DE102018202787A1 - Selective peer synchronization with mutual services - Google Patents

Abstract

In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations are operated to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, e.g. For example, to use direct communication between the wireless stations without an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a mechanism for a device to perform selective synchronization (or cluster merging) with one or more neighboring peer devices.

Description

AREA

The present invention relates to wireless communication, including wireless communication techniques between wireless stations in a wireless network system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE

The use of wireless systems is growing rapidly. Further, wireless communication technology has evolved from pure voice communication and now includes the transmission of data such as Internet and / or multimedia content. A popular short-to-medium-range wireless communication standard is a wireless local area network (WLAN). State-of-the-art WLANs are based on the IEEE 802.11 (or 802.11 for short) standard and are marketed under the Wi-Fi brand name. Wi-Fi networks link one or more devices to a wireless access point, which in turn provides connectivity to the broader Internet.

In 802.11 systems, a device that is wirelessly connected to other devices is referred to as a "station" or STA, "mobile station", "user device" or "user equipment", or UE (User Equipment) for short. Wireless stations can be either wireless access points (APs) or wireless clients (or mobile stations). APs, also referred to as wireless routers, act as base stations for the wireless network. APs send and receive radio frequency signals for communication with wireless client devices. APs also typically can connect to the Internet in a wired fashion. Wireless clients operating on an 802.11 network may be any of a variety of devices, such as laptops, tablet devices, smart phones, or fixed devices, such as desktop computers. Wireless client devices are referred to herein as User Equipment (or UE). Some wireless client devices are also collectively referred to herein as mobile devices or mobile stations (although, as noted above, wireless client stations as a whole may also be stationary devices).

In some prior art systems, mobile Wi-Fi stations are able to communicate directly with one another without using an intermediate access point. However, improvements in the operation of such devices are desired, such as in establishing and coordinating communication between such devices.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for wireless peer stations (eg, wireless stations that are configured to communicate with neighboring wireless stations without using an intermediate access point) to initiate multicast groups and to recognize.

Some embodiments relate to a wireless station that includes one or more antennas, one or more radios, and one or more processors (directly or indirectly) coupled to the radios. At least one radio is configured to provide Wi-Fi communication, e.g. Via a Wi-Fi interface. The wireless station may perform voice and / or data communication, as well as any or all of the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations are operated to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, e.g. For example, to use direct communication between the wireless stations without an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a mechanism for peer devices to perform selective synchronization (or cluster merging) with each other.

In some embodiments, the communication may be performed via a wireless peer-to-peer protocol, such as Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN). Thus, embodiments of the disclosure also relate to NAN multicast group formation, including role selection and scheduling within the NAN framework. The NAN embodiments described herein provide a mechanism for a NAN device to initiate (or set up) and schedule a multicast group, register adjacent NAN devices in a multicast group, merge multicast groups, and multicast groups. To end groups.

In some embodiments, a wireless station may be configured to synchronize a timing with a first wireless peer station. The first wireless peer station may be a timing clock main unit (or Anchor main unit) of a first cluster of wireless stations. Additionally, the wireless station may be configured to receive a beacon from a second wireless peer station via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. The beacon may include an indication of services supported by the second wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the indication of supported services includes a hash value of services supported by the second wireless peer station. The second wireless peer station may be configured to synchronize a time clock with a third wireless peer station, wherein the third wireless peer station may be a timing master unit (or anchor master unit) of a second cluster of wireless stations , The wireless station may be further configured to determine, based at least in part on the indication of supported services, a service common to the wireless station and the second wireless peer station, and to initiate a merger of the first and second clusters.

This summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subject matter described in this document. Accordingly, it will be understood that the features described above are exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

list of figures

• 1 veranschaulicht ein Beispiel-WLAN-Kommunikationssystem gemäß manchen Ausführungsformen.
• 2 veranschaulicht ein vereinfachtes Beispielblockdiagramm eines WLAN-Zugangspunktes (AP) gemäß manchen Ausführungsformen.
• 3 veranschaulicht ein vereinfachtes Beispielblockdiagramm einer mobilen Station (UE) gemäß manchen Ausführungsformen.
• 4 veranschaulicht ein Beispiel eines Cluster-Baums mit einer Ankerhaupteinheit gemäß Implementierungen.
• 5A bis C veranschaulichen ein Beispiel eines Zusammenführens (Synchronisierung) von Clustern gemäß Implementierungen.
• 6A bis D veranschaulichen ein Beispiel eines selektiven Zusammenführens (Synchronisierung) von Clustern gemäß manchen Ausführungsformen.
• 7 veranschaulicht ein Blockdiagramm eines Beispiels eines Verfahrens zum selektiven Zusammenführen (Synchronisierung) von Clustern gemäß manchen Ausführungsformen.
• 8 veranschaulicht ein Blockdiagramm eines Beispiels eines Verfahrens für eine selektive Synchronisierung von Peer-Vorrichtungen auf Grundlage von unterstützten Diensten gemäß manchen Ausführungsformen.

A better understanding of the present subject matter can be obtained when the following detailed description of the embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

• 1 illustrates an example WLAN communication system according to some embodiments.
• 2 FIG. 12 illustrates a simplified example block diagram of a WLAN access point (AP) in accordance with some embodiments.
• 3 FIG. 12 illustrates a simplified example block diagram of a mobile station (UE) according to some embodiments. FIG.
• 4 illustrates an example of a cluster tree with an anchor main unit according to implementations.
• 5A to C illustrate an example of merging (synchronizing) clusters according to implementations.
• 6A to D illustrate an example of selectively merging (synchronizing) clusters according to some embodiments.
• 7 FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of one example of a method for selectively merging (synchronizing) clusters according to some embodiments.
• 8th FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of one example of a method for selective synchronization of peer devices based on supported services according to some embodiments.

While the features described herein are susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to be limiting to the particular form disclosed, but that the invention, by contrast, is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject matter. as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

acronyms

• UE: User Equipment (Benutzerausrüstung)
• AP: Access Point (Zugangspunkt)
• DL: Downlink (von BS zu UE)
• UL: Uplink (von UE zu BS)
• TX: Übertragung/Übertragen
• RX: Empfang/Empfangen
• LAN: Local Area Network (Lokales Netzwerk)
• WLAN: Wireless LAN (Drahtloses LAN)
• RAT: Radio Access Technology (Funkzugangstechnologie)
• DW: Discovery Window (Erkennungsfenster)
• NW: Negotiation Window (Aushandlungsfenster)
• FAW: Further Availability Window (weiteres Verfügbarkeitsfenster)
• SID: Service ID (Dienst-ID)
• SInf: Service Information (Dienstinformationen)
• Sinf-Seg: Service Information Segment (Dienstinformationssegment)
• NW-Req: von der NAN-Vorrichtung anzufordern, sich im NW zu präsentieren
• CaOp: Capabilities and Operations elements (Fähigkeiten und Operationselemente)
• Security: Sicherheitspräferenzen
• SessionInfo: advertisement_id, session_mac, session_id, port, proto
• ChList: bevorzugte Datenpfadkanäle
• AM: Anchor Master (Ankerhaupteinheit)
• DW: Discovery Window (Erkennungsfenster)
• HCFR: Hop Count From Remote Devices (Sprunganzahl von entfernt angeordneten Vorrichtungen)
• NAN: Neighbor Awareness Network (Nachbarbewusstseinsnetzwerk)
• SDA: Service Descriptor Attribute (Dienstbeschreiberattribut)
• SDF: Service Discovery Frame (Diensterkennungsrahmen)
• SRF: Service Response Filter (Dienstantwortfilter)
• TSF: Time Synchronization Function (Zeitsynchronisierungsfunktion)

