Method and apparatus for merging independently synchronized networks
First Claim
1. A method for a node currently synchronized to a first network, having a first Network ID to synchronize to a second network having a second Network ID, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a beacon containing the second Network ID;
determining that the second Network ID differs from the first Network ID;
determining that a condition exists that requires merging the first network with the second network;
synchronizing to the second network when the condition exists, otherwise maintaining synchronization to the first network; and
determining if the first network is synchronized to a fixed network coordinator; and
wherein the step of synchronizing to the second network when the condition exists comprises the step of synchronizing to the second network only when it is determined that the first network is not synchronized to the fixed network coordinator and when the condition exists.
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Accused Products
Abstract
During operation, nodes that receive beacons from a different network will synchronize to the different network when a predetermined condition is met. Synchronization to the differing network will only take place if the node receiving the beacon from a different network does not have access to a fixed network coordinator and the predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition may comprise such things as a Network ID for the different network being larger than the Network ID for the current network, or alternatively, the size of the different network being larger than a size of the current network.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for a node currently synchronized to a first network, having a first Network ID to synchronize to a second network having a second Network ID, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a beacon containing the second Network ID; determining that the second Network ID differs from the first Network ID; determining that a condition exists that requires merging the first network with the second network; synchronizing to the second network when the condition exists, otherwise maintaining synchronization to the first network; and determining if the first network is synchronized to a fixed network coordinator; and wherein the step of synchronizing to the second network when the condition exists comprises the step of synchronizing to the second network only when it is determined that the first network is not synchronized to the fixed network coordinator and when the condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for a node currently synchronized to a first network, having a first Network ID to synchronize to a second network having a second Network ID, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a beacon containing the second Network ID and an indication as to whether or not the second network utilizes a fixed network coordinator; determining that the second Network ID differs from the first Network ID; synchronizing to the second network when the first network does not have a fixed network coordinator and a condition exists from the group consisting of; the Network ID of the second network is larger than the network ID of the first network; the second network utilizes a fixed network coordinator; and the second network is larger than the first network. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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a receiver receiving a beacon containing a second Network ID; logic circuitry determining that the second Network ID differs from a first Network ID and also determining that a condition exists that requires merging the first network with the second network, and synchronizing to a second network when the condition exists, otherwise maintaining synchronization to a first network; and wherein the logic circuitry additionally determines if the first network is synchronized to a fixed network coordinator and synchronizes to only when it is determined that the first network is not synchronized to the fixed network coordinator and when the condition exists. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification