Abstract: A first wireless communications device includes a wide area network (WAN) interface and a peer to peer interface. The first device discovers the presence of a second wireless communications device via a peer discovery signal, received via its peer to peer interface. The second device has been transmitting, e.g., periodically, certain information, e.g., its location and/or shopping preferences, to a node within the WAN. The detected first signal triggers an application alert in the first device. The first device recovers past information about the second device through a second signal received via its WAN interface. The first device uses information communicated in the first signal, e.g., device identifier information, and information communicated in the second signal, e.g., past location and/or shopping information, to generate a targeted message for the second device. The first device communicates the targeted message via its peer to peer interface in a peer to peer traffic channel.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relate to controlling access to communications resources in a wireless communications system. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited for use in a peer to peer network in which resource access control is implemented in a distributed manner and wireless terminals compete for communications resources, e.g., compete for a peer to peer traffic segment. A wireless terminal generates QoS tokens within said wireless terminal at a rate which is a function of a QoS level associated with the wireless terminal and uses a generated token to control access to a communications resource. Generated tokens within the wireless terminal may be shared among the applications of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a mode of wireless communications to be used by a wireless terminal, e.g., a direct communications mode or an infrastructure communications mode are described. In some embodiments, the mode to be used is determined by a control node based on interference which will be caused to the system taking into consideration at least an area, e.g., cell, in which the wireless terminal seeking to communicate is not located. System interference cost estimates for each mode under consideration are generated and compared. Interference cost estimates may, and do, correspond to different frequency bands when the direct mode uses a different frequency band than the infrastructure communications mode. Separate interference cost estimates and mode determinations are made for different communications directions in some embodiments. The determined mode to be used is communicated to the devices seeking to communicate, e.g., via one or more base stations.

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: Wireless communications devices, e.g., peer to peer mobile wireless terminals in and ad-hoc peer to peer communications network, support multiple modes of peer discovery operation. In different peer discovery transmit modes peer discovery information is transmitted at different rates. In different peer discovery receive modes peer discovery information is monitored at different rates. Performing peer discovery operations at a higher rate has the benefit of reducing discovery latency at the cost of utilizing more communications resources and expending more power. A communications device dynamically changes its mode in response to changing conditions and/or needs. Transitions between modes are in response to a determined change condition trigger occurrence. Various change condition triggers include, e.g., a user event, an application event, information received over the air interface, information derived from information received over the air interface and/or temporal information.

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 systems and methods for authorizing services. A method includes receiving a set of data relating to Quality of Service (QoS) pre-authorization, and conditionally processing subsequent QoS configuration requests based at least in part on the pre-authorization information. Depending on the pre-authorization information corresponding to a QoS configuration request, the request may be granted, denied, or result in sending of a request for authorization.

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: The claimed subject matter relates to providing appropriate QoS treatment to one or more traffic flows associated with a terminal, wherein the QoS treatment is defined within a profile assigned to the terminal and implemented when the terminal requests access to a network. An access mode can receive identifying indicia associated with the terminal and relays such indicia to an authentication and authorization server (AAS). The AAS can thereafter provide the access node with a profile that defines QoS treatment to associate with one or more traffic flows related to the terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, communicating, and/or verifying ownership of expressions are described. Various embodiments are well suited for use in a wireless peer to peer communications systems in which expressions are communicated, e.g., broadcast, in discovery intervals. A first communications device generates an expression from a first public key and an additional input, said first public key corresponding to a private key known to said first communications device. The first device transmits the generated expression on a communications channel used for discovery. A second communications device receives the transmitted expression from the first device. The second device transmits a request signal to the first device associated with the expression; and receives from the first device a signed communication signed using a private key known to said first communications device.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to systems and methods for roaming in a wireless communications environment. A method for roaming between networks is provided in one aspect. This includes receiving a request for network access at a visited network and receiving a profile from a home network in response to the request. Upon receiving the profile, selectively offering services to one or more access terminals based at least in part on the profile.

Abstract: Aspects describe enabling two peers that have already paired together under some circumstances to re-identify themselves under different circumstances so that the peers can bypass performing another pairing only to discover that they are already paired. A Bloom filter is constructed from an available pool of locally selected identifiers and is sent to a peer node in a first message. Upon receiving the message with the Bloom filter, peer node checks all its known identifiers. If peer node finds that one of its identifiers is a member of the Bloom filter, peer node sends a reply in order to achieve a mutual identification.

Abstract: Methods for communicating discovery information are described. A module intercepts messages within a device which include a first identifier, e.g., a service, application, device or other identifier which is to be communicated or which is to be monitored for in the case of a device seeking something. A second identifier corresponding to the information to be communicated or item or service being sought is generated. The second identifier is transmitted in the case of an advertisement or monitored for in the case of the device seeking something. Following a second device establishing a communications connection in response to an advertisement, stored information such as all or a portion of the first identifier is transmitted over the established connection. A device seeking an item or service, in response to detecting the second identifier, establishes a connection with the second device. The second identifier maybe shorter than the first identifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently communicating small amounts of information relatively frequently in a wireless communications system are described. An access point's uplink timing frequency structure includes a set of dedicated uplink communications resources, e.g., expression advertisement interval air link resources, which may be in addition to regular traffic channel resources. The set of dedicated uplink communications resources comprises a small fraction of the total uplink communications resources. An individual one of the set of dedicated uplink communications resources can carry a small amount of information bits. An expression advertisement interval occurs relatively frequently. A wireless communications device, registered with the access point, is allocated one of the set of dedicated uplink resources. The wireless communications device can transmit information using its allocated resource in both a sleep state and an active state.

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: Aspects relate to allowing peer nodes that establish a communication through a home agent to move that session to a directly connected link. Thus, the directly connected nodes can exchange packets natively without encapsulation. Further aspects allow a node that does not have any home agent entity to switch from a local network to a global network without losing ongoing sessions.

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: A first wireless communications device includes a wide area network (WAN) interface and a peer to peer interface. The first device discovers the presence of a second wireless communications device via a peer discovery signal, received via its peer to peer interface. The second device has been transmitting, e.g., periodically, certain information, e.g., its location and/or shopping preferences, to a node within the WAN. The detected first signal triggers an application alert in the first device. The first device recovers past information about the second device through a second signal received via its WAN interface. The first device uses information communicated in the first signal, e.g., device identifier information, and information communicated in the second signal, e.g., past location and/or shopping information, to generate a targeted message for the second device. The first device communicates the targeted message via its peer to peer interface in a peer to peer traffic channel.

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 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.