Naming distribution method for ad hoc networks

• US 7,089,298 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Oinonen, Kari, Olkkonen, Mikko, Murto, Juhani, Nyman, Kai
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Thong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hai V.
• Application Number:
  US09/932,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,814 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/225, 709/223, 709/227, 709/238, 709/245, 709/201, 375/134, 370/465, 370/245, 370/338, 370/401, 455/515, 455/557, 455/412, 455/414.1, 455/456, 340/3.5, 701/200, 707/10, 707/1, 707/6, 717/130, 718/106, 719/321, 705/1, 705/35
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/365 Application layer names, e.g. buddy names, unstructured names chosen by a user or home appliance name
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/302 Administrative registration, e.g. for domain names at internet corporation for assigned names and numbers [ICANN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/45 Network directories; Name-to-address mapping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5046 Resolving address allocation conflicts; Testing of addresses testing when self-assigning an address H04L61/5092
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access

Abstract

Device name conflicts are resolved when adding devices to existing ad hoc networks or when joining two ad hoc networks together. After a connection has been established between a new device to be added and a first member device in the ad hoc network, a name distribution message is transferred by the new device to the first member device. The name distribution message will be passed from member device to member device in the ad hoc network, and at each member device a name conflict check is performed. Device name conflicts are also resolved when joining two ad hoc networks together. The contents of name manager tables of the two respective ad hoc networks must be exchanged. This is accomplished by forming a name distribution message for each name record in the name manager tables of the two devices establishing the connection on behalf of their respective ad hoc networks. Then the name distribution messages formed in each respective ad hoc network are distributed to the other ad hoc network. In the process of distributing the name distribution messages through the other network, any name conflicts are commonly resolved in all of the devices in both ad hoc networks.

Claims

1. A method to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a first member device in an ad hoc network;

associating a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a second member device in the ad hoc network;

distributing a name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name and including an operation code;

receiving the name distribution message at the first member device;

selecting an operation in response to said operation code, to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network;

comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name to automatically resolve a name conflict;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record in the first member device, if there is no name conflict;

performing the corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network in response to the selecting step;

forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second member device; and

repeating the steps of receiving, selecting, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding in the second member device.

2. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined alternate name, in the name distribution message; and

substituting the user-defined alternate name for the user-defined name in the user name record, if there is a name conflict.

3. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating the member device address with a member-defined alternate name, in the member name record stored in the first member device; and

substituting the member-defined alternate name for the member-defined name in the member name record, if there is a name conflict.

4. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

distributing the name distribution message to the first member device;

comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name in the first member device;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record in the first member device, if there is no name conflict; and

using the user-defined name at the first member device, to access the user'"'"'s wireless device in the ad hoc network.

5. The method of claim 4, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined alternate name, in the name distribution message; and

substituting the user-defined alternate name for the user-defined name in the user name record, if there is a name conflict.

6. The method of claim 4, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with a member-defined alternate name, in the member name record stored in the first member device; and

substituting the member-defined alternate name for the first member-defined name in the member name record, if there is a name conflict.

7. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

receiving the name distribution message from the user'"'"'s device when connecting the user'"'"'s wireless device to the ad hoc network.

8. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

receiving the name distribution message from the user'"'"'s device, which is located in a second ad hoc network, when connecting the second ad hoc network with the first said ad hoc network.

9. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined alternate name and a user device time stamp, in the name distribution message; and

substituting the user-defined alternate name for the user-defined name in the user name record, if there is a name conflict and the user device time stamp is younger than a member device time stamp.

10. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined alternate name and a user device time stamp, in the name distribution message; and

substituting the user-defined alternate name for the user-defined name in the user name record, if there is a name conflict and the user device time stamp is older than a member device time stamp.

11. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with a member-defined alternate name and a member device time stamp, in the member name record stored in the first member device; and

substituting the member-defined alternate name for the first member-defined name in the member name record, if there is a name conflict and the member device time stamp is younger than a user device time stamp.

12. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with a member-defined alternate name and a member device time stamp, in the member name record stored in the first member device; and

substituting the member-defined alternate name for the first member-defined name in the member name record, if there is a name conflict and the member device time stamp is older than a user device time stamp.

13. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

including a current hop count value and a maximum hop count value in the name distribution message;

incrementing the current hop count value in the first member device; and

displaying the user-defined name in the first member device if the current hop count value is not greater than the maximum hop count value.

14. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined permission to display, in the name distribution message; and

granting to the first member device, permission to display the user-defined name.

15. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

storing a member device address in a member name record stored in a plurality of member devices in the ad hoc network;

receiving a name distribution message associating the member device address with a delete device operation code;

distributing the name distribution message to the plurality of member devices;

selecting a delete device operation to perform in response to said delete device operation code in said plurality of member devices; and

deleting the member record from the plurality of member devices in response to said selecting step.

16. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

receiving a name distribution message associating the first member device address with a change name operation code;

distributing the name distribution message to the first member device;

selecting a change name operation to perform in response to said change name operation code in said first member device; and

changing the member-defined name in the member record of the first member device-in response to said selecting step.

17. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating a member device address with a member-defined name and a name display attribute, in a member name record stored in a plurality of member devices in the ad hoc network;

receiving a name distribution message associating the member device address with a change display attribute operation code;

distributing the name distribution message;

to the plurality of member devices;

selecting a change display attribute operation to perform in response to said change display attribute operation code in said plurality of member devices; and

changing the name display attribute of the member-defined name in the member record of the plurality of member devices in response to said selecting step.

18. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating a member device address with a member-defined name and a name display attribute, in a member name record stored in a plurality of member devices in the ad hoc network;

receiving a name distribution message associating the member device address with a name flash display attribute operation code;

distributing the name distribution message to the plurality of member devices;

selecting a name flash display attribute operation to perform in response to said name flash display attribute operation code; and

flashing the display of the member-defined name in the plurality of member devices in response to said selecting step.

19. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating a member device address with a security attribute, in a member name record stored in a plurality of member devices in the ad hoc network;

receiving a name distribution message associating the member device address with a change security attribute operation code;

distributing the name distribution message to the plurality of member devices;

selecting a change security attribute operation to perform in response to said change security attribute operation code; and

changing the security attribute in the member record in the plurality of member devices in response to said selecting step.

20. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

associating a member device address with a member-defined name and a security attribute, in a member name record stored in a plurality of member devices in the ad hoc network;

receiving a name distribution message associating the member device address with an authorization list of member devices and a change security attribute operation code;

distributing the name distribution message to the plurality of member devices;

selecting a change security attribute operation to perform in response to said change security attribute operation code;

changing the security attribute of a member device, if it is listed on the authorization list in response to said selecting step.

21. The method of claim 1, which further comprises:

using the user-defined name at the first member device to access the user wireless device in the ad hoc network.

22. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

said one of a plurality of name information distribution functions being adding a new device to the ad hoc network.

23. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

said one of a plurality of name information distribution functions being deleting a device from the ad hoc network.

24. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

said one of a plurality of name information distribution functions being changing a name of a device in the ad hoc network.

25. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

said one of a plurality of name information distribution functions being substituting a new member name record in the first member device.

26. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

said one of a plurality of name information distribution functions being specifying security attributes for distributing a name in the ad hoc network.

27. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

said one of a plurality of name information distribution functions being specifying display attributes for displaying a name in the ad hoc network.

28. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

said one of a plurality of name information distribution functions being specifying name flash display attributes for remotely flashing a displayed name in the ad hoc network.

29. The method of claim 21, which further comprises:

using the user-defined name at the first member device to access the user'"'"'s wireless device in the ad hoc network.

30. A method to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a first member device in the ad hoc network;

associating a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a second member device in the ad hoc network;

distributing a name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name and a user-defined alternate name, to the at least one member device, said name distribution message including an operation code;

receiving the name distribution message at the first member device;

selecting an operation in response to said operation code to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the ad hoc network;

comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name in the first member device to automatically resolve a name conflict;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name as an effective user name in a user name record in the first member device, if there is no name conflict;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined alternate name as the effective user name in the user name record in the first member device, if there is a name conflict;

performing the corresponding one of the plurality of name distribution functions relating to the effective user name and the ad hoc network in response to said selecting step;

forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second member device; and

repeating the steps of receiving, selecting, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding in the second member device.

31. The method of claim 30, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with the first member-defined name and a member-defined alternate name, in the member name record;

distributing a second name distribution message associating the user device address with the user-defined name, to the at least one member device;

substituting the member-defined alternate name for the first member-defined name in the member name record in the first member device, if there is a name conflict;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a second user name record in the first member device; and

using the user-defined name from the second user name record to access the user'"'"'s wireless device in the ad hoc network.

