Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to facilitating apparatus interaction. In at least one example embodiment of the present invention, apparatuses may comprise both triggered communication activities and automated communication activities. Triggered communication activities may correspond to, for example, user and/or application instigated actions in a wireless apparatus. Automated activities may occur without any requirement for user intervention, and further, without any notification to the user that an action has occurred.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     The present U.S. patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/396,834, filed on Mar. 3, 2009, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120. The disclosure of the above priority application is incorporated herein, in entirety, by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     Various embodiments of the present invention pertain generally to wireless link establishment, and in particular, to establishing beacon periods of varying frequency. 
     2. Background 
     Wireless communication has moved from simply being concerned with conveying verbal information to being more focused on total digital interactivity. While originally limited to voice communication (e.g., telephone calls on cellular handsets), enhancements in wireless technology have substantially improved ability, quality of service (QoS), speed, etc. These developments have contributed to an insatiable desire for new functionality. Portable wireless apparatuses are no longer just tasked with making telephone calls. They have become integral, and in some cases essential, tools for managing the professional and/or personal life of users. 
     The effect of this evolving technology may be seen in instances where a plurality of apparatuses have been replaced with a single multifunction device. The functionality that was formally provided by landline telephones and facsimiles, laptop computers, portable digital assistants (PDA), game systems, music players, digital storage devices may be supported in a single digital communication apparatus. The above functionality may be further supplemented through the provision of applications that were not previously available in portable apparatuses (e.g., directional/tracking features, wireless financial transactions, social networking, etc.). 
     Such functionality, both existing and emerging, require systems and strategies for seamlessly interconnecting users. In particular, apparatus users will desire a virtually immediate response when applications or functions are executed. Any delay or inaccuracy in the response will negatively impact on a user&#39;s satisfaction with the application or function, and thus, may be detrimental to the acceptance of the application or function by the consuming public. 
     SUMMARY 
     Example embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a method, apparatus, computer program and system for facilitating apparatus interaction. In accordance with at least one example implementation, apparatuses operating within communication range of each other (e.g., in the same operational space) may interact wirelessly without user intervention. This interaction may comprise data-type information exchanges conducted over distributed local networks. Distributed local networks may establish/maintain connectivity between apparatuses without visibility from the user/application level through the use of simple low-level messaging. 
     In accordance with various example embodiments of the present invention, network connections may be established in accordance with protocols dictated by the particular wireless communication medium being employed. In some instances, apparatuses participating in these networks may be kept in synchronization through the use of beaconing. While a beacon may establish timing for the entire network, certain apparatuses may desire (or may be required) to be active less frequently than dictated by network beaconing. For example, apparatuses with limited resources, low messaging levels, etc. may have activity requirements substantially below the frequency established by the beacon. These apparatuses may select an operational mode that uses a beacon period that is lower than the standard beacon period, or a “diluted” beacon period. 
     In at least one implementation, beaconing apparatuses may also transmit one or more associated diluted beacon period indications in each beacon frame. Diluted beacon period indications may be communicated in terms of predefined information elements (IEs), and may be “associated” with a beacon in that the frequency of a diluted beacon may be expressed as a multiple of the primary beaconing period. Since diluted beacon periods are defined by the apparatus transmitting the network beacon, the operational mode of apparatuses that join the network may be established after beacon synchronization, and may further be communicated within the network so that periods where apparatuses may be contending for access to a wireless communication medium may be known to the other networked apparatuses. 
     The above summarized configurations or operations of various embodiments of the present invention have been provided merely for the sake of explanation, and therefore, are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, inventive elements associated herein with a particular example embodiment of the present invention can be used interchangeably with other example embodiments depending, for example, on the manner in which an embodiment is implemented. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be further understood from the following description of various exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  discloses examples of hardware and software resources that may be utilized when implementing various example embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  discloses an example network environment in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  discloses examples of various types of messaging that may be utilized in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  discloses an example of message propagation that may result in distributed local web formation in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  discloses example beacon implementations that are usable in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  discloses an example of host responsibilities and modem responsibilities in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  discloses examples of various packet structures in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  discloses a flowchart for an example communication process in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     While the present invention has been described herein in terms of a multitude of example embodiments, various changes or alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims. 
     I. General System with which Embodiments of the Present Invention May be Implemented 
     An example of a system that is usable for implementing various embodiments of the present invention is disclosed in  FIG. 1 . The system comprises elements that may be included in, or omitted from, configurations depending, for example, on the requirements of a particular application, and therefore, is not intended to limit present invention in any manner. 
