DISTRIBUTED MANAGEMENT OF AN EXTENDED NETWORK CONTAINING SHORT-RANGE WIRELESS LINKS
First Claim
1. An internetworked communication system comprising:
- a first wireless network including a first plurality of wireless nodes;
a second wireless network including a second plurality of wireless nodes; and
an internetworking node included within said first plurality or wireless nodes and within said second plurality of wireless nodes, said internetworking node including;
means for receiving a first set of network information relating to said first wireless network from said first plurality of wireless nodes, said first set of network information identifying said first plurality of wireless nodes and services offered thereby; and
means for transmitting, to one of said second plurality of wireless nodes, said first set of network information and an identity of said internetworking node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for internetworked communication between first and second wireless networks containing first and second pluralities of wireless nodes, respectively, is disclosed herein. In a preferred implementation an internetworking node participates in both the first and second wireless networks, and receives a first set of network information identifying each of the first plurality of wireless nodes and the services offered thereby. The internetworking node is configured to transmit the first set of network information to a master node of the second wireless network. The internetworking node also receives, from the second wireless network, a second set of network information identifying each of the second plurality of wireless nodes and the services offered thereby. In addition, the internetworking node may also transmit the second set of network information to a master node of the first wireless network. The first master node may be configured to broadcast information relating to the services offered by each of the first plurality of wireless nodes and the second wireless network. Likewise, the second master node may be configured to broadcast information relating to the services offered by each of the second plurality of wireless nodes and the second wireless network. In a preferred embodiment each of the first plurality of wireless nodes transmits an advertisement to the first master node specifying its address and services offered thereby. Similarly, each of the second plurality of wireless nodes transmits an advertisement to the second master node specifying its address and services offered thereby.
112 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An internetworked communication system comprising:
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a first wireless network including a first plurality of wireless nodes;
a second wireless network including a second plurality of wireless nodes; and
an internetworking node included within said first plurality or wireless nodes and within said second plurality of wireless nodes, said internetworking node including;
means for receiving a first set of network information relating to said first wireless network from said first plurality of wireless nodes, said first set of network information identifying said first plurality of wireless nodes and services offered thereby; and
means for transmitting, to one of said second plurality of wireless nodes, said first set of network information and an identity of said internetworking node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An internetworking node included within a first wireless network having a first plurality of wireless nodes and within a second wireless network having a second plurality of wireless nodes, said internetworking node comprising:
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means for receiving a first set of network information relating to said first wireless network, said first set of network information identifying said first plurality of wireless nodes and services offered thereby;
means for transmitting, to one of said second plurality of wireless nodes, said first set of network information and an identity of said internetworking node;
means for forwarding message information received from said one of said second plurality of wireless nodes to one of said first plurality of wireless nodes; and
means for forwarding message information received from said one of said first plurality of wireless nodes to said one of said second plurality of wireless nodes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for establishing a first wireless network capable of internetworking with a second wireless network, said method comprising the steps of:
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broadcasting, from a first device, a first network management message specifying an identity and an operating mode of said first node;
receiving, at a second device, said network management message;
transmitting, from said second device, a response message specifying an identity of said second device and characteristics of said second wireless network;
receiving, at said first network device, said notification message; and
broadcasting, from said first device, a second network management message containing information relating to said characteristics of said second wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An internetworked communication system comprising:
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a first wireless network including a first plurality of wireless nodes;
a second wireless network including a second plurality of wireless nodes; and
an interconnection network operatively coupled to at least one of said first plurality of wireless nodes and to at least one of said second plurality of wireless nodes, said one of said first plurality of wireless nodes issuing an advertisement within said first wireless network relating to characteristics of said second wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification