Base station initiated proximity service discovery and connection establishment
First Claim
1. A method of accessing a service over a wireless network by a wireless service client operating on a first device, the service operating on a second device, the network operating in accordance with a protocol, the first device providing wireless access point functionality in accordance with the protocol, and the second device providing station functionality in accordance with the protocol, the method comprising:
- sending, from the first device to the second device, a first wireless message that includes an invitation to establish a connection andreceiving, from the second device in response to the first wireless message, a second wireless message that includes a connection request in accordance with the protocol.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The normal roles of wireless stations and wireless access points in initiating the establishment of wireless connections may be reversed without the need for changes in the network interfaces for either the station or access point device. This capability may be used to allow wireless devices acting as access points, but on which service clients operate, to initiate the establishment of a connection with a station, on which a wireless service provider operates. Discovery of services between wireless devices can be provided prior to establishing a connection between the devices. A service client device providing access point functionality may broadcast an invitation for service advertisements and then receive service advertisements from relevant service providers acting as wireless stations. An information element may be included as part of periodically broadcast administrative messages to wirelessly convey an invitation for service advertisements. In response to a service advertisement, the access point may send to the wireless station an invitation to connect, prompting the wireless station to begin to establish a connection according to a wireless communication protocol.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of accessing a service over a wireless network by a wireless service client operating on a first device, the service operating on a second device, the network operating in accordance with a protocol, the first device providing wireless access point functionality in accordance with the protocol, and the second device providing station functionality in accordance with the protocol, the method comprising:
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sending, from the first device to the second device, a first wireless message that includes an invitation to establish a connection and receiving, from the second device in response to the first wireless message, a second wireless message that includes a connection request in accordance with the protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing a service over a wireless network to a wireless service client operating on a first device, the service operating on a second device, the network operating in accordance with a protocol and the first device providing wireless access point functionality in accordance with the protocol and the second device providing station functionality in accordance with the protocol, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the first device, a first wireless message that includes an invitation to establish a connection; and in response to the first wireless message, sending to the first device, a second wireless message that requests a connection between the first device and the second device over the wireless network in accordance with the protocol. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. At least one computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions for performing steps of a method of instructing a network device to send a wireless message to wireless devices in the proximity of the network device, the network device providing access point functionality, the method comprising:
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receiving, from a service client contained within a wireless module that provides access point functionality, information regarding a desired service; constructing at least one information element, the at least one information element corresponding to the desired service information and an invitation to establish a connection; and providing the at least one information element to a network device in conjunction with a command to the network device to send the at least one information element within a wireless message. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification