Multimedia streaming over multiple hops in WiFi mesh network

• US 9,693,327 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2014
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Chandrashekar, Madhu T., Mandiganal, Santosh Mallikarjuna, Mahasenan, Arun V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skripnikov, Alex
• Application Number:
  US14/464,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20160057721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A network includes an access point Wi-Fi Direct (AP WFD) device. The AP WFD device includes access point (AP) functionality. A plurality of client WiFi Direct (WFD) devices is coupled to the AP WFD device. The client WFD devices include client functionality. The AP WFD device is configured to synchronize the client WFD devices and to stream multimedia data to the client WFD devices.

Claims

1. A first network comprising:

a first access point WiFi Direct (AP WFD) device comprising access point (AP) functionality; and

a plurality of first client WiFi Direct (WFD) devices coupled to the first AP WFD device, the first client WFD devices comprising a client functionality;

wherein the first AP WFD device is configured to synchronize the first client WFD devices and to stream multimedia data to the first client WFD devices;

wherein the first AP WFD device comprises a master AP WFD device; and

wherein the first network further comprises a single centralized master time distributer to which the first AP WFD device synchronizes, after which the first client WFD devices synchronize to the first AP WFD device to which the first client WFD devices are connected; and

wherein other AP WFD devices and the first client WFD devices are configured to track time synchronization accuracy via the first AP WFD device;

wherein the first AP WFD device and the first client WFD devices are configured to forward time to the other AP WFD devices and additional first client WFD devices only after proper synchronization; and

wherein the first client WFD devices are configured, upon missing a time information packet, to automatically reconnect to a neighboring AP WFD and reestablish a link to the first network.

2. The first network of claim 1, comprising:

a bridge coupling the first network to a second network, the second network comprising a second AP WFD device and a plurality of second client WFD devices comprising client functionality.

3. The first network of claim 2, wherein the first AP WFD device and the second AP WFD device are configured to time synchronize and to exchange data between the first network and the second network.

4. The first network of claim 3, wherein the first AP WFD device comprises bridges to a plurality of additional AP WFD devices in a plurality of additional networks.

5. The first network of claim 2, wherein the first AP WFD device is configured to send audio data packets to the second AP WFD device by splitting up cells of the audio data packets and rearranging the cells of the audio data packets into new audio data packets.

6. The first network of claim 5, wherein each audio data packet includes a plurality of cells in sequence, with a first cell followed by a second cell, and the second cell followed by a third cell, and wherein the first cell in each audio data packet is removed from each audio data packet and assembled in sequence into the new audio data packet.

7. The first network of claim 1, wherein the first client WFD devices are configured to send a status and a time synchronization accuracy to their associated AP WFD device;

and

wherein the associated AP WFD device is configured to send aggregated status and time synchronization information of the first client WFD devices connected to its associated AP WFD device which is acting as bridge.

8. The first network of claim 1, wherein the master AP WFD device comprises status and time synchronization information of all first client WFD devices and all AP WFD devices in a complete network.

9. The first network of claim 8, wherein the first client WFD devices and the first AP WFD device comprise a common time;

and

wherein the master AP WFD device transmits an audio trigger before announcing, the audio trigger comprising a future timestamp; and

wherein the first client WFD devices and the first AP WFD device commence a playback at a time after the future timestamp.

10. The first network of claim 9, wherein the first client WFD devices and the first AP WFD device buffer audio data for a time period prior to the future timestamp.

11. The first network of claim 8, wherein the master AP WFD device comprises a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server configured to distribute a common Internet Protocol (IP) address across the first network;

and

wherein all the first client WFD devices are IP addressable and can be connected in a debug mode to a mobile device using a wireless proprietary application.

12. The first network of claim 1, wherein the first AP WFD device is configured, upon receiving audio packets, to copy the audio packets to a playback buffer and to thereafter multi-cast the audio packets to the one or more first client WFD devices which are connected to it;

and

wherein the first client WFD devices are only configured to receive and buffer the audio packets for playback.

13. The first network of claim 12, wherein the first client WFD devices and the first AP WFD device are configured to remain silent when there is one or more missing data packets and are configured to play data packets upon receiving actual audio data.

14. The first network of claim 1, comprising an aggregate audio stream comprising one or more of a first audio stream, a second audio stream, a third audio stream, and a fourth audio stream;

wherein an audio packet follows a same path and reaches all WFD devices in the first network.

15. The first network of claim 1, wherein the master AP WFD device comprises a capability to select an individual WFD device, a group of WFD devices, or all WFD devices in the first network to play an audio stream.

16. The first network of claim 1, comprising a local parent AP WFD device that is configured to maintain a connection to a particular first client WFD device by using a normal keep alive mechanism;

wherein a duration of the keep alive mechanism is reduced to approximately 10 seconds; and

wherein the first AP WFD device is connected to the other AP WFD devices through a bridge transmit aggregated health information to the master AP WFD device.

17. The first network of claim 1, wherein the one or more WFD devices comprise audio speakers in a public announcement system.