Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Multicomputer synchronizing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-27
2003-10-28
Najjar, Saleh (Department: 2157)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Multicomputer synchronizing
C370S328000, C370S329000, C370S338000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06640253
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention relates to computer terminals or network addressible units operated in ad hoc wireless networks, and more particularly to the network architecture, configuration software, and inter-network messaging and communications protocols needed to support updating message and synchronization services between network units operated in such networks, and from network to network.
2. Background of the Invention
Wireless and radio frequency (RF) protocols are known which support the logical interconnection of portable roaming terminals having a variety of types of communication capabilities to host computers. The logical interconnections are based upon an infrastructure in which at least some of the remote terminals are capable of communicating with at least two of the access points when located within a predetermined range therefrom, each terminal unit being normally associated with and in communication with a single one of such access points. Based on the overall spatial layout, response time, and loading requirements of the network, different networking schemes and communication protocols have been designed so as to most efficiently regulate the communications between a given terminal and the network through the selected access point. One such protocol is set forth in the ISO/IEC 8802-11, or ANSI/IEEE Std 802.11 entitled “Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications” (1999 edition) available from the IEEE Standards Department, Piscataway, N.J. (hereinafter the “IEEE 802.11 Standard”).
Prior to the present invention, there has not been a simple, ad hoc network architecture which would allow a user of a network to automatically control the status and operation of network units on a dynamic basis without the use of a controller, master station, or other centralization unit.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
1. Object of the Invention
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a dynamic logical messaging and communications protocol and network architecture in an ad hoc wireless network.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for updating and sychronizing network units in a ad hoc network using announcement messages.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a logical interface between network units in an ad hoc wireless personal area network.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a low cost, consumer wireless ad hoc communications network for controlling light switches, appliances, and other portable or stationary network units.
It is an even further object of the invention to provide a method which can be used to accomplish one or more of the above objectives.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, including the following detail description as well as by practice of the invention. While the invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional applications, modifications and embodiments in other fields, which are within the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein and with respect to which the invention could be of significant utility.
2. Features of the Invention
The present invention provides a method for providing control signals or updates to network addressable nodes including the steps of periodically broadcasting an announcement message from each network unit, including the state value and user identification information; receiving the announcement message at each node on the network; and processing the state value and the user identification information to determine a new state value for each node based upon the state value of at least one other node. The invention further provides a method of operating an wireless area network in which each unit has a state value at any given time, including the steps of broadcasting from each unit in the network its identity and state value; and receiving in each mobile unit in the network the identity and state value of every other unit and computing a predetermined Boolean expression in each respective mobile unit a new state value based upon the received identities and state values.
The novel features and characteristics of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as other features and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to a detailed description of a specific embodiment, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt
Jacobs LaShonda
Najjar Saleh
Symbol Technologies Inc.
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