Apparatus and methods for establishing client-host associations within a wireless network

• US 8,811,294 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2008
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sheth, Soham V., Shaukat, Fawad, Trando, Huey, Bauza, Judit Martinez, Rajamani, Krishnan, Soliman, Samir S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wong, Blanche
• Application Number:
  US12/098,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20090252130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,328 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/328, 370/329, 370/400, 370/422, 455/422.1, 455/415, 455/435.1, 455/455, 709/201, 709/202, 709/203, 709/208, 709/209, 709/210, 709/211, 709/212, 709/213, 709/214, 709/215, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

In embodiments, a one-to-one association is established between a client and a host in a wireless network, such as a wireless local area network or a wireless personal communication network. The client may be a display device. The host may be a cellular telephone. Active association corresponds to the host exclusively using a shared resource of the client. When the association is solid, requests from other hosts to establish an active association are denied. When the association is fragile, such requests are granted. In the case of a semi-solid association, a request from another host to establish an active association causes the client to generate a query to the host currently owning the active association. If the host currently owning the association grants a release, a new active association is established between the requesting host and the client. Otherwise, the request from the other host is denied.

Claims

1. A method for providing use of a shared resource of a client over a wireless network, the method comprising:

establishing a passive association between the client and a first host of communications over the wireless network, the passive association not allowing use of the shared resource by the first host, wherein the shared resource is a resource residing at or available through the client;

receiving at the client a request from the first host to establish an active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network, the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

in response to the request from the first host, determining at the client whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by a second host exists;

if the step of determining whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists results in a determination that there is no active association with the second host, establishing the active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

if the step of determining whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists results in a determination that there is an active association with the second host, determining a category of the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host, the category is one of solid, semi-solid, and fragile; and

determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network based on the determined category of the active association.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network (WLAN).

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of detecting when the client and the first host are within the wireless network communication distance of each other, wherein the step of detecting is performed before the step of establishing the passive association.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of detecting when the client and the first host are within the wireless network communication distance of each other, wherein the step of establishing the passive association is performed automatically in response to the step of detecting.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is solid sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is semi-solid

sending from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determining whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host denied to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the request from the first host comprises introductory information, and the query comprises at least a part of the introductory information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is semi-solid

sending from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determining whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release does not results within a predetermined timeout period in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is fragile,

releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host,

wherein the step of releasing is performed without requesting by the client from the second host an authorization to release.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is fragile, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

if the determined category is solid, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host;

if the determined category is semi-solid

sending from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determining whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host denied to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared resource comprises a video display.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared resource comprises a game terminal and the first host is configured as a game controller for the game terminal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared resource comprises a computational resource with software.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared resource comprises a gateway to another network.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared resource comprises a gateway to another wireless network.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared resource comprises sound reproduction equipment.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first host comprises a personal digital assistant.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first host comprises a cellular telephone.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the shared resource comprises a game terminal, the first host is configured as a first game controller for the game terminal, and the second host is configured as a second game controller for the game terminal.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network is a wireless personal area network (WPAN).

21. A client device comprising:

a shared resource;

a memory;

a receiver of a wireless network;

a transmitter of the wireless network;

a controller coupled to the receiver, the transmitter, the shared resource, and the memory, the controller is configured to;

establishing a passive association between the client and a first host of communications over the wireless network, the passive association not allowing use of the shared resource by the first host, wherein the shared resource is a resource residing at or available through the client;

receiving at the client a request from the first host to establish an active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network, the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

in response to the request from the first host, determining at the client whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by a second host exists;

if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host does not exist, establishing an active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host does exist, determining a category of the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host, the category is one of solid, semi-solid, and fragile; and

determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network based on the determined category of the active association.

22. The client device of claim 21, wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network (WLAN).

23. The client device of claim 21, wherein the controller is further configured to detect when the client device and the first host are within the wireless network communication distance of each other before establishing the passive association.

24. The client device of claim 21, wherein the controller is further configured to detect when the client device and the first host are within the wireless network communication distance of each other, and to establish the passive association automatically in response to detecting the first host within the wireless network communication distance of the client device.

25. The client device of claim 21, wherein if the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host does exists, the controller is further configured to:

if the determined category is solid, send from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

26. The client device of claim 21, if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists, the controller is further configured to:

if the determined category is semi-solid

send from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determine whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, release the active association between the second host and the client, establish an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the second host denied to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client, send from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

27. The client device of claim 26, wherein the request from the first host includes introductory information and wherein the controller is further configured to include the introductory information in the query.

