Communication apparatus and communication method for accessing a network through a potential access point

Abstract

Communication apparatuses and methods for accessing a network through a potential access point (AP) are provided. One exemplary embodiment provides a first communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, generates a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an AP; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the request to the second communication apparatus.

Description

DescriptionTitle of Invention: COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND COMMUNICATION METHOD FOR ACCESSING A NETWORK THROUGH A POTENTIAL ACCESS POINTTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to communication methods and apparatuses, and more particularly relates to methods and apparatuses for accessing a network through a potential access point (AP).BACKGROUND

[0002] Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 1 provides a way for multiple devices to connect, where one device takes the role of an access point (AP). After a connection is established, a non-AP device may access an external network (e.g., the Internet) via the AP or, more specifically, via a wireless network set up by the AP. In addition, some devices may switch from operating as non-AP to operating as an AP, and some devices may concurrently operate as a non-AP as well as an AP.

[0003] IEEE 802.1 1 also provides a way for multiple devices to communicate prior to establishing an AP connection, for example by using Group Addressed Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) frames and Probe frames. Further, IEEE 802.1 1 contribution IEEE802.1 1 - 23 / 2040r1 considers reducing the power consumption of an AP by allowing an AP to operate in a lower power consumption state at certain times.

[0004] However, there has not been adequate discussion on the implementation of accessing a network through a potential AP.

[0005] There is thus a need for communication apparatuses and methods that can solve the above-mentioned issue. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.SUMMARY

[0006] Non-limiting and exemplary embodiments facilitate providing communication apparatuses and communication methods for accessing a network through a potential AP.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, generates a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an AP; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the request to the second communication apparatus.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second communication apparatus comprising: a receiver, which in operation, receives a request from a first communication apparatus for the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP; and circuitry, which in operation, configures the second communication apparatus to operate as the AP based on the request.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication method comprising: generating, by a first communication apparatus, a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an access point (AP); and transmitting, by the first communication apparatus, the request to the second communication apparatus.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication method comprising: receiving, by a second communication apparatus from a first communication apparatus, a request for the second communication apparatus to operate as an access point (AP); and configuring, by the second communication apparatus, the second communication apparatus to operate as the AP based on the request.

[0011] It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any selective combination thereof. Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and / or advantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and / or advantages.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with present embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an illustration of a solution for accessing a network through an AP according to an example.

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts an illustration of a solution for accessing a network through a potential AP according to another example.

[0015] FIG. 3 depicts an illustration of a general schematic diagram for accessing a network through a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary apparatus block diagram for a mobile terminal capable of operating as a non-AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary apparatus block diagram for a mobile terminal capable of operating as a non-AP with multiple transceivers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary apparatus block diagram for a mobile terminal capable of operating as a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary apparatus block diagram for a mobile terminal capable of operating as a potential AP with multiple transceivers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary apparatus block diagram for a mobile terminal capable of operating as a potential AP with a different transceiver for an external network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 10 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP including the use of saved credentials according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 1 1 depicts a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal capable of operating as a non-AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal capable of operating as a non-AP including the use of saved credentials according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 13 depicts a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal capable of operating as a non-AP including a process for discovering potential wireless networks including access to an external network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 14 depicts a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal capable of operating as a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 15 depicts another flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal capable of operating as a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary Group Addressed Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) Request frame with an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary Discover Potential Network Request field according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Request frame with a Vendor Specific ANQP element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Request frame with a Service Information Request ANQP element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Response frame with an ANQP element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 21 depicts an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Response frame with a Vendor Specific ANQP element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 22 depicts an exemplary Probe Request frame according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 23 depicts an exemplary Probe Response frame according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 24 depicts an exemplary Beacon frame according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 25 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP including sending a discover message without a request to start an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 26 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a hidden network is started according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 27 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a potential wireless network is advertised according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 28 depicts an exemplary Probe Response frame for advertising a potential network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 29 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a discover message may function as part of the connection sequence according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 30 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a passive scan is performed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 31 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which an active scan is performed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 32 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a potential AP operates as a low-power / low-capability AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 33 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a mobile terminal operates as an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 34 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a mobile terminal operates as an AP and sends a Beacon including a discover message according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 35 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a rate of sending discover messages is reduced according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 36 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which discovery of potential wireless networks is made by out-of-band (GOB) communication according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 37 depicts a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which discovery of potential wireless networks is started by user interaction according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig. 38 shows an exemplary flowchart illustrating a communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 39 shows an exemplary flowchart illustrating another communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 40 shows an exemplary schematic view of a communication apparatus that can be implemented for accessing a network through a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been depicted to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments or the application and uses of the embodiments. There is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or this detailed description. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.

[0055] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals and characters in the drawings refer to like elements or equivalents.

[0056] In the following paragraphs, certain exemplifying embodiments are explained with reference to one or more mobile terminals (also referred to herein as devices, peer devices, communication apparatuses, STAs (stations) or other similar terms) which may operate as an access point (AP) or a non-AP.

[0057] A device may need access to an external network in order to provide services to a user associated with the device. A peer device that can operate as an AP and allow access to the external network may be available but currently operating as a non-AP device, and / or as a low- power / low-capability AP with the potential to start operating as a non-low-power, high-capability, high-power or normal AP that provides more performance or functionality than a low-power / low- capability AP. There is thus a need for an automatic and efficient method for a device (e.g., vehicle, tablet, laptop, mobile phone, and other similar device) to gain access to an external network (e.g., Internet) via a peer device (e.g., vehicle, tablet, laptop, mobile phone, and other similar device) which has the potential to operate as an AP.

[0058] In the context of IEEE 802.1 1 (Wi-Fi) technologies, a mobile terminal is a communication apparatus that has the capability to use the IEEE 802.1 1 protocol. Based on the IEEE 802.1 1 - 2020 definition, a mobile terminal can be any device that contains an IEEE 802.1 1 -conformant media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM).

[0059] For example, a mobile terminal may be any device such as a laptop, a desktop personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an access point or a mobile phone in a wireless local area network (WLAN) environment. The mobile terminal here may be fixed or mobile.

[0060] Likewise, an AP, which may be interchangeably referred to as a wireless access point (WAP) or AP multi-link device (AP MLD) in the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technologies, is a communication apparatus that allows mobile terminals in a WLAN to connect to a wired or another wireless network. The AP may be connected to a router (e.g., via a wired network) as a standalone device, but it can also be integrated with or employed in the router. A potential AP is used herein to describe a device (e.g., a mobile terminal) that can function both as an AP and as a non-AP depending on the circumstances, and can start, or in some embodiments restore, the operation of a wireless network.

[0061] As mentioned above, a mobile terminal in a WLAN may operate as an AP at different occasions, and vice versa. This is because communication apparatuses in the context of IEEE 802.1 1 (Wi-Fi) technologies may include both non-AP hardware components and AP hardware components. In this manner, the communication apparatuses may switch between a non-AP mode and an AP mode, based on actual WLAN conditions and / or requirements.

[0062] Throughout figures 1 -40, especially in flow diagrams, messages may be indicated by arrow lines pointing from one entity to another. In such cases, the end of an arrow (i.e., where the arrowhead is) terminating midway (e.g., message 3106 in FIG. 31 ) represents that the message was sent but was not received by the other entities in the diagram. In depictions of various frame formats throughout figures 1 -40, the octets values are intended to be examples, for illustration, “var”, “N” and “j” (e.g., FIG. 18 and FIG. 22) may be used to indicate variable sized integer values for fields and other formats and the values may vary depending on the frame structures and implementations. Further, the instances of ellipsis (i.e., “...”) are used to indicate the possibility of additional contents in the format which may be allowed by the specific frame format as defined in the IEEE 802.1 1 protocol.

[0063] FIG. 1 depicts an illustration 100 of a solution for accessing a network through an AP according to an example. A device 104 (e.g., Device 2) may continually operate as an AP and send Beacons 108 to advertise itself as an AP of the wireless network. A device 102 (e.g., Device 1 ) may use saved credentials during an authentication process 1 10 with the device 104 to reduce user manual interaction. The device 104 may allow the device 102 that is associated with the device 104 to access an external network 106 (see data exchange 1 12). However, problems of this method are that the device 104 continually operates as an AP which may consume more power and may not perform discovery of other wireless networks such as an external hotspot which might offer wider communication bandwidth and / or lower cost than the external network that the AP is currently connected to.

[0064] FIG. 2 depicts an illustration 200 of a solution for accessing a network through a potential AP according to another example. A user may manually enable a device 204 (e.g., Device 2), for example, via manual interaction 208, to operate as an AP to establish a connection with a device 202 (e.g., Device 1 ) when needed. In response to the manual interaction 208, for example, the device 204 may start sending Beacons 210 to the device 202. The device 202 may use saved credentials during an authentication process 212 with the device 204 to reduce further user manual interaction. The device 204 may then allow the device 202 that is associated with the device 204 to access an external network 206 (see data exchange 214). However, a problem of this method is that it requires user interaction with the device 204 to enable the device 204 to operate as an AP, which may affect user experience.

[0065] FIG. 3 depicts an illustration 300 of a general schematic diagram for accessing a network through a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in FIG. 3, it shows a mobile terminal 302 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ), a mobile terminal 304 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) and an external network 306. The mobile terminal 302 may be a non-AP. The mobile terminal 304 may be a potential AP. For example, the mobile terminal 304 may be a mobile terminal currently operating as a non-AP but is capable of operating as an AP when enabled and having access to the external network 306. Thus, the mobile terminal 302 can access the external network 306 via the mobile terminal 304, when the mobile terminal 304 is operating as an AP and the mobile terminal 302 has joined the network of the mobile terminal 304.

[0066] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary apparatus block diagram 400 for a mobile terminal 1 (e.g., the mobile terminal 302 in FIG. 3). The mobile terminal 1 in FIG. 4 is capable of operating as a non-AP (e.g., non-AP station (STA), non-AP multi-link device (MLD)) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The mobile terminal 1 may comprise a controller circuitry 402, a memory 404, a secondary storage 406, and a wireless transceiver 408 including an antenna 410. In a variation as shown in an illustration 500 of FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