Patent ID: 7545771

Claim:
A method for initiating a direct wireless link between a first wireless device and a second wireless device, performed at the first wireless device, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a first MAC data frame having a destination media access control (MAC) address of the second wireless device from the first wireless device to the second wireless device, wherein the first MAC data frame includes logical link control level direct link information encapsulated within the first MAC data frame; receiving a second MAC data frame at the first wireless device from the second wireless device, the second MAC data frame having a destination MAC address of the first wireless device, wherein the second MAC data frame includes logical link control level direct link information encapsulated within the second MAC data frame; transmitting a third MAC data frame from the first wireless device to the second wireless device, the third MAC data frame having a destination media access control (MAC) address of the second wireless device, wherein the third MAC data frame includes logical link control level direct link information encapsulated within the third MAC data frame; establishing a direct wireless data link between the first wireless device and the second wireless device utilizing parameters contained in the direct link information encapsulated at the logical link level in the third MAC data frame; wherein the first wireless device and the second wireless device are peer stations.