28. The client device of claim 21, wherein if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists, the controller is further configured to:

if the determined category is semi-solid

send from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determine whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, release the active association between the second host and the client, establish an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allow exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the second host does not authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, send from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

29. The client device of claim 21, if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists, the controller is further configured to:

if the determined category is fragile,

release the active association between the second host and the client, establish an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allow exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host.

30. The client device of claim 21, if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists, the controller is further configured to:

if the determined category is fragile, release the active association between the second host and the client, establish an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allow exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

if the determined category is solid, send from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host;

if the determined category is semi-solid

send from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determining whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, release the active association between the second host and the client, establish an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allow exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the second host denied to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client, send from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

31. The client device of claim 21, wherein the shared resource comprises a video display.

32. The client device of claim 21, wherein the shared resource comprises a game terminal.

33. The client device of claim 21, wherein the shared resource comprises a computational resource with software.

34. The client device of claim 21, wherein the shared resource comprises a gateway to another network.

35. The client device of claim 21, wherein the shared resource comprises a gateway to another wireless network.

36. The client device of claim 21, wherein the shared resource comprises sound reproduction equipment.

37. The client device of claim 21, wherein the wireless network is a wireless personal area network (WPAN).

38. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by at least one processor of a client device comprising a shared resource and being configured to receive and transmit over a wireless network, the instruction cause the client device to perform steps comprising:

establishing a passive association between the client and a first host of communications over the wireless network, the passive association not allowing use of the shared resource by the first host, wherein the shared resource is a resource residing at or available through the client;

receiving at the client a request from the first host to establish an active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network, the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

in response to the request from the first host, determining at the client whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by a second host exists;

if the step of determining whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists results in a determination that there is no active association with the second host, establishing the active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

if the step of determining whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host exists results in a determination that there is an active association with the second host, determining a category of the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host, the category is one of solid, semi-solid, and fragile; and

determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network based on the determined category of the active association.

39. The machine-readable medium of claim 38, further comprising the step of:

detecting when the client device and the first host are within the wireless network communication distance of each other, wherein detecting is performed before the step of establishing the passive association.

40. The machine-readable medium of claim 38, further comprising the steps of:

detecting when the client device and the first host are within the wireless network communication distance of each other; and

establishing the passive association is performed automatically in response to the step of detecting.

41. The machine-readable medium of claim 38, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is solid, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

42. The machine-readable medium of claim 38, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is semi-solid

sending from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determining whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host denied to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

43. The machine-readable medium of claim 38, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is semi-solid

sending from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determining whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release does not results within a predetermined timeout period in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

44. The machine-readable medium of claim 38, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is fragile,

releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host,

wherein the step of releasing is performed without requesting by the client from the second host an authorization to release.

45. The machine-readable medium of claim 38, wherein determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client based on the determined category of the active association comprises:

if the determined category is fragile, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

if the determined category is solid, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host;

if the determined category is semi-solid

sending from the client to the second host a message over the wireless network, the message comprising a query to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client,

determining whether the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client,

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host authorized release of the active association between the second host and the client, releasing the active association between the second host and the client, establishing an active association between the first host and the client over the wireless network, and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host, and

if the step of determining whether the second host authorized release results in a determination that the second host denied to authorize release of the active association between the second host and the client, sending from the client to the first host a message over the wireless network rejecting the request from the first host.

46. A client device comprising:

a shared resource means;

a means for storing data;

a means for receiving information over a wireless network;

a means for transmitting information over the wireless network;

a controller means for controlling the shared resource means, the means for storing data, the means for receiving information, and the means for transmitting information, wherein the controller means is configured to;

establishing a passive association between the client and a first host of communications over the wireless network, the passive association not allowing use of the shared resource by the first host, wherein the shared resource is a resource residing at or available through the client;

receiving at the client a request from the first host to establish an active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network, the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

in response to the request from the first host, determining at the client whether an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by a second host exists;

if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host does not exist, establishing an active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network and allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the first host;

if an active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host does exist, determining a category of the active association allowing exclusive use of the shared resource by the second host, the category is one of solid, semi-solid, and fragile; and

determining whether to establish the active association between the first host and the client for communications over the wireless network based on the determined category of the active association.