32. The method of claim 30, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with the member-defined name and an annunciator attribute, in the member name record;

receiving a name distribution message associating the first member device address with a change display attribute indication;

distributing the name distribution message associating the first member device address with a change display attribute indication, to the first member device; and

changing the annunciator attribute of the member-defined name in the member record.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said annunciator attribute controls the font of the first member-defined name as it is displayed.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said annunciator attribute controls the color of the first member-defined name as it is displayed.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein said annunciator attribute controls the animation of the first member-defined name as it is displayed.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein said annunciator attribute controls a sound played in conjunction with the display of the first member-defined name.

37. The method of claim 30, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with the first member-defined name, in the member name record stored in the first member device in a first ad hoc network;

receiving a name distribution message associating a second user device address with a second user-defined name from a user'"'"'s device which is located in a second ad hoc network, when connecting the second ad hoc network with the first ad hoc network;

comparing the second user-defined name with the first member-defined name;

storing the second user device address in association with the second user-defined name in a user name record in the first member device in the first ad hoc network, if there is no name conflict; and

using the second user-defined name at the first member device to access the user'"'"'s wireless device in the first ad hoc network.

38. The method of claim 30, for connecting two ad hoc networks, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name, in a first member name record stored in a first member device in a first ad hoc network;

associating a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in a second member name record stored in a second member device in a second ad hoc network;

receiving a first name distribution message in the second ad hoc network, associating a first user device address with a first user-defined name from a first user'"'"'s device which is located in the first ad hoc network, when connecting the second ad hoc network with the first ad hoc network;

receiving a second name distribution message in the first ad hoc network, associating a second user device address with a second user-defined name from a second user'"'"'s device which is located in the second ad hoc network, when connecting the second ad hoc network with the first ad hoc network;

comparing the first user-defined name with the second member-defined name;

storing the first user device address in association with the first user-defined name in a first user name record in the second member device in the second ad hoc network, if there is no name conflict;

storing the second user device address in association with the second user-defined name in a second user name record in the first member device in the first ad hoc network, if there is no name conflict;

using the first user-defined name at the second member device to access the first user'"'"'s wireless device in the first ad hoc network; and

using the second user-defined name at the first member device to access the second user'"'"'s wireless device in the second ad hoc network.

39. A method to distribute user-defined names of wireless devices when connecting two ad hoc networks, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a first member device in a first ad hoc network;

associating a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a second member device in the first ad hoc network;

connecting a second ad hoc network containing a user device, to the first ad hoc network;

distributing a name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name and including an operation code;

receiving the name distribution message at the first member device in the first ad hoc network from the user device;

selecting an operation in response to said operation code to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to at least one of the ad hoc networks;

comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record in the first member device in the first ad hoc network, if there is no name conflict;

performing the corresponding one of the plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the at least one ad hoc network in response to said selecting step;

forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second member device; and

repeating the steps of receiving, selecting, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding in the second member device.

40. The method of claim 39, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined alternate name and a user device time stamp, in the name distribution message; and

substituting the user-defined alternate name for the user-defined name in the user name record, if there is a name conflict and the user device time stamp is younger than a member device time stamp.

41. The method of claim 39, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined alternate name and a user device time stamp, in the name distribution message; and

substituting the user-defined alternate name for the user-defined name in the user name record, if there is a name conflict and the user device time stamp is older than a member device time stamp.

42. The method of claim 39, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with a member-defined alternate name and a member device time stamp, in the member name record stored in the plurality of member devices; and

substituting the member-defined alternate name for the first member-defined name in the member name record, if there is a name conflict and the member device time stamp is younger than a user device time stamp.

43. The method of claim 39, which further comprises:

associating the first member device address with a member-defined alternate name and a member device time stamp, in the member name record; and

substituting the member-defined alternate name for the first member-defined name in the member name record, if there is a name conflict and the member device time stamp is older than a user device time stamp.

44. The method of claim 39, which further comprises:

including a current hop count value and a maximum hop count value in the name distribution message;

incrementing the current hop count value in the first member device; and

displaying the user-defined name in the plurality of member devices if the current hop count value is not greater than the maximum hop count value.

45. The method of claim 39, which further comprises:

associating the user device address with a user-defined permission to display, in the name distribution message; and

granting to the first member device, permission to display the user-defined name.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use a IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standard.

47. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use the High Performance Radio Local Area Network (HIPERLAN) standard.

48. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use the Bluetooth standard.

49. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard.

50. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use the Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP) standard.

51. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use the IEEE 802.15 Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) standard.

52. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standard.

53. The method of claim 39, wherein the wireless devices use the Multimedia Mobile Access Communication (MMAC) Systems standard.

54. A system to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

a first memory in a first member device, for storing a first member device address in association with a first member-defined name, in a member name record stored in the first member device in an ad hoc network;

a second memory in a second member device, for storing a second member device address in association with a second member-defined name, in a member name record stored in the second member device in an ad hoc network;

an input of the first member device, for receiving a name distribution message distributed in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name, said name distribution message including an operation code;

a selector coupled to the input, for selecting an operation in response to said operation code to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the ad hoc network;

a comparator coupled to the first memory and the input, for comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name to automatically resolve a name conflict;

said first memory storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record, if there is no name conflict;

a processor coupled to the first memory, for performing the corresponding one of the plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network in response to said selecting;

said processor forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second member device; and

said second member device repeating said functions of receiving, selecting, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding.

55. The system as claimed in claim 54, comprising:

an interface coupled to the first memory, for using the user-defined name to access the user'"'"'s wireless device in the ad hoc network.

56. The system as claimed in claim 55, comprising:

said input receiving a second name distribution message from a second user device in a second ad hoc network, the second message associating a second user device address with a second user-defined name;

said comparator comparing the second user-defined name with the first member-defined name;

said first memory storing the second user device address in association with the second user-defined name in a second user name record, if there is no name conflict; and

said processor using the second user-defined name at the first member device to access the second user wireless device in the second ad hoc network.

57. A computer program product to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

a computer readable medium;

program code in said computer readable medium for storing a first member device address in association with a first member-defined name, in a member name record in a first member device in the ad hoc network;

program code in said computer readable medium for storing a second member device address in association with a second member-defined name, in a member name record in a second member device in the ad hoc network;

program code in said computer readable medium for distributing a name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name and including an operation code;

program code in said computer readable medium for receiving the name distribution message at the first member device;

program code in said computer readable medium for selecting an operation in response to said operation code to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the ad hoc network;

program code in said computer readable medium for comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name to automatically resolve a name conflict;

program code in said computer readable medium for storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record at the first member device, if there is no name conflict;

program code in said computer readable medium for performing the corresponding one of the plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network in response to said selecting;

program code in said computer readable medium for forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second member device; and

program code in said computer readable medium for repeating the steps of receiving, selecting, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding in the second member device.

58. The computer program product of claim 57, comprising:

program code in said computer readable medium for using the user-defined name to access the user'"'"'s wireless device in the ad hoc network.

59. A computer program product of claim 58, which further comprises:

comprising;

program code in said computer readable medium for receiving a second name distribution message from a second user device in a second ad hoc network, the second message associating a second user device address with a second user-defined name;

program code in said computer readable medium for comparing the second user-defined name with the first member-defined name;

program code in said computer readable medium for storing the second user device address in association with the second user-defined name in a second user name record, if there is no name conflict; and

program code in said computer readable medium for using the second user-defined name at the first member device to access the second user wireless device in the second ad hoc network.

60. A method to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name, in an existing first name table stored in a first member device in the ad hoc network;

associating a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in an existing second name table stored in a second member device in the ad hoc network;

distributing a name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name in a new name table and including an operation code;

receiving the name distribution message at the first member device;

selecting an operation in response to said operation code to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the ad hoc network;

appending the new name table to the existing first name table to form a composite name table;

comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name to automatically resolve a name conflict;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in the composite name table in the first member device, if there is no name conflict;

performing the corresponding one of the plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network in response to said selecting;

forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second member device; and

repeating the steps of receiving, selecting, appending, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding in the second member device.

61. The method of claim 60, which further comprises:

using the user-defined name at the plurality of member devices to access the user'"'"'s wireless device in the ad hoc network.

62. The method of claim 61, which further comprises:

receiving at the first member device a second name distribution message associating a second user device address with a second user-defined name in a second new name table, from a user'"'"'s device which is located in a second ad hoc network, when connecting the second ad hoc network with the first said ad hoc network;

appending the second new name table to the existing composite name table to form a new composite name table;

comparing the second user-defined name with the first member-defined name;

storing the second user device address in association with the second user-defined name in the new composite name table in the first member device in the first said ad hoc network, if there is no name conflict; and

using the second user-defined name at the first member device to access the second user wireless device in the first said ad hoc network.

