METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MERGING INDEPENDENTLY SYNCHRONIZED NETWORKS
First Claim
1. A method for a node currently synchronized to a first network, having a first Network ID to synchronize to a second network having a second Network ID, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a beacon containing the second Network ID;
determining that the second Network ID differs from the first Network ID;
determining that a condition exists that requires merging the first network with the second network; and
synchronizing to the second network when the condition exists, otherwise maintaining synchronization to the first network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
During operation, nodes that receive beacons from a different network will synchronize to the different network when a predetermined condition is met. Synchronization to the differing network will only take place if the node receiving the beacon from a different network does not have access to a fixed network coordinator and the predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition may comprise such things as a Network ID for the different network being larger than the Network ID for the current network, or alternatively, the size of the different network being larger than a size of the current network.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for a node currently synchronized to a first network, having a first Network ID to synchronize to a second network having a second Network ID, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a beacon containing the second Network ID;
determining that the second Network ID differs from the first Network ID;
determining that a condition exists that requires merging the first network with the second network; and
synchronizing to the second network when the condition exists, otherwise maintaining synchronization to the first network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for a node currently synchronized to a first network, having a first Network ID to synchronize to a second network having a second Network ID, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a beacon containing the second Network ID and an indication as to whether or not the second network utilizes a fixed network coordinator;
determining that the second Network ID differs from the first Network ID;
synchronizing to the second network when the first network does not have a fixed network coordinator and a condition exists from the group consisting of;
the Network ID of the second network is larger than the network ID of the first network;
the second network utilizes a fixed network coordinator; and
the second network is larger than the first network. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a receiver receiving a beacon containing a second Network ID;
logic circuitry determining that the second Network ID differs from a first Network ID and also determining that a condition exists that requires merging the first network with the second network, and synchronizing to a second network when the condition exists, otherwise maintaining synchronization to a first network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification