OPERATING A CLUSTER OF PEER-TO-PEER DEVICES

摘要

A system, apparatus, and method are provided for operating a peer-to-peer communication environment. The environment includes one or more clusters of peer devices, wherein devices in a single cluster are organized into a logical hierarchy under an anchor master (at the root of the hierarchy) and any number of synchronization masters; other devices are non-master devices. Synchronization parameters established by the anchor master and disseminated throughout the hierarchy enable the clusters' devices to rendezvous, discover peers and services, and communicate among themselves. The anchor master may adjust the synchronization parameters to avoid conflict with another hierarchy. Each device issues beacons (e.g., heartbeats, discovery beacons) that identify the number of devices synchronized with the reporting device, which allows the anchor master to calculate the total number of cluster members. Devices may also report details of a neighboring cluster (e.g., its synchronization parameters) via a beacon or some other communication.

主权项

1. A device, comprising:
a processor; a memory configured to store:
an identity of a current master of the device; andsynchronization parameters to facilitate synchronization with one or more peer devices; and a wireless transceiver for conducting wireless communications; wherein the processor and the wireless transceiver are configured to:
synchronize with the one or more peer devices to form a cluster of devices;detect one or more parameters of a foreign cluster of devices; andinform at least one peer device of the one or more parameters of the foreign cluster.