Personal area network with automatic attachment and detachment

• US 8,675,590 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tri-County Excelsior Foundation (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Donaghey, Robert J
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, MAN U
• Application Number:
  US13/430,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20130003667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 370230-252, 370310-338, 370389-402, 709224-229
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/10 Program control for peripheral devices G06F13/14 - G06F13/42 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/38 Information transfer, e.g. on bus G06F13/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2612 Arrangements for wireless medium access control, e.g. by allocating physical layer transmission capacity H04B7/2615 - H04B7/2643 take precedence; provision for broadband connection H04Q11/0478
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5069 for group communication, multicast communication or broadcast communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/00 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A network (100) includes a hub device (110) and at least one unattached peripheral device (120). The unattached peripheral device (120) transmits an attach request to the hub device (110) with a selected address, receives a new address from the hub device to identify the unattached peripheral device (120), and communicates with the hub device (110) using the new address.

Claims

1. A device for use within a network, comprising:

circuitry; and

a transceiver in communication with the circuitry, the device configured to cause the transceiver to;

send a signal associated with an availability of the device for peripheral device attachment,

receive, from a first peripheral device, a first peripheral device message indicating an availability of the first peripheral device for communicating with the device,

send, to the first peripheral device, a first peripheral device identifier during an attachment process;

wherein the device is operable to include a plurality of data blocks each containing an identifier of at least one peripheral device and having an associated size, the device configured to process the plurality of data blocks to generate a message, wherein resource information included in a message corresponds to an associated size of at least one of the plurality of data blocks.

2. A device for use within a network, comprising:

circuitry; and

a transceiver in communication with the circuitry, the device configured to cause the transceiver to;

send a message to indicate the availability of the device for attachment to another device,

receive, from the another device, a message indicating the availability of the another device for communication with the device,

send, to the another device, a signal including a first one of a plurality of addresses for identification in association with the another device, in connection with first joining the another device in a group owned by the device, and

send, to the another device, data utilizing a second one of the addresses for identification in association with the another device, in connection with a data transfer in connection with the group;

wherein the device is configured to communicate utilizing a communications protocol that includes a plurality of frames, at least a part of at least one of the plurality of frames including;

a starting portion thereof, at least one identification portion that identifies the another device, and at least one data transfer portion including information associated with communication of a block in connection with the another device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that the communications protocol includes a time-division multiple access (TDMA)-based network access protocol, and the network includes a personal area network.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that the at least one identification portion identifies the another device utilizing the second one of the addresses for identification in association with the another device.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that a first entity of the device is configured for the send and receive capabilities, and a second entity of the device is configured to communicate utilizing the communications protocol.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses is selected by the another device.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that a value of the first one of the addresses and the second one of the addresses is the same.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that the signal includes the first one of the addresses in a header thereof and further includes additional information, where the first one of the addresses includes a unique device address that existed during an initial communication between the device and the another device in connection with a first attachment therebetween, and uniquely identifies the another device on a shared wireless communication medium.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that the second one of the addresses includes a unique device address that existed during an initial communication between the device and the another device in connection with a first attachment therebetween, and uniquely identifies the another device on a shared wireless communication medium.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses is of a separate class of address with respect to the second one of the addresses.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is operable such that the second one of the addresses is utilized in connection with the group, without utilization of the first one of the addresses.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device is operable such that at least one of the following operabilities is included:

the device is operable such that the starting portion includes a beacon;

the device is operable such that the starting portion includes a unique identifier;

the device is operable such that the starting portion marks a start of the at least one frame;

the device is operable such that the second one of the addresses includes a MAC address;

the device is operable such that the second one of the addresses is generated by the device;

the device is operable such that the at least one identification portion is included in at least one of a token or the block;

the device is operable such that the information includes resource information;

the device is operable such that the information describes a size or a direction;

the device is operable such that the data transfer portion indicates a size of the block;

the device is operable such that the data transfer portion indicates a direction of transfer;

the device is operable such that the data transfer portion is for scheduling purposes;

the device is operable such that the data transfer portion permits communication of the block;

the device is operable such that the data transfer portion positively indicates availability for communication of the block;

the device is operable such that the at least one frame includes the block;

the device is operable such that the communication includes at least one of sending or receiving;

the device is operable such that a plurality of portions of the at least one frame are transmitted together;

or

the device is operable such that the group only includes the device and the another device.

13. A device, comprising:

circuitry; and

a transceiver in communication with the circuitry, the device configured to cause the transceiver to;

send a particular message to indicate the availability of the device for attachment to another device;

receive, from the another device, a first pre-attachment message that is scheduled utilizing first information, the first pre-attachment message including a first one of a plurality of addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

send, to the another device, a first response that is sent in response to the first pre-attachment message, the first response including the first one of the addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

receive, from the another device, a second pre-attachment message, the second pre-attachment message including the first one of the addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

send, to the another device, a second response that is sent in response to the second pre-attachment message; and

communicate, with the another device, data utilizing a second one of the addresses for identification in association with the another device, for data transfer in connection with a group controlled by the device and including at least the device and the another device, where the group is the subject of the attachment as result of the first pre-attachment message and the second pre-attachment message;

wherein the device is configured to communicate utilizing a communications protocol that includes a plurality of frames, at least a part of at least one of the plurality of frames including;

a starting portion thereof, at least one identification portion for identification purposes, and at least one data transfer portion including information associated with communication of a block.

14. A device for use within a network, comprising:

circuitry; and

a transceiver in communication with the circuitry, the device configured to cause the transceiver to;

receive a sent message from another device to indicate the availability of the another device for attachment,

send, to the another device, a message indicating the availability of the device for communication with the another device,

receive, from the another device, a signal including a first one of a plurality of addresses for unique identification of the device, for attachment, and

send, to the another device, data utilizing a second one of the addresses for identification of the device, for data transfer;

wherein the device is configured to process at least one block having an associated size, the device further configured to process the at least one block to generate at least one data transfer message, such that the at least one block is sent utilizing resource information that corresponds to the associated size of the at least one block.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that a first entity of the device is configured for the send and receive capabilities, and a second entity of the device is configured to process the at least one block.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that at least one of the addresses is dictated by the device.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that a value of the first one of the addresses and the second one of the addresses is the same.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that the signal includes the first one of the addresses in a header thereof and further includes additional information, where the first one of the addresses includes a unique device address that existed during an initial communication between the device and the another device in connection with a first attachment therebetween, and uniquely identifies the device on a shared wireless communication medium.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that the second one of the addresses includes a unique device address that existed during an initial communication between the device and the another device in connection with a first attachment therebetween, and uniquely identifies the device on a shared wireless communication medium.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses is of a separate class of address with respect to the second one of the addresses.

21. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that the second one of the addresses is utilized after the attachment in a group, without utilization of the first one of the addresses.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is operable such that at least one of the following operabilities is included:

the device is configured to process the at least one block utilizing at least one hardware layer;

the device is configured to process the at least one block utilizing at least one software layer;

the device is operable such that the data is included in the at least one block;

the device is operable such that the at least one block includes a data block;

the device is operable such that the at least one block includes a snippet;

the device is operable such that the at least one block is preceded by a token;

the device is operable such that a token includes a MAC address and a stream number;

the device is operable such that the at least one data transfer message includes the at least one block;

the device is operable such that the at least one data transfer message includes a token;

the device includes a peripheral device and the another device includes a hub device;

the device is operable such that the size relates to a block size;

the device is operable such that the resource information is included in a token;

the device is operable such that the resource information is included with the at least one data transfer message;

or

the device is operable such that the at least one block is sent with the resource information.

23. A device, comprising:

circuitry; and

a transceiver in communication with the circuitry, the device configured to cause the transceiver to;

send a first message to indicate the availability of the device for attachment to another device;

receive, from the another device, a first attachment-related message that is planned utilizing first information sent by the device, the first attachment-related message including a first one of a plurality of addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

send, to the another device, a first response that is sent in response to the first attachment-related message, the first response including the first one of the addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

receive, from the another device, a second attachment-related message, the second attachment-related message including the first one of the addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

send, to the another device, a second response that is sent in response to the second attachment-related message; and

communicate, with the another device, data utilizing a second one of the addresses for identification in association with the another device, for data transfer in connection with a group that;

is controlled by the device, includes at least the device and the another device, and results from the attachment;

wherein the device is configured to process at least one block having an associated size, the device further configured to process the at least one block to generate at least one data transfer message, such that the at least one block is sent utilizing resource information that corresponds to the associated size of the at least one block.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses and the second one of the addresses are device addresses of different classes which are included, in their entirety, in a header of respective communications, wherein the device is further operable such that at least the first one of the addresses includes a unique device address that existed during an initial communication between the device and the another device in connection with the initial attachment, and uniquely identifies the another device on a shared wireless communication medium.

25. A device, comprising:

circuitry; and

a transceiver in communication with the circuitry, the device configured to cause the transceiver to;

send a particular message to indicate the availability of the device for attachment to another device;

receive, from the another device, a first pre-attachment message that is scheduled utilizing first information sent by the device, the first pre-attachment message including a first one of a plurality of addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

send, to the another device, a first response that is sent in response to the first pre-attachment message, the first response including the first one of the addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

receive, from the another device, a second pre-attachment message, the second pre-attachment message including the first one of the addresses for unique identification in association with the another device;

send, to the another device, a second response that is sent in response to the second pre-attachment message; and

communicate, with the another device, data utilizing a second one of the addresses for identification in association with the another device, for data transfer in connection with a group controlled by the device and including at least the device and the another device, that is the subject of the attachment as result of the first pre-attachment message and the second pre-attachment message;

wherein the device is operable such that one of the addresses has a first one or more channels associated therewith with a capability of transferring a first size of communication and another one of the addresses has a second one or more channels associated therewith with a capability of transferring a second size of communication different than the first size of communication.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the first response and the second response include tokens.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the first information is included in a token.

28. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the first information is included in connection with the particular message.

29. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the first information includes scheduling information, and different scheduling information is utilized for scheduling communications utilizing the first one or more channels and the second one or more channels.

30. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the first information includes block information.

31. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that at least one of the addresses is dictated by the another device.

32. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the second pre-attachment message includes an attachment request message.

33. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that first contents of the first pre-attachment message is of a smaller size than second contents of the second pre-attachment message.

34. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that first contents of the first response is of a smaller size than second contents of the second response.

35. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the second pre-attachment message is repeatedly sent.

36. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the one of the addresses includes the first one of the addresses and the another one of the addresses includes the second one of the addresses.

37. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the first pre-attachment message is sent in response to the particular message.

38. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the second pre-attachment message is sent in response to the first response.

39. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is operable such that the particular message includes a heartbeat.

40. A device, comprising:

circuitry, and

a transceiver in communication with the circuitry, the device configured to cause the transceiver to

receive a sent message from another device to indicate the availability of the another device for attachment,

send, to the another device, a message indicating the availability of the device for communication with the another device,

receive, from the another device, a signal including a first one of a plurality of addresses, and

send a response to the another device;

wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses and a second one of the addresses are used for identification in association with the device;

wherein the device is operable such that one of the addresses has a first one or more channels associated therewith with a capability of transferring a first amount and another one of the addresses has a second one or more channels associated therewith with a capability of transferring a second amount greater than the first amount.

41. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses is included in its entirety without the second one of the addresses in a header of a communication for identifying the device, during at least one operation of an initial attachment of the device to the another device such that the another device serves as an owner of a group including at least the device and the another device, after which the second one of the addresses is utilized for a data transfer in connection with the group.

42. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses and the second one of the addresses are of a separate class of address.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses and the second one of the addresses have the same value.

44. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses includes a unique device address that existed during an initial communication between the device and the another device in connection with the initial attachment, and uniquely identifies the device on a shared wireless communication medium.

45. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is operable such that the one of the addresses includes the first one of the addresses and the another one of the addresses includes the second one of the addresses.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein the device is operable such that the first one or more channels is deactivated after the initial attachment.

47. The device of claim 41, wherein the device includes a first entity and a second entity embodied on a single integrated circuit such that the first entity and the second entity are each capable of independently carrying out the send and receive capabilities.

48. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that the one of the addresses includes the first one of the addresses and the another one of the addresses includes the second one of the addresses, and the first one of the addresses and the second one of the addresses uniquely identify the device on a shared communication medium and exist during a first communication with the another device.

49. The device of claim 48, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses is operable for being used in connection with a first attachment to the another device, after which the second one of the addresses is operable for being used for data transfer by being included in at least one of a plurality of data transfer-related communications before any detachment after the first attachment, the first one of the addresses being used in connection with the first attachment without use of the second one of the addresses, after which the second one of the addresses is used.

50. The device of claim 49, wherein the device is operable such that the first one or more channels includes at least one logical channel with a capability of transferring the first amount utilizing flow control.

51. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses is created by the another device in connection with a first attachment thereto and is included in at least one of a plurality of attachment-related communications, after which the second one of the addresses that is unique is operable for being used for data transfer by being included in at least one of a plurality of data transfer-related communications before any detachment after the first attachment, the first one of the addresses and the second one of the addresses each being associated with a separate class of addresses, and the first one of the addresses being used in connection with the first attachment without use of the second one of the addresses, after which the second one of the addresses is used.

52. The device of claim 51, wherein the device is operable such that the first one or more channels includes at least one logical channel with a capability of transferring the first amount.

53. The device of claim 51, wherein the device is operable such that the first one or more channels includes at least one channel above a hardware layer with a capability of transferring the first amount utilizing flow control.

54. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that:

the first one of the addresses is used for identification in association with a first entity of the device and the second one of the addresses is used for identification in association with a second entity of the device;

the first entity includes a first controller and the second entity includes a second controller;

at least two of the addresses are capable of existing simultaneously in association with the device which includes a single physical device;

the transceiver is caused to follow a protocol that involves a plurality of data blocks and a plurality of status blocks that each include a channel identifier, in association with transmission of data multiple times;

a first one of the addresses is capable of being utilized for attachment purposes and a second one of the addresses is capable of being utilized for data transfer; and

the first one of the addresses is capable of being initially used for the attachment purposes in association with the device without use of the second one of the addresses, after which the second one of the addresses is capable of being utilized.

55. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that:

the first one of the addresses is used for identification in association with a first entity of the device and the second one of the addresses is used for identification in association with a second entity of the device;

at least two of the addresses are capable of existing simultaneously in association with the device which includes a single physical device;

the transceiver is caused to follow a protocol that involves a plurality of data blocks and a plurality of status blocks that each include a channel identifier, in association with transmission of data multiple times;

a first one of the addresses is capable of being utilized for attachment purposes and a second one of the addresses is capable of being utilized for data transfer; and

the first one of the addresses is capable of being initially used for the attachment purposes in association with the device without use of the second one of the addresses, after which the second one of the addresses is capable of being utilized.

56. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that:

at least two of the addresses are capable of existing simultaneously in association with the device;

a first one of the addresses is capable of being utilized for attachment purposes and a second one of the addresses is capable of being utilized for data transfer; and

the first one of the addresses is capable of being initially used for the attachment purposes in association with the device without use of the second one of the addresses, after which the second one of the addresses is capable of being utilized.

57. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that the first one of the addresses is used for identification in association with a first entity of the device and the second one of the addresses is used for identification in association with a second entity of the device, such that the first entity and the second entity exist on a single integrated circuit and each are separately addressable for communicating with the another device as virtual separate peripherals.

58. The device of claim 57, wherein the device is operable such that a third one of the addresses is also used for identification in association with the first entity of the device, and a fourth one of the addresses is also used for identification in association with the second entity of the device.

59. The device of claim 40, wherein the device is operable such that the signal includes the first one of the addresses in its entirety in a header thereof and further includes additional information, where the first one of the addresses is a first device address used in a plurality of pre-attachment communications without use of the second one of the addresses and is further used in at least one pre-attachment message that also includes the second one of the addresses in a payload thereof, and where the second one of the addresses is a second device address used in a plurality of post-attachment data transfer communications without use of the first one of the addresses, and where the first one of the addresses is a unique device address that uniquely identifies the another device on a shared wireless communication medium.