Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with providing private expression protection in a wireless communications network. In one example, a UE is equipped to internally receive a request (e.g., from an application running on the UE) to announce a private expression and/or at least a reference to an expression-code associated with the private expression, and determine whether the reference to the expression-code and/or the expression-code matches a stored instance of the expression-code. In an aspect, the UE may be equipped to announce the at least one of the private expression or the expression-code when stored instance of the expression-code corresponds to the expression-code received with the request. In another aspect, the UE may be equipped to prohibit announcement of any information associated with the private expression when stored expression-code does not correspond to the expression-code received with the request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing discovery signals and/or generating alerts based on received discovery signals are described. In at least some embodiments, alert signal generation is performed on a selective basis in response to received discovery signals. In at least some embodiments a user is given at least some control over alert generation with the user being able to indicate types of signals which should not trigger generation of an alert, the minimum permitted frequency of particular alerts or types of alerts and/or time or location constraints which are considered when a device determines whether or not to generate an alert in response to a received discovery signal. While user control of discovery signal processing and alert generation are provided, automatic control or adjustment of discovery signal processing and alert generation may also be implemented or the automatic control may be implemented as an alternative to the user control.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to broadcasting data and interference management in a peer to peer wireless communications network are described. Scheduling of traffic air link resources is performed on a slot by slot basis in a decentralized manner. Wireless devices intending to broadcast traffic signals transmit broadcast request signals, sometimes alternatively referred to as broadcast indicator signals. A priority level is associated with each of the broadcast request signals. A receiver device intending to receive broadcast signals detects the broadcast request signals and makes an interference determination as to whether the higher priority broadcast traffic signal can be successfully recovered in the presence of lower priority broadcast traffic signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to routing in communications networks are described. Various embodiments are well suited to wireless communications systems lacking centralized control, e.g., a mobile wireless communications system supporting the dynamic formation and/or maintenance of overlapping peer-to-peer ad hoc networks. A node can establish multiple links, e.g., with different links corresponding to different overlapping networks. Next hop packet routing information, e.g., forwarding tables, are maintained on a per network basis. A node determines the next hop routing for a received packet to be forwarded based on the link upon which the packet was received, which is associated with a particular network, and the included packet destination address. The same destination address may, and sometimes does, correspond to different next hop nodes for different networks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing uplink macro-diversity in packet-switched networks that allows packets and/or portions of packets, e.g., frames, to be selectively sent from an end node, e.g., wireless communication device or mobile terminal, over a set of multiple communication connections, e.g., physical-layer or link-layer connections, to one or more access nodes, e.g., base stations. Uplink macro-diversity is achieved in part through intelligent selective forwarding over multiple communication connections, where the forwarding decision is controlled by the end node based on a variety of factors, e.g., physical-layer channel conditions and/or higher layer policy. The forwarding decision is executed on a rapid timescale, e.g., on a per packet basis, to adapt to the dynamically varying conditions of the set of communication connections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, communicating, and/or using sets of addresses corresponding to a communications device are described. A first communications device generates, from a public key and a random number, both a first address and a second address. The generated address pair is communicated to a second communications device along with proof of ownership information regarding the address pair via an address signaling message such as a binding update message. The second communications device processes the received address signaling message and determines address pair validity and/or address pair ownership information. The first address may be associated with a first network, e.g., an unsecure WAN network, while the second address may be associated with a second network, e.g., a secure peer to peer network. Decisions on switching between using the first address to using the second address may be based on address validity and/or address ownership determinations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus supporting enhanced discovery operations in peer to peer networks are described. Peer discovery, based on direct peer to peer discovery between two mobile nodes can be somewhat limited, e.g., due to power limitations, processing power, and/or channel conditions. An access point, e.g., base station, monitors for and receives peer discovery signals conveying a set of identifiers from a wireless communications device. The access point retransmits at least one identifier in the set in a wireless peer to peer communications channel. Thus the access point effectively extends the peer discovery range for wireless communications devices utilizing the peer to peer network. Wireless communications devices can monitor for and recover the rebroadcast peer discovery signals from access points. Thus, via access point signaling a wireless communications device can be made situationally aware of other devices of interest which would be otherwise outside its discovery detection range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to a peer to peer wireless communications system supporting secure advertisement of identification and/or discovery information e.g., upper layer discovery information, are described. Air interface timing and/or other information received from a third device, e.g., a beacon or GPS transmitter is incorporated in the computation of identification/discovery information which is communicated from a first device to a second device. The second device stores some identification/discovery credentials corresponding to the first device, which have been communicated out of band from the first device to the second device. Upon receipt of a identifier from a first device, the second device determines if the stored information corresponds to the device that transmitted the identifier. Various embodiments facilitate secure advertisement of identification and/or discovery information and discovery, e.g., selective discovery by trusted peers.

Abstract: Improved group communications methods which are well suited for a wireless environment are described. End nodes request that access nodes make changes in group membership information maintained at the access node. The access node responds to the requests by a response signal indicating a grant or denial of the request. Requests may be to add or remove the end node, e.g., a mobile wireless terminal, from a particular group membership list identified in the request signal. The access node maintains a detailed list of group members and uses the information to control how signals, e.g., packets, are transmitted to the group members. Group membership information may be updated at the access node at the time of handoff and/or an end node enters the cell or otherwise changes its point of network attachment.

Abstract: A method, a computer program product, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be equipped to obtain one or more application identifiers from one or more applications on a wireless device, generate a super identifier (SID) having elements corresponding to the one or more applications and a base that identifies one or more common properties of the one or more applications, and broadcast the SID during one or more peer discovery slots allocated for the wireless device. In another example, a UE may be equipped to receive the SID broadcast by another UE, determine a match between at least one of the one or more common properties in the base, and determine whether an element associated with one or more applications is present in the SID.

Abstract: Aspects describe spectrum authorization, access control, and configuration parameters validation. Devices in an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer configuration can utilize a licensed spectrum if the devices are authorized to use the spectrum, which can be determined automatically. Aspects relate to distribution of authorization tickets by an authorization server as a result of validating a device's credentials and services to which the device is entitled. An exchange and verification of authorization tickets can be performed by devices as a condition for enabling a validated wireless link using the spectrum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to packet fragmentation and reconstruction are described. A sequence of bits is generated including at least one header and at least partial packet payload prior to a determination of the actual data rate to be used in a communications segment. In some embodiments, the generated sequence of bits corresponds to a prepared information bit stream for a best case scenario in which the highest data rate is selected for segment. Various embodiments allow for the selection of the data rate to be used for the communications segment to be delayed until just prior to the transmission. Thus the selection of the data rate for the communications segment, and thus the segment capacity, can be based on more current channel condition information than would otherwise be possible if the communications device needed to know the data rate for the segment before performing header and packet fragmentation operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing user generated information, e.g., reviews, comments, suggestions relevant to a particular geographic region, using local access nodes and/or facilitating discovery of the availability of the locally stored and locally relevant content through the use of peer-to-peer signals are described. In various embodiments, the locally stored and available content can be discovered when passing within range a local access point, storing the locally relevant user provided content. User generated information, in some embodiments, can be stored subject to user specified sharing restrictions. In various embodiments, users can limit the information they are provided by controlling profile setting and/or a setting used to control what information is provided as they move through a region. In some embodiments, user provided information distribution and/or access can be, and sometimes is, restricted based on group membership, user identity and/or interests.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to wireless communications devices which support multiple modes of peer discovery operation. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of transmitting peer discovery information. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of monitoring peer discovery information. In various embodiments, a communications device determines whether or not to switch between different peer discovery modes of operation as a function of proximity to a location of interest. Proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon geographic position comparisons. Alternatively or in addition, proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon received signal strength measurements.

Abstract: A wireless node configured to store information, discover another wireless node by correlating the stored information with assist information from said another wireless node, and determine whether to establish a wireless link with said another wireless node based, at least in part, on the correlation.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to providing quality of service treatment to a subscriber (e.g., wireless terminal) based upon requests made on behalf of the subscriber by a plurality of logically separate entities from the subscriber. For instance, two network infrastructure devices, such as application servers, can initiate separate requests for quality of service treatment on behalf of the subscriber. Additionally or alternatively, a subscriber-side device can initiate a request for quality of service treatment on behalf of the subscriber. A provider of the quality of service treatment can provide appropriate treatment to one or more traffic flows based at least in part upon the requests.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus well suited for efficiently communicating small amounts of information relatively frequently in a wireless communications system are described. An uplink timing frequency structure for an access point includes a set of dedicated uplink communications resources, e.g., expression advertisement interval air link resources. Different ones of the set of dedicated uplink communications resources correspond to different individual wireless communications devices currently registered with the access point. In the downlink timing frequency structure for the access point there are dedicated downlink broadcast communications resources, e.g., expression broadcast interval air link resources and neighbor expression broadcast interval air link resources. Information received on dedicated uplink air link resources is echoed back or selectively echoed back on the dedicated downlink air link resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to broadcasting data in a peer to peer wireless communications network are described. A timing structure is utilized employing slots of a first type which support broadcast traffic transmissions and unicast traffic transmissions and slots of a second type which support unicast traffic transmission but do not support broadcast traffic transmissions. In various embodiments, traffic air link resource scheduling is performed in a decentralized manner on a slot by slot basis. In some such embodiments, a wireless device prior to transmitting a broadcast data traffic signal, transmits a broadcast transmission request signal, sometimes alternatively referred to as a broadcast indicator signal; and a wireless device prior to transmitting a peer to peer unicast signal, transmits a peer to peer traffic transmission request signal. In various embodiments, for slots of the first type, broadcast transmission requests have priority over peer to peer unicast transmission requests.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to wireless remote control are described. A communications device, such as a cell phone with peer to peer signaling capability, supports remote control functionality. The same communications device can be used as a universal wireless remote controller for a plurality of different remotely controllable devices including, e.g., a television, a DVD player, a light switch, a garage door opener, etc. The communications device monitors for and detects peer to peer signals from remotely controllable devices in its local vicinity. The communications device maintains a list of remotely controllable devices in its vicinity based on the detected peer to peer signals. The universal remote control user interface is configured in accordance with the maintained list. The universal remote controller provides a user interface which varies based on the device to be controlled.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to configuring a host device through utilization of MMP, which is a protocol that is based upon MIP but not associated with several deficiencies associated therewith. In particular, a wireless terminal can be configured to run MMP and send messages that conform to MMP over a wireless link. A base station can be configured to act as a DHCP server. The base station can provide configuration information to host device by way of DHCP.