on information (e.g., information elements) that is included in network beacon frames, wherein the included information may express one or more diluted beacon rates as multiples of the beacon. Using the beacon and the one or more associated diluted beacon period indications contained within beacon frames, networked apparatuses may elect to operate (e.g., via random contention) based either on the beacon or a diluted beacon period. In particular, all apparatuses may synchronize to the same initial target beacon transmission time (TBTT), for example when TSF=0, and may then count the number periods that occur after the initial TBTT based on the internal TSF function. In this way, apparatuses operating using a diluted beacon period may be active on TBTT counts that corresponds to the multiple defined by the diluted beaconing period.
- An example diluted beacon rate of every 10th TBTT is disclosed in
FIG. 5 at 504. The decision on a beaconing rate to utilize may be handled by each apparatus individually, (e.g., in the protocol stacks that manage operation of a radio modem). All apparatuses, however, will operate based on a beacon interval that remains the same for the lifetime of the network. In view of the requirement that the beacon interval remain unchanged for the duration of the wireless network, the diluted beacon signal may be expressed as a multiple of the beacon signal. In the example disclosed inFIG. 5 , and as set forth above, the first TBTT is equivalent TSF=0. This initial value is dictated by the apparatus that formed the network. Other apparatuses that subsequently join the network may adopt this beacon interval parameter and TBTT timing. For example, the TBTT at TSF=0 is the “base point” that determines when beacons are transmitted. All the devices in network update their own TSF counters as per legacy synchronization rules, and from the TSF they may determine the particular TBTT in which to participate in beaconing assuming that, regardless of the beaconing rate, the first beacon was transmitted at TSF=0. - For example, in a network with four apparatuses where
devices only device 3 would be active (e.g., “competing”) inbeaconing periods TBTT 0,TBTT 6, TBTT 12, etc. Therefore, there can be at least two different beacon periods among the apparatuses, and possibly further diluted beacon periods as each apparatus may select its own diluted beaconing period based on the original beaconing period and the one or more associated diluted beacon period indications transmitted therewith. - In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention, beacons will contain a diluted beacon period parameter. The diluted beacon period parameter may, for example, be carried in vendor-specific information elements (IEs). Diluted beacon period parameter values may remain the same for the lifetime of the network. However, should there be need for more flexibility, other beacon rate periods may be predefined, and all of the predefined beacon rate periods may signaled in a manner similar to the diluted beaconing rate.
-
FIG. 6 discloses an example of the responsibilities of host 600 (e.g., upper level control layers that reside above a radio modem in apparatuses) and the responsibilities ofradio modem 604. The term “radio modem” in this instance may also be considered to encompass more complex radio “modules” that incorporate additional functionality into the radio modem. For example, host 600 may be responsible for commands instructing a modem to start a network (or to join a network) and the determination of whether to utilize a beacon interval or diluted beacon period given to the modem. Host 600 may further be responsible for post-processing related to received beacons, the formation of beacons for transmission by the radio modem (e.g., when an apparatus is establishing a new network), communicating with networked apparatuses using host-level protocols (e.g., that exploit WLAN data type frames). Moreover, beacon rate transition notifications (e.g., beacon rate changes during the life of a network) can be conveyed in both beacons (e.g., vendor-specific information elements) or in host-level protocol messages. - Host-Modem Interface (I/F) 602 can be either a physical interface between two physically separate entities, like a host processor and wireless modem, or a logical (software) interface inside one physical entity, like wireless modem, or may comprise combinations of both.
