Access point assisted direct client discovery

摘要

A wireless access point device configured to serve wireless client devices in a wireless network monitors transmissions sent by direct clients capable of forming ad hoc networks with one or more other direct clients. Profile data is stored for each detected direct client. The profile data indicates device type and services of the direct client, as well as potentially other information. The wireless access point receives from a direct client a request for information concerning one or more other direct clients, and sends a response to the direct client containing information for other direct clients based on the stored profile data.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
at a wireless access point device, the wireless access point device includes a power supply, configured to serve wireless client devices in a wireless network, monitoring transmissions sent by direct clients capable of forming ad hoc networks with one or more other direct clients; storing profile data for each detected direct client, the profile data indicating device type, a location, and services of the direct client; at the wireless access point, receiving from a direct client a request for information concerning one or more other direct clients that are neighbors of the direct client from which the request is received, and for a particular service desired by the direct client; at the wireless access point, compiling a list and associated data indicating device type and services of the other direct clients based on the profile data, wherein the compiling includes selecting a subset of the other direct clients based on the locations of the direct client and the other direct clients stored in the profile data and whether the other direct clients offer the particular service desired by the direct client; and at the wireless access point: sending a response to the direct client containing information including the list of the subset of the other direct clients; sending a wake-up message to one of the other direct clients that provides the particular service; and sending a message to the direct client indicating a time when the one of the other direct clients is expected to be awake and on what channel the other direct client will be awake.