System and method for advertising and communicating within a neighborhood aware network

Abstract

In a particular embodiment, a method includes sending, by a first mobile device, a first discovery message via a network advertisement protocol common to a plurality of mobile devices. The first discovery message includes information specific to a mobile device cluster that is a subset of the plurality of mobile devices. The method further includes receiving a message from a second mobile device sent based on the information specific to the mobile device cluster using a second cluster protocol that is different than the network advertisement protocol.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communication among mobile devices comprising:
 sending, by a first mobile device, a first discovery message via a network advertisement protocol common to a plurality of mobile devices, wherein the first discovery message includes information specific to a mobile device cluster that is a subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and   receiving a message from a second mobile device sent based on the information specific to the mobile device cluster using a second cluster protocol that is different than the network advertisement protocol.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the plurality of mobile devices forming a neighborhood-aware network (NAN). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , the mobile device cluster comprising mobile devices configured to execute a common mobile device application. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the common mobile device application is a social networking mobile device application, a gaming mobile device application, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of information indicating a wireless channel associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a timing parameter associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a network size of the mobile device cluster or information indicating the common mobile device application. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the message from the second mobile device includes a query for additional information associated with the mobile device cluster. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the first discovery message includes contending with other devices of the mobile device cluster to send the first discovery message via the network advertisement protocol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending a second discovery message advertising the mobile device cluster via the second cluster protocol, wherein contending to send the second discovery message includes:
 at a start time associated with a discovery interval, awakening from a low-power state to send the second discovery message;   selecting a randomized time within the discovery interval at which to send the second discovery message; and   contending with other mobile devices of the mobile device cluster to send the second discovery message via the second cluster protocol.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein contending to send the second discovery message is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sending the first discovery message includes:
 contending with other devices of the plurality of mobile devices to send discovery messages via the network advertisement protocol during a discovery interval;   if a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a second discovery message associated with the mobile device cluster, ceasing contention for a remainder of the discovery interval; and   if a mobile device of a second mobile device cluster that is not included in the mobile device cluster sends a third discovery message, continuing contention for a remainder of the discovery interval or until a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a discovery message.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein contending to send the discovery messages is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first discovery message is a discovery beacon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second discovery message via the network advertisement protocol, wherein the second discovery message includes second information specific to a second mobile device cluster that is a second subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and   using the second information to communicate with at least a third mobile device of the second mobile device cluster.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first wireless channel that is different than a second wireless channel associated with the second cluster protocol, wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first timing parameter that is different than a second timing parameter associated with the second cluster protocol, and wherein the first discovery message indicates the second wireless channel and the second timing parameter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 after sending the first discovery message, tuning a transceiver of the first mobile device from the first channel to the second channel; and   sending a second discovery message at a time determined by the second timing parameter via the second channel and using the second cluster protocol.   
     
     
         16 . A mobile device for communication with other mobile devices comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions executable by the processor to:
 send a first discovery message via a network advertisement protocol common to a plurality of mobile devices, wherein the first discovery message includes information specific to a mobile device cluster that is a subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and 
 receive a message from a second mobile device sent based on the information specific to the mobile device cluster using a second cluster protocol that is different than the network advertisement protocol. 
   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of mobile devices form a neighborhood-aware network (NAN). 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the mobile device cluster comprises mobile devices configured to execute a common mobile device application. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the common mobile device application is a social networking mobile device application, a gaming mobile device application, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of information indicating a wireless channel associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a timing parameter associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a network size of the mobile device cluster or information indicating the common mobile device application. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the message from the second mobile device includes a query for additional information associated with the mobile device cluster. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein sending the first discovery message includes contending with other devices of the mobile device cluster to send the first discovery message via the network advertisement protocol. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further stores instructions executable by the processor to send a second discovery message advertising the mobile device cluster via the second cluster protocol, wherein contending to send the second discovery message via the second cluster protocol includes:
 at a start time associated with a discovery interval, awakening from a low-power state to send the second discovery message;   selecting a randomized time within the discovery interval at which to send the second discovery message; and   contending with other mobile devices of the mobile device cluster to send the second discovery message via the second cluster protocol.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein contending to send the second discovery message is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further stores instructions executable by the processor to:
 contend with other devices of the plurality of mobile devices to send discovery messages via the network advertisement protocol during a discovery interval;   if a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a second discovery message associated with the mobile device cluster, cease contention for a remainder of the discovery interval; and   if a mobile device of a second mobile device cluster that is not included in the mobile device cluster sends a third discovery message, continue contention for a remainder of the discovery interval or until a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a discovery message.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein contending to send the discovery messages is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the first discovery message is a discovery beacon. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further stores instructions executable by the processor to:
 receive a second discovery message via the network advertisement protocol, wherein the second discovery message includes second information specific to a second mobile device cluster that is a second subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and   use the second information to communicate with at least a third mobile device of the second mobile device cluster.   
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first wireless channel that is different than a second wireless channel associated with the second cluster protocol, wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first timing parameter that is different than a second timing parameter associated with the second cluster protocol, and wherein the first discovery message indicates the second wireless channel and the second timing parameter. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the memory further stores instructions executable by the processor to:
 after sending the first discovery message, tune a transceiver of the first mobile device from the first channel to the second channel; and   send a second discovery message at a time determined by the second timing parameter via the second channel and using the second cluster protocol.   
     