- The responsibilities of
radio modem 604 may include, in the instance of network establishment, determining the actual time of the first TBTT (and subsequent TBTTs that are separated in accordance with the beacon interval).Further radio modem 604 may count the number TBTTs that have occurred, and may participate in beaconing for every TBTT (e.g., standard beaconing) or every Nth multiple of the TBTT (e.g., diluted beaconing) in accordance with the configuration defined byhost 600, may provide received beacon signals to the host for post-processing and may transmit and receive frames as in standard WLAN ad hoc networking. - Various example implementations of the present invention may utilize “standard” beacon frame formats, such as disclosed at 700 in
FIG. 7 . The body of beacon frames contains a sequence of information fields that may, for example, be dedicated for fixed format fields (e.g., fields that are always fixed in the same position of the frame), or information elements (IEs) that may be the formatted as disclosed at 702 and 704. Beacon interval is a dedicated fixed field that is used to indicate the number of time units between TBTTs (e.g., as in the standard WLAN). - Beacons may also utilize vendor-specific information elements to indicate diluted beacon period values. Per the example disclosed at 706, the first three octets of the information field may contain an organizationally unique identifier (OUI) corresponding to manufacturers, vendors, service-providers, etc. This OUI may further define the content of a particular vendor specific information element. The OUI field may be publicly available information that is assigned by an organization like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Such as in the example disclosed at 708, a diluted beacon period can be associated with its own OUI, or the OUI may correspond to, for example, a device vendor or service provider specific OUI and indication of diluted beacon period parameter is in the vendor-specific content.
- A flowchart of an example communication process in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention is now described with respect to
FIG. 8 . In step 800 links between apparatuses may be created, for example, when apparatuses enter into a particular area (e.g., an operational space) that contains other wireless-enabled apparatuses. Linking may comprise the establishment of new networks, or alternatively, apparatuses joining existing networks. In situations where new networks need to be established (e.g., as determined in step 802) at least one apparatus may enter a new network creation mode in step 804. The new network creation mode may comprise beacon transmission wherein, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, beacon frames may comprise a timing signal and one or more associated diluted beacon indications. Apparatuses may then participate in the network based on a particular operational mode (in this example as beaconing apparatus) in step 806 until the network is discontinued as determined in step 808. The process may then return to step 800 to await further requirements for link establishment. - If an existing network to which membership is desired is determined in step 802, then apparatus desiring network membership may attempt to synchronize to the network beacon in step 810. For example, an attempt may be made to synchronize the clock provided by the timing synchronization function to the beacon. The timing synchronization function allows network apparatuses to track the beacon signal and keep synchronized with the other apparatuses in the network. Upon synchronization, as determined in step 812, control entities (e.g., host 600) in devices that desire network membership may then determine an operational mode in step 814.
- The criteria for selecting operational mode may be determined in view of, for example, the activity in an apparatus that necessitated the communication, current apparatus operating condition, the abilities/functionality of apparatuses, etc. Once a mode has been selected from the available operational modes defined by, for example, a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and/or one or more associated diluted beacon period indications (all of which may be transmitted in beacon frames), the process may proceed to step 806 wherein the apparatus may participate in the network in accordance with the selected operational mode. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus may participate in the network (e.g., contention) based on, for example, a multiple of the beacon period that is defined by the beaconing mode. The operational mode selected in apparatuses may also be known by other apparatuses, for example, through messages that contain predefined information elements (IEs) created for this purpose. Participation in the network may continue in step 806 until the network is discontinued in step 808. The process may then return to step 800 to await the next requirement for link establishment.
- If synchronization is not successful in step 812, apparatuses that desire to join an existing network may continue to attempt synchronization with the existing beacon in step 810 until a threshold condition is met (as determined in step 816). Possible threshold conditions may comprise, for example, a duration of time without successful beacon synchronization (e.g., a timeout), a number of unsuccessful synchronization attempts, etc. Once the threshold condition has been determined to be met in step 816, the process may proceed to step 818 wherein a decision is made that the existing network is not available. The process may then return to step 802 and follow the process flow pertaining to new network creation (e.g., steps 802-808).
- Further to the above, the various example embodiments of the present invention are not strictly limited to the above implementations, and thus, other configurations are possible.
- For example, apparatuses in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention may comprise means for receiving a beacon frame comprising a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to a wireless network, means for synchronizing a timing signal function to the received beacon timing signal, and means for determining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication.
- Another example apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention may comprise means for initiating a wireless network, and means for transmitting one or more beacon frames, the beacon frames including a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to the wireless network.
- Accordingly, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in forma and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (24)
1. A method, comprising:
receiving a beacon frame comprising a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to a wireless network;
synchronizing a timing signal function to the received beacon timing signal; and
determining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is communicated in the beacon frame in a predefined information element.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication comprises selecting whether to be active in the network according to the timing signal or the diluted beacon period.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein being active in the network comprises contending for access to a wireless communication medium with other networked apparatuses.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising communicating the determined mode of operation to other networked apparatuses.
7. A method, comprising:
initiating a wireless network; and
transmitting one or more beacon frames, the beacon frames including a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to the wireless network.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
9. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable medium, comprising:
computer program code configured to receive a beacon frame comprising a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to a wireless network;
computer program code configured to synchronize a timing signal function to the received beacon timing signal; and
computer program code configured to determine a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication.
10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is communicated in the beacon frame in a predefined information element.
11. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
12. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein determining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication comprises selecting whether to be active in the network according to the timing signal or the diluted beacon period.
13. The computer program product of claim 12 , wherein being active in the network comprises contending for access to a wireless communication medium with other networked apparatuses.
14. The computer program product of claim 9 , further comprising communicating the determined mode of operation to other networked apparatuses.
15. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable medium, comprising:
computer program code configured to initiate a wireless network; and
computer program code configured to transmit one or more beacon frames, the beacon frames including a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to the wireless network.
16. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
17. An apparatus, comprising:
a processor, the processor being configured to:
receive a beacon frame comprising a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to a wireless network;
synchronize a timing signal function to the received beacon timing signal; and
determine a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is communicated in the beacon frame in a predefined information element.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein determining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication comprises selecting whether to be active in the network according to the timing signal or the diluted beacon period.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein being active in the network comprises contending for access to a wireless communication medium with other networked apparatuses.
22. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising communicating the determined mode of operation to other networked apparatuses.
23. An apparatus, comprising:
A processor, the processor being configured to:
initiate a wireless network; and
transmit one or more beacon frames, the beacon frames including a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to the wireless network.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the associated diluted beacon period is associated with the beacon period in that it is a multiple of the beacon period.
