Service advertisements in wireless local networks
First Claim
1. A method for advertising service offerings in a communications system having two devices, a first and a second device, comprising the steps of:
- a. transmitting from each device, service information, including information about itself wherein said two devices form an ad-hoc group;
i. choosing a timeout value TA, by each device;
ii. listening by the first device, for up to said first device'"'"'s timeout value TA, for said service information sent by the second device;
iii. if said first device timed out, return to step a, otherwise, determining whether said service information sent by the second device comprises information including local services information;
if yes, continue with step i.;
if no, return to step a.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for advertising service offerings in a communications network. A service offering includes information about the device making the advertisement, including what functions the device may serve. The advertisement also includes information about other devices in the network, when that information is available. Each device in the network determines a time value, at the end of which the device will send an advertisement. Each device listens for advertisements from other devices up to the time previously determined. If a device receives an advertisement that contains information about itself then the device will determine a new time value, at the end of which the device will send an advertisement. If a device receives an advertisement that does not contain information about itself then the device will send its own advertisement.
207 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for advertising service offerings in a communications system having two devices, a first and a second device, comprising the steps of:
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a. transmitting from each device, service information, including information about itself wherein said two devices form an ad-hoc group;
i. choosing a timeout value TA, by each device;
ii. listening by the first device, for up to said first device'"'"'s timeout value TA, for said service information sent by the second device;
iii. if said first device timed out, return to step a, otherwise, determining whether said service information sent by the second device comprises information including local services information;
if yes, continue with step i.;
if no, return to step a.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for exchanging service information with other devices, comprises a transceiver, a processing unit, a memory for storing information about its local services and/or services provided by other devices, and a protocol resource manager which
a. triggers said transceiver to send service information, comprising information about itself and/or other known devices to their devices, b. triggers said transceiver to choose a timeout value TA, c. ensures that the apparatus listens for up to a maximum time TA for service information received by said transceiver, d. if the transceiver timed out without having received said service information by said transceiver, triggers said transceiver to repeat step a, e. if said service information was received by said transceiver prior to said transceiver timing out, checks whether said service information received comprises information about itself, and f. if yes, then chooses another timeout value TA, and continuing with step c, g. if no, then continuing with step a.
Specification