Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080316979 | Configuring a host device by way of MMP - The claimed subject matter relates to configuring a host device through utilization of MMP, which is a protocol that is based upon MIP but not associated with several deficiencies associated therewith. In particular, a wireless terminal can be configured to run MMP and send messages that conform to MMP over a wireless link. A base station can be configured to act as a DHCP server. The base station can provide configuration information to host device by way of DHCP. | 12-25-2008 |
20090016229 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING INTERFERENCE TO BROADCAST SIGNALING IN A PEER TO PEER NETWORK - Methods and apparatus related to broadcasting data and interference management in a peer to peer wireless communications network are described. Scheduling of traffic air link resources is performed on a slot by slot basis in a decentralized manner. Wireless devices intending to broadcast traffic signals transmit broadcast request signals, sometimes alternatively referred to as broadcast indicator signals. A priority level is associated with each of the broadcast request signals. A receiver device intending to receive broadcast signals detects the broadcast request signals and makes an interference determination as to whether the higher priority broadcast traffic signal can be successfully recovered in the presence of lower priority broadcast traffic signals. If the determination is that the expected interference from the lower priority broadcast traffic is unacceptable, the receiver device generates and transmits an interference control signal communicating to the lower priority device a command or request not to broadcast. | 01-15-2009 |
20090016255 | PEER TO PEER MULTIPLE IDENTIFIERS - In an ad hoc peer-to-peer type network during peer discovery, information relating to an identifier associated with users of various devices is broadcast to other devices in an efficient manner. Two or more identifiers can be processed to produce a single value (e.g., bit vector) that is transmitted for the purpose of peer discovery, thus mitigating the need to broadcast the two or more identifiers separately. A public identifier can be converted to a private temporary identifier and the private temporary identifier can be used as one of the inputs to the operation producing the single value to be transmitted. The aspects are not limited to peer discovery and can include broadcasting by inanimate objects or broadcasting of services, functions or interests. | 01-15-2009 |
20090016524 | PEER TO PEER IDENTIFIERS - In an ad hoc peer-to-peer type network during peer discovery, information relating to users of various devices is broadcast to other devices in the network, which can compromise privacy of the users. Instead of announcing a public identifier that might be known by a multitude of individuals, the user device announces a private identifier that might be known to, or determined by, a select few individuals. The individuals selected can be given a key to determine the private identifier associated with a public identifier, or vice versa, wherein that key can have a validity range or a period of time, after which the key expires. Prior to the expiration of the key, the selected individuals, through their respective devices, can detect a corresponding user and/or device by the current private identifier being announced, thus mitigating the number of people that are aware of the user's presence. | 01-15-2009 |
20090019173 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS IN A PEER TO PEER NETWORK - Methods and apparatus related to broadcasting data in a peer to peer wireless communications network are described. A timing structure is utilized employing slots of a first type which support broadcast traffic transmissions and unicast traffic transmissions and slots of a second type which support unicast traffic transmission but do not support broadcast traffic transmissions. In various embodiments, traffic air link resource scheduling is performed in a decentralized manner on a slot by slot basis. In some such embodiments, a wireless device prior to transmitting a broadcast data traffic signal, transmits a broadcast transmission request signal, sometimes alternatively referred to as a broadcast indicator signal; and a wireless device prior to transmitting a peer to peer unicast signal, transmits a peer to peer traffic transmission request signal. In various embodiments, for slots of the first type, broadcast transmission requests have priority over peer to peer unicast transmission requests. | 01-15-2009 |
20090232034 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INCLUDING DIRECT PAGING IN COMBINATION WITH HOPPED DATA SIGNALING - Methods and apparatus for wireless communications in regional networks, e.g., ad hoc peer to peer networks, are described. Wireless communications devices transmit and monitor for presence indicator signals broadcast from other peer communications devices in its local vicinity. A wireless communications device maintains a list of discovered devices in its vicinity. A first wireless communications device transmits a paging signal directly over an airlink to a second communications device, which is on its list and to which it desires to send data units, e.g., user data in a peer to peer traffic segment. In response to a received paging response signal from the second device, the first device transmits data units, intended for the second device, to a third device, which acts as an intermediary node. The power level for the data unit signal is controlled to be lower than the power level used for the paging signal. | 09-17-2009 |
20090323647 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PEER DISCOVERY ASSIST - Methods and apparatus related to peer/network/service discovery in a mobile wireless system, e.g., an ad hoc peer-to-peer network are described. Transmission of discovery information, e.g., upper layer discovery information, is divided into a number of portions to be transmitted separately over time. Transmission of the individual portions is structured so as to enable flexibility in the frequency of the peer discovery transmissions as well as the monitoring of such transmissions. Various embodiments facilitate rapid discovery and/or secure discovery, e.g., selective discovery by trusted peers. The structuring enables proxying of some transmissions by a third party, e.g., an assist node. The assist node receives discovery information portions being communicated at a first rate and retransmits the received discovery information portions at a second rate which is higher than the first rate. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323648 | MULTI-RATE PROXIMITY BASED PEER DISCOVERY METHODS AND APPARATUS - Various embodiments relate to wireless communications devices which support multiple modes of peer discovery operation. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of transmitting peer discovery information. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of monitoring peer discovery information. In various embodiments, a communications device determines whether or not to switch between different peer discovery modes of operation as a function of proximity to a location of interest. Proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon geographic position comparisons. Alternatively or in addition, proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon received signal strength measurements. | 12-31-2009 |
20090325601 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING AND/OR USING DISCOVERY INFORMATION - Methods and apparatus related to peer/network/service discovery in a mobile wireless system, e.g., an ad hoc peer-to-peer network are described. Transmission of discovery information, e.g., upper layer discovery information, is divided into a number of portions to be transmitted separately over time. Transmission of the individual portions is structured so as to enable flexibility in the frequency of the peer discovery transmissions as well as the monitoring of such transmissions. Various embodiments facilitate rapid discovery and/or secure discovery, e.g., selective discovery by trusted peers. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327391 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SECURELY ADVERTISING IDENTIFICATION AND/OR DISCOVERY INFORMATION - Methods and apparatus related to a peer to peer wireless communications system supporting secure advertisement of identification and/or discovery information e.g., upper layer discovery information, are described. Air interface timing and/or other information received from a third device, e.g., a beacon or GPS transmitter is incorporated in the computation of identification/discovery information which is communicated from a first device to a second device. The second device stores some identification/discovery credentials corresponding to the first device, which have been communicated out of band from the first device to the second device. Upon receipt of a identifier from a first device, the second device determines if the stored information corresponds to the device that transmitted the identifier. Various embodiments facilitate secure advertisement of identification and/or discovery information and discovery, e.g., selective discovery by trusted peers. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327395 | MULTI-RATE PEER DISCOVERY METHODS AND APPARATUS - Wireless communications devices, e.g., peer to peer mobile wireless terminals in and ad-hoc peer to peer communications network, support multiple modes of peer discovery operation. In different peer discovery transmit modes peer discovery information is transmitted at different rates. In different peer discovery receive modes peer discovery information is monitored at different rates. Performing peer discovery operations at a higher rate has the benefit of reducing discovery latency at the cost of utilizing more communications resources and expending more power. A communications device dynamically changes its mode in response to changing conditions and/or needs. Transitions between modes are in response to a determined change condition trigger occurrence. Various change condition triggers include, e.g., a user event, an application event, information received over the air interface, information derived from information received over the air interface and/or temporal information. | 12-31-2009 |
20100022190 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MULTI-HOP COMMUNICATIONS IN A PEER TO PEER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus for wireless communications in networks, e.g., regional ad hoc peer to peer networks, are described. A communications node, e.g., a third node monitors for wireless communications between other peer communication nodes, e.g., a first node and a second node, in its local vicinity. The third node determines from the monitored wireless communication an indication of link quality corresponding to a communication link between the communication nodes which are communicating or seeking to establish a communications link. The third node generates an estimate of a link quality for a communications link between itself and the first node. Based on the indication of link quality and generated estimate of link quality, the third node decides whether or not to send a signal indicating availability to relay communication between the first and second nodes. The third node, when acting as an intermediary node after indicating its availability to so act, may receive traffic data e.g., user data communicated in a peer to peer traffic segment, from the first node. The third node communicates the received traffic data to the second node by transmitting the traffic data. | 01-28-2010 |
20100069067 | TICKET-BASED CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS VALIDATION - Aspects describe spectrum authorization, access control, and configuration parameters validation. Devices in an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer configuration can utilize a licensed spectrum if the devices are authorized to use the spectrum, which can be determined automatically. Aspects relate to distribution of authorization tickets by an authorization server as a result of validating a device's credentials and services to which the device is entitled. An exchange and verification of authorization tickets can be performed by devices as a condition for enabling a validated wireless link using the spectrum. | 03-18-2010 |
20100124331 | SPECTRUM AUTHORIZATION AND RELATED COMMUNICATIONS METHODS AND APPARATUS - Various embodiments relate to wireless communications, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for authorizing use of spectrum, e.g., through the issuance of spectrum access keys, and/or preventing or discouraging the unauthorized use of licensed spectrum. Peer to peer wireless communications between authorized users of licensed spectrum may involve scrambling/descrambling of information communicated between authorized devices. In some embodiments air interface timing and/or other information received from a second device, e.g., a beacon or GPS transmitter, is incorporated into a computation of a pseudo-random bit sequence which is also computed based on a spectrum access key communicated to authorized spectrum users. In some embodiments authorized peer to peer devices scramble communicated information based on the generated pseudo random bit sequence thereby preventing or discouraging communication with devices which are not authorized to use the spectrum and lack a spectrum access key used to generate the pseudo random bit sequence. | 05-20-2010 |
20100142556 | METHOD AND APPARATUS RELATED TO PACKET FRAGMENTATION AND RECONSTRUCTION - Methods and apparatus related to packet fragmentation and reconstruction are described. A sequence of bits is generated including at least one header and at least partial packet payload prior to a determination of the actual data rate to be used in a communications segment. In some embodiments, the generated sequence of bits corresponds to a prepared information bit stream for a best case scenario in which the highest data rate is selected for segment. Various embodiments allow for the selection of the data rate to be used for the communications segment to be delayed until just prior to the transmission. Thus the selection of the data rate for the communications segment, and thus the segment capacity, can be based on more current channel condition information than would otherwise be possible if the communications device needed to know the data rate for the segment before performing header and packet fragmentation operations. | 06-10-2010 |
20100189107 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING, MAINTAINING AND/OR USING OVERLAPPING NETWORKS - Methods and apparatus related to routing in communications networks are described. Various embodiments are well suited to wireless communications systems lacking centralized control, e.g., a mobile wireless communications system supporting the dynamic formation and/or maintenance of overlapping peer-to-peer ad hoc networks. A node can establish multiple links, e.g., with different links corresponding to different overlapping networks. Next hop packet routing information, e.g., forwarding tables, are maintained on a per network basis. A node determines the next hop routing for a received packet to be forwarded based on the link upon which the packet was received, which is associated with a particular network, and the included packet destination address. The same destination address may, and sometimes does, correspond to different next hop nodes for different networks. | 07-29-2010 |
20100189264 | METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO ADDRESS GENERATION, COMMUNICATION AND/OR VALIDATION - Methods and apparatus for generating, communicating, and/or using sets of addresses corresponding to a communications device are described. A first communications device generates, from a public key and a random number, both a first address and a second address. The generated address pair is communicated to a second communications device along with proof of ownership information regarding the address pair via an address signaling message such as a binding update message. The second communications device processes the received address signaling message and determines address pair validity and/or address pair ownership information. The first address may be associated with a first network, e.g., an unsecure WAN network, while the second address may be associated with a second network, e.g., a secure peer to peer network. Decisions on switching between using the first address to using the second address may be based on address validity and/or address ownership determinations. | 07-29-2010 |
20100190469 | CERTIFIED DEVICE-BASED ACCOUNTING - Providing for secure tracking and reporting of wireless resources utilized by a mobile device is described herein. By way of example, resources utilized in conjunction with network-facilitated or peer-to-peer wireless data exchange can be tracked in secure, tamper-resistant components of the mobile device. Further, a report can be compiled from the tracked information and digitally signed with a secret data/material specific to the mobile device. The signed report can be submitted to a network server in conjunction with accounting, billing or like functions. By validating the signature of a mobile device, the network server can trust that information collected and submitted by user devices has not been tampered with or spoofed with an ID of another such device. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191964 | COMMUNICATIONS METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN COMMUNICATING WITH COMMUNICATIONS PEERS - Methods and apparatus related to the determination of the trustworthiness of information communicated in a message and/or the exchange of trust information are described. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited to peer to peer wireless communications in an ad-hoc network. At a given time, a communications device may have a trust relationship with a first set of devices. A first communications device determines trustworthiness of a received message from a second device, which is not a member of the first set of devices, based on information received from a third device which is a member of the first set of devices. The first communications device makes an informed decision as to whether or not to act upon the first message based upon its trustworthiness determination. | 07-29-2010 |
20100201891 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A UNIVERSAL DEVICE CONTROLLER USING PEER TO PEER COMMUNICATION - Methods and apparatus relating to wireless remote control are described. A communications device, such as a cell phone with peer to peer signaling capability, supports remote control functionality. The same communications device can be used as a universal wireless remote controller for a plurality of different remotely controllable devices including, e.g., a television, a DVD player, a light switch, a garage door opener, etc. The communications device monitors for and detects peer to peer signals from remotely controllable devices in its local vicinity. The communications device maintains a list of remotely controllable devices in its vicinity based on the detected peer to peer signals. The universal remote control user interface is configured in accordance with the maintained list. The universal remote controller provides a user interface which varies based on the device to be controlled. | 08-12-2010 |
20100223376 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING DISCOVERY SIGNALS AND/OR CONTROLLING ALERT GENERATION - Methods and apparatus for processing discovery signals and/or generating alerts based on received discovery signals are described. In at least some embodiments, alert signal generation is performed on a selective basis in response to received discovery signals. In at least some embodiments a user is given at least some control over alert generation with the user being able to indicate types of signals which should not trigger generation of an alert, the minimum permitted frequency of particular alerts or types of alerts and/or time or location constraints which are considered when a device determines whether or not to generate an alert in response to a received discovery signal. While user control of discovery signal processing and alert generation are provided, automatic control or adjustment of discovery signal processing and alert generation may also be implemented or the automatic control may be implemented as an alternative to the user control. | 09-02-2010 |
20100250673 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINED PEER TO PEER AND WIDE AREA NETWORK BASED DISCOVERY - A first wireless communications device includes a wide area network (WAN) interface and a peer to peer interface. The first device discovers the presence of a second wireless communications device via a peer discovery signal, received via its peer to peer interface. The second device has been transmitting, e.g., periodically, certain information, e.g., its location and/or shopping preferences, to a node within the WAN. The detected first signal triggers an application alert in the first device. The first device recovers past information about the second device through a second signal received via its WAN interface. The first device uses information communicated in the first signal, e.g., device identifier information, and information communicated in the second signal, e.g., past location and/or shopping information, to generate a targeted message for the second device. The first device communicates the targeted message via its peer to peer interface in a peer to peer traffic channel. | 09-30-2010 |
20100254308 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PEER DISCOVERY IN A COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus supporting enhanced discovery operations in peer to peer networks are described. Peer discovery, based on direct peer to peer discovery between two mobile nodes can be somewhat limited, e.g., due to power limitations, processing power, and/or channel conditions. An access point, e.g., base station, monitors for and receives peer discovery signals conveying a set of identifiers from a wireless communications device. The access point retransmits at least one identifier in the set in a wireless peer to peer communications channel. Thus the access point effectively extends the peer discovery range for wireless communications devices utilizing the peer to peer network. Wireless communications devices can monitor for and recover the rebroadcast peer discovery signals from access points. Thus, via access point signaling a wireless communications device can be made situationally aware of other devices of interest which would be otherwise outside its discovery detection range. | 10-07-2010 |
20100260101 | ROUTE OPTIMIZATION FOR DIRECTLY CONNECTED PEERS - Aspects relate to allowing peer nodes that establish a communication through a home agent to move that session to a directly connected link. Thus, the directly connected nodes can exchange packets natively without encapsulation. Further aspects allow a node that does not have any home agent entity to switch from a local network to a global network without losing ongoing sessions. | 10-14-2010 |
20100272029 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION - Methods and apparatus for efficiently communicating small amounts of information relatively frequently in a wireless communications system are described. An access point's uplink timing frequency structure includes a set of dedicated uplink communications resources, e.g., expression advertisement interval air link resources, which may be in addition to regular traffic channel resources. The set of dedicated uplink communications resources comprises a small fraction of the total uplink communications resources. An individual one of the set of dedicated uplink communications resources can carry a small amount of information bits. An expression advertisement interval occurs relatively frequently. A wireless communications device, registered with the access point, is allocated one of the set of dedicated uplink resources. The wireless communications device can transmit information using its allocated resource in both a sleep state and an active state. | 10-28-2010 |
20100272081 | COMMUNICATION METHODS AND APPARATUS - Methods and apparatus well suited for efficiently communicating small amounts of information relatively frequently in a wireless communications system are described. An uplink timing frequency structure for an access point includes a set of dedicated uplink communications resources, e.g., expression advertisement interval air link resources. Different ones of the set of dedicated uplink communications resources correspond to different individual wireless communications devices currently registered with the access point. In the downlink timing frequency structure for the access point there are dedicated downlink broadcast communications resources, e.g., expression broadcast interval air link resources and neighbor expression broadcast interval air link resources. Information received on dedicated uplink air link resources is echoed back or selectively echoed back on the dedicated downlink air link resources. Wireless communications devices monitor downlink dedicated air link resources to recover expression information being communicated by other wireless communications devices in its local vicinity. | 10-28-2010 |
20100303003 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENTLY COMMUNICATING INFORMATION USING A PROXY - Methods for communicating discovery information are described. A module intercepts messages within a device which include a first identifier, e.g., a service, application, device or other identifier which is to be communicated or which is to be monitored for in the case of a device seeking something. A second identifier corresponding to the information to be communicated or item or service being sought is generated. The second identifier is transmitted in the case of an advertisement or monitored for in the case of the device seeking something. Following a second device establishing a communications connection in response to an advertisement, stored information such as all or a portion of the first identifier is transmitted over the established connection. A device seeking an item or service, in response to detecting the second identifier, establishes a connection with the second device. The second identifier maybe shorter than the first identifier. | 12-02-2010 |