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/396,834 US20100226309A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
CN2010800098584A CN102342160A (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-02-05 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
CN201610068930.XA CN105578562B (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-02-05 | Beacon mode for wireless communications |
BRPI1009506-3A BRPI1009506B1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-02-05 | method and apparatus for ad hoc network |
EP10748379.4A EP2404470B1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-02-05 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
PCT/FI2010/050071 WO2010100323A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-02-05 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
US14/157,114 US9148840B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2014-01-16 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/396,834 US20100226309A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/157,114 Continuation US9148840B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2014-01-16 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100226309A1 true US20100226309A1 (en) | 2010-09-09 |
Family
ID=42678201
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/396,834 Abandoned US20100226309A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
US14/157,114 Active US9148840B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2014-01-16 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/157,114 Active US9148840B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2014-01-16 | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20100226309A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2404470B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN105578562B (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI1009506B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010100323A1 (en) |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100226297A1 (en) * | 2009-03-03 | 2010-09-09 | Nokia Corporation | Power management in wireless communication systems |
US20110075603A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | Alaa Muqattash | Medium allocation in a distributed network |
US20110142028A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Synchronization via additional beacon transmission |
US20110141966A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Data-related task support in wireless communication systems |
US20110142029A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Networking in wireless communication systems |
US20110141965A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Network discovery in wireless communication systems |
US20130287010A1 (en) * | 2012-04-30 | 2013-10-31 | Calamp Corp. | Dynamic Beacon Rates and Fixed Ad Hoc Modes in Ad Hoc Networks |
CN103906142A (en) * | 2014-03-24 | 2014-07-02 | 珠海市魅族科技有限公司 | Wireless communication method and relevant equipment and system |
US8804589B2 (en) | 2011-10-14 | 2014-08-12 | Nokia Corporation | Adaptive awake window |
WO2014123566A1 (en) | 2013-02-11 | 2014-08-14 | Minyoung Park | Methods, wireless communication stations, and system for time synchronization and discovery |
US20140269463A1 (en) * | 2013-03-13 | 2014-09-18 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Intelligent beaconing by software-enabled access point |
US9042828B2 (en) | 2012-11-26 | 2015-05-26 | Nokia Corporation | Method, apparatus, and computer program product for optimized discovery between mobile devices |
US9148840B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2015-09-29 | Nokia Technologies Oy | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
US20170094494A1 (en) * | 2015-09-25 | 2017-03-30 | Osram Sylvania Inc. | Active proximity based wireless network commissioning |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105682249B (en) * | 2014-11-17 | 2019-06-28 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | It is a kind of for establishing the method and apparatus of connection based on beacon |
Citations (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5371734A (en) * | 1993-01-29 | 1994-12-06 | Digital Ocean, Inc. | Medium access control protocol for wireless network |
US20030204742A1 (en) * | 2002-04-29 | 2003-10-30 | Microsoft Corporation | Peer-to-peer name resolution protocol (PNRP) security infrastructure and method |
US20040153676A1 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-05 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for managing power in network interface modules |
US20050025092A1 (en) * | 2003-05-26 | 2005-02-03 | Sony Corporation | Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication method, and computer program |