     Computing device  100  may be, for example, a laptop computer. Elements that represent basic example components comprising functional elements in computing device  100  are disclosed at  102 - 108 . Processor  102  may include one or more devices configured to execute instructions, wherein a group of instructions may be constituted, for example, as program code. In at least one scenario, the execution of program code may include receiving input information from other elements in computing device  100  in order to formulate an output (e.g., data, event, activity, etc). Processor  102  may be a dedicated (e.g., monolithic) microprocessor device, or may be part of a composite device such as an ASIC, gate array, multi-chip module (MCM), etc. 
     Processor  102  may be electronically coupled to other functional components in computing device  100  via a wired or wireless bus. For example, processor  102  may access memory  102  in order to obtain stored information (e.g., program code, data, etc.) for use during processing. Memory  104  may generally include removable or imbedded memories that operate in a static or dynamic mode. Further, memory  104  may include read only memories (ROM), random access memories (RAM), and rewritable memories such as Flash, EPROM, etc. Code may include any interpreted or compiled computer language including computer-executable instructions. The code and/or data may be used to create software modules such as operating systems, communication utilities, user interfaces, more specialized program modules, etc. 
     One or more interfaces  106  may also be coupled to various components in computing device  100 . These interfaces may allow for inter-apparatus communication (e.g., a software or protocol interface), apparatus-to-apparatus communication (e.g., a wired or wireless communication interface) and even apparatus to user communication (e.g., a user interface). These interfaces allow components within computing device  100 , other apparatuses and users to interact with computing device  100 . Further, interfaces  106  may communicate machine-readable data, such as electronic, magnetic or optical signals embodied on a computer readable medium, or may translate the actions of users into activity that may be understood by computing device  100  (e.g., typing on a keyboard, speaking into the receiver of a cellular handset, touching an icon on a touch screen device, etc.) Interfaces  106  may further allow processor  102  and/or memory  104  to interact with other modules  108 . For example, other modules  108  may comprise one or more components supporting more specialized functionality provided by computing device  100 . 
     Computing device  100  may interact with other apparatuses via various networks as further shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, hub  100  may provide wired and/or wireless support to devices such as computer  114  and server  116 . Hub  100  may be further coupled to router  112  that allows devices on the local area network (LAN) to interact with devices on a wide area network (WAN, such as Internet  120 ). In such a scenario, another router  130  may transmit information to, and receive information from, router  112  so that devices on each LAN may communicate. Further, all of the components depicted in this example configuration are not necessary for implementation of the present invention. For example, in the LAN serviced by router  130  no additional hub is needed since this functionality may be supported by the router. 
     Further, interaction with remote devices may be supported by various providers of short and long range wireless communication  140 . These providers may use, for example, long range terrestrial-based cellular systems and satellite communication, and/or short-range wireless access points in order to provide a wireless connection to Internet  120 . For example, personal digital assistant (PDA)  142  and cellular handset  144  may communicate with computing device  100  via an Internet connection provided by a provider of wireless communication  140 . Similar functionality may be included in devices, such as laptop computer  146 , in the form of hardware and/or software resources configured to allow short and/or long range wireless communication. 
     II. Example Networking Environment 
       FIG. 2  discloses an example operational space that will be utilized to describe various example embodiments of the present invention. The example scenario depicted in  FIG. 2  is utilized herein only for the sake of explanation, and therefore, is not intended to limit the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. Operational spaces may be defined using various criteria. For example, a physical space like a building, theatre, sports arena, etc. may be utilized to define an area in which users interact. Otherwise, operational spaces may be defined in view of apparatuses utilizing particular wireless transports, apparatuses within communication range (e.g., a certain distance) of each other, apparatuses that are in certain classes or groups, etc. 
     Wireless-enabled apparatuses  200  are labeled “A” to “G” in  FIG. 2 . Apparatuses  200  may, for example, correspond to any of the wireless-enabled apparatuses that were disclosed in  FIG. 1 , and may further include at least the resources discussed with respect to apparatus  100 . For the sake of example herein, these apparatuses may operate utilizing at least one wireless communication medium in common. That is, all apparatuses in the example of  FIG. 2  are at least able to wirelessly communicate with each other within the operational space, and therefore, may participate in the same wireless communication network. 
     III. Examples of Messaging 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , an example of communication between apparatuses in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention is disclosed at  300 . While only apparatus  200 A and apparatus  200 B are shown, the disclosed example scenario is being utilized only for the sake of explanation herein, and is not intended to limit the scope or applicability of any embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, the various example embodiments of the present invention, such as disclosed herein, may be implemented in order to facilitate wireless interaction between two or more apparatuses existing in an operational space. 