Various acronyms are used in the present application. Definitions of the most commonly used acronyms in the present application are provided below:

• UE: User Equipment
• AP: Access Point
• DL: Downlink (from BS to UE)
• UL: uplink (from UE to BS)
• TX: transmission / transmission
• RX: receive / receive
• LAN: Local Area Network
• WLAN: Wireless LAN (wireless LAN)
• COUNCIL: Radio Access Technology (Radio Access Technology)
• DW: Discovery Window
• NW: Negotiation Window
• FAW: Further Availability Window
• SID: Service ID (service ID)
• SInf: Service Information
• Sinf-Seg: Service Information Segment
• NW Req: to request from the NAN device to present itself in the NW
• CaOp: Capabilities and Operations elements
• Security: security preferences
• SessionInfo: advertisement_id, session_mac, session_id, port, proto
• ChList: preferred data path channels
• AM: Anchor Master (anchor main unit)
• DW: Discovery Window
• HCFR: Hop Count From Remote Devices
• NAN: Neighbor Awareness Network
• SDA: Service Descriptor Attribute
• SDF: Service Discovery Frame
• SRF: Service Response Filter
• TSF: Time Synchronization Function

terminology

• Speichermedium - Eine beliebige von unterschiedlichen, nicht-flüchtigen Arbeitsspeichervorrichtungen oder Datenspeichervorrichtungen. Der Begriff „Speichermedium“ soll einschließen: ein Installationsmedium, z. B. eine CD-ROM, Floppydisketten oder eine Bandvorrichtung; einen Computersystemspeicher oder einen Speicher mit wahlfreiem Zugriff, wie einen DRAM, DDR-RAM, SRAM, EDO-RAM, Rambus-RAM usw.; einen nicht-flüchtigen Speicher, wie einen Flash-Speicher, magnetische Medien, z. B. ein Festplattenlaufwerk oder einen optischen Datenspeicher; einen Registerspeicher oder andere ähnliche Typen von Speicherelementen usw. Das Speichermedium kann auch andere Arten von nicht-flüchtigem Speicher sowie Kombinationen davon einschließen. Darüber hinaus kann sich das Speichermedium in einem ersten Computersystem befinden, in dem die Programme ausgeführt werden, oder es kann sich in einem zweiten, anderen Computersystem befinden, das über ein Netzwerk, wie beispielsweise das Internet, mit dem ersten Computersystem verbunden ist. In letzterem Fall kann das zweite Computersystem dem ersten Computer Programmanweisungen zum Ausführen bereitstellen. Der Begriff „Speichermedium“ kann zwei oder mehrere Speichermedien einschließen, die sich an verschiedenen Orten befinden können, z. B. in verschiedenen Computersystemen, die über ein Netzwerk verbunden sind. Das Speichermedium kann Programmanweisungen speichern (z. B. ausgeführt als Computerprogramme), die durch einen oder mehrere Prozessoren ausgeführt werden können.
• Trägermedium - ein Speichermedium wie vorstehend beschrieben sowie ein physisches Übertragungsmedium, wie beispielsweise ein Bus, ein Netzwerk und/oder ein anderes physisches Übertragungsmedium, das Signale, wie beispielsweise elektrische, elektromagnetische oder digitale Signale, überträgt.
• Computersystem - ein beliebiges von verschiedenartigen Rechen- oder Verarbeitungssystemen, einschließlich eines Personal Computer Systems (PC), eines Großrechnersystems, einer Workstation, einer Network-Appliance, einer Internet-Appliance, eines persönlichen digitalen Assistenten (Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)), eines Fernsehsystems, eines Grid-Computing-Systems oder einer anderen Vorrichtung oder Kombinationen von Vorrichtungen. Im Allgemeinen kann der Begriff „Computersystem“ weit definiert werden, um jede Vorrichtung (oder Kombination von Vorrichtungen) mit mindestens einem Prozessor einzuschließen, der Anweisungen aus einem Speichermedium ausführt.
• Mobile Vorrichtung (oder mobile Station) - ein beliebiger von vielfältigen Typen von Computersystemvorrichtungen, die mobil oder tragbar sind, und der drahtlose Kommunikation unter Verwendung von WLAN-Kommunikation durchführt. Beispiele mobiler Vorrichtungen schließen Mobiltelefone oder Smartphones (z. B. iPhone™, Android™-gestützte Telefone) und Tablet-Computer, wie beispielsweise iPad™, Samsung Galaxy™ usw., ein. Vielfältige weitere Typen von Vorrichtungen fallen in diese Kategorie, wenn sie Wi-Fi- oder sowohl Mobilfunk- als auch Wi-Fi-Kommunikationsfähigkeiten einschließen, wie beispielsweise Laptop-Computer (z. B. MacBook™), tragbare Spielevorrichtungen (z. B. Nintendo DS™, PlayStation Portable™, Gameboy Advance™, iPhone™), tragbare Internetvorrichtungen und weitere handgehaltene Vorrichtungen sowie am Körper tragbare Vorrichtungen, wie beispielsweise intelligente Uhren (smart watches), intelligente Brillen (smart glasses), Kopfhörer, Anhänger, Hörelemente usw. Im Allgemeinen kann der Begriff „mobile Vorrichtung“ breit definiert werden, um jede elektronische, Rechen- und/oder Telekommunikationsvorrichtung (oder Kombination von Vorrichtungen) einzubeziehen, die einfach durch einen Benutzer transportiert wird und unter Verwendung von WLAN oder Wi-Fi zu drahtloser Kommunikation fähig ist.
• Drahtlose Vorrichtung (oder drahtlose Station) - ein beliebiger von vielfältigen Typen von Computersystemvorrichtungen, der drahtlose Kommunikation unter Verwendung von WLAN-Kommunikation durchführt. Wie hierin verwendet, kann sich der Begriff „drahtlose Vorrichtung“ auf eine mobile Vorrichtung, wie vorstehend definiert, oder eine stationäre Vorrichtung, wie beispielsweise einen stationären drahtlosen Client oder eine drahtlose Basisstation, beziehen. Zum Beispiel kann es sich bei einer drahtlosen Vorrichtung um einen beliebigen Typ von drahtloser Station eines 802.11-Systems handeln, wie beispielsweise einen Zugangspunkt (AP) oder eine Client-Station (STA oder UE). Weitere Beispiele schließen Fernseher, Medienwiedergabeeinheiten (z. B. AppleTV™, Roku™, Amazon FireTV™, Google Chromecast™ usw.), Kühlschränke, Waschmaschinen, Thermostate und so fort ein.
• WLAN - Der Begriff „WLAN“ besitzt die gesamte Breite seiner üblichen Bedeutung und schließt mindestens ein drahtloses Kommunikationsnetzwerk oder eine RAT ein, das bzw. die durch WLAN-Zugangspunkte bedient wird und durch diese Zugangspunkte Konnektivität zum Internet bereitstellt. Modernste WLANs beruhen auf „IEEE 802.11“-Standards und werden unter dem Namen „Wi-Fi“ vermarktet. Ein WLAN-Netzwerk unterscheidet sich von einem Mobilfunknetz.
• Verarbeitungselement - bezieht sich auf vielfältige Implementierungen von digitaler Schaltlogik, die eine Funktion in einem Computersystem durchführen. Zusätzlich kann sich „Verarbeitungselement“ auf vielfältige Implementierungen von analoger oder Mischsignal(Kombination aus analog und digital)-Schaltlogik beziehen, die eine Funktion (oder Funktionen) in einem Computer oder Computersystem durchführen. Verarbeitungselemente schließen zum Beispiel Schaltungen ein, wie beispielsweise eine integrierte Schaltung (integrated circuit (IC)), eine ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, anwendungsspezifische integrierte Schaltung), Abschnitte oder Schaltungen einzelner Prozessorkerne, vollständige Prozessorkerne, einzelne Prozessoren, programmierbare Hardware-Vorrichtungen, wie beispielsweise eine feldprogrammierbare Gatteranordnung (field programmable gate array (FPGA)) und/oder größere Abschnitte von Systemen, die mehrere Prozessoren einschließen.
• NAN-Datenverbindung (NAN data link (NDL)) - bezieht sich auf eine Kommunikationsverbindung zwischen drahtlosen Peer-Stationen (z. B. NAN-Peer-Vorrichtungen). Es ist zu beachten, dass sich die Peer-Vorrichtungen in einem gemeinsamen (z. B. demselben) NAN-Cluster befinden können. Zusätzlich kann eine NAN-Datenverbindung einen oder mehrere NAN-Datenpfade zwischen drahtlosen Peer-Stationen unterstützen. Es ist ferner zu beachten, dass eine NAN-Datenverbindung nur zu einem einzigen NAN-Daten-Cluster gehören kann.
• NAN-Datenpfad (NAN datapath (NDP)) - bezieht sich auf eine Kommunikationsverbindung zwischen drahtlosen Peer-Stationen, die einen Dienst unterstützt. Es ist zu beachten, dass ein oder mehrere NAN-Datenpfade durch eine NAN-Datenverbindung unterstützt werden können. Zusätzlich ist zu beachten dass ein NAN-Datenpfad einen Dienst zwischen drahtlosen Stationen unterstützt. Typischerweise wird es sich bei einer der drahtlosen Peer-Stationen um einen Herausgeber des Dienstes handeln, und bei der anderen drahtlosen Peer-Station wird es sich um einen Abonnenten des Dienstes handeln.
• NAN-Cluster - bezieht sich auf mehrere drahtlose Peer-Stationen, die über eine Synchronisierung mit einer gemeinsamen Zeitquelle (z. B. einer gemeinsamen NAN-Uhr) verbunden sind. Es ist zu beachten, dass eine drahtlose Peer-Station ein Mitglied von mehr als einem NAN-Cluster sein kann.
• NAN-Daten-Cluster (NAN data cluster (NDC)) - bezieht sich auf einen Satz von drahtlosen Peer-Stationen in einem gemeinsamen (z. B. demselben) NAN-Cluster, die einen gemeinsamen Basisplan (z. B. einen NAN-Daten-Cluster-Basisplan) gemeinsam nutzen. Zusätzlich können drahtlose Peer-Stationen in einem NAN-Daten-Cluster mindestens eine NAN-Datenverbindung, die einen aktiven Datenpfad einschließt, mit einer anderen drahtlosen Mitgliedsstation innerhalb des NAN-Daten-Clusters gemeinsam nutzen.

Following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

• Storage Medium - Any of various non-volatile memory devices or data storage devices. The term "storage medium" is intended to include: an installation medium, e.g. A CD-ROM, floppy disk or tape device; a computer system memory or a random access memory such as a DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, RAM bus RAM, etc .; non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, magnetic media, e.g. A hard disk drive or optical data storage; a register memory or other similar types of storage elements, etc. The storage medium may also include other types of non-volatile memory, as well as combinations thereof. Moreover, the storage medium may reside in a first computer system in which the programs are executed, or it may reside in a second, different computer system connected to the first computer system via a network, such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term "storage medium" may include two or more storage media that may be located at different locations, e.g. In various computer systems connected over a network. The storage medium may store program instructions (eg, executed as computer programs) that may be executed by one or more processors.
• Carrier Medium - A storage medium as described above, as well as a physical transmission medium, such as a bus, network, and / or other physical transmission medium that carries signals, such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals.
• Computer system - any of a variety of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), a mainframe system, a workstation, a network appliance, an Internet appliance, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal digital assistant Television system, a grid computing system or other device, or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to include any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor executing instructions from a storage medium.
• Mobile device (or mobile station) - Any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable, and that performs wireless communication using WLAN communication. Examples of mobile devices include mobile phones or smartphones (eg, iPhone ™, Android ™ supported phones) and tablet computers, such as iPad ™, Samsung Galaxy ™, etc. Various other types of devices fall into this category when they include Wi-Fi or both cellular and Wi-Fi communication capabilities, such as laptop computers (eg, MacBook ™), portable gaming devices (e.g. Nintendo DS ™, PlayStation Portable ™, Gameboy Advance ™, iPhone ™), portable internet devices and other hand-held devices, as well as wearable devices such as smart watches, smart glasses, headphones, pendants, hearing aids, etc. In general, the term "mobile device" can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing and / or telecommunications device (or combination of devices). which is easily transported by a user and capable of wireless communication using WLAN or Wi-Fi.
• Wireless Device (or Wireless Station) - Any of various types of computer system devices that performs wireless communication using WLAN communication. As used herein, the term "wireless device" may refer to a mobile device, as defined above, or a stationary device, such as a stationary wireless client or wireless base station. For example, a wireless device may be any type of wireless station of an 802.11 system, such as an access point (AP) or a client station (STA or UE). Other examples include televisions, media players (eg, AppleTV ™, Roku ™, Amazon FireTV ™, Google Chromecast ™, etc.), refrigerators, washers, thermostats, and so on.
• WLAN - The term "WLAN" has the full breadth of its usual meaning and includes at least one wireless communication network or RAT operated by WLAN access points providing connectivity to the Internet through these access points. State-of-the-art WLANs are based on "IEEE 802.11" standards and are marketed under the name "Wi-Fi". A Wi-Fi network is different from a cellular network.
• Processing Element - refers to various implementations of digital circuitry that perform a function in a computer system. In addition, "processing element" may refer to a variety of implementations of analog or mixed signal (combination of analog and digital) switching logic that perform a function (or functions) in a computer or computer system. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as an integrated circuit (IC), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), portions or circuits of individual processor cores, complete processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and / or larger portions of systems that include multiple processors.
• NAN data link (NAN data link (NDL)) - refers to a communication link between wireless peer stations (e.g., NAN peer devices). It should be noted that the peer devices may reside in a common (eg, same) NAN cluster. In addition, a NAN data connection may support one or more NAN data paths between wireless peer stations. It should also be noted that a NAN data connection can only belong to a single NAN data cluster.
• NAN data path (NAN datapath (NDP)) - refers to a communication link between wireless peer stations that supports a service. It should be noted that one or more NAN data paths may be supported by a NAN data connection. In addition, note that a NAN data path supports a service between wireless stations. Typically, one of the wireless peer stations will be a publisher of the service, and the other wireless peer station will be a subscriber to the service.
• NAN cluster - refers to multiple wireless peer stations that are synchronized to a common time source (such as a common NAN clock). It should be noted that a wireless peer station may be a member of more than one NAN cluster.
• NAN data cluster (NDC) - refers to a set of wireless peer stations in a common (eg, same) NAN cluster that share a common baseline (eg, a NAN) Data Cluster Baseline). Additionally, wireless peer stations in a NAN data cluster may share at least one NAN data connection including an active data path with another wireless member station within the NAN data cluster.