63. A method to distribute user-defined names of users'"'"' wireless devices when connecting two ad hoc networks, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name, in a first existing name table stored in a first member device in a first ad hoc network;

associating a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in a second existing name table stored in a second member device in a second ad hoc network;

distributing a name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name and including an operation code;

receiving a first name distribution message including the first existing name table at the second member device in the second ad hoc network, associating a first user device address with a first user-defined name from a first user'"'"'s device which is located in the first ad hoc network, when connecting the second ad hoc network with the first ad hoc network, said first name distribution message including an operation code;

selecting an operation in response to said operation code to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the ad hoc network;

appending the first existing name table to the second existing name table to form a composite name table;

comparing the first user-defined name with the second member-defined name to automatically resolve a name conflict;

storing the first user device address in association with the first user-defined name in the composite name table in the second member device in the second ad hoc network, if there is no name conflict;

performing the corresponding one of the plurality of name distribution functions relating to the ad hoc network in response to said selecting step;

forwarding the name distribution message from the second member device to another member device in the second ad hoc network; and

repeating the steps of receiving, selecting, appending, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding in the another member device.

64. The method of claim 63, which further comprises:

using the first user-defined name at the second plurality of member devices to access the first user'"'"'s wireless device in the first ad hoc network.

65. The method of claim 64, which further comprises:

receiving a second name distribution message in the first ad hoc network from a second user device in the second network, the second message including the second existing name table associating a second user device address with a second user-defined name;

appending the first existing name table to the second existing name table to form a second composite name table;

comparing the second user-defined name with the first member-defined name;

storing the second user device address in association with the second user-defined name in the second composite name table in the at least one member device in the first ad hoc network, if there is no name conflict; and

using the second user-defined name at the at least one member device in the first ad hoc network to access the second user wireless device in the second ad hoc network.

66. A method to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name and a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in member name records respectively stored in at least a first and a second member devices in an ad hoc network;

distributing a name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name and including an operation code;

receiving the name distribution message at the first member device;

invoking an add device operation in the first device in response to said operation code, to perform an add device name distribution function relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network;

forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second device;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record in the first member device in response to the invoking step;

comparing in the first device the user-defined name with the first and second member-defined names to automatically resolve a name conflict, if one exists, by substituting an alternate name; and

repeating in the second device the steps of invoking, storing, and comparing in response to receiving the forwarded name distribution message.

67. A method to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a first member device in an ad hoc network;

associating a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in a member name record stored in a second member device in the ad hoc network;

distributing a first name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said first name distribution message associating a user device address of a user device with a user-defined name and including an add device operation code;

receiving the first name distribution message at the first member device;

selecting an add device operation in the at the first member device in response to said add device operation code, to add the user device to the ad hoc network;

comparing the user-defined name with the first member-defined name to automatically resolve a name conflict;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record in the first member device in response to the selecting step, if there is no name conflict;

forwarding the name distribution message from the first to the second member device;

repeating the steps of receiving, selecting, comparing, storing, performing and forwarding in the second member device;

distributing a second name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said second name distribution message associating the user device address of the user device with the user-defined name and including a second operation code;

selecting a second operation in response to said second operation code, to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the user device to the ad hoc network; and

performing the corresponding one of the plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network in response to the second said selecting step.

68. A method to distribute a user-defined name of a user'"'"'s wireless device in an ad hoc network, comprising:

associating a first member device address with a first member-defined name and a second member device address with a second member-defined name, in respective member name records stored in at least a first and a second member devices in an ad hoc network;

distributing a name distribution message in the ad hoc network, said name distribution message associating a user device address with a user-defined name and including an operation code;

receiving the name distribution message at the first member device;

transferring at least a portion of the message from the first to the second device;

selecting an operation in the first device in response to said operation code, to perform a corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network;

comparing in the first device the user-defined name with the first and second member-defined names to automatically resolve a name conflict;

storing the user device address in association with the user-defined name in a user name record in the first member device, if there is no name conflict;

performing in the first device the corresponding one of a plurality of name distribution functions relating to the user-defined name and the ad hoc network in response to the selecting step; and

repeating in the second device the steps of selecting, comparing, storing, and performing.