METHODS AND APPARATUS TO ESTABLISH PEER-TO-PEER COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20110082940A1
• Filed: 08/25/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Montemurro, Michael Peter, McCann, Stephen, McColgan, Brian Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,949,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4541 Directories for service discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1061 using node-based peer discovery mechanisms static access to replicated servers H04L67/1006; service discovery H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1068 Discovery involving direct consultation or announcement among potential requesting and potential source peers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

A method and device for peer-to-peer communications is provided. The method includes communication of the capabilities of a device to another device or network component. A peer to peer communication is established based on at least one of the capabilities of the device. The method may also include utilizing a control point or access point in conveying the capabilities of the device to another device.

Claims

1. A method to establish a peer-to-peer communication, the method comprising:

communicating a peer-to-peer capabilities information; and

establishing a peer-to-peer connection based on at least some capabilities in peer-to-peer capabilities information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the discovery message to an access point.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the capability information is predefined.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the capability information is stored on at least one of:

a non-removable memory, a removable memory, or a removable module.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a connection with an intermediary peer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the capability information is at least one of a connection type, a protocol, a supported authentication method, or a security method.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising rejecting the peer-to-peer connection when the capability information received being different from the capability information required.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the capabilities information is defined in an XML schema.

9. A device to establish peer-to-peer communication, the device comprising:

a processor configured to;

communicate a peer-to-peer capabilities information; and

establish a peer-to-peer connection based on at least some capabilities in peer-to-peer capabilities information.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor further configured to send a discovery message to an access point.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the capabilities information is predefined.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the capability information is stored on at least one of a non-removable memory, a removable memory, or a removable memory.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to establish a connection with an intermediary peer.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the capability information is at least one of a connection type, a protocol, a supported authentication method, or a security mode.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to reject the peer-to-peer connection when the capability information received being different from the capability information required.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the capabilities information is defined in an XML schema.