Apple Inc.

Stuart David Cheshire

Joshua V Graessley

Ethan T Bold

Kiren Ravi Sekar

J Rhoads Hollowell, Ii

Joe Liu

R Dean Reece

Mohan Parthasarathy

Terrin D Eager

In embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, i.e., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an architecture to implement proximity Wi-Fi communications, including, architecture design, timing and clock management, communication protocols, including discovery, device addressing, and termination, as well as security.

Proximity Wi-Fi

This document describes a 'hybrid proxy,' which is a network node that enables hosts outside of a link to discover services that are available on the link, by answering service discovery queries from hosts outside of the link. A hybrid proxy may use 'zero configuration' networking technologies such as Multicast Domain Name System (mDNS), Domain Name System-Service Discovery (DNS-SD), and/or Domain Name System Long-Lived Queries (DNS-LLQ). As one example, a hybrid proxy may receive a unicast DNS-SD query, transmit a corresponding mDNS query on its link to obtain information responsive to the query, and then transmit a unicast DNS-SD response to the querying host. As another example, a hybrid proxy may receive a unicast DNS-LLQ query, transmit an initial DNS-LLQ answer to the querying host, transmit an mDNS query on its link to obtain additional information, and then transmit subsequent DNS-LLQ update messages to the querying host.

Hybrid unicast/multicast DNS-based service discovery

Domain Name System (DNS) Queries and DNS Responses both use the same packet format. The DNS packet format includes a header section, a question section, an answer section, an authority record section and an additional record section. In conventional DNS Queries, the header section and the question section are used; the answer section, authority record section and additional record section are empty. In the present invention, when issuing a query, the client places the question in the question section as usual, and places all the answers it already knows into the (previously empty) answer section. When receiving a query, a responder checks to make sure that the answer it is about to give is not already included in the answer section. If the answer is listed in the answer section of the query, it means that the client already has that information, and doesn't need to be told again.

Method and apparatus for supporting duplicate suppression when issuing multicast queries using DNS-format message packets

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. During operation, the system uses the first electronic device to create a discovery request comprising a first group identifier (ID) associated with the first electronic device, wherein using the first electronic device to create the discovery request involves encrypting the first group ID and including the encrypted first group ID in the discovery request. Next, the system transmits the discovery request to the second electronic device, wherein the discovery request is used by the second electronic device to generate a discovery response to the discovery request.

Private discovery of electronic devices

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reconfirmation of resource records in a cache. The system starts by retrieving the resource record at a client and attempting to establish communication using the data in that resource record. In the event that communication is not successful, the system responds by issuing one or more queries for the resource record in question. The system then waits for a response to the query. If the response to the query is not received in a pre-determined amount of time, the system invalidates the resource record. The response from the device is a multicast response, thereby allowing other clients to update corresponding resource records in their local caches without querying the device, and thus saving network bandwidth.

Method and apparatus for accelerating the expiration of resource records in a local cache

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that suppresses interrupts to facilitate efficient use of a processor in a computer system. The system includes a node that transmits a first interrupt to the processor upon receiving a first packet for processing at the processor and disables subsequent interrupts to the processor during an interrupt-suppression state in the processor. The system also includes the processor, which processes the first packet upon receiving the first interrupt and transmits a first acknowledgment of the first packet to the node to enable the interrupt-suppression state.

Interrupt suppression strategy

Internet protocol (IP) addresses are received from one or more domain name service (DNS) servers for accessing a remote host in response to a DNS query. The IP addresses are prioritized based on a list of preferred network interfaces associated with a plurality of networks. A network connection is established with the remote host using the most prioritized one of the IP addresses and a network protocol associated with the most prioritized IP address, where the most prioritized IP address is routable to reach the remote host over a network via the most preferred network interface.

Address family preference in multiple network interface environments

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates reconfirmation of resource records in a cache. The system starts by retrieving the resource record at a client and attempting to establish communication using the data in that resource record. In the event that communication is not successful, the system responds by issuing one or more queries for the resource record in question. The system then waits for a response to the query. If the response to the query is not received in a predetermined amount of time, the system invalidates the resource record. The response from the device is a multicast response, thereby allowing other clients to update corresponding resource records in their local caches without querying the device, and thus saving network bandwidth.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for implementing a sleep proxy. The system starts by receiving a request at the sleep proxy for information pertaining to a service provided by a device. In response to this request, the system determines if the device is a member of a list of devices for which the sleep proxy takes action. If so, the system determines if the sleep proxy can answer the request. If so, the sleep proxy sends a response to the request on behalf of the device. In a variation on this embodiment, if the system cannot answer the request on behalf of the device, the system sends a wakeup packet to the device, wherein the wakeup packet causes the device to exit a power-saving mode so that the device can respond to the request directly.

Method and apparatus for implementing a sleep proxy for services on a network

Exemplary embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for powering up select components of a computer from a sleep state, maintaining a network state, and powering down the select components of the computer to return the computer to the sleep state are described. For one embodiment, a network interface and a fan controller receive power during the network state maintenance but a display or audio components do not receive power during the network state maintenance.

Dark wake

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses reverse advertising to configure a new wireless device to join an existing wireless network. During operation, the new wireless device broadcasts an advertisement for itself. In response to the advertisement, the new wireless device receives information from an existing wireless device on the existing wireless network. This information specifies how to join the existing wireless network. Next, the new wireless device uses the information to configure itself to join the existing wireless network.

Method and apparatus for configuring a wireless device through reverse advertising

A system that determines if a DNS server suffers from a particular known functional limitation. During operation, the system sends an exploratory query to the DNS server, wherein the exploratory query is specially constructed so as to detect the existence of a functional limitation in the DNS server without causing the DNS server to fail. Next, the system receives an answer to the exploratory query from the DNS server. If the DNS server gives an incorrect response, the system can take actions as may be desired for the implementation. For example, the system may display a message identifying the functional limitation, or the system may establish a mode of operation where it avoids performing those types of DNS queries known to present a risk of crashing the particular Internet gateway.

Method and apparatus for detecting incorrect responses to network queries

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that implements a long-lived query (LLQ) at a name server. During operation, the system receives an LLQ from a client at the name server, wherein the LLQ requests information related to one or more data items stored on the name server. In response to the LLQ, the system informs the client of updates to the one or more data items.

Method and apparatus for facilitating long-lived DNS queries

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for updating resource records in a name-server database. During system operation, a network node creates an update-request message containing a set of resource-record updates, and a requested lease, which specifies the length of time for which the name server is being requested to store the resource-record updates. Next, the network node sends the update-request message to a name server, which is part of a distributed system that provides a global naming service. The network node then receives a response message from the name server, wherein the response message contains a granted lease, which specifies the length of time for which the name-server database will store the resource-record updates.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Stuart David Cheshire