US20050193106A1 (en) * | 2004-03-01 | 2005-09-01 | University Of Florida | Service discovery and delivery for ad-hoc networks |
US6941372B2 (en) * | 2001-02-01 | 2005-09-06 | Agere Systems Inc. | Mobile community communicator |
US20060034217A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2006-02-16 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and network device for enabling MIMO station and SISO station to coexist in wireless network without data collision |
US20060050730A1 (en) * | 2002-01-03 | 2006-03-09 | Shvodian William M | Method for controlling operation of a child or neighbor network |
US20060285510A1 (en) * | 2005-04-15 | 2006-12-21 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for transferring frames in extended wireless LAN |
US20070002866A1 (en) * | 2005-06-29 | 2007-01-04 | Denso Corporation | Receive power priority flooding in mobile ad hoc networks |
US20070086424A1 (en) * | 2005-10-13 | 2007-04-19 | George Calcev | Method and apparatus for synchronizing a node within an AD-HOC communication system |
US20070226777A1 (en) * | 2002-07-29 | 2007-09-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for authenticating and configuring computing devices |
US20070254596A1 (en) * | 2006-01-11 | 2007-11-01 | Corson M S | Communication methods and apparatus relating to cooperative and non-cooperative modes of operation |
US20080013543A1 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2008-01-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method to coordinate calendar searches in a network scheduler |
US20080125190A1 (en) * | 2006-11-28 | 2008-05-29 | James Jan | Enhanced IEEE Power Save in Ad Hoc Wireless Mode |
US20080151848A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2008-06-26 | Matthew Fischer | Method and system for an ad hoc wireless network with master control of network parameters |
US20090073871A1 (en) * | 2007-09-17 | 2009-03-19 | Jin-Liang Ko | Communication apparatus and network search method thereof |
US7567673B2 (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2009-07-28 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Common key sharing method and wireless communication terminal in ad hoc network |
US20090203926A1 (en) * | 2005-10-03 | 2009-08-13 | Mars, Inc. | Process for selectively extracting procyanidins |
US7590100B2 (en) * | 2005-12-23 | 2009-09-15 | Motorola, Inc. | Method for packet polling in a WLAN |
US20090247201A1 (en) * | 2008-03-31 | 2009-10-01 | Motorola, Inc. | Dynamic allocation of spectrum sensing resources in cognitive radio networks |
US20090279449A1 (en) * | 2008-05-07 | 2009-11-12 | Nokia Corporation | Quality of service and power aware forwarding rules for mesh points in wireless mesh networks |
US20100165947A1 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2010-07-01 | Toshiba America Reserch, Inc. | Network Discovery Mechanisms |
US7774495B2 (en) * | 2003-02-13 | 2010-08-10 | Oracle America, Inc, | Infrastructure for accessing a peer-to-peer network environment |
US7848277B2 (en) * | 2005-12-05 | 2010-12-07 | Institute For Information Industry | Power management methods and systems |
US7864720B2 (en) * | 2007-06-01 | 2011-01-04 | Intel Corporation | Power management for wireless devices |
US20110038349A1 (en) * | 2004-01-26 | 2011-02-17 | Sheng Sun | Multiple Simultaneous Wireless Connections In A Wireless Local Area Network |
US7907557B2 (en) * | 2008-06-13 | 2011-03-15 | Conexant Systems, Inc. | Low power receiving |
US8005032B2 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2011-08-23 | Research In Motion Limited | Maintaining delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) periods on a per-wireless client device basis |
US8014378B1 (en) * | 2003-10-23 | 2011-09-06 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprise, Inc. | Method and apparatus for automatic control of time-of-day synchronization and merging of networks |
Family Cites Families (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2001177667A (en) * | 1999-12-20 | 2001-06-29 | Canon Inc | Communication equipment |
US6791583B2 (en) | 2000-03-09 | 2004-09-14 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | System and method for providing spatially distributed device interaction |
GB0218713D0 (en) | 2002-08-12 | 2002-09-18 | Mitel Knowledge Corp | Architecture and Implementation for control of context aware call processing with local feature definition |
KR20050104395A (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2005-11-02 | 코닌클리즈케 필립스 일렉트로닉스 엔.브이. | Power management in an ieee 802.11 ibss wlan using an adaptive atim window |
KR100966417B1 (en) | 2003-04-11 | 2010-06-28 | 텔레폰악티에볼라겟엘엠에릭슨(펍) | Multi-access call setup |
EP1645073A1 (en) * | 2003-07-11 | 2006-04-12 | Nokia Corporation | Beacon transmission in short-range wireless communication systems |
US7675878B2 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2010-03-09 | Motorola, Inc. | Enhanced passive scanning |
