Abstract: An approach is provided for locating communities over an ad-hoc mesh network. Community identifiers are used to locate communities and community members over an ad-hoc mesh network. The community identifiers are also associated with keys to authenticate members of the community and to protect the privacy and anonymity of information exchanged between the members.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing a collaborative reply to a flooding message over an ad-hoc mesh network. A reply message to a flooding message is received by a wireless node within the ad-hoc network. The wireless node monitors for an acknowledgement of receipt of the reply message according to a routing table and initiates a scheduled transmission of the reply message based on the monitoring.

Abstract: An approach is provided for locating communities over an ad-hoc mesh network. Community identifiers are used to locate communities and community members over an ad-hoc mesh network. The community identifiers are also associated with keys to authenticate members of the community and to protect the privacy and anonymity of information exchanged between the members.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing a collaborative reply to a flooding message over an ad-hoc mesh network. A reply message to a flooding message is received by a wireless node within the ad-hoc network. The wireless node monitors for an acknowledgement of receipt of the reply message according to a routing table and initiates a scheduled transmission of the reply message based on the monitoring.

Abstract: An approach is provided for selecting devices to form a community. A network manager determines one or more candidate devices within proximity of at least one device. Next, the network manager determines to initiate at least one synchronized capture of sensor data by the at least one device and at least one of the one or more candidate devices. Then, the network manager determines to form the community based, at least in part, on the at least one synchronized capture.

Abstract: Apparatuses may stay synchronized with a network via a beacon signal that is transmitted at a set interval. Various communication-related activities may be planned around an instance when a beacon signal is expected, or a target beacon transmission time (TBTT). While some networked apparatuses are active during every TBTT, other apparatuses may operate using a diluted beacon period that is an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval. Diluted beacon intervals may initiate periods of time during which apparatuses may become “aware” of other apparatuses. Awareness may comprise information related to communication configuration, apparatus status, and services offered by the various apparatuses in the network. Awareness information obtained during an awake window may also comprise information on data-related tasks that are pending in one or more apparatuses which may allow for the control of further data conveyance activities.

Abstract: Apparatuses may stay synchronized with a network via a beacon signal transmitted at a set interval. Communication-related activities may be planned around instances when beacon signals are expected, which may also be known as a target beacon transmission time (TBTT). Scanning opportunities, which are periods of time during which apparatuses may perform passive scanning, may be planned based on an interfere multiple of a network beacon signal interval. Apparatuses may, upon realizing a scanning opportunity, opt either to utilize the scanning opportunity or to participate in network beaconing. In example scenarios where apparatuses opt to utilize scanning opportunities, apparatuses may prepare a network information message and then enter a passive scanning mode. Apparatuses may remain in the passive scanning mode for the duration of the scanning opportunity, reacting when messages are received from devices outside of the network by transmitting the network information message.

Abstract: Apparatuses may stay synchronized with a wireless network utilizing a diluted beacon interval that is an integer multiple of a network beacon period signal being transmitted at a set interval. Diluted beacon intervals may reduce communication burden, but may also cause periods of inactivity that allow apparatuses to become unsynchronized with the network. Apparatuses may be active in the network during an awake window wherein a beacon may be transmitted. A set time may also be set during the awake window may delineate a period of time after which any beacon signal received from another apparatus is deemed to be late. Receiving late beacon signals in the apparatus may trigger the transmission of additional beacon signals to help the other apparatuses that transmitted late beacons become resynchronized with the network.

Abstract: A system where apparatuses may stay synchronized with a network utilizing a reduced beacon period based on an integer multiple of a standard beacon period that is established for the network. The reduced beacon periods may initiate scanning opportunities, which are periods of time during which apparatuses may passively scan for beacon messages broadcast from other apparatuses, which upon receipt in a scanning apparatus may trigger the transmission of network information messages. Network information messages may comprise connectivity information that would be usable by outside apparatuses to determine whether participation in the network described in the network information message (e.g., another network) is desired. If the apparatus desires to interact with apparatuses in the other network, then further decisions may be made with respect to how communication between these entities should be established.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing a collaborative reply to a flooding message over an ad-hoc mesh network. A reply message to a flooding message is received by a wireless node within the ad-hoc network. The wireless node monitors for an acknowledgement of receipt of the reply message according to a routing table and initiates a scheduled transmission of the reply message based on the monitoring.

Abstract: An approach is provided for locating communities over an ad-hoc mesh network. Community identifiers are used to locate communities and community members over an ad-hoc mesh network. The community identifiers are also associated with keys to authenticate members of the community and to protect the privacy and anonymity of information exchanged between the members.

Abstract: An approach is provided for providing awareness information over an ad-hoc mesh network. Flooding messages (e.g., containing either queries for or awareness information) are transmitted between neighboring nodes of an ad-hoc mesh network. The nodes then retransmit the flooding messages within the ad-hoc mesh network based on predetermined criteria. Reply messages containing requested awareness information are generated to the queries and routed back to the querying node over the ad-hoc network.

Abstract: An approach is provided for discovering a location-based service over an ad-hoc mesh network. A location-based service is discovered sending an anonymous flooding message including a query over the ad-hoc mesh network. A wireless node replies to the flooding message over the ad-hoc mesh network with a pointer to the discovered location-based service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the invocation of active states and power conservation states in accordance with the standard or diluted beacon periods defined in beacon frames. Active periods, or “awake windows,” may be defined by additional information (e.g., information elements) that is included in the beacon. Awake windows may establish periods of time during which apparatuses may contend for access to a wireless communication medium. A methodology may further be employed to help determine which apparatuses will have priority when accessing the communication medium. This criteria may be used alone or in combination with the corresponding standard channel access rules (e.g., contention) that govern operation of the particular wireless communication medium in order to control how apparatuses communicate and interact in the wireless network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to facilitating apparatus interaction. In at least one example embodiment of the present invention, apparatuses may comprise both triggered communication activities and automated communication activities. Triggered communication activities may correspond to, for example, user and/or application instigated actions in a wireless apparatus. Automated activities may occur without any requirement for user intervention, and further, without any notification to the user that an action has occurred.