Abstract: Disclosed is a method for user identity authentication for a peer device joining a peer-to-peer overlay network. In the method, a credential server of the overlay network receives a registered user identity from a joining peer device. The credential server verifies the registered user identity with an identity provider. Upon receiving, at the credential server, successful verification of the registered user identity from the identity provider, the credential server issues to the joining peer device a signed certificate for use by an authenticated peer device in the overlay network to authenticate the registered user identity of the joining peer device, wherein the signed certificate is signed by a private key of the credential server.

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: Methods and apparatus for enhanced overlay state maintenance in a peer-to-peer overlay network. A first method includes inferring that a first node is leaving the overlay network, and transmitting a decrement message to decrement a size counter value. A second method includes identifying a set of nodes associated with a first node of an overlay network, obtaining a segment length associated with each node of the set of nodes, and determining a size of the overlay network by dividing the total number of nodes in the set of nodes by the sum of the segment lengths. A third method includes identifying a set of nodes associated with a first node of an overlay network, obtaining a size estimate associated with the first node and with each node of the set of nodes, and determining a size of the overlay network by averaging the size estimates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced overlay state maintenance in a peer-to-peer overlay network. A first method includes inferring that a first node is leaving the overlay network, and transmitting a decrement message to decrement a size counter value. A second method includes identifying a set of nodes associated with a first node of an overlay network, obtaining a segment length associated with each node of the set of nodes, and determining a size of the overlay network by dividing the total number of nodes in the set of nodes by the sum of the segment lengths. A third method includes identifying a set of nodes associated with a first node of an overlay network, obtaining a size estimate associated with the first node and with each node of the set of nodes, and determining a size of the overlay network by averaging the size estimates.

Abstract: A venue-cast system and method for providing and receiving venue level transmissions and services, including discovery of a venue specific transmission by receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network, extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal, and tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information. The venue level transmission may be provided and received in a manner that does not prevent an access terminal from receiving a local area or wide area transmission.

Abstract: Multiple protocol tunnels (e.g., IPsec tunnels) are deployed to enable an access terminal that is connected to a network to access a local network associated with a femto access point. A first protocol tunnel is established between a security gateway and the femto access point. A second protocol tunnel is then established in either of two ways. In some implementations the second protocol tunnel is established between the access terminal and the security gateway. In other implementations the second protocol tunnel is established between the access terminal and the femto access point, whereby a portion of the tunnel is routed through the first tunnel.

Abstract: A multi-party commitment method is provided whereby a joining node uses contributions provided by contributor nodes in a peer-to-peer overlay network to generate a node identifier. The joining node generates a first contribution and sends a join request to an introducer node (or a plurality of contributor nodes), where the join request seeks to obtain one or more contributions for generating the node identifier within an identifier space of the overlay network. A hash of the first contribution may be included as part of the join request. In response, the joining node may receive a plurality of contributions, wherein the contributions are bound to each other and the first contribution by a prior external multi-node commitment operation. The joining node can then generate its node identifier as a function of the first contribution and the received contributions. Consequently, collusion between nodes and malicious manipulation during ID generation can be frustrated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the effectiveness of chosen location attacks in a peer-to-peer overlay network. A method includes determining that new node identifiers are to be generated for a plurality of nodes in the network, inputting parameters to a hash function to generate a selected node identifier, and adopting a location in the network associated with the selected node identifier. Another method includes receiving a node identifier associated with a selected node, inputting parameters associated with the selected node to a hash function to generate a corresponding node identifier, comparing the node identifier with the corresponding node identifier, and determining that the selected node is a potential attacker if the node identifiers do not match. Another method includes detecting responsibility for initiating an update to one or more node identifiers, generating parameters to generate the node identifiers, and transmitting the parameters on the network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced overlay state maintenance in a peer-to-peer overlay network. A first method includes inferring that a first node is leaving the overlay network, and transmitting a decrement message to decrement a size counter value. A second method includes identifying a set of nodes associated with a first node of an overlay network, obtaining a segment length associated with each node of the set of nodes, and determining a size of the overlay network by dividing the total number of nodes in the set of nodes by the sum of the segment lengths. A third method includes identifying a set of nodes associated with a first node of an overlay network, obtaining a size estimate associated with the first node and with each node of the set of nodes, and determining a size of the overlay network by averaging the size estimates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the quality of a communication link transmitting a specified packet type are disclosed. The methodology includes configuring first packets, which share transmission characteristics with a specific packet type, such as a Voice over IP packet, such that the first packets experience similar communication link treatment as the specific packet type. The first packets are then transmitted over the communication link to a quality monitoring server located near a termination equipment of the particular communication link. Second packets, which are transmitted by the server in response to the first packets, are received and evaluated to determine the quality of the communication link based on characteristics of the second packets. Corresponding apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for event distribution and routing in peer-to-peer overlay networks. A method is provided for event distribution and routing in a peer-to-peer overlay network that comprises a plurality of nodes. The method includes identifying a plurality of buckets on the overlay network, wherein each bucket includes one or more nodes, respectively, identifying bucket groups, wherein each bucket group includes a selected number of buckets, respectively, distributing events based on the bucket groups, and updating a routing table based on the events. A node includes a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to identify a plurality of buckets on the overlay network, wherein each bucket includes one or more nodes, respectively, identify bucket groups, wherein each bucket group includes a selected number of buckets, respectively, distribute events based on the bucket groups, and update a routing table based on the events.

Abstract: Multiple protocol tunnels (e.g., IPsec tunnels) are deployed to enable an access terminal that is connected to a network to access a local network associated with a femto access point. A first protocol tunnel is established between a security gateway and the femto access point. A second protocol tunnel is then established in either of two ways. In some implementations the second protocol tunnel is established between the access terminal and the security gateway. In other implementations the second protocol tunnel is established between the access terminal and the femto access point, whereby a portion of the tunnel is routed through the first tunnel.

Abstract: A venue-cast system and method for providing and receiving venue level transmissions and services, including discovery of a venue specific transmission by receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network, extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal, and tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information. The venue level transmission may be provided and received in a manner that does not prevent an access terminal from receiving a local area or wide area transmission.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distribution of IP layer routing information in peer-to-peer overlay networks. A method includes transmitting an advertisement to a first subnet advertising the accessibility of subnets and including unique subnet identifiers to disambiguate overlapping addresses, receiving a request from a network that includes the first subnet to communicate with a network that includes the second subnet, establishing a first tunnel with the second subnet and a second tunnel with the first subnet, and directing transmissions between the tunnels based on policy. An apparatus includes means for transmitting the advertisement, means for receiving a request, means for establishing the first tunnel with the second subnet and the second tunnel with the first subnet, and means for directing transmissions between the first and second tunnels based on policy information.

Abstract: A venue-cast system and method for providing and receiving venue level transmissions and services, including discovery of a venue specific transmission by receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network, extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal, and tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information. The venue level transmission may be provided and received in a manner that does not prevent an access terminal from receiving a local area or wide area transmission.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for proxying of devices and services using overlay networks. A method for operating a proxy includes obtaining meta-data associated with at least one of a device and a service, generating a searchable index of the meta-data, and publishing the searchable index on the overlay network as at least one of a distributed index and a centralized index. Another method includes receiving a request from a device or a service using a non overlay protocol to receive at least one of data and services from the overlay network, searching an index of meta-data on the overlay network based on the request, identifying a node associated with the at least one of data and services based on the index, establishing a direct connection with the node, and obtaining the at least one of data and services using the direct connection.

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: Methods and apparatus for merging peer-to-peer overlay networks. A method includes receiving an advertisement from a second overlay network, determining a size of the second overlay network, performing a self search on the second overlay network based on a persistent node identifier, if the size of the second overlay network is greater than the size of a first overlay network, and joining the second overlay network if the persistent node identifier is not part of the second overlay network. An apparatus includes a transceiver to receive an advertisement from a second overlay network, and a processor coupled to the transceiver to determine a size of the second overlay network, perform a self search on the second overlay network based on a persistent node identifier, and join the second overlay network if the persistent node identifier is not part of the second overlay network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to ad cache maintenance, e.g., determining when ad cache replenishment should occur, replenishing ad cache content and/or updating the content of an ad cache, on a device which supports the presentation of advertisements (ads) are described. Signals are received by a first device including an ad cache. The signals are received from other devices, e.g., devices in the direct wireless communications range of the first device. Received signals are processed and provide context information, e.g., information about the surrounding, services available, stores in the region, etc., in which the first device receiving the signals is at a given point in time. Context information is stored. As new context information is generated from received signals the newly generated set of context information is compared to a previously generated set of context information. Changes in context information are detected and used in performing ad cache maintenance operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to selecting advertisements for presentation based on, e.g., received signals from devices in the proximity to a user's communications device, are described. In various embodiments a mobile device monitors for signals, e.g., peer discovery or other signals, from other devices which transmit, e.g., broadcast, advertisement related information. In various embodiments a device receives advertising information from an advertising device, e.g., AdPoint. In the case of peer to peer signaling, the AdPoint may be in close proximity to the user device receiving the advertising information. Advertising information received from devices in proximity to the user device are used in selecting an advertisement for presentation.