Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for connecting related applications over a peer-to-peer network wireless connection using layer 2 communications protocols to initiate the connection between the applications. The layer 2 communications protocols include discovery frames that may be used to discover various types of systems available on a wireless network. The discover frames also include application names or identifiers that may be used to discover which applications are available for connecting with other systems over the wireless network.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus having a wireless communication device (WCD) and methods for the WCD to wirelessly exchange messages with other devices. In some embodiments, such a WCD may send a message to reject an invitation to form a peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless connection between the WCD and a first device if the invitation is received by the WCD when the WCD has already established a P2P wireless connection with a second device. Other embodiments including additional apparatus and methods are described.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus having a wireless communication device (WCD) and methods for the WCD to wirelessly exchange messages with other devices. In some embodiments, such a WCD may send a message to reject an invitation to form a peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless connection between the WCD and a first device if the invitation is received by the WCD when the WCD has already established a P2P wireless connection with a second device. Other embodiments including additional apparatus and methods are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for dynamic channel allocation are disclosed. In various embodiments, an access point (AP) of an infrastructure based wireless network may allocate one or more wireless channels to wireless devices of a non-infrastructure based wireless network. The allocated channels may be selected to reduce a likelihood of communications among the devices of the non-infrastructure based wireless network interfering with communications among the devices of the infrastructure based wireless network. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for connecting related applications over a peer-to-peer network wireless connection using layer 2 communications protocols to initiate the connection between the applications. The layer 2 communications protocols include discovery frames that may be used to discover various types of systems available on a wireless network. The discover frames also include application names or identifiers that may be used to discover which applications are available for connecting with other systems over the wireless network.

Abstract: Embodiments of service discovery in a wireless network involve an Access Point (AP) proxy service to represent service providers. The AP manages service provider information, which is provided in response to service requests from service consumers. The AP proxy capability is advertised as a broadcast message in the wireless network.

Abstract: When two wireless communication devices discover each other and prepare to associate with each other, they perform a negotiation with each other to decide which will act as the network controller in that association. The negotiation may include an exchange of information indicating which device is more suitable to act as a network controller.

Abstract: An audible authentication of a wireless device for enrollment onto a secure wireless network includes an unauthorized wireless device that audibly emits a uniquely identifying secret code (e.g., a personal identification number (PIN)). In some implementations, the audible code is heard by the user and manually entered via a network-enrollment user interface. In other implementations, a network-authorizing device automatically picks up the audible code and verifies the code. If verified, the wireless device is enrolled onto the wireless network.

Abstract: In a method and system, a first wireless device may be periodically cycled between an available state and a power saving state. While in the available state, the first wireless device may receive a probe request sent from a second wireless device operating in a discovery state. The first wireless device may transmit a probe response to the second wireless device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of dynamically handing over master functionality from a wireless station configured as a master station to another peer station in a wireless network, comprising, discovering the peer station's Master/AP capability, which may be, but is not required to be, via a (Re)Association request, selecting the peer station to be a new master station based on predetermined parameters, passing the basic service set (BSS) context from the master station to the new master station in a master station Role Request message before transitioning, notifying the new master station to activate its master station role via the master station Role Request message, and switching by the client station to the role of new master station upon receipt of an AP Role Activation message and starting to send Beacons with a BSSID that is the same as used in Beacons of the previous master station.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for dynamic channel allocation are disclosed. In various embodiments, an access point (AP) of an infrastructure based wireless network may allocate one or more wireless channels to wireless devices of a non-infrastructure based wireless network. The allocated channels may be selected to reduce a likelihood of communications among the devices of the non-infrastructure based wireless network interfering with communications among the devices of the infrastructure based wireless network. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In a multi-channel wireless communications environment, at least one of the channels may be used for the purpose of allowing devices to discover each other so that they may subsequently communicate with each other on another channel. In some embodiments a special discovery beacon may be used on that channel, which is dedicated to the purpose of allowing the devices to discover each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for dynamic channel allocation are disclosed. In various embodiments, an access point (AP) of an infrastructure based wireless network may allocate one or more wireless channels to wireless devices of a non-infrastructure based wireless network. The allocated channels may be selected to reduce a likelihood of communications among the devices of the non-infrastructure based wireless network interfering with communications among the devices of the infrastructure based wireless network. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Described herein are one or more techniques for using an audible authentication of a wireless device for enrollment onto a secure wireless network. With one or more described techniques, an unauthorized wireless device audibly emits a uniquely identifying secret code (e.g., a personal identification number (PIN)). In some implementations, the audible code is heard by the user and manually entered via a network-enrollment user interface. In other implementations, a network-authorizing device automatically picks up the audible code and verifies the code. If verified, the wireless device is enrolled onto the wireless network.

Abstract: In a method and system, a first wireless device may be periodically cycled between an available state and a power saving state. While in the available state, the first wireless device may receive a probe request sent from a second wireless device operating in a discovery state. The first wireless device may transmit a probe response to the second wireless device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: When two wireless communication devices discover each other and prepare to associate with each other, they perform a negotiation with each other to decide which will act as the network controller in that association. The negotiation may include an exchange of information indicating which device is more suitable to act as a network controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of service discovery in a wireless network involve an Access Point (AP) proxy service to represent service providers. The AP manages service provider information, which is provided in response to service requests from service consumers. The AP proxy capability is advertised as a broadcast message in the wireless network.

Abstract: In a multi-channel wireless communications environment, at least one of the channels may be used for the purpose of allowing devices to discover each other so that they may subsequently communicate with each other on another channel. In some embodiments a special discovery beacon may be used on that channel, which is dedicated to the purpose of allowing the devices to discover each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for dynamic channel allocation are disclosed. In various embodiments, an access point (AP) of an infrastructure based wireless network may allocate one or more wireless channels to wireless devices of a non-infrastructure based wireless network. The allocated channels may be selected to reduce a likelihood of communications among the devices of the non-infrastructure based wireless network interfering with communications among the devices of the infrastructure based wireless network. Additional variants and embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a network device may transmit its desired proximity range in the form of a proximity information element (IE) in a beacon or a request frame. The IE may contain threshold values for a Receive Channel Power Indicator (RCPI) and a Receive Signal to Noise Indicator (RSNI). Only devices that receive the beacon or request frame with measured signal values at least as great as the RCPI and RSNI values will respond. Devices that receive the beacon or request frame with measured values less than the RCPI and/or the RSNI should not respond, thus reducing the volume of communications on the network at that time.