Methods and apparatus for WAN assisted contention detection and resolution in peer to peer networks

摘要

Various methods and apparatus are directed to collision detection and/or avoidance regarding peer to peer connection identifiers. A wireless communications device broadcasts a signal indicating its acquired connection identifier in one of two alternative blocks. A base station monitors peer to peer signaling in its coverage area and tracks the usage of peer to peer connection identifiers by pairs of devices. The base station detects when multiple pairs of devices are using the same peer to peer connection identifier. The base station provides assistance to the peer to peer network to avoid a collision or facilitate rapid collision detection by the peer to peer devices. In one approach the base station sends an instruction for a connection to switch its connection identifier. In another approach the base station sends a connection a message to bias its selection as to which of the two alternative blocks to use for transmission.

主权项

1. A method of operating a wireless communications device, the method comprising:
receiving from a base station at least one of: (i) an instruction to switch to a different peer to peer connection identifier when a peer to peer connection identifier currently being used by the wireless communications device is being used in a different peer to peer connection and (ii) a message to bias use of peer to peer connection signaling transmission resources to a first subset of resources corresponding to a peer to peer connection identifier in comparison to a second subset of resources corresponding to said peer to peer connection identifier; and switching from said current peer to peer connection identifier to another peer to peer connection identifier in response to said instruction to switch or detection of use of said current peer to peer connection identifier by another device.