     
         31 . A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to perform a method of communication among mobile devices, the method comprising:
 sending, by a first mobile device, a first discovery message via a network advertisement protocol common to a plurality of mobile devices, wherein the first discovery message includes information specific to a mobile device cluster that is a subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and   receiving a message from a second mobile device sent based on the information specific to the mobile device cluster using a second cluster protocol that is different than the network advertisement protocol.   
     
     
         32 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of mobile devices form a neighborhood-aware network (NAN). 
     
     
         33 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein the mobile device cluster comprises mobile devices configured to execute a common mobile device application. 
     
     
         34 . The medium of  claim 33 , wherein the common mobile device application is a social networking mobile device application, a gaming mobile device application, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The medium of  claim 33 , wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of information indicating a wireless channel associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a timing parameter associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a network size of the mobile device cluster or information indicating the common mobile device application. 
     
     
         36 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein the message from the second mobile device includes a query for additional information associated with the mobile device cluster. 
     
     
         37 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein sending the first discovery message includes contending with other devices of the mobile device cluster to send the first discovery message via the network advertisement protocol. 
     
     
         38 . The medium of  claim 31 , the method further comprising sending a second discovery message advertising the mobile device cluster via the second cluster protocol, wherein contending to send the second discovery message includes:
 at a start time associated with a discovery interval, awakening from a low-power state to send the second discovery message;   selecting a randomized time within the discovery interval at which to send the second discovery message; and   contending with other mobile devices of the mobile device cluster to send the second discovery message via the second cluster protocol.   
     
     
         39 . The medium of  claim 38 , wherein contending to send the second discovery message is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         40 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein sending the first discovery message includes:
 contending with other devices of the plurality of mobile devices to send discovery messages via the network advertisement protocol during a discovery interval;   if a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a second discovery message associated with the mobile device cluster, ceasing contention for a remainder of the discovery interval; and   if a mobile device of a second mobile device cluster that is not included in the mobile device cluster sends a third discovery message, continuing contention for a remainder of the discovery interval or until a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a discovery message.   
     
     
         41 . The medium of  claim 40 , wherein contending to send the discovery messages is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         42 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein the first discovery message is a discovery beacon. 
     
     
         43 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving a second discovery message via the network advertisement protocol, wherein the second discovery message includes second information specific to a second mobile device cluster that is a second subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and   using the second information to communicate with at least a third mobile device of the second mobile device cluster.   
     
     
         44 . The medium of  claim 31 , wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first wireless channel that is different than a second wireless channel associated with the second cluster protocol, wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first timing parameter that is different than a second timing parameter associated with the second cluster protocol, and wherein the first discovery message indicates the second wireless channel and the second timing parameter. 
     
     
         45 . The medium of  claim 44 , wherein the method further comprises:
 after sending the first discovery message, tuning a transceiver of the first mobile device from the first channel to the second channel; and   sending a second discovery message at a time determined by the second timing parameter via the second channel and using the second cluster protocol.   
     
     
         46 . An apparatus for communicating among mobile devices, comprising:
 means for sending a first discovery message via a network advertisement protocol common to a plurality of mobile devices, wherein the first discovery message includes information specific to a mobile device cluster that is a subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and   means for receiving a message from a second mobile device sent based on the information specific to the mobile device cluster using a second cluster protocol that is different than the network advertisement protocol.   
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the plurality of mobile devices form a neighborhood-aware network (NAN). 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the mobile device cluster comprises mobile devices configured to execute a common mobile device application. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the common mobile device application is a social networking mobile device application, a gaming mobile device application, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of information indicating a wireless channel associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a timing parameter associated with the mobile device cluster, information indicating a network size of the mobile device cluster or information indicating the common mobile device application. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the message from the second mobile device includes a query for additional information associated with the mobile device cluster. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising means for contending with other devices of the mobile device cluster to send the first discovery message via the network advertisement protocol. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising means for sending a second discovery message advertising the mobile device cluster via the second cluster protocol, wherein means for contending to send the second discovery message via the second cluster protocol includes:
 at a start time associated with a discovery interval, means for awakening from a low-power state to send the second discovery message;   means for selecting a randomized time within the discovery interval at which to send the second discovery message; and   means for contending with other mobile devices of the mobile device cluster to send the second discovery message via the second cluster protocol.   
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 53 , wherein means for contending to send the second discovery message is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 means for contending with other devices of the plurality of mobile devices to send discovery messages via the network advertisement protocol during a discovery interval;   if a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a second discovery message associated with the mobile device cluster, means for ceasing contention for a remainder of the discovery interval; and   if a mobile device of a second mobile device cluster that is not included in the mobile device cluster sends a third discovery message, means for continuing contention for a remainder of the discovery interval or until a mobile device of the mobile device cluster sends a discovery message.   
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein means for contending to send the discovery messages is performed according to a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) technique. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the first discovery message is a discovery beacon. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 means for receiving a second discovery message via the network advertisement protocol, wherein the second discovery message includes second information specific to a second mobile device cluster that is a second subset of the plurality of mobile devices; and   means for using the second information to communicate with at least a third mobile device of the second mobile device cluster.   
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first wireless channel that is different than a second wireless channel associated with the second cluster protocol, wherein the network advertisement protocol is associated with a first timing parameter that is different than a second timing parameter associated with the second cluster protocol, and wherein the first discovery message indicates the second wireless channel and the second timing parameter. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 59 , further comprising:
 after sending the first discovery message, means for tuning a transceiver of the first mobile device from the first channel to the second channel; and   means for sending a second discovery message at a time determined by the second timing parameter via the second channel and using the second cluster protocol.