Techniques for ad-hoc mesh networking
First Claim
1. A wireless communications device, comprising:
- a control radio in the wireless device, configured to wirelessly receive control information regarding an ad-hoc wireless network from at least one remote device belonging to the ad-hoc network;
a data radio in the wireless device, configured to wirelessly exchange user data with the ad-hoc wireless network;
a buffer connected to the data radio, configured to store user data for transmission to one or more remote devices in the ad-hoc wireless network; and
a scheduler connected to the control radio and the data radio, configured to schedule transmission by the data radio of the user data based on the control information received by the control radio.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communications device includes a first radio and a second radio. The first radio is receives information regarding an ad-hoc mesh wireless network from at least one remote device. The second radio exchanges user data with the ad-hoc wireless mesh network. The wireless communications device also includes a buffer and a scheduler. The buffer stores user data for transmission to one or more remote devices in the ad-hoc wireless mesh network. The scheduler schedules transmissions by the second radio of the user data based on the received information. The first and second radios may employ various communications technologies. Examples of such technologies include Bluetooth, wireless local area network (WLAN), and ultra wideband (UWB). The information received from the remote device may include one or more of the following: configuration information (e.g., topology information) corresponding to the ad-hoc wireless mesh network; routing information; and information regarding communications capabilities of one or more nodes within the ad-hoc wireless mesh network.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A wireless communications device, comprising:
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a control radio in the wireless device, configured to wirelessly receive control information regarding an ad-hoc wireless network from at least one remote device belonging to the ad-hoc network; a data radio in the wireless device, configured to wirelessly exchange user data with the ad-hoc wireless network; a buffer connected to the data radio, configured to store user data for transmission to one or more remote devices in the ad-hoc wireless network; and a scheduler connected to the control radio and the data radio, configured to schedule transmission by the data radio of the user data based on the control information received by the control radio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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(a) establishing a short-range wireless communications link with a remote device, wherein the short-range wireless communications link employs a control radio in a wireless device, configured to receive control information over the link regarding an ad-hoc wireless network; (b) exchanging control information between the control radio and the remote device regarding the ad-hoc wireless network, the exchange being across the short-range wireless communications link; (c) controlling a data radio in the wireless device, with the control radio by using the control information, to enable the data radio to exchange user data with one or more devices in the ad-hoc wireless network to schedule transmission by the data radio of the user data based on the control information received by the control radio; and (d) transmitting the user data across a data link with the data radio, in response to the control information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A wireless communications device, comprising:
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means for establishing a short-range wireless communications link with remote device, wherein the short-range wireless communications link employs a control radio in the wireless device, configured to receive control information over the link regarding an ad-hoc wireless network; means for exchanging control information between the control radio and the remote device regarding the ad-hoc wireless network, the exchange being across the short-range wireless communications link; means for controlling a data radio in the wireless device, with the control radio by using the control information, to enable the data radio to exchange user data with one or more devices in the ad-hoc wireless network to schedule transmission by the data radio of the user data based on the control information received by the control radio; and means for transmitting the user data with the data radio, in response to the control information.
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26. A wireless communications device, comprising:
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a control radio in the wireless device, configured to exchange control information regarding an ad-hoc wireless network across the short-range wireless communications link; one or more data radios in the wireless device, connected to the control radio and configured to exchange user data with one or more devices in the ad-hoc wireless network based on the control information exchanged by the control radio to schedule transmission by the one or more data radios of the user data based on the control information received by the control radio; and a controller connected to the control radio and the one or more data radios, configured to select among the control radio and the one or more data radios for the transmission of data that is ready to be sent to a remote node in the ad-hoc wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A memory stores instructions for instructing a processor in a wireless communications device, the memory comprising:
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instructions for enabling the processor to establish a short-range wireless communications link with remote device, wherein the short-range wireless communications link employs a control radio in the wireless device, configured to receive control information over the link regarding an ad-hoc wireless network; instructions for enabling the processor to exchange control information between the control radio and the remote device regarding the ad-hoc wireless network, the exchange being across the short-range wireless communications link; instructions for enabling the processor to control a data radio in the wireless device, with the control radio by using the control information, to enable the data radio to exchange user data with one or more devices in the ad-hoc wireless network to schedule transmission by the data radio of the user data based on the control information received by the control radio; and instructions for enabling the processor to transmit the user data with the data radio, in response to the control information.
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Specification