     Additional detail with respect to communication example  300  is disclosed further in  FIG. 3 . Apparatus  200 A may have communication requirements that require interaction with apparatus  200 B. For example, these requirements may comprise interactions by apparatus users, applications residing on the apparatuses, etc. that trigger the transmission of messages that may be generally classified under the category of data-type communication  302 . Data-type communication may be carried out using tiny messages that may be transmitted between apparatus  200 A and  200 B. However, some form of wireless network link or connection must first be established before any data type communication messages  302  may be exchanged. 
     Network establishment and MAC management messages  304  may be utilized to establish and maintain an underlying wireless network architecture within an operating space that may be utilized to convey data type communication messages  302 . In accordance with various example embodiments of the present invention, messages containing apparatus configuration, operation and status information may be exchanged to transparently establish wireless network connections when, for example, an apparatus enters an operating space. Network connections may exist between any or all apparatuses existing within the operating space, and may be in existence for the entire time that an apparatus resides in the operating space. In this way, data-type communication messages  302  may be conveyed between apparatuses over already existent networks (a new network connection does not need to be negotiated at the time the message is to be sent), which may in turn reduce response delay and increase quality of service (QoS). 
     The example scenario disclosed in  FIG. 2  is now revisited in  FIG. 4 , which shows an example of distributed local network formation utilizing automated network establishment and MAC management messages  304 . Apparatuses  200  that enter into operational space  210  may immediately begin to formulate network connections through the exchange operational information. Again, the exchange of this information may occur without any prompting from, or even knowledge of, a user. An example of this interactivity is shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein various network establishment and MAC management messages  304  are exchanged between apparatuses A to G. In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention, messages may be exchanged directly between an originating apparatus (e.g., the apparatus that is described by the information elements in a message) and a receiving apparatus. Alternatively, messages corresponding to one or more apparatuses in operational space  210  may be forwarded from one apparatus to another, thereby disseminating the information for multiple apparatuses. 
     IV. Example Operational Parameter: Diluted Beacon Period 
     An example of information that may be communicated in network establishment and MAC management messages  304  (e.g., through the use in an information element) is now disclosed in  FIG. 5 . The activity flow disclosed at  500  represents an example implementation using selected features of wireless local area networking or WLAN (as set forth in the IEEE 802.11 specification). However, various embodiments of the present invention are not strictly limited to WLAN, and thus, may be applied to various wireless network architectures using various wireless mediums. 
     The WLAN logical architecture comprises stations (STA), wireless access points (AP), independent basic service sets (IBSS), basic service sets (BSS), distribution systems (DS), and extended service sets (ESS). Some of these components map directly to hardware devices, such as stations and wireless access points. For example wireless access points may function as bridges between stations and a network backbone (e.g., in order to provide network access). An independent basic service set is a wireless network comprising at least two stations. Independent basic service sets are also sometimes referred to as an ad hoc wireless network. Basic service sets are wireless networks comprising a wireless access point supporting one or multiple wireless clients. Basic service sets are also sometimes referred to as infrastructure wireless networks. All stations in a basic service set may interact through the access point. Access points may provide connectivity to wired local area networks and provides bridging functionality when one station initiates communication to another station or with a node in a distribution system (e.g., with a station coupled to another access point that is linked through a wired network backbone). 
     In wireless network architectures like WLAN, beacon signals may be utilized to synchronize the operation of networked apparatuses. In situations where new ad hoc networks are being created, the initiating apparatus may establish beaconing based on it owns clock, and all apparatuses that join the network may conform to this beacon. Similarly, apparatuses that desire to join an existing wireless network may synchronize to the existing beacon. In the case of WLAN, apparatuses may synchronize to beacon signals utilizing a timing synchronization function (TSF). The timing synchronization function is a clock function that is local to an apparatus that synchronizes to and tracks the beacon period. 
     An example of a beacon signal is shown in  FIG. 5  at  502  wherein a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) indicates the targeted beacon transmission. This time may be deemed “targeted” because the actual beacon transmission may be a somewhat delayed from the TBTT due to, for example, the channel being occupied at TBTT. The apparatuses that are active in the network may communicate with each other in accordance with the beacon period. However, there may be instances where it may not be beneficial, and may possibly even be detrimental, for apparatuses to be active during each beacon period. For example, apparatuses that do not expect frequent communication within the wireless network may not benefit from being active for every beacon period. Moreover, apparatuses with limited power or processing resource may be forced to waste these precious resources by the requirement of being active for every beacon period. 