20100318795 | BLOOM FILTER BASED DEVICE DISCOVERY - Aspects describe enabling two peers that have already paired together under some circumstances to re-identify themselves under different circumstances so that the peers can bypass performing another pairing only to discover that they are already paired. A Bloom filter is constructed from an available pool of locally selected identifiers and is sent to a peer node in a first message. Upon receiving the message with the Bloom filter, peer node checks all its known identifiers. If peer node finds that one of its identifiers is a member of the Bloom filter, peer node sends a reply in order to achieve a mutual identification. | 12-16-2010 |
20110039592 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DERIVING, COMMUNICATING AND/OR VERIFYING OWNERSHIP OF EXPRESSIONS - Methods and apparatus for generating, communicating, and/or verifying ownership of expressions are described. Various embodiments are well suited for use in a wireless peer to peer communications systems in which expressions are communicated, e.g., broadcast, in discovery intervals. A first communications device generates an expression from a first public key and an additional input, said first public key corresponding to a private key known to said first communications device. The first device transmits the generated expression on a communications channel used for discovery. A second communications device receives the transmitted expression from the first device. The second device transmits a request signal to the first device associated with the expression; and receives from the first device a signed communication signed using a private key known to said first communications device. The second device uses information from the signed communication to determine if said first communication device owns said expression. | 02-17-2011 |
20110228691 | METHODS AND APPARTUS FOR CONTROLLING INTERFERENCE TO BROADCAST SIGNALING IN A PEER TO PEER NETWORK - Methods and apparatus related to broadcasting data and interference management in a peer to peer wireless communications network are described. Scheduling of traffic air link resources is performed on a slot by slot basis in a decentralized manner. Wireless devices intending to broadcast traffic signals transmit broadcast request signals, sometimes alternatively referred to as broadcast indicator signals. A priority level is associated with each of the broadcast request signals. A receiver device intending to receive broadcast signals detects the broadcast request signals and makes an interference determination as to whether the higher priority broadcast traffic signal can be successfully recovered in the presence of lower priority broadcast traffic signals. If the determination is that the expected interference from the lower priority broadcast traffic is unacceptable, the receiver device generates and transmits an interference control signal communicating to the lower priority device a command or request not to broadcast. | 09-22-2011 |
20110244899 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A COMMUNICATIONS MODE AND/OR USING A DETERMINED COMMUNICATIONS MODE - Methods and apparatus for determining a mode of wireless communications to be used by a wireless terminal, e.g., a direct communications mode or an infrastructure communications mode are described. In some embodiments, the mode to be used is determined by a control node based on interference which will be caused to the system taking into consideration at least an area, e.g., cell, in which the wireless terminal seeking to communicate is not located. System interference cost estimates for each mode under consideration are generated and compared. Interference cost estimates may, and do, correspond to different frequency bands when the direct mode uses a different frequency band than the infrastructure communications mode. Separate interference cost estimates and mode determinations are made for different communications directions in some embodiments. The determined mode to be used is communicated to the devices seeking to communicate, e.g., via one or more base stations. | 10-06-2011 |
20110305208 | METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO CONTROLLING ACCESS TO COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCES - Various methods and apparatus relate to controlling access to communications resources in a wireless communications system. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited for use in a peer to peer network in which resource access control is implemented in a distributed manner and wireless terminals compete for communications resources, e.g., compete for a peer to peer traffic segment. A wireless terminal generates QoS tokens within said wireless terminal at a rate which is a function of a QoS level associated with the wireless terminal and uses a generated token to control access to a communications resource. Generated tokens within the wireless terminal may be shared among the applications of the wireless terminal. | 12-15-2011 |
20120058745 | ADVERTISING METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus related to communicating advertisements and/or service announcements to devices in a communications system are described. In various embodiments mobile devices are used as mobile advertisement transmission platforms. Advertisements may be downloaded to the wireless communications device along with transmission constraints. Transmission of an advertisement is made when a transmission constraint, e.g., target audience constraint is satisfied. The wireless terminal may change its transmission frequency, coding rate and/or other transmission characteristics to satisfy a transmission constraint and/or optimize revenue. The mobile device reports advertisements transmissions to a network device, e.g., advertisement server and the owner of the device is compensated for the transmissions. Transmission constraints may involve a number of devices to be reached, the type of devices to be reached, and/or other constraints relating to the demographics of device users. Information may be obtained from peer discovery signals and used to determine if a constraint is satisfied. | 03-08-2012 |