It should be noted that a wireless peer station may be a member of more than one NAN cluster; however, as noted above, a NAN data connection belongs to exactly one NAN data cluster. It should also be noted that in a NAN data cluster all member peer wireless stations are in close synchronization (eg, via a NAN data cluster baseline). between two others and may be present in one or more common (eg the same) further availability slots (or windows) as indicated by a NAN data cluster baseline. Additionally, each NAN data connection may have its own NAN data connection plan, and the NAN data connection plan may be a superset of a NAN data cluster baseline.

Automatic - refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system or device (eg, a switching logic, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.) (eg, software executed by the computer system) that does not involve user input Action or the operation sets directly. Thus, the term "automatic" is in contrast to an operator manually performed or specified operation in which the user makes an input to perform the operation directly. An automatic procedure may be initiated by an input provided by the user, but subsequent actions that are performed "automatically" will not be determined by the user. B. is not performed "manually", wherein the user defines each action to be performed. For example, a user who completes an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input that specifies information (eg, by typing in information, selecting check boxes, radio button selection, etc.) manually populates the form when the computer system needs to update the form in response to the user actions. The form may be automatically filled out by the computer system, with the computer system (eg, software running on the computer system) parsing the fields of the form and filling out the form without any user input specifying the responses to the fields. As noted above, the user can invoke the form's autofill, but is not involved in actually completing the form (e.g., the user does not manually set responses for fields but are automatically filled in). The present description provides various examples of operations that are performed automatically in response to actions taken by the user.

Simultaneous - refers to a parallel execution or execution wherein tasks, processes, signaling, messaging, or programs are performed in an at least partially overlapping manner. For example, simultaneity may be implemented using "strong" or strict parallelism, where tasks are performed (at least in part) in parallel on respective computing elements, or using "weak parallelism", where tasks are performed in a meshed fashion, e.g. B. by time-division of execution strands are performed.

Configured to - Various components may be described as "configured to perform one or more tasks. In such contexts, "configured to" is a broad guide that generally means "having a structure that performs" the task or tasks during operation. As such, the component may be configured to perform the task even though the component is currently not performing this task (eg, one set of electrical conductors may be configured to electrically connect one module to another module, even if the two modules not connected). In some contexts, "configured to" may be a broad citation of a structure that generally means "having circuitry that performs" the task or tasks during operation. As such, the component may be configured to perform the task, even if the component is not currently powered up. In general, the circuitry that "configures" the structure to form may include hardware circuitry.

For convenience, various components may be described in the specification as performing a task or tasks. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase "configured to". By designating a component that is configured to perform one or more tasks, it expressly does not intend to invoke a design under this section in accordance with 35 USC § 112 (f).

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the description. As used in this application, the word "may" is used in an enabling sense (ie, "owning the potential to" meaning) and not in a compelling sense (ie, having to "meaning"). The words "include,""including," and "includes," and so on, identify open relationships, and therefore include, but are not limited to. Likewise, the words "possess", "possessing" and "possessing" etc. have open relationships and are therefore possessive, but not limited to. The terms "first,""second,""third," and so on, as used herein, are used as labels for nouns that precede them, and do not imply any sort of order (eg, spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). ), it unless such an order is expressly stated otherwise. For example, a "third component electrically connected to the module substrate" does not exclude scenarios in which a "fourth component electrically connected to the module substrate" is connected before the third component, unless otherwise specified. Likewise, a "second" feature does not require a "first" feature to be implemented before the "second" feature, unless otherwise specified.

figure 1 - WLAN system

1 illustrates an example WLAN system according to some embodiments. As shown, the example WLAN system includes a plurality of wireless client stations or devices, or user equipment (UEs) 106, configured over a wireless communication channel 142 with an access point (AP) 112 to communicate. At the AP 112 it can be a Wi-Fi access point. The AP 112 can be via a wired and / or a wireless communication channel 150 with one or more other electronic devices (not shown) and / or another network 152 , such as the Internet, communicate. Additional electronic devices, such as the remotely located device 154 , can use components of the wireless system over the network 152 communicate. For example, the remote device may be 154 to act at another wireless client station. The WLAN system may be configured to operate in accordance with any of a variety of communication standards, such as the various IEEE 802.11 standards. In some embodiments, at least one wireless device is 106 configured directly with one or more adjacent mobile devices (eg, via direct communication channels 140) without using the access point 112 to communicate.

In some embodiments, as further described below, a wireless device may 106 be configured to perform procedures to synchronize a timing with a first wireless peer device. The first wireless peer device may be a timing main unit (or anchor main unit) of a first cluster of wireless devices. Additionally, the wireless device may 106 configured to receive a beacon from a second wireless peer device via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. The beacon may include an indication of services supported by the second wireless peer device. In some embodiments, the indication of supported services includes a hash value of services supported by the second wireless peer device. The second wireless peer station may be configured to synchronize a time clock with a third wireless peer device, wherein the third wireless peer device may be a timing main unit (or anchor main unit) of a second cluster of wireless devices , The wireless device 106 may be further configured to determine, based on at least in part the indication of supported services, a service of which the wireless device 106 and the second wireless peer device is common to initiate a merger of the first and second clusters.

figure 2 - Access point block diagram

2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an access point (AP) 112 , It is noted that the block diagram of the AP of 2 just a specific example of a possible system. As shown, the access point 112 a processor or processors 204 include the program statements for the AP 112 can execute. The processor or processors 204 may also (directly or indirectly) with a memory management unit (MMU) 240, which may be configured to addresses from the processor or processors 204 and to receive these addresses in locations in a memory (eg in a memory 260 and a read only memory (ROM) 250), or coupled to other circuits or devices.

The AP 112 can have at least one network connection 270 lock in. The network port 270 may be configured to interface with a wired network and a plurality of devices, such as the mobile devices 106 To provide access to the Internet. For example, the network connection 270 (or an additional network port) configured to connect to a local area network, such as a home network or corporate network. For example, it may be at the port 270 to act on an Ethernet port. The local area network can provide connectivity to additional networks, such as the Internet.

The AP 112 can be at least one antenna 234 which may be configured to operate as a wireless transceiver, and may be further configured to communicate via a wireless communication circuitry 230 with the mobile device 106 to communicate. The antenna 234 communicates with the wireless switching logic communication 230 over the communication chain 232 , The communication chain 232 may include one or more receive chains, one or more transmit chains, or both. The switching logic for wireless communication 230 can be configured via Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi, eg. B. 802.11 to communicate. The switching logic for wireless communication 230 In addition, or alternatively, it may be configured to communicate through a variety of other wireless communication technologies including, but not limited to, "Long-Term Evolution" (LTE), "LTE Advanced" (LTE-A), "Global System for Mobile "(GSM)," Wideband Code Division Multiple Access "(WCDMA), CDMA2ooo etc., if the AP for example in the case of a small cell or in other cases where it is for the AP 112 may be desirable to communicate via different different wireless communication technologies, located in the same location as a base station.

In some embodiments, as further described below, the AP 112 be configured to perform procedures to synchronize a timing with a first wireless peer station. The first wireless peer station may be a timing main unit (or anchor main unit) of a first cluster of wireless stations. In addition, the AP 112 configured to receive a beacon from a second wireless peer station via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. The beacon may include an indication of services supported by the second wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the indication of supported services includes a hash value of services supported by the second wireless peer station. The second wireless peer station may be configured to synchronize a timing with a third wireless peer station, wherein the third wireless peer station may be a timing master unit (or anchor master unit) of a second cluster of wireless stations. The AP 112 may further be configured to determine, based on at least in part, the indication of supported services, a service associated with the AP 112 and the second wireless peer station is in common, and to initiate a merger of the first and second clusters.

figure 3 - Client Station Block Diagram

3 illustrates a simplified example block diagram of a client station 106 , It is noted that the block diagram of the client station of 3 represents only a specific example of a possible client station. According to embodiments, the client station may be 106 a user equipment device (UE device), a mobile device or mobile station and / or a wireless device or a wireless station act. As shown, the client station 106 a system on chip (SOC) 300, which may include sections for various purposes. The SOC 300 Can with different other circuits of the client station 106 be coupled. For example, the client station 106 various types of memory (eg, including a NAND flash 310 ), an interface (I / F) (or dock) 320 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system dock, a charging station, etc.), the display 360 , a mobile communication switching logic 330 , such as for LTE, GSM, etc., and short to medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 (eg, Bluetooth ™ and WLAN switching logic). The client station 106 may further include one or more smart cards incorporating Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) functionality, such as one or more Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICC) 345. The cellular communication circuitry 330 may be coupled to one or more antennas, such as antennas 335 and 336 as shown. The short to medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 may also be coupled to one or more antennas, such as antennas 337 and 338 as shown. Alternatively, the short to medium range wireless communication circuitry may be used 329 a coupling to the antennas 335 and 336 in addition to or instead of coupling to the antennas 337 and 338 produce. The switching logic for short to medium range wireless communication 329 may include multiple receive chains and / or multiple transmit chains for receiving and / or transmitting multiple spatial streams, such as in a multi-input multiple output (MIMO) configuration.

As shown, the SOC 300 a processor or processors 302 , the program statements for the client station 106 and a display logic 304 which perform graphics processing and display 360 Can provide display signals. The processor or processors 302 can also be used with a storage management unit (MMU) 340 which may be configured addresses from the processor or processors 302 to receive and store these addresses in locations in a memory (eg in a memory 306 , a read-only memory (ROM) 350 , a NAND flash memory 310 ), and / or other circuits or devices, such as display circuitry 304 , the mobile communication switching logic 330 , the switching logic for wireless communication is shorter Reichwiete 329 , the connector interface 320 and / or the ad 360 be coupled. The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 as a section of the one or more processors 302 be included.

As noted above, the client station 106 be configured to communicate wirelessly directly with one or more adjacent client stations. The client station 106 may be configured to communicate according to a WLAN RAT for communication in a WLAN network, such as the one in FIG 1 shown. Further, in some embodiments, as further described below, the client station 106 be configured to perform procedures to synchronize a timing with a first peer client station. The first peer client station may be a main timing unit (or anchor main unit) of a first cluster of wireless stations. Additionally, the client station 106 be configured to receive a beacon from a second peer client station via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. The beacon may include an indication of services supported by the second peer client station. In some embodiments, the indication of supported services includes a hash value of services supported by the second peer client station. The second peer client station may be configured to synchronize a timing with a third peer client station, wherein the third peer client station is a timing clock unit (or anchor master unit) of a second cluster of wireless ones Stations can act. The client station 106 may further be configured to determine a service, which is the client station, based on at least in part the indication of supported services 106 and the second peer client station is in common, and initiate a merge of the first and second clusters.

As described herein, the client station 106 Include hardware and software components for implementing the features described herein. For example, the processor 302 the client station 106 be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein, e.g. For example, program instructions stored on a storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) may be executed. Alternatively (or additionally), the processor 302 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Custom Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or additionally), the processor may 302 the UE 106 in conjunction with one or more of the other components 300 . 304 . 306 . 310 . 320 . 330 . 335 . 340 , 345, 350, 360 configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, the processor 302 include one or more processing elements. Thus, the processor can 302 include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) designed to handle the functions of the processor 302 perform. Additionally, each integrated circuit may include switching logic (eg, first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) that is configured, the functions of the processor or processors 204 perform.

Furthermore, as described herein, the mobile communication circuitry may 330 and the short-range wireless communication circuitry 329 each include one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be in the mobile communication circuitry 330 and also in the short-range wireless communication logic 329 be included. Thus, any of the cellular communication circuitry 330 and the short-range wireless communication circuitry 329 include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication circuitry 330 and the short-range wireless communication circuitry 329 perform. In addition, each integrated circuit may include switching logic (eg, first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) configured to facilitate the functions of the cellular communication circuitry 330 and the short-range wireless communication circuitry 329 perform.

Peer-to-peer Wi-Fi communication protocol

In some embodiments, Wi-Fi devices (e.g., the client station 106 ) be able to communicate with each other in a peer-to-peer manner, e.g. Without the communication passing through an intervening access point. There are currently two types of peer-to-peer Wi-Fi networking protocols in the Wi-Fi Alliance. In one particular type of peer-to-peer protocol, one of the Wi-Fi devices acts essentially as a pseudo-access point and the other acts as a client device when two Wi-Fi devices (e.g. Stations) communicate with each other. In a second type of peer-to-peer Wi-Fi protocol called Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN), the two Wi-Fi devices (wireless stations) act as similar peers in communicating with each other. Devices, eg. For example, none behaves like an access point.

In a NAN system, each wireless station may implement methods to ensure that it is synchronized with an adjacent wireless station with which it is communicating. Further, a wireless station may negotiate a common discovery window for exchanging synchronization packets to help ensure that the devices communicating directly with each other are properly synchronized to facilitate communication. Once two wireless stations have the same discovery window, they can exchange sync packets to stay in sync with each other. The wireless stations may also use the discovery window to exchange service identifier data frames to convey other information, such as further availability beyond recognition windows.

The NAN protocol involves two aspects: 1) synchronization and detection (NAN 1.0 ) and 2) data path transmission (NAN 2.0 ). NAN 1.0 describes methods for NAN protocol synchronization and discovery. After two wireless stations have discovered each other (using NAN 1.0), they can implement a procedure to establish a NAN data path between them so that they can communicate properly. Thereafter, the two wireless stations agree on a common data path negotiation window so that they can negotiate capabilities, synchronization requests, and exchange other service information. The data path negotiation window is a time window that allows two wireless stations to communicate with each other so that they can negotiate those capabilities and synchronization requests and exchange those other service information. Once the data path negotiation window has been established and the NAN data path set up, the wireless stations may perform data path synchronization to help ensure that the two stations remain synchronized for proper communication. Finally, data path resource allocation concerns two wireless peer stations communicating with each other for a common time slot and channel for communication. In other words, the two devices communicate with each other as to which channel they should use and in which timeslot to help ensure proper communication between them. In addition, the two devices communicate with each other as to which channel and which timeslot they would prefer for future communication between the devices.

