System for transmitting high throughput data between multiple devices

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20070233776
  • Publication Number
    20070233776
  • Date Filed
    April 03, 2006
    18 years ago
  • Date Published
    October 04, 2007
    17 years ago
Abstract
A system for transmitting data directly between a plurality of client network devices in a network having an Access Point (“AP”) device separate from the plurality of client network devices is disclosed. The system may include a first client network device having a first client (“STA”) module and a second client network device of the plurality of client network devices.
Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.



FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a known network architecture for data transfer between IEEE 802.11 clients.



FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a known network architecture utilizing an IEEE 802.11e Direct Link Setup (“DLS”) functionality for data transfer between clients.



FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an example of an implementation of a network architecture of a system for transmitting high throughput data between multiple devices (“STDMD”) in accordance with the invention.



FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of implementation of a process for connecting multiple wireless devices, in accordance with the invention.


Claims
  • 1. A method for transmitting data directly between a plurality of client network devices in a network having an access point device separate from the plurality of client network devices, the method comprising: receiving a broadcast message at a first client network device in the plurality of client network devices, wherein the broadcast message includes information indicating network capabilities of a second client network device in the plurality of client network devices;determining the network capabilities of the second client network device in response to receiving the broadcast message;exchanging packet information with the second client network device based on the network capabilities of the second client network device; andestablishing a direct communication path with the second client network device, wherein the direct communication path is a signal path that does not include the access point device.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network capabilities include the capability of utilizing an Association Configuration Protocol (“ACP”).
  • 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the network capabilities of the second client network device includes determining an ACP type-length-value (“TLV”) from the broadcast message.
  • 4. The method of claim 3, further including entering into an ACP Active state in response to determining the network capabilities of the second client network device.
  • 5. The method of claim 4, further including entering into an ACP Window state at the second device after transmitting the broadcast message.
  • 6. The method of claim 5, wherein entering into an ACP Window state is responsive to an external input.
  • 7. The method of claim 3, wherein exchanging packet information includes transmitting an initialization message to an ACP Configurator within the second client network device.
  • 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the transmitting an initialization message includes utilizing an ACP Relay function.
  • 9. A system for transmitting data directly between a plurality of client network devices in a network having an Access Point (“AP”) device separate from the plurality of client network devices, the system comprising: a first client network device including a first client (“STA”) module and a second STA module, wherein the first STA module is configured to selectively communicate with the AP device; anda second client network device of the plurality of client network devices, wherein the second client network device includes an client AP module and a third STA module,wherein the third STA module is configured to selectively communicate with the AP device, andwherein the second STA module is configured to selectively communicate with the client AP module.
  • 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second client network device utilizes an Association Configuration Protocol (“ACP”).
  • 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the client AP module includes an ACP Configurator and the second STA module includes an ACP Client module.
  • 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first client network device is an IEEE 802.11 enabled device and the second client network device is an IEEE 802.11 enabled device.
  • 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the first client network device is a device configured as a network master device and the second client network device is a device configured as a network slave device.
  • 14. The system of claim 13 wherein both the first client network device and second client network device are wireless devices.
  • 15. A Dual Access Point and Station (“DAS”) enabled device for transmitting data directly between the DAS enabled device and a plurality of client network devices in a network having an Access Point (“AP”) device separate from the plurality of client network devices, the DAS enabled device comprising: a client (“STA”) module, wherein the STA module is configured to selectively communicate with the AP device or communicate directly with a first client network device from the plurality of client network devices; anda client AP module, wherein the client AP module is configured to selectively communicate directly with the first client network device or another client network device from the plurality of client network devices.
  • 16. The DAS enabled device of claim 15, wherein the DAS enabled device utilizes an Association Configuration Protocol (“ACP”).
  • 17. The DAS enabled device of claim 16, wherein the client AP module includes an ACP Configurator configured to communicate with an ACP Client module within the client network device.
  • 18. The DAS enabled device of claim 17, wherein the DAS enabled device is an IEEE 802.11 enabled device and the client network device is an IEEE 802.11 enabled device.
  • 19. The DAS enabled device of claim 17, wherein the DAS enabled device is a device configured as a network master device and the client network device is a device configured as a network slave device.
  • 20. The system of claim 19 wherein both the DAS enabled device and client network device are wireless devices.
  • 21. The DAS enabled device of claim 15, wherein the first client network device includes a first client AP module.
  • 22. The DAS enabled device of claim 15, wherein the DAS enabled device includes a second STA module, wherein the second STA module is configured to selectively communicate with the AP device or communicate directly with other client network devices from the plurality of client network devices.