     In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention, functionality may be introduced utilizing the example distributed wireless network described above to allow apparatuses to operate at a standard beaconing rate, or alternatively, using a “diluted” beaconing rate. “Diluted” beaconing may entail a beaconing mode operating at a lower frequency than the beaconing rate originally established in the network. Diluted beaconing may be based on information (e.g., information elements) that is included in network beacon frames, wherein the included information may express one or more diluted beacon rates as multiples of the beacon. Using the beacon and the one or more associated diluted beacon period indications contained within beacon frames, networked apparatuses may elect to operate (e.g., via random contention) based either on the beacon or a diluted beacon period. In particular, all apparatuses may synchronize to the same initial target beacon transmission time (TBTT), for example when TSF=0, and may then count the number periods that occur after the initial TBTT based on the internal TSF function. In this way, apparatuses operating using a diluted beacon period may be active on TBTT counts that corresponds to the multiple defined by the diluted beaconing period. 
     An example diluted beacon rate of every 10 th  TBTT is disclosed in  FIG. 5  at  504 . The decision on a beaconing rate to utilize may be handled by each apparatus individually, (e.g., in the protocol stacks that manage operation of a radio modem). All apparatuses, however, will operate based on a beacon interval that remains the same for the lifetime of the network. In view of the requirement that the beacon interval remain unchanged for the duration of the wireless network, the diluted beacon signal may be expressed as a multiple of the beacon signal. In the example disclosed in  FIG. 5 , and as set forth above, the first TBTT is equivalent TSF=0. This initial value is dictated by the apparatus that formed the network. Other apparatuses that subsequently join the network may adopt this beacon interval parameter and TBTT timing. For example, the TBTT at TSF=0 is the “base point” that determines when beacons are transmitted. All the devices in network update their own TSF counters as per legacy synchronization rules, and from the TSF they may determine the particular TBTT in which to participate in beaconing assuming that, regardless of the beaconing rate, the first beacon was transmitted at TSF=0. 
     For example, in a network with four apparatuses where devices 1, 2 and 4 operate using a diluted beaconing mode having an example frequency (e.g., a time period between beacon transmissions) of every 6 th  TBTT all apparatuses may remain synchronized, but only device  3  would be active (e.g., “competing”) in beaconing periods 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, while all apparatuses may participate in TBTT 0, TBTT 6, TBTT 12, etc. Therefore, there can be at least two different beacon periods among the apparatuses, and possibly further diluted beacon periods as each apparatus may select its own diluted beaconing period based on the original beaconing period and the one or more associated diluted beacon period indications transmitted therewith. 
     In accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention, beacons will contain a diluted beacon period parameter. The diluted beacon period parameter may, for example, be carried in vendor-specific information elements (IEs). Diluted beacon period parameter values may remain the same for the lifetime of the network. However, should there be need for more flexibility, other beacon rate periods may be predefined, and all of the predefined beacon rate periods may signaled in a manner similar to the diluted beaconing rate. 
       FIG. 6  discloses an example of the responsibilities of host  600  (e.g., upper level control layers that reside above a radio modem in apparatuses) and the responsibilities of radio modem  604 . The term “radio modem” in this instance may also be considered to encompass more complex radio “modules” that incorporate additional functionality into the radio modem. For example, host  600  may be responsible for commands instructing a modem to start a network (or to join a network) and the determination of whether to utilize a beacon interval or diluted beacon period given to the modem. Host  600  may further be responsible for post-processing related to received beacons, the formation of beacons for transmission by the radio modem (e.g., when an apparatus is establishing a new network), communicating with networked apparatuses using host-level protocols (e.g., that exploit WLAN data type frames). Moreover, beacon rate transition notifications (e.g., beacon rate changes during the life of a network) can be conveyed in both beacons (e.g., vendor-specific information elements) or in host-level protocol messages. 
     Host-Modem Interface (I/F)  602  can be either a physical interface between two physically separate entities, like a host processor and wireless modem, or a logical (software) interface inside one physical entity, like wireless modem, or may comprise combinations of both. 
     The responsibilities of radio modem  604  may include, in the instance of network establishment, determining the actual time of the first TBTT (and subsequent TBTTs that are separated in accordance with the beacon interval). Further radio modem  604  may count the number TBTTs that have occurred, and may participate in beaconing for every TBTT (e.g., standard beaconing) or every Nth multiple of the TBTT (e.g., diluted beaconing) in accordance with the configuration defined by host  600 , may provide received beacon signals to the host for post-processing and may transmit and receive frames as in standard WLAN ad hoc networking. 
