Cluster head election in an ad-hoc network
First Claim
1. A mobile ad-hoc network comprising:
- a plurality of mobile nodes including at least one group of mobile nodes operating as a cluster with a currently elected cluster head node;
each mobile node comprising a controller and a wireless communications device configured to cooperate therewith to determine whether the currently elected cluster head node appears inactive based upon failing to overhear a response message from the currently elected cluster head node, sending a confirmation request message to the currently elected cluster head node, and failing to receive a confirmation message from the currently elected cluster head node, and initiate a token-based cluster head node election based thereon during which the cluster mobile nodes are configured togenerate and transmit tokens having respective token weights,receive tokens from neighboring nodes,selectively retransmit the tokens based upon the token weights, andelect a new cluster head node based upon the token weights.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The ad-hoc network includes a plurality of mobile nodes including at least one group of mobile nodes operating as a cluster with a currently elected cluster head node. The mobile nodes include a controller and a wireless communications device cooperating therewith to determine whether the currently elected cluster head node appears inactive and then initiate a token-based cluster head node election based thereon. During the token-based cluster head node election, the cluster mobile nodes generate and transmit tokens having respective token weights, receive tokens from neighboring nodes, selectively retransmit the tokens based upon the token weights, and elect a new cluster head node based upon the token weights.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A mobile ad-hoc network comprising:
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a plurality of mobile nodes including at least one group of mobile nodes operating as a cluster with a currently elected cluster head node; each mobile node comprising a controller and a wireless communications device configured to cooperate therewith to determine whether the currently elected cluster head node appears inactive based upon failing to overhear a response message from the currently elected cluster head node, sending a confirmation request message to the currently elected cluster head node, and failing to receive a confirmation message from the currently elected cluster head node, and initiate a token-based cluster head node election based thereon during which the cluster mobile nodes are configured to generate and transmit tokens having respective token weights, receive tokens from neighboring nodes, selectively retransmit the tokens based upon the token weights, and elect a new cluster head node based upon the token weights. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mobile node for operation in a cluster of mobile nodes within in ad-hoc network, the cluster including a currently elected cluster head node, the mobile node comprising:
a controller and a wireless communications device configured to cooperate therewith to determine whether the currently elected cluster head node appears inactive based upon failing to overhear a response message from the currently elected cluster head node, sending a confirmation request message to the currently elected cluster head node, and failing to receive a confirmation message from the currently elected cluster head node, and to initiate a token-based cluster head node election based thereon including generating and transmitting a token having a token weight, receiving tokens from neighboring nodes, selectively retransmitting the tokens based upon the token weights, and electing a new cluster head node based upon the token weights. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of electing a cluster head node for a group of mobile nodes operating as a cluster within a mobile ad-hoc network, the method comprising:
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determining whether the currently elected cluster head node appears inactive based upon failing to overhear a response message from the currently elected cluster head node, sending a confirmation request message to the currently elected cluster head node, and failing to receive a confirmation message from the currently elected cluster head node; and initiating a token-based cluster head node election based upon the determination during which the cluster mobile nodes generate and transmit tokens having respective token weights, receive tokens from neighboring nodes, selectively retransmit the tokens based upon the token weights, and elect a new cluster head node based upon the token weights. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification