The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 10, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2002
Laurent Frelechoux, Thalwil, CH;
Michael Osborne, Au, CH;
Paolo Scotton, Horgen, CH;
Ilias Iliadis, Rueschlikon, CH;
Laurent Frelechoux, Thalwil, CH;
Michael Osborne, Au, CH;
Paolo Scotton, Horgen, CH;
Ilias Iliadis, Rueschlikon, CH;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the clustering of nodes which implement a cluster-based routing protocol in a data communications network system where the system comprises a plurality of such nodes which are interconnectable to form a plurality of ad hoc networks. For each node which is a member of a cluster, cluster control information (CCMs) is maintained, this cluster control information being dependent on the size of at least the cluster of which that node is a member. On connection of two nodes which are members of two respective clusters, each of the two nodes transmits its cluster control information to the other node, and then determines whether a clustering condition is satisfied. In each node, the clustering condition is dependent on the cluster control information maintained for that node and the cluster control information received from the other node. In each node, if the clustering condition is satisfied, the node then communicates a clustering agreement to the other node. If the clustering conditions of both nodes are satisfied for the two clusters, the two nodes exchange routing information to merge the two clusters.