US7583643B2 (en) | 2003-09-30 | 2009-09-01 | Motorola, Inc. | Enhanced passive scanning |
KR100735242B1 (en) | 2003-12-16 | 2007-07-03 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method for providing/notifying interworking information of mobile telecommunication network and wireless local area network and therefor system |
JP4028527B2 (en) * | 2004-06-30 | 2007-12-26 | ソニー・エリクソン・モバイルコミュニケーションズ株式会社 | Communication system, communication terminal device, wireless key device, and program |
WO2006011718A1 (en) | 2004-07-26 | 2006-02-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Location tracking method in coordinator-based wireless network |
DE602005004112T2 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2008-12-18 | Research In Motion Ltd., Waterloo | Using a plurality of IEEE 802.11 traffic message messages (IEEE 802.11 DTIM) periods in a wireless network |
US7493413B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2009-02-17 | Microsoft Corporation | APIS to build peer to peer messaging applications |
US7729285B2 (en) | 2005-03-22 | 2010-06-01 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. | Energy-efficient network protocol and node device for sensor networks |
WO2006120555A2 (en) * | 2005-05-12 | 2006-11-16 | Nokia Corporation | A mechanism to enable optimized provision of beacon information in wlan networks |
US20070127427A1 (en) | 2005-11-09 | 2007-06-07 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Communication system, control terminal and communication terminal |
JP4847246B2 (en) | 2006-07-31 | 2011-12-28 | キヤノン株式会社 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CAUSING COMPUTER TO EXECUTE THE CONTROL METHOD |
US8619652B2 (en) | 2006-12-04 | 2013-12-31 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | System and method for adaptive sleep of wirelessly networked devices |
CN101563951B (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2013-05-01 | 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 | Beacon transmission and reception using directional antennas |
SE531657C2 (en) | 2007-01-31 | 2009-06-23 | Nanoradio Ab | Background scan method for WLAN client devices |
US8005061B2 (en) * | 2007-06-28 | 2011-08-23 | Research In Motion Limited | System and method of maintaining a connection with a first network while processing communications with a second network by a communication device |
JP4989346B2 (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2012-08-01 | キヤノン株式会社 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD |
US20090147702A1 (en) | 2007-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | Buddhikot Milind M | Method and Apparatus for Forming and Configuring a Dynamic Network of Mobile Network Nodes |
WO2009113798A2 (en) | 2008-03-14 | 2009-09-17 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Scanning method in wireless system |
EP2107732A1 (en) | 2008-04-01 | 2009-10-07 | Sequans Communications | Method and system for radio access technology monitoring in a wireless communications system |
US8787266B2 (en) | 2008-06-13 | 2014-07-22 | Infineon Technologies Ag | Medium access control in industrial and automotive wireless with combined wired and wireless sensor networks |
WO2010029386A1 (en) | 2008-09-09 | 2010-03-18 | Nokia Corporation | Accessing resources via adaptive connection creation |
US8391169B2 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2013-03-05 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for locating a mobile device in a sleep mode |
US8208973B2 (en) | 2008-11-05 | 2012-06-26 | Medtronic Minimed, Inc. | System and method for variable beacon timing with wireless devices |
KR101172886B1 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2012-08-10 | 아주대학교산학협력단 | Method for improving energy efficiency in wireless mesh networks |
US8498230B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2013-07-30 | Nokia Corporation | Power management in wireless communication systems |
US20100226309A1 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2010-09-09 | Nokia Corporation | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
-
2009
- 2009-03-03 US US12/396,834 patent/US20100226309A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2010
- 2010-02-05 WO PCT/FI2010/050071 patent/WO2010100323A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-02-05 BR BRPI1009506-3A patent/BRPI1009506B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2010-02-05 CN CN201610068930.XA patent/CN105578562B/en active Active
- 2010-02-05 CN CN2010800098584A patent/CN102342160A/en active Pending
- 2010-02-05 EP EP10748379.4A patent/EP2404470B1/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-01-16 US US14/157,114 patent/US9148840B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5371734A (en) * | 1993-01-29 | 1994-12-06 | Digital Ocean, Inc. | Medium access control protocol for wireless network |
