Cooperative networking method and system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A telecommunication method using a network including at least two network elements;
- the method comprising the steps of;
broadcasting data over the network by a first network element;
including, within the data broadcast by a first of the network elements, the resources of the first network element available for sharing;
requesting the use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element by a second network element;
negotiating a cost for the resources by the first and second network elements;
after the cost has been negotiated, executing a task by co-operation of the first and second network elements by using the requested and negotiated resources of the first network element and resources of the second network element; and
releasing the resources of the first network element by the second network element after completion of the task.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A co-operative network includes a first device that advertises resources it has available for sharing and a second device that requests at least part of the available resources of the first device. The devices co-operatively execute a task using the shared resources of the first device and the resources of the second device.
49 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A telecommunication method using a network including at least two network elements;
- the method comprising the steps of;
broadcasting data over the network by a first network element; including, within the data broadcast by a first of the network elements, the resources of the first network element available for sharing; requesting the use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element by a second network element; negotiating a cost for the resources by the first and second network elements; after the cost has been negotiated, executing a task by co-operation of the first and second network elements by using the requested and negotiated resources of the first network element and resources of the second network element; and releasing the resources of the first network element by the second network element after completion of the task. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- the method comprising the steps of;
- 7. A network comprising first and second network elements, the first network element having broadcast means adapted to broadcast data indicative of resources of the first network element available for sharing, the second network element having communication means adapted to request at least some of said available resources, the first and second network elements being adapted to execute a task, co-operatively utilizing said resources, and to complete a task at the first network element by using resources at the second network element.
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12. A method of sharing network resources between first and second elements of a network, the method including:
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performing a discovery phase, the discovery phase including a first network element broadcasting a notification of its sharable resources over the network; performing a negotiation phase; and performing a fulfillment phase, the negotiation phase including an agreement of a cost for the use of shareable resources of the first network element by the second network element during the fulfillment phase, and the fulfillment phase including co-operation between the first and second network elements of the sharable resources of the first element in accordance with the agreement made during the negotiation phase. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A first network element for use in a telecommunication network including the first network element and a second network element arranged for (a) issuing requests to the first network element and (b) sending the requests to the first network element via the telecommunication network, the first network element comprising:
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a transmitter receiver for broadcasting and receiving data over the network; and a processor arrangement connected to interact with the transmitter/receiver for (a) indicating, within the data, resources of the first network element available for sharing, (b) receiving a request by the second network element for use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element by the second network element, the use being to assist in performing a task of the second network element, (c) enabling the first network element to cooperate with the second network element to negotiate a cost for the resource, (d) using the resources in cooperation with resources of the second network element to assist in performing the task, the processor being arranged to use the resources after completion of the negotiation, and (e) releasing the resources of the first network element after completion of the task in response to a request by the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of operating a first network element of a telecommunication network including the first network element and a second network element arranged for (a) issuing request to the first network element and (b) sending the requests to the first network element via the telecommunication network, the operating method of the first network element comprising:
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broadcasting data over the network; including, within the data broadcast by the first network element, the resources of the first network element available for sharing; receiving a request, via the network, by the second network element, the use being to assist in performing a task of the second network element, for use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element by the second network element; negotiating a cost for the resources by cooperating with the second network element; using the resources in cooperation with resources of the second network element to assist in performing the task, the processor being arranged to use the resources after completion of the negotiation, and releasing the resources of the first network element after completion of the task in response to a request received by the first network element, via the network, as transmitted by the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A second network element for use in a telecommunication network including a first network element and the second network element, the first network element being arranged for (a) broadcasting data over the network, (b) indicating, within the data, resources of the first network element available for sharing, (c) releasing the resources of the first network element upon completion of the task in response to a request by the second network element, the second network element comprising:
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a transmitter/receiver for broadcasting and receiving data over the network; and a processor arrangement connected to interact with the transmitter/receiver for (a) causing transmission via the network to the first network element of a request for the use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element, (b) causing the second network element to cooperate with the first network element to negotiate a cost for the available resources, (c) causing co-operation of a resource of the second network element with the available resources of the first network element, the co-operation causing the performance of a task of the second network element, the co-operation occurring after the completion of the negotiation, and (d) causing transmission via the network to the first network element for release of the available resources of the first network element after completion of the task. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method of operating a second network element of a telecommunication network including a first network element and the second network element, the first network element being arranged for (a) broadcasting data over the network, (b) indicating, within the data, resources of the first network element available for sharing, and (c) releasing the resources of the first network element upon completion of the task in response to a request by the second network element, the method of operating the second network element comprising:
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sending, via the network, to the first network element a request for use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element; negotiating a cost for the resources by cooperating with the first network element; causing co-operation of a resource of the second network element with the available resources of the first network element, the co-operation causing the performance of a task of the second network element, the co-operation occurring after the completion of the negotiation; and sending, via the network, to the first network element a release of the resources of the first network element after completion of the task. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A telecommunication method using a network including at least two network elements;
- the method comprising the steps of;
broadcasting data over the network by a first network element; including, within the data broadcast by the first network element, the resources of the first network element available for sharing; requesting the use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element by a second network element; executing a task by co-operation of the first and second network elements; releasing the resources of the first network element by the second network element upon completion of the task; and completing the task at the first network element by using resources at the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
- the method comprising the steps of;
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30. A first network element for use in a telecommunication network including the first network element and a second network element arranged for (a) issuing requests to the first network element and (b) sending the requests to the first network element via the telecommunication network, the first network element comprising:
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a transmitter/receiver for broadcasting and receiving data over the network; and a processor arrangement connected to interact with the transmitter/receiver for (a) indicating, within the data broadcast by the transmitter/receiver, resources of the first network element available for sharing, (b) receiving a request by the second network element for use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element by the second network element, (c) causing the first network element to cooperate with the second network element to execute a task, (d) releasing the resources of the first network element upon completion of the task in response to a request by the second network element, and (e) completing the task at the first network element by using resources at the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A method of operating a first network element of a telecommunication network including the first network element and a second network element arranged for (a) issuing requests to the first network element and (b) sending the requests to the first network element via the telecommunication network, the operating method of the first network element comprising:
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broadcasting data over the network; including, within the data broadcast by the first network element, the resources of the first network element available for sharing; receiving a request, via the network, by the second network element for use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element by the second network element; executing a task by cooperating with the second network element; releasing the resources of the first network element after completion of the task in response to a request received by the first network element, via the network, as transmitted by the second network element; and completing the task at the first network element by using resources at the second network element. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A second network element for use in a telecommunication network including a first network element and the second network element, the first network element being arranged for (a) broadcasting data over the network, (b) indicating, within the data broadcast by the first network element, resources of the first network element available for sharing, (c) releasing the resources of the first network element upon completion of the task in response to a request by the second network element, the second network element comprising:
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a transmitter/receiver for broadcasting and receiving data over the network; and a processor arrangement connected to interact with the transmitter/receiver for (a) causing transmission via the network to the first network element of a request for the use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element, (b) causing the second network element to cooperate with the first network element to execute a task, (c) causing transmission via the network to the first network element for release of the resources of the first network element after completion of the task, and (d) causing resources at the second network element to be used for completing the task at the first network element. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A method of operating a second network element of a telecommunication network including the first network element and the second network element, the first net element being arranged for (a) broadcasting data over the network, (b) indicating, within the data resources of the first network element available for sharing, (c) co-operating with the second network element to complete a task of the second network element, and (d) releasing the resources of the first network element upon completion of the task in response to a request by the second network element, the method of operating the second network element comprising:
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sending, via the network, to the first network element a request for the use of at least part of the available resources of the first network element; cooperating with the first network element so the task is completed at the first network element by using resources at the second network element; and sending, via the network, to the first network element a release of the resources of the first network element after completion of the task. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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- 38. A network comprising at least first and second network nodes, the first network node including a first transmitter/receiver arrangement for (a) broadcasting to other network nodes of the network data indicative of resources of the first network node available for sharing to assist in performing tasks of the other network nodes, and (b) receiving signals from the other network nodes, the second network node having a second transmitter/receiver arrangement for (a) broadcasting to further network nodes of the network a request for shared resources available from the further network nodes to assist in performing a task of the second network node and (b) receiving from the first network node the broadcast data indicative of the first network node available for sharing the first and second network nodes being arranged for causing the first and second transmitter/receiver arrangements to exchange signals (a) concerned with negotiating a cost to the second network node of resources of the first network node available for sharing to assist in performing the task of the second network node and (b) for thereafter enabling the resources of the first network node available for sharing to be used cooperatively with resources of the second network node to assist in performing the task of the second network node.
- 40. A network comprising at least first and second network nodes, the first network node including a first transmitter/receiver arrangement for (a) broadcasting to other network nodes of the network data indicative of resources of the first network node available for sharing to assist in performing tasks of the other network nodes, and (b) receiving signals from the other network nodes, the second network node having a second transmitter/receiver arrangement for (a) broadcasting to further network nodes of the network a request for shared resources available from the further network nodes to assist in performing a task of the second network node and (b) receiving from the first network node the broadcast data indicative of the first network node available for sharing the first and second network nodes being arranged for causing the first and second transmitter/receiver arrangements to exchange signals for enabling the resources of the first network node available for sharing to be used cooperatively with resources of the second network node such that the first network node completes the task of the second network node.
Specification