20120082039 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING DIRECTIONAL INFORMATION FOR PEER DISCOVERY IN PEER-TO-PEER WIRELESS NETWORKS - Methods and apparatus for operating a local device to discover proximal information is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal from a remote device, determining an identification and a relative bearing of the remote device based on the signal and displaying the identification and the relative bearing of the remote device. The apparatus for operating a local device to discover proximal information includes a processor configured to receive a signal from a remote device and determine an identification and a relative bearing of the remote device based on the signal and a display coupled to the processor, the display configured to display the identification and the relative bearing of the remote device. | 04-05-2012 |
20120082127 | METHOD TO ENHANCE DISCOVERY OF IDENTIFIERS MULTIPLEXED IN A PEER-TO-PEER CHANNEL - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which an identifier is sent in a peer discovery signal. In addition, a value is sent with the identifier in the peer discovery signal indicating at least one of a next time, a next frequency, or a next resource that the identifier will be sent. A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which an identifier is received in a peer discovery signal. In addition, a value is received with the identifier in the peer discovery signal indicating at least one of a next time, a next frequency, or a next resource that the identifier should be expected to be received. | 04-05-2012 |
20120089682 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING SHARING OF PRIVILEGES IN A PEER TO PEER SYSTEM - Various methods and apparatus relate to sharing QoS privileges between devices having a higher service level subscription and devices having lower service level subscription. QoS privileges are associated with a QoS service level which is in turn tied to devices, e.g., based on a service level subscription of the device. Devices with higher service level subscription are entitled to superior QoS privileges than the devices with lower service level subscription. In various embodiments a first device with higher QoS service level provides, to a second device having lower QoS service level, information used to obtain a QoS privilege to which the first device is entitled. Thus the second device entitled to lower QoS privileges is provided with the superior QoS privileges on a limited basis, e.g., for communicating with the first device corresponding to the higher QoS service level. | 04-12-2012 |
20120167184 | ALLOCATION OF APPLICATION IDENTIFIERS - An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product of a wireless device are provided in which a first device identifier of a wireless device is provided. An allocation record is received that includes an expression used for discovery, a second device identifier, and at least one of a digital signature of a first server that delegates the expression or a digital signature of a second server that manages the expression. The allocation record is verified. An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product of a first server are provided in which a device identifier is received from a wireless device. An allocation record is generated that includes an expression used for discovery, the device identifier, and at least one of a digital signature of the first server or a digital signature of a second server that manages the expression. The allocation record is sent. | 06-28-2012 |
20120303459 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING ADVERTISING CONTROL INFORMATION - Various embodiments are directed to the transmission, e.g., broadcast, of identification information and corresponding control information in discovery signals by a wireless communications device as part of a discovery process. In some embodiments, the identifier identifies one of: an advertisement, a user, or a module. In one embodiment the identifier identifies an advertisement, and the corresponding control information communicates a bid factor used in determining the value of a bid for an ad display opportunity. In another embodiment, the identifier identifies a dynamically modifiable advertisement, and the corresponding control information communicates information that is used to set and/or modify the dynamically modifiable portion of the advertisement. In still another embodiment, the identifier identifiers a user and the control information communicates status information. In yet another embodiment, the identifier identifies a module, e.g., a software application, and the control information communicates a command for the module to perform a particular operation. | 11-29-2012 |
20120303463 | ADCACHE SPACE AUCTIONS BASED ON DIFFERENTIAL CONTEXT - In some embodiments, in an exemplary advertising system multiple bidders compete for ad cache space on devices which display ads. The bidders are, e.g., advertisers, ad networks, and/or loyalty program providers. The devices which store and display the ads are, e.g., mobile and/or stationary wireless communications devices. An individual bidder is provided with contextual information that is of relevance to the individual bidder. The contextual information is about the device onto which ads may be loaded. Different bidders may be, and sometimes are, supplied with different restricted information. Various embodiments are directed to a methods and apparatus for operating an ad broker system. | 11-29-2012 |
20120315924 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LEAVING AND/OR DISCOVERING LOCALLY RELEVANT PIECES OF INFORMATION - Methods and apparatus for storing user generated information, e.g., reviews, comments, suggestions relevant to a particular geographic region, using local access nodes and/or facilitating discovery of the availability of the locally stored and locally relevant content through the use of peer-to-peer signals are described. In various embodiments, the locally stored and available content can be discovered when passing within range a local access point, storing the locally relevant user provided content. User generated information, in some embodiments, can be stored subject to user specified sharing restrictions. In various embodiments, users can limit the information they are provided by controlling profile setting and/or a setting used to control what information is provided as they move through a region. In some embodiments, user provided information distribution and/or access can be, and sometimes is, restricted based on group membership, user identity and/or interests. | 12-13-2012 |
