Patent ID: 6662229
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
A mobile communications station which communicates among a plurality of mobile stations in a network in which stations are arranged in clusters of communication member stations, with one member station in each cluster being a head station for the cluster, each member station communication with the network through one or more cluster head stations, the cluster head stations communicating with one cluster head stations, the mobile station including a transceiver which transmits signals to and receives signals from mobile stations in the network, said mobile communications station comprising:a memory having network information stored thereon; and a processor which (i) operates said mobile station as a cluster head station; (ii) resigns said mobile station from operating as a cluster head station; and (iii) maintains affiliation with a cluster head neighbor at least during a period in which said mobile station resigns from operating as a cluster head station and commences operating as a cluster member of the cluster head neighbor.