Embodiments described herein further define methods (and / or mechanisms) for a wireless station (including, but not limited to, a NAN device) to connect an adjacent wireless station (at least in part) based on a mutual (or shared) service synchronize with the wireless stations.

Peer-to-peer synchronization based on mutual services

In some implementations, wireless peer stations may periodically broadcast (or broadcast) synchronization and / or discovery beacons on a social channel, e.g. A channel defined for transmission and / or reception of synchronization and / or detection beacons within a peer-to-peer protocol to which wireless peer stations can periodically switch to receive and / or transmit such beacons; in addition to other processes, such. Service negotiation and cluster administration. For example, synchronization and / or detection beacons may carry (or include) information that may be used to select an anchor master unit (or master clock unit) (eg, a wireless station that other wireless stations can synchronize with, either receiving a beacon from the anchor main unit or receiving a beacon carrying or enclosing information to allow synchronization with the armature main unit) and / or forming a synchronization tree (or cluster), such as a beacon. B. by 44 illustrated. For example, in some implementations, a wireless station (eg, a wireless station 401n ) with a highest rank compared to adjacent wireless stations are selected as the anchor main unit (or timing main unit). The rank may be based, at least in part, on a number of current peer-to-peer connections (data sessions, such as a NAN data path or NAN data connection) of a wireless station, requests from current peer-to-peer connections, such as Quality of service and / or planning restrictions are based. In other words, a wireless station with an extremely restrictive communication plan can be chosen as the anchor main unit. It should be noted that communication plans may become more restrictive as a number of peer-to-peer connections are increased and / or as quality of service requirements increase. Once selected, the anchor main unit may provide time synchronization for wireless stations within the synchronization tree (or cluster) via direct broadcast (and reception) of beacons from the anchor main unit (eg, for wireless stations 401 to c) and / or over Providing synchronization information to the anchor head unit for wireless stations that are not within range to receive beacons from the anchor head unit (eg, the wireless station may provide 401c Sync information taken from the wireless station 401n has received, to wireless stations 401d and 401e hand off). It should be noted that sync and / or discovery beacons can also be used for service discovery.

In addition to selecting anchor main units and / or forming synchronization trees (or clusters), synchronization and / or discovery beacons may be implemented for merging synchronization trees (or clusters). For example, as through 5A to C illustrates two clusters 505x and circuit 505Y come in close proximity to each other, as in 5A shown. As shown, it may be in device 501 around an anchor main unit for clusters 505x and devices 501b and 501e may interfere with the device 501 synchronize. Similarly, it may be at device 501c around an anchor main unit for clusters circuit 505Y act, and devices 501d and 501f can deal with device 501c synchronize. To 5B progressively, where the device 501b and the device 501c in communication range (for example, close proximity) of each other may cause a cluster merge 505x and circuit 505Y be initiated. During merging, a new anchor main unit is selected, e.g. On the basis of rank. In the example shown, the device has 501 a higher rank compared to device 501c ; if thus the devices 501b and 501c Exchange cluster information (eg, via synchronization and / or detection beacons), the devices (eg, 501a-f) will select the device 501a as the anchor main unit (eg, based on the device 501 has a higher rank than device C), and the cluster circuit 505Y gets into the cluster 505x merged as through 5C shown. Thus, the devices become 501b to f the timing with the device 501 synchronize. It should be noted that clustering may occur regardless of services supported by devices within each cluster. In other words, aggregating clusters can be implemented as a function of device synchronization with a high-level device and can be independent of whether devices within each cluster offer mutual or shared services.

In some implementations and / or scenarios, timing adjustments associated with (or due to) cluster mergers may currently affect (eg, worsen) the quality of service of current peer-to-peer data sessions - e.g. B. described above, it may be necessary that the devices 501c and 501d Adjust the timing to get proper with the device 501 to synchronize. In addition, if the data session includes latency sensitive applications, e.g. G., Display / screen mirrors, video and / or voice calls, and so on, the potential degradation in quality of service may adversely affect a user experience. For example, when merging the clusters 505x and circuit 505Y the devices 501 and 501b would execute a file transfer application while the devices 501c and 501d would perform a low latency screen mirroring application, merging the clusters may cause visible degradation (e.g., screen noise such as lost pixels, frame freezes, and / or frame flicker) in the mirroring application, thus adversely affecting the user experience. In contrast, merging may have little to no effect on the user experience for the file transfer application between the devices 501 and 501b , z. B. because the timing of the devices 501 and 501b may not be affected, and because any impact on file transfer may not be visible.

Thus, as illustrated by this example, unconditionally clustering on a frequent basis may adversely affect the quality of service of some applications, and in some cases, the interruption may occur unnecessarily and in an uncontrollable manner. Embodiments described herein define methods (and / or mechanisms) for wireless stations (such as wireless station 106) to selectively (or conditionally) cluster together based on at least some reciprocity of services offered within merged clusters. Such conditional merging may further provide a mechanism for controlling quality of service effects associated with potential cluster merges.

In some embodiments, a wireless station (such as the wireless station 106 ) transmit (or broadcast) one or more beacons (eg, detection and synchronization) that include information regarding services supported by the wireless station (eg, as a provider and / or consumer). In some embodiments, the information may be in a hash value (eg, service identifier (ID)) of all services supported by the wireless station be included. In some embodiments, the information may specify one or more parameters for the synchronization, e.g. For example, a service ID, a network name, and so on.

In some embodiments, the wireless station may filter beacons received from wireless peer stations (neighboring stations) based on services partially supported by the wireless station. In other words, the wireless station may selectively consider received beacons based, at least in part, on whether a received beacon includes information regarding a service supported by the wireless station. In some embodiments, the filtering of beacons may include a comparison between services supported by the wireless station and services indicated in the received beacon (eg, a comparison of a local hash value generated by the wireless station, and of Hash values received from wireless peer stations). For example, the wireless station may attempt to synchronize with a wireless peer station when the wireless station detects (eg, via the comparison) that the wireless peer supports a service that is also supported by the wireless station. In such cases, clusters associated with the wireless station and the wireless peer station may be merged based on (at least in part) shared (or mutual) supported services. In contrast, the wireless station may not attempt to synchronize with a wireless peer station if / when the wireless station detects (eg, via the comparison) that the wireless peer station does not support a service is also supported by the wireless station (eg there is no shared, supported service between the peers). In such cases, clusters associated with the wireless station and the wireless peer station may not be merged based on (at least in part) a determination that there is no shared (or mutual) supported services.

It should be noted that a supported service may be considered or associated with a service that the wireless station is currently seeking, using, advertising, and / or providing. In other words, if the wireless station is not currently seeking, using, announcing, and / or providing services specified in a beacon from a wireless peer station associated with another cluster, the wireless station may determine none Initiate cluster merge (eg, the wireless station may choose not to initiate a process of selecting a new anchor head unit for a merged cluster and / or to initiate a process for synchronizing with a new anchor head unit for the merged cluster). In addition, if the wireless peer station remains in range and continues to receive beacons from the wireless peer station, the wireless station may initiate a cluster merge based on the wireless station re-seeking (or taking up) a service, announces and / or provides) that is indicated in the received beacon, and / or that the wireless peer station indicates additional services in the beacons that correspond to a service (or services) provided / searched by the wireless station / be claimed / announced.