20130060631 | AD CACHE MAINTENANCE METHODS AND APPARATUS - Methods and apparatus relating to ad cache maintenance, e.g., determining when ad cache replenishment should occur, replenishing ad cache content and/or updating the content of an ad cache, on a device which supports the presentation of advertisements (ads) are described. Signals are received by a first device including an ad cache. The signals are received from other devices, e.g., devices in the direct wireless communications range of the first device. Received signals are processed and provide context information, e.g., information about the surrounding, services available, stores in the region, etc., in which the first device receiving the signals is at a given point in time. Context information is stored. As new context information is generated from received signals the newly generated set of context information is compared to a previously generated set of context information. Changes in context information are detected and used in performing ad cache maintenance operations. | 03-07-2013 |
20130060634 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING ADVERTISEMENTS - Methods and apparatus related to selecting advertisements for presentation based on, e.g., received signals from devices in the proximity to a user's communications device, are described. In various embodiments a mobile device monitors for signals, e.g., peer discovery or other signals, from other devices which transmit, e.g., broadcast, advertisement related information. In various embodiments a device receives advertising information from an advertising device, e.g., AdPoint. In the case of peer to peer signaling, the AdPoint may be in close proximity to the user device receiving the advertising information. Advertising information received from devices in proximity to the user device are used in selecting an advertisement for presentation. Distance from the user device to the AdPoint transmitting an advertisement or advertisement identifier, distance to a store to which an advertisement relates, and/or distance to a location to which an advertisement relates, are taken into consideration when selecting an advertisement for presentation. | 03-07-2013 |
20130060702 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEMOGRAPHICS INFORMATION COLLECTION - Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatus which can be used to implement a system for collecting demographic information of users and/or devices in real-time or near real-time. Methods and apparatus directed to communicating and collecting demographic information via wireless signals, e.g., discovery signals, transmitted by one or more wireless devices, e.g., wireless communications devices supporting a peer to peer signaling protocol, are described. In various embodiments, at least some of the demographic information is transmitted in a secure manner. | 03-07-2013 |
20130084914 | ALTERNATIVE PATH CONFIGURATION FOR PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKING - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided in which information is exchanged through peer-to-peer communication with a second wireless device using a first radio technology. The information regards at least one additional radio technology. In addition, whether to utilize a second radio technology of the at least one additional radio technology for peer-to-peer communication with the second wireless device rather than the first radio technology is determined. Furthermore, the first radio technology is utilized to exchange control information for the second radio technology. | 04-04-2013 |
20130208709 | STATE SYNCHRONIZATION OF ACCESS ROUTERS - Embodiments describe synchronizing access routers with wireless terminal state information. According to an embodiment is a wireless terminal that transmits a message that includes an address for at least two access routers. State change information can optionally be included in the message. According to another embodiment is an access router that receives a state change notification from a wireless device or another access router. The state change notification is updated in the access router. An acknowledgment confirming the updated state change may be sent to the wireless terminal. Dynamic state synchronization is provided with minimal communication with wireless terminal. | 08-15-2013 |
20130227655 | TICKET-BASED CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS VALIDATION - Aspects describe spectrum authorization, access control, and configuration parameters validation. Devices in an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer configuration can utilize a licensed spectrum if the devices are authorized to use the spectrum, which can be determined automatically. Aspects relate to distribution of authorization tickets by an authorization server as a result of validating a device's credentials and services to which the device is entitled. An exchange and verification of authorization tickets can be performed by devices as a condition for enabling a validated wireless link using the spectrum. | 08-29-2013 |
20130272193 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLEXING APPLICATION IDENTIFIERS FOR PEER-TO-PEER DISCOVERY SYSTEMS - A method, a computer program product, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be equipped to obtain one or more application identifiers from one or more applications on a wireless device, generate a super identifier (SID) having elements corresponding to the one or more applications and a base that identifies one or more common properties of the one or more applications, and broadcast the SID during one or more peer discovery slots allocated for the wireless device. In another example, a UE may be equipped to receive the SID broadcast by another UE, determine a match between at least one of the one or more common properties in the base, and determine whether an element associated with one or more applications is present in the SID. | 10-17-2013 |
20130294324 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING GROUP MEMBERSHIP FOR GROUP COMMUNICATIONS - Improved group communications methods which are well suited for a wireless environment are described. End nodes request that access nodes make changes in group membership information maintained at the access node. The access node responds to the requests by a response signal indicating a grant or denial of the request. Requests may be to add or remove the end node, e.g., a mobile wireless terminal, from a particular group membership list identified in the request signal. The access node maintains a detailed list of group members and uses the information to control how signals, e.g., packets, are transmitted to the group members. Group membership information may be updated at the access node at the time of handoff and/or an end node enters the cell or otherwise changes its point of network attachment. | 11-07-2013 |
20140165214 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PRIVATE EXPRESSION PROTECTION AGAINST IMPERSONATION RISKS - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with providing private expression protection in a wireless communications network. In one example, a UE is equipped to internally receive a request (e.g., from an application running on the UE) to announce a private expression and/or at least a reference to an expression-code associated with the private expression, and determine whether the reference to the expression-code and/or the expression-code matches a stored instance of the expression-code. In an aspect, the UE may be equipped to announce the at least one of the private expression or the expression-code when stored instance of the expression-code corresponds to the expression-code received with the request. In another aspect, the UE may be equipped to prohibit announcement of any information associated with the private expression when stored expression-code does not correspond to the expression-code received with the request. | 06-12-2014 |
20140192712 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS POINTS COUPLED TO A COMMON POWER SOURCE - Power efficient methods and apparatus for detecting wireless terminals in a relatively small geographic area are described. Wireless terminals transmit discovery signals and/or other signals which may be detected by an access point. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited for embodiments where multiple access points, which obtain power from a common power source and/or via a common power bus, with limited power delivery capability. To address power constraints, access points are controlled by a gateway device coupled to the access points so that one or more access points perform monitoring at different times with one or more access points having their receivers powered off while another access point monitors for wireless terminal signals. Power consumption from the common power source is managed by controlling power consumption associated with monitoring operations performed by one or more access points coupled to a common power source. | 07-10-2014 |
20140274079 | COMMUNICATIONS METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND HANDOVER RELATED MEASUREMENTS - Methods and apparatus for allocation of resources for handover related measurements in a communications system including user equipment (UE) devices, a macro base station and small base stations (e.g., femtocells) are described. Some embodiments are well suited for systems where the number of femtocells may equal or outnumber the number of UE devices. In some embodiments a macro base station allocates periodic communications resources for transmission of pilots by UEs or femtocells. The macro base station configures either femtocells or active UEs to transmit pilots using the allocated communications resources based on the relative number of femtocells to active UEs in the coverage area of the macro base station, devices which are lower in number transmitting the pilots. Transmitters (UE devices or femtocells) transmit pilots along with identification information using the allocated resource(s) and receivers measure the pilot signals. The pilot signal measurements may be used to make handover decisions. | 09-18-2014 |
20140355610 | SWITCHED POWER LINE COMMUNICATION - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for power line communication (PLC) are provided. The apparatus receives a first packet, selects a bus from a plurality of PLC buses, each PLC bus isolated from other buses of the plurality of buses, and forwards the first packet to a destination PLC modem connected to the selected bus. A method and system for switched power line communication (PLC) is also provided. The system provides power to a plurality of PLC buses via a main circuit breaker, receives a first signal for communicating to a PLC bus, selects a PLC bus from the plurality of buses based on the first signal, communicates a second signal to the selected PLC bus, the second signal based on the first signal, and filters the second signal communicated to the selected PLC bus to prevent the second signal from passing through the main circuit breaker. | 12-04-2014 |
20150038136 | POWER EFFICIENT DISCOVERY OF LTE-DIRECT RELAY FOR OUT-OF-COVERAGE DEVICES - Methods, systems, and devices are described for managing wireless communications. In one method, a mobile device may determine to transition to a relay status. The relay status may indicate a capability of the mobile device to function as a relay device between at least one other mobile device and a base station. A peer discovery signal that indicates the relay status may then be transmitted. In another method, a mobile device may broadcast an out-of-coverage status indicator in a first peer discovery signal. A second peer discovery signal may be received from at least one other mobile device. The second peer discovery signal may indicate a capability of the at least one other mobile device to function as a relay device. | 02-05-2015 |
20150078369 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISSEMINATION OF TIMING INFORMATION IN DISTRIBUTED SYNCHRONIZATION DEVICE TO DEVICE NETWORKS - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with improving convergence to a common timing structure for devices in a distributed synchronization D2D network. In an example, a communications device is equipped to detect, by a UE, a synchronization signal during a listening slot duration scan of a communication channel. In an aspect, the listening slot duration may be defined based on a first timing structure, and the synchronization signal may be defined based on a second timing structure. The communications device may further be equipped to obtain timing information associated with the second timing structure from the synchronization signal, and determine whether the first timing structure or the second timing structure is a preferred timing structure. | 03-19-2015 |