     Various example implementations of the present invention may utilize “standard” beacon frame formats, such as disclosed at  700  in  FIG. 7 . The body of beacon frames contains a sequence of information fields that may, for example, be dedicated for fixed format fields (e.g., fields that are always fixed in the same position of the frame), or information elements (IEs) that may be the formatted as disclosed at  702  and  704 . Beacon interval is a dedicated fixed field that is used to indicate the number of time units between TBTTs (e.g., as in the standard WLAN). 
     Beacons may also utilize vendor-specific information elements to indicate diluted beacon period values. Per the example disclosed at  706 , the first three octets of the information field may contain an organizationally unique identifier (OUI) corresponding to manufacturers, vendors, service-providers, etc. This OUI may further define the content of a particular vendor specific information element. The OUI field may be publicly available information that is assigned by an organization like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Such as in the example disclosed at  708 , a diluted beacon period can be associated with its own OUI, or the OUI may correspond to, for example, a device vendor or service provider specific OUI and indication of diluted beacon period parameter is in the vendor-specific content. 
     A flowchart of an example communication process in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention is now described with respect to  FIG. 8 . In step  800  links between apparatuses may be created, for example, when apparatuses enter into a particular area (e.g., an operational space) that contains other wireless-enabled apparatuses. Linking may comprise the establishment of new networks, or alternatively, apparatuses joining existing networks. In situations where new networks need to be established (e.g., as determined in step  802 ) at least one apparatus may enter a new network creation mode in step  804 . The new network creation mode may comprise beacon transmission wherein, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, beacon frames may comprise a timing signal and one or more associated diluted beacon indications. Apparatuses may then participate in the network based on a particular operational mode (in this example as beaconing apparatus) in step  806  until the network is discontinued as determined in step  808 . The process may then return to step  800  to await further requirements for link establishment. 
     If an existing network to which membership is desired is determined in step  802 , then apparatus desiring network membership may attempt to synchronize to the network beacon in step  810 . For example, an attempt may be made to synchronize the clock provided by the timing synchronization function to the beacon. The timing synchronization function allows network apparatuses to track the beacon signal and keep synchronized with the other apparatuses in the network. Upon synchronization, as determined in step  812 , control entities (e.g., host  600 ) in devices that desire network membership may then determine an operational mode in step  814 . 
     The criteria for selecting operational mode may be determined in view of, for example, the activity in an apparatus that necessitated the communication, current apparatus operating condition, the abilities/functionality of apparatuses, etc. Once a mode has been selected from the available operational modes defined by, for example, a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and/or one or more associated diluted beacon period indications (all of which may be transmitted in beacon frames), the process may proceed to step  806  wherein the apparatus may participate in the network in accordance with the selected operational mode. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus may participate in the network (e.g., contention) based on, for example, a multiple of the beacon period that is defined by the beaconing mode. The operational mode selected in apparatuses may also be known by other apparatuses, for example, through messages that contain predefined information elements (IEs) created for this purpose. Participation in the network may continue in step  806  until the network is discontinued in step  808 . The process may then return to step  800  to await the next requirement for link establishment. 
     If synchronization is not successful in step  812 , apparatuses that desire to join an existing network may continue to attempt synchronization with the existing beacon in step  810  until a threshold condition is met (as determined in step  816 ). Possible threshold conditions may comprise, for example, a duration of time without successful beacon synchronization (e.g., a timeout), a number of unsuccessful synchronization attempts, etc. Once the threshold condition has been determined to be met in step  816 , the process may proceed to step  818  wherein a decision is made that the existing network is not available. The process may then return to step  802  and follow the process flow pertaining to new network creation (e.g., steps  802 - 808 ). 
     Further to the above, the various example embodiments of the present invention are not strictly limited to the above implementations, and thus, other configurations are possible. 
     For example, apparatuses in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention may comprise means for receiving a beacon frame comprising a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to a wireless network, means for synchronizing a timing signal function to the received beacon timing signal, and means for determining a mode of operation based on the timing signal function, the beacon period indication and the diluted beacon period indication. 
     Another example apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention may comprise means for initiating a wireless network, and means for transmitting one or more beacon frames, the beacon frames including a timing signal, an associated beacon period indication and an associated diluted beacon period indication corresponding to the wireless network. 
     Accordingly, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form a and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.