For example, the wireless station may be able to use a service advertised by a wireless peer station, but if the wireless station is not currently searching for the service, the wireless station may not determine matching of associated clusters based on, in part, none initiate the search for the advertised service. As another example, the wireless station may request a service and may receive a beacon indicating that a wireless peer device associated with another cluster is currently searching for the service consumed by the wireless station. In such a case, the wireless station may initiate a cluster merge based, at least in part, on the service being searched by the wireless peer station and thus being common to the wireless station and the wireless peer station. As another example, the wireless station may be able to provide a service, but may not actively advertise the service. However, upon determining that a wireless peer station is actively searching for the service, the wireless station may initiate aggregation of associated clusters based, at least in part, on the sharing of the service of the wireless station and the wireless peer station. As another example, the wireless station may provide a service and may receive a beacon indicating that a wireless peer device associated with another cluster is currently searching for the service provided by the wireless station. In such a case, the wireless station may initiate a cluster merge based, at least in part, on the service being searched by the wireless peer station and thus being common to the wireless station and the wireless peer station.

In some embodiments, selective merging (or selective synchronization), e.g. As described above, based on one or more criteria at the wireless station are activated. With In other words, the wireless station may activate selective merge (or selective sync) if one or more criteria are present at the wireless station, and may alternatively interface with wireless peer stations without regard to the wireless station and the wireless Synchronize peer station supported services. For example, the wireless station may enable selective merging (or selective synchronization) if the wireless station is currently providing and / or using an application that requires low latency (eg, has relatively higher quality of service requirements), and may disable selective merging if the wireless station is currently not providing and / or using an application that requires low latency. For example, if a wireless station provides and / or consumes a higher quality service application, such as display / screen mirrors and / or video or voice calls, the wireless station may activate selective merging. Conversely, if the wireless station provides and / or consumes a lower quality of service application, the wireless station may disable selective merging.

6A to D illustrate an example of selectively merging (synchronizing) clusters according to some embodiments. How through 6A As shown, three clusters can approach each other. A cluster 616x can devices 606a and 606b Each device may be a client station 106 act as described above), and in the device 606a it can be the anchor main unit of the cluster 616x act. In addition, the device can 606b a service A from the device 606a claim (or provide for them). A cluster 616y can devices 606c and 606d Each device may be a client station 106 act as described above), and in the device 606c it can be the anchor main unit of the cluster 616y act. In addition, device 6o6d may service B from the device 606c claim (or provide for them). A cluster 616z can devices 606p and 606q Each device may be a client station 106 act as described above), and in the device 606p it can be the anchor main unit of the cluster 616z act. In addition, device 6o6q may service A from the device 606p claim (or provide for them). It should be noted that the device 606a may have a higher rank than the device 606p and the device 606p may have a higher rank than device 606c.

With 6B the clusters can continue 616x . 616y and 616z Move in range of each other. In other words: At least the device 606b can be within a communication range of the devices 606p and 606c are located, for. B. can the device 606b Beacons from the devices 606p and 606c received, and the device 606p and 606c can beacons from the device 606b receive. With 6C proceeding the device can 606b Compare service information in from the devices 606p and 606c incoming beacons, and may find that there is a common (mutual) service between the devices 606b and 606p (e.g., service A), but not between the devices 606b and 606c , Thus, the device 606b (or equally the device 606p ) a cluster merge between the clusters 616x and 616z initiate. Further, since the device 606a has a higher rank than the device 606p , the device can 606a Anchor main unit of cluster 616x stay, and the devices 606b . 606p and 606q can deal with the device 606a synchronize.

With 6D proceeding at a later time the device 606c Register Service (or search / announce) while in the vicinity of the device 606b remains. Thus, the device 606b (or equally the device 606c ) a cluster merge between the clusters 616x and 616y initiate on the basis of at least part of the common (mutual) service A. Furthermore, as the device 606a has a higher rank than the device 606p , the device can 606a Anchor main unit of cluster 616x stay, and the devices 606b . 606c . 606d . 606p and 6o6q can synchronize with device 6o6a.

7 FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of one example of a method for selectively merging (synchronizing) clusters according to some embodiments. This in 7 The method shown may be used, among other devices, in connection with any of the systems shown in the previous figures or any of the devices shown in the preceding figures. In various embodiments, some of the process elements shown may be performed simultaneously, or omitted, in a different order than shown. In addition, additional process elements can be carried out as desired. As shown, this method can work as follows.

at 702 may be a wireless station, such as the client station described above 106 , the timing with a first Synchronize a wireless peer station (such as an adjacent wireless station). The first wireless peer station may be a timing main unit (or anchor main unit) of a first cluster of wireless stations. The wireless station and the first wireless peer station may be associated with the first cluster.

at 704 For example, the wireless station may receive a beacon from a second wireless peer station. The beacon can be received via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. In some embodiments, the beacon may include an indication of one or more services supported by the second wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the indication of one or more supported services may include a service hash value of services supported by the second wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the indication of supported services may specify at least one parameter for the synchronization. In some embodiments, the at least one parameter may include at least one of (or one or more of) a service identifier, a hash value of supported services, and / or a network name. In some embodiments, the services supported by the second wireless peer station may perform at least one of (or one or more of) a service provided by the second wireless peer station, a service consumed by the second wireless peer station the second wireless peer station includes advertised services and / or a service searched by the second wireless peer station.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the second wireless peer station may be configured to synchronize timing with a third wireless peer station, and the third wireless peer station may be a timing clock unit (or anchor main unit) of a second cluster act of wireless stations. The second and third wireless peer stations may be associated with the second cluster.

at 706 For example, the wireless station may determine a service common to both the wireless station and the second wireless peer station based on at least some indication of one or more supported services (eg, a shared service between the wireless station and the wireless station) the second wireless peer station). In some embodiments, to determine the service that is common to the wireless station and the second wireless peer station, the wireless station may generate a local hash value of services supported by the wireless station and the local hash value compare with the service hash value. In some embodiments, the service common to the wireless station and the second wireless peer station may include at least one (or one or more of) one provided by the second wireless peer station and searched or requested by the wireless station a service advertised or posted by the second wireless peer station, advertised or provisioned by the wireless station, a service advertised by the second wireless peer station and searched for or claimed by the wireless station, one through which second wireless peer station and service advertised or provided by the wireless station, a service provided by the wireless station and searched for or used by the second wireless peer station, a service consumed by the wireless station, and the second wireless Pee r service, advertised or provisioned service, a service advertised by the wireless station and sought or used by the second wireless peer station and / or a service searched for by the wireless station and advertised or provided by the second wireless peer station Service.

at 708 For example, the wireless station may initiate a merge of the first cluster and the second cluster. The merge may be based, at least in part, on a discovery of the shared service. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless station may initiate a merge process that may include a choice of a new master anchor unit (or timing main unit), and / or the wireless station may initiate a process in which the wireless station and the second wireless peer Station to determine which of the first and the third wireless station to continue to synchronize the timing, z. Based on a rank of the first and third wireless peer stations. In some embodiments, the merge may result in the wireless station and the first wireless peer station beginning to synchronize the timing with the third wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the merge may result in the second and third wireless peer stations starting to synchronize the timing with the first wireless peer station. In other words, in some embodiments, the first and second clusters may be merged into a third cluster, and an anchor main unit (or timing main unit) of the third cluster may be one of the first or third wireless peer stations, e.g. B. based on a Device rank within the third cluster of the first and third wireless peer stations.