US6941372B2 (en) * | 2001-02-01 | 2005-09-06 | Agere Systems Inc. | Mobile community communicator |
US20080013543A1 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2008-01-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method to coordinate calendar searches in a network scheduler |
US20060050730A1 (en) * | 2002-01-03 | 2006-03-09 | Shvodian William M | Method for controlling operation of a child or neighbor network |
US20030204742A1 (en) * | 2002-04-29 | 2003-10-30 | Microsoft Corporation | Peer-to-peer name resolution protocol (PNRP) security infrastructure and method |
US20070226777A1 (en) * | 2002-07-29 | 2007-09-27 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for authenticating and configuring computing devices |
US20040153676A1 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-05 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for managing power in network interface modules |
US20060120314A1 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2006-06-08 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for managing power in network interface modules |
US7774495B2 (en) * | 2003-02-13 | 2010-08-10 | Oracle America, Inc, | Infrastructure for accessing a peer-to-peer network environment |
US20050025092A1 (en) * | 2003-05-26 | 2005-02-03 | Sony Corporation | Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication method, and computer program |
US8014378B1 (en) * | 2003-10-23 | 2011-09-06 | Itt Manufacturing Enterprise, Inc. | Method and apparatus for automatic control of time-of-day synchronization and merging of networks |
US20110038349A1 (en) * | 2004-01-26 | 2011-02-17 | Sheng Sun | Multiple Simultaneous Wireless Connections In A Wireless Local Area Network |
US20050193106A1 (en) * | 2004-03-01 | 2005-09-01 | University Of Florida | Service discovery and delivery for ad-hoc networks |
US7567673B2 (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2009-07-28 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Common key sharing method and wireless communication terminal in ad hoc network |
US20060034217A1 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2006-02-16 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and network device for enabling MIMO station and SISO station to coexist in wireless network without data collision |
US20100165947A1 (en) * | 2004-11-05 | 2010-07-01 | Toshiba America Reserch, Inc. | Network Discovery Mechanisms |
US8005032B2 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2011-08-23 | Research In Motion Limited | Maintaining delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) periods on a per-wireless client device basis |
US20060285510A1 (en) * | 2005-04-15 | 2006-12-21 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for transferring frames in extended wireless LAN |
US20070002866A1 (en) * | 2005-06-29 | 2007-01-04 | Denso Corporation | Receive power priority flooding in mobile ad hoc networks |
US20090203926A1 (en) * | 2005-10-03 | 2009-08-13 | Mars, Inc. | Process for selectively extracting procyanidins |
US20070086426A1 (en) * | 2005-10-13 | 2007-04-19 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for merging independently synchronized networks |
US20070086424A1 (en) * | 2005-10-13 | 2007-04-19 | George Calcev | Method and apparatus for synchronizing a node within an AD-HOC communication system |
US7848277B2 (en) * | 2005-12-05 | 2010-12-07 | Institute For Information Industry | Power management methods and systems |
US7590100B2 (en) * | 2005-12-23 | 2009-09-15 | Motorola, Inc. | Method for packet polling in a WLAN |
US20070254596A1 (en) * | 2006-01-11 | 2007-11-01 | Corson M S | Communication methods and apparatus relating to cooperative and non-cooperative modes of operation |
US20080125190A1 (en) * | 2006-11-28 | 2008-05-29 | James Jan | Enhanced IEEE Power Save in Ad Hoc Wireless Mode |
US20080151848A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2008-06-26 | Matthew Fischer | Method and system for an ad hoc wireless network with master control of network parameters |
US7864720B2 (en) * | 2007-06-01 | 2011-01-04 | Intel Corporation | Power management for wireless devices |
US20090073871A1 (en) * | 2007-09-17 | 2009-03-19 | Jin-Liang Ko | Communication apparatus and network search method thereof |
US20090247201A1 (en) * | 2008-03-31 | 2009-10-01 | Motorola, Inc. | Dynamic allocation of spectrum sensing resources in cognitive radio networks |
US20090279449A1 (en) * | 2008-05-07 | 2009-11-12 | Nokia Corporation | Quality of service and power aware forwarding rules for mesh points in wireless mesh networks |
US7907557B2 (en) * | 2008-06-13 | 2011-03-15 | Conexant Systems, Inc. | Low power receiving |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8498230B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2013-07-30 | Nokia Corporation | Power management in wireless communication systems |
