SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A SERVICE MESH

• US 20150109961A1
• Filed: 10/15/2014
• Published: 04/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Patil, Abhishek Pramod, Cherian, George, Abraham, Santosh Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,723,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/30 Profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for receiving service data from a data path are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a message from a neighbor aware network, and decoding the message to determine a communication channel used to provide a service, and an indicator of a paging window for the communication channel. In some aspects, the indicator of the paging window is based on synchronization information for a second communication channel.

Claims

1. A method of communication in a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network, each mesh network having at least a first multi-hop data path, comprising:

receiving a first message at a first device of the NAN; and

decoding the first message to determine;

whether a first service provider device of the first mesh network provides a first service;

a communication channel on which the first service is provided; and

at least one characteristic of a paging window for the communication channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the first device, the first service through the first service provider device based on receiving the communication channel and in accordance with the at least one characteristic of the paging window; and

broadcasting or multicasting a second message, the second message indicating one or more characteristics of the first mesh network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the decoding of the first message further comprises determining a first characteristic of the first mesh network, the first characteristic comprising one or more of:

a size of the first mesh network, wherein the size comprises a number of devices receiving the first service from the first service provider device;

an age of the first mesh network, wherein the age of the first mesh network comprises the time elapsed since the first service provider device initially provided the first service;

an available capacity of the first mesh network;

whether the first mesh network supports connectivity through Internet Protocol version 6; and

an expected performance when using the first mesh network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message comprises a service advertisement message including an indication of at least one other service provided by the first service provider device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message is received through the first multi-hop data path within the first mesh network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, based on the at least one characteristic of the paging window;

a paging offset,

a discovery window for the first communications channel,

a location of the paging window, and

a duration of the paging window; and

scanning for a second message on a second communications channel during the duration of the paging window.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message comprises a service discovery response message sent in response to receiving a service discovery request message for the first service.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

decoding the first message to determine a first characteristic of the first mesh network;

decoding a second received message to determine whether a second service provider device of a second mesh network is capable of providing the first service and to determine a second characteristic of the second mesh network; and

selecting either the first service provider device or the second service provider device for delivery of the first service based on the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first characteristic includes a size of the first mesh network and the second characteristic includes a size of the second mesh network, and wherein the size of the first and second mesh networks includes a number of devices utilizing each respective mesh network to receive the first service.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first or the second characteristic includes an indication of an age of respectively the first or second mesh network, the indication of the age based on the time elapsed since a root device of each respective mesh network initially provided the first service.

11. An apparatus for utilizing a service provider on a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network having at least a first multi-hop data path, comprising:

a receiver of the NAN configured to receive a first message; and

a processor configured to decode the first message to determine;

whether a first service provider device of the first mesh network provides a first service,

a communication channel on which the first service is provided, and

at least one characteristic of a paging window for the communication channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

establish delivery of the first service from the first service provider device based on receiving the communication channel and in accordance with the at least one characteristic of the paging window; and

broadcast or multicast a second message, the second message indicating one or more characteristics of the first mesh network.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor system is further configured to decode the first message to determine a first characteristic of the first mesh network, wherein the first characteristic comprises one or more of:

a size of the first mesh network, wherein the size comprises a number of devices receiving the first service from the first service provider device;

an age of the first mesh network, wherein the age of the first mesh network comprises the time elapsed since the first provider device initially provided the first service;

an available capacity of the first mesh network;

whether the first mesh network supports connectivity through Internet Protocol version 6; and

an expected performance when using the first mesh network.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first message comprises a service advertisement message including an indication of at least one other service provided by the first service provider device.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the received first message is received through a device utilizing the first multi-hop data path within the first mesh network.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine, based on the at least one characteristic of the paging window;

a paging offset,

a discovery window for the first communications channel,

a location of the paging window, and a duration of the paging window; and

scan for a second message on a second communications channel during the duration of the paging window.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a service discovery request message for the service, and wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a service discovery response message.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to:

decode the first message to determine a first characteristic of the first mesh network;

decode a second received message to determine whether a second service provider device of a second mesh network is capable of providing the first service and a second characteristic of the second mesh network; and

select either the first service provider device or the second service provider device for delivery of the service based on the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first characteristic includes a size of the first mesh network and the second characteristic includes a size of the second mesh network, and wherein the size of the first and second mesh networks includes a number of devices utilizing each respective mesh network to receive the first service.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first or second characteristic includes an indication of an age of respectively the first or second mesh network, the indication of the age based on the time elapsed since a root device of each respective mesh network initially provided the first service.

21. An apparatus for communication in a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network having at least a first multi-hop data path, comprising:

means for receiving a first message of the NAN; and

means for decoding the first message to determine;

whether a first service provider device of the first mesh network provides a first service, a communication channel on which the first service is provided, and at least one characteristic of a paging window for the communication channel.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first message is received through a device utilizing the first multi-hop data path within the first mesh network.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

means for decoding the first message to determine a first characteristic of the first mesh network;

means for decoding a second received message to determine whether a second service provider device of a second mesh network is capable of providing the first service and a second characteristic of the second mesh network; and

means for selecting either the first service provider device or the second service provider device for delivery of the service based on the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first characteristic includes a size of the first mesh network and the second characteristic includes a size of the second mesh network, and wherein the size of the first and second mesh networks includes a number of devices utilizing each respective mesh network to receive the first service.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first or second characteristic includes an indication of an age of respectively the first or second mesh network, the indication of the age based on the time elapsed since a root device of each respective mesh network initially provided the first service.

26. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method of communication in a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network having at least a first multi-hop data path, the method comprising:

receiving a first message at a first device of the NAN; and

decoding the first message to determine;

whether a first service provider device of the first mesh network provides a first service;

a communication channel on which the first service is provided; and

at least one characteristic of a paging window for the communication channel.

27. The computer readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the first message is received through the first multi-hop data path within the first mesh network.

28. The computer readable storage medium of claim 26, the method further comprising:

decoding the first message to determine a first characteristic of the first mesh network;

decoding a second received message to determine whether a second service provider device of a second mesh network is capable of providing the first service and to determine a second characteristic of the second mesh network; and

selecting either the first service provider device or the second service provider device for delivery of the first service based on the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

29. The computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein the first characteristic includes a size of the first mesh network and the second characteristic includes a size of the second mesh network, and wherein the size of the first and second mesh networks includes a number of devices utilizing each respective mesh network to receive the first service.

30. The computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein the first or the second characteristic includes an indication of an age of respectively the first or second mesh network, the indication of the age based on the time elapsed since a root device of each respective mesh network initially provided the first service.

31. A method of providing a service on a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network, each mesh network having a plurality of multi-hop data paths, comprising:

generating, by a first device, a first message indicating,

a first service provider device of the first mesh network that provides a first service,

a first communication channel over which the first service is provided, and

at least one characteristic of a paging window for the first communication channel; and

transmitting, by the first device, the first message.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising generating the first message to indicate:

the first mesh network used to provide the first service; and

one or more of;

a size of the first mesh network, wherein the size comprises a number of devices receiving the first service through the first service provider device;

an age of the first mesh network, wherein the age comprises the time elapsed since the first service provider device initially provided the first service;

an available capacity of the first mesh network;

whether the first mesh network supports connectivity through Internet Protocol version 6; and

an expected performance when using the first mesh network.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising generating the first message to indicate the first service provider device by inclusion of one or more of:

an IP address, medium access control address, and a hostname of the first service provider device in the response.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising receiving, by the first device, a discovery request message for the first service over the first communication channel, wherein the at least one characteristic of the paging window comprises a paging offset and a discovery window for the first communication channel.

35. The method of claim 31, further comprising broadcasting or multicasting the first message.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising periodically broadcasting or multicasting the first message.

37. An apparatus for communication in a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network, each mesh network having a plurality of multi-hop data paths, comprising a processor configured to:

generate a first message indicating,

a first service provider device of the first mesh network that can provide a first service,

a first communication channel over which the first service is provided, and

at least one characteristic of a paging window for the first communication channel; and

transmit the first message.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured to generate the message to indicate:

the first mesh network used to provide the first service; and

one or more of;

a size of the mesh network, wherein the size comprises a number of devices receiving the service from the provider device;

an age of the first mesh network, wherein the age comprises the time elapsed since the first service provider device initially provided the first service;

an available capacity of the first mesh network;

whether the first mesh network supports connectivity through Internet Protocol version 6; and

an expected performance when using the first mesh network.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured to generate the first message to indicate the first service provider device by inclusion of one or more of:

an IP address, media access control address, and a hostname of the provider device in the response.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a discovery request message for the first service over the first communication channel, wherein the at least one characteristic of the paging window comprises a paging offset and a discovery window for the first communication channel.

41. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processor is further configured to broadcast or multicast the first message.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the processor is further configured to periodically broadcast or multicast the first message.

43. An apparatus for communication in a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network, each mesh network having a plurality of multi-hop data paths, comprising:

means for generating a first message indicating,

a first service provider device of the first mesh network that can provide a first service,

a first communication channel over which the first service is provided, and

at least one characteristic of a paging window for the first communication channel; and

means for transmitting the first message.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for generating the first message to indicate:

the first mesh network used to provide the first service; and

one or more of;

a size of the mesh network, wherein the size comprises a number of devices receiving the service from the provider device;

an age of the first mesh network, wherein the age comprises the time elapsed since the first service provider device initially provided the first service;

an available capacity of the first mesh network;

whether the first mesh network supports connectivity through Internet Protocol version 6; and

an expected performance when using the first mesh network.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for broadcasting or multicasting the first message.

46. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method of communication in a neighbor aware network (NAN) comprising at least a first mesh network, each mesh network having a plurality of multi-hop data paths, the method comprising:

generating, by a first device, a first message indicating,

a first service provider device of the first mesh network that provides a first service,

a first communication channel over which the first service is provided, and

at least one characteristic of a paging window for the first communication channel; and

transmitting, by the first device, the first message.

47. The computer readable storage medium of claim 46, further comprising generating the first message to indicate:

the first mesh network used to provide the first service; and

one or more of;

a size of the first mesh network, wherein the size comprises a number of devices receiving the first service through the first service provider device;

an age of the first mesh network, wherein the age comprises the time elapsed since the first service provider device initially provided the first service;

an available capacity of the first mesh network;

whether the first mesh network supports connectivity through Internet Protocol version 6; and

an expected performance when using the first mesh network.

48. The computer readable storage medium of claim 46, the method further comprising broadcasting or multicasting the first message.