In some embodiments, the wireless station may receive a beacon from a fourth wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the beacon may be received via the peer-to-peer communication protocol. In some embodiments, the beacon may include an indication of services supported by the fourth wireless peer station, and the fourth wireless peer station may be configured to synchronize the timing with a fifth wireless peer station. Further, the fifth wireless peer station may be a master clock unit (armature master unit) of a third cluster of wireless stations. The wireless station may determine that there are no services common to the wireless station and the fourth wireless peer station based on at least partially indicating services supported by the fourth wireless peer station. In such embodiments, the wireless station may determine not to initiate merging of the first cluster with the third cluster.

8th FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of one example of a method for selective synchronization of peer devices based on supported services according to some embodiments. This in 8th The method shown may be used, among other devices, in connection with any of the systems shown in the previous figures or any of the devices shown in the preceding figures. In various embodiments, some of the process elements shown may be performed simultaneously, or omitted, in a different order than shown. In addition, additional process elements can be carried out as desired. As shown, this method can work as follows.

at 802 can be a wireless station, which is a client station 106 as described above, synchronize the timing with a first wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the wireless station and the first wireless peer station may be associated with a first cluster of devices. In some embodiments, the first wireless peer station may be a timing main unit (or anchor main unit) of the first cluster of devices.

at 804 For example, the wireless station may receive beacons from a plurality of wireless peer stations via a peer-to-peer communication protocol. The beacons may include indications of services supported by the wireless peer stations. The wireless peer stations may not synchronize the timing with the first wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the wireless peer stations may be associated with one or more clusters of devices that are not associated with the first cluster of devices. In some embodiments, the indication of supported services may include hash values of services supported by the plurality of wireless peer stations. In some embodiments, the indication of supported services may specify at least one parameter for the synchronization. In some embodiments, the at least one parameter may include at least one of (or one or more of) a service identifier, a hash value of supported services, and / or a network name. In some embodiments, the supported services may include at least one of (or one or more of) a service provided, a service being used, an advertised service, and / or a service being searched.

at 806 For example, the wireless station may determine a shared service with a destination wireless peer station of the plurality of wireless peer stations based at least in part on the indications of services supported by the wireless peer stations. To determine common service in some embodiments, the wireless station may generate a local hash value of supported services and compare the local hash value with the hash values of services supported by the plurality of wireless peer stations. In some embodiments, the service common to the wireless station and the destination wireless peer station may include at least one (or one or more of) one provided by the destination wireless peer station and searched by the wireless station a service advertised or advertised by the destination wireless peer station, advertised or provisioned by the wireless station, a service advertised by the destination wireless peer station and searched or claimed by the wireless station , a service searched by the wireless destination peer station and advertised or provided by the wireless station, a service provided by or requested by the wireless station, and requested by the destination wireless peer station, by the wireless station taken and swept through the destination wireless peer station service advertised, advertised or provided, a service advertised by the wireless station and sought or claimed by the destination wireless peer station, and / or a service searched by the wireless station and advertised or provided by the destination wireless peer station ,

at 808 For example, the wireless station may initiate a timing synchronization of the destination wireless peer station and the first wireless peer station. In some embodiments, the initiation of the timing synchronization may be based, at least in part, on the discovery of the shared service.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in any of a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments may be practiced as a computer implemented method, computer readable storage medium, or computer system. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more user-adapted hardware devices, such as ASICs. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium may be configured to store program instructions and / or data, the program instructions, when executed by a computer system, causing the computer system to perform a method, e.g. Any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such sub-sets.

In some embodiments, a wireless device (or a wireless station) may be configured to include a processor (or set of processors) and a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores program instructions, the processor being configured to retrieve the program instructions from the storage medium wherein the program instructions may be executed to cause the wireless device to implement one of the various method embodiments described herein (or a combination of the method embodiments described herein, or a subset of the method embodiments described herein, or a combination of such subsets). The device can be realized in one of a variety of forms.

Although the embodiments have been described above in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art after the foregoing disclosure is fully understood. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims (15)

A method for selectively aggregating clusters of wireless stations, comprising: Synchronizing (702) by a first wireless station (106, 606b) a timing with a first wireless peer station (106, 606a), wherein the first wireless peer station is a timing clock main unit of a first cluster of wireless stations (702) 616x); Receiving (704) a beacon from a second wireless peer station (606c, 606p) via a peer-to-peer communication protocol, the beacon indicating an indication of one or more by the second wireless peer station (606c, 606p) Services, wherein the second wireless peer station is configured to synchronize the timing with a third wireless peer station (606c, 606p), wherein the third wireless peer station is a timing main unit of a second cluster of wireless stations (616z); Determining (706) based at least in part on the indication of one or more supported services of a service common to both the wireless station and the second wireless peer station; and Initiating (708) a merge of the first cluster and the second cluster. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the indication of one or more supported services comprises a service hash value of services supported by the second wireless peer station. Method according to Claim 2 wherein determining a service common to the wireless station and the second wireless peer station further comprises: generating a local hash value of services supported by the wireless station; and comparing the local hash value with the service hash value. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , where the specification of supported services specifies at least one parameter for the synchronization Method according to Claim 4 wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of: a service identifier; a hash value of supported services; or a network name. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , further comprising: receiving a beacon from a fourth wireless peer station via a peer-to-peer communication protocol, wherein the beacon includes an indication of services supported by the fourth wireless peer station, wherein the fourth wireless peer station is configured to synchronize the timing with a fifth wireless peer station, the fifth wireless peer station being a timing main unit of a third cluster of wireless stations; Determining, based at least in part on the indication of services supported by the fourth wireless peer station, that there are no services common to the wireless station and the fourth wireless peer station; and determining not to initiate merging of the first cluster with the third cluster. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein services supported by the second wireless peer station include at least one of: a service provided by the second wireless peer station; a service used by the second wireless peer station; a service advertised by the second wireless peer station; or a service searched by the second wireless peer station. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the service common to the wireless station and the second wireless peer station comprises at least one of: a service provided by the second wireless peer station and sought or claimed by the wireless station; a service advertised or provided by the second wireless peer station and sought by the wireless station; a service advertised by the second wireless peer station and sought or claimed by the wireless station; a service searched by the second wireless peer station and advertised or provided by the wireless station; a service provided by the wireless station and searched or used by the second wireless peer station; a service advertised, advertised or provided by the wireless station and searched by the second wireless peer station; a service advertised by the wireless station and sought or claimed by the second wireless peer station; or a service searched by the wireless station and advertised or provided by the second wireless peer station. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8th wherein the beacon comprises one of a detection beacon or a synchronization beacon. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein, prior to receiving, the method further comprises: determining, based on providing and / or claiming an application requiring low latency, to enable selective aggregation of clusters from wireless stations. Method according to Claim 10 wherein the application comprises one or more of display mirrors, a video call, or a voice call. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein receiving (704) the beacon from the second wireless peer station (606c, 606p) via a peer-to-peer communication protocol comprises receiving the beacon on a social channel. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 12 where the clusters of wireless stations are Neighbor-Awareness Networking NAN data clusters. A wireless station (106) comprising: at least one antenna (337, 338); at least one radio device (329) in communication with the at least one antenna and configured to perform communication via a Wi-Fi interface; and at least one processor (302) in communication with the at least one radio device; wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the wireless station to perform a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 perform. An apparatus comprising: a memory (306); and at least one processor (302) in communication with the memory; wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform a method according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 perform.

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