Mesh Node Mobility Across Static and Mobile Mesh Networks
First Claim
1. A mobile node adapted to participate in a mesh network connected to an external network, the mobile node comprising:
- means for selecting a reference destination coupled to the external network;
means for identifying respective paths to the reference destination via each of a plurality of attachment point candidates;
means for determining a favored path of the respective paths by comparatively evaluating as required the respective paths in accordance with criteria, in order of preference, comprising fewest links having at least one mobile endpoint, superior available bandwidth, and fewest wireless links;
means for choosing one of the candidates as a primary attachment point based at least in part on the determining; and
wherein the reference destination and the candidates are among a plurality of nodes of the mesh network, and the selecting, the identifying, the evaluating, and the choosing, are with respect to the mobile node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for mobility of mobile nodes in mesh networks are taught wherein the mobile mesh nodes choose an attachment point to another mesh node based on predetermined criteria, such as the characteristics of the attachment point'"'"'s path to a reference destination, and other factors local to the attachment point, such as load and available capacity. The mobile nodes forward packets on each other'"'"'s behalf. Static and mobile nodes and the links between them are treated differently from each other in view of their respectively different properties. A special metric is used for paths that include mobile links in addition to the static mesh links and wired mesh links. Mobility is handled completely transparently to any client devices attached to the mesh nodes, where this attachment could be wireless or wired.
42 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A mobile node adapted to participate in a mesh network connected to an external network, the mobile node comprising:
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means for selecting a reference destination coupled to the external network; means for identifying respective paths to the reference destination via each of a plurality of attachment point candidates; means for determining a favored path of the respective paths by comparatively evaluating as required the respective paths in accordance with criteria, in order of preference, comprising fewest links having at least one mobile endpoint, superior available bandwidth, and fewest wireless links; means for choosing one of the candidates as a primary attachment point based at least in part on the determining; and wherein the reference destination and the candidates are among a plurality of nodes of the mesh network, and the selecting, the identifying, the evaluating, and the choosing, are with respect to the mobile node. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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2. A non-transitory computer readable medium having a set of instructions stored therein that, when executed by a processing element of at least one mobile node in a mesh network connected to an external network, causes the processing element to perform functions comprising:
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selecting a reference destination coupled to the external network; identifying respective paths to the reference destination via each of a plurality of attachment point candidates; determining a favored path of the respective paths by comparatively evaluating as required the respective paths in accordance with criteria, in order of preference, comprising fewest links having at least one mobile endpoint, superior available bandwidth, and fewest wireless links; choosing one of the candidates as a primary attachment point based at least in part on the determining; and wherein the reference destination and the candidates are among a plurality of nodes of the mesh network, and the selecting, the identifying, the evaluating, and the choosing, are with respect to the mobile node. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 25)
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3. A method for facilitating the mobility of a mobile node in a mesh network connected to an external network, the method comprising:
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selecting a reference destination coupled to the external network; identifying respective paths to the reference destination via each of a plurality of attachment point candidates; determining a favored path of the respective paths by comparatively evaluating as required the respective paths in accordance with criteria, in order of preference, comprising fewest links having at least one mobile endpoint, superior available bandwidth, and fewest wireless links; choosing one of the candidates as a primary attachment point based at least in part on the determining; and wherein the reference destination and the candidates are among a plurality of nodes of the mesh network, and the selecting, the identifying, the evaluating, and the choosing, are with respect to the mobile node. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. (canceled)
Specification