US9148840B2 (en) | 2009-03-03 | 2015-09-29 | Nokia Technologies Oy | Beaconing mode for wireless communication |
US20100226297A1 (en) * | 2009-03-03 | 2010-09-09 | Nokia Corporation | Power management in wireless communication systems |
US20110075603A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | Alaa Muqattash | Medium allocation in a distributed network |
US8842605B2 (en) | 2009-12-10 | 2014-09-23 | Nokia Corporation | Network discovery in wireless communication systems |
US20110142028A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Synchronization via additional beacon transmission |
US20110141966A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Data-related task support in wireless communication systems |
US20110142029A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Networking in wireless communication systems |
US20110141965A1 (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2011-06-16 | Nokia Corporation | Network discovery in wireless communication systems |
US9307551B2 (en) | 2009-12-10 | 2016-04-05 | Nokia Technologies Oy | Data-related task support in wireless communication systems |
US8774021B2 (en) | 2009-12-10 | 2014-07-08 | Nokia Corporation | Data-related task support in wireless communication systems |
US8804589B2 (en) | 2011-10-14 | 2014-08-12 | Nokia Corporation | Adaptive awake window |
US9204368B2 (en) * | 2012-04-30 | 2015-12-01 | Calamp Corp. | Dynamic beacon rates and fixed ad hoc modes in ad hoc networks |
US20130287010A1 (en) * | 2012-04-30 | 2013-10-31 | Calamp Corp. | Dynamic Beacon Rates and Fixed Ad Hoc Modes in Ad Hoc Networks |
US9042828B2 (en) | 2012-11-26 | 2015-05-26 | Nokia Corporation | Method, apparatus, and computer program product for optimized discovery between mobile devices |
WO2014123566A1 (en) | 2013-02-11 | 2014-08-14 | Minyoung Park | Methods, wireless communication stations, and system for time synchronization and discovery |
US9144047B2 (en) | 2013-02-11 | 2015-09-22 | Intel IP Corporation | Methods, wireless communication stations, and system for time synchronization and discovery |
EP2954738A1 (en) * | 2013-02-11 | 2015-12-16 | Intel IP Corporation | Methods, wireless communication stations, and system for time synchronization and discovery |
EP2954738A4 (en) * | 2013-02-11 | 2016-09-14 | Intel Ip Corp | Methods, wireless communication stations, and system for time synchronization and discovery |
US20140269463A1 (en) * | 2013-03-13 | 2014-09-18 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Intelligent beaconing by software-enabled access point |
US9185648B2 (en) * | 2013-03-13 | 2015-11-10 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Intelligent beaconing by software-enabled access point |
CN103906142A (en) * | 2014-03-24 | 2014-07-02 | 珠海市魅族科技有限公司 | Wireless communication method and relevant equipment and system |
US20170094494A1 (en) * | 2015-09-25 | 2017-03-30 | Osram Sylvania Inc. | Active proximity based wireless network commissioning |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2010100323A1 (en) | 2010-09-10 |
US9148840B2 (en) | 2015-09-29 |
BRPI1009506B1 (en) | 2021-03-16 |
EP2404470A4 (en) | 2014-09-03 |
US20140161107A1 (en) | 2014-06-12 |
CN105578562A (en) | 2016-05-11 |
CN102342160A (en) | 2012-02-01 |
CN105578562B (en) | 2020-12-04 |
EP2404470A1 (en) | 2012-01-11 |
EP2404470B1 (en) | 2020-08-19 |
BRPI1009506A2 (en) | 2016-03-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9148840B2 (en) | Beaconing mode for wireless communication | |
US8498230B2 (en) | Power management in wireless communication systems | |
US8842605B2 (en) | Network discovery in wireless communication systems | |
US9307551B2 (en) | Data-related task support in wireless communication systems | |
EP2733997B1 (en) | Power management for wireless networks | |
US20110142029A1 (en) | Networking in wireless communication systems | |
EP2422551B1 (en) | Wireless station connectivity information distribution | |
US8804589B2 (en) | Adaptive awake window | |
KR20140074938A (en) | Wireless network re-entry systems and processes | |
KR20110009208A (en) | Methods and apparatus for power saving for mesh nodes | |
CN105103587A (en) | Systems and methods for power efficient discovery of infrastructure services on a network |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NOKIA CORPORATION, FINLAND Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KASSLIN, MIKA;TIRRONEN, MIKKO;LEPPANEN, KARI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022683/0080 Effective date: 20090511 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY, FINLAND Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NOKIA CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:035280/0093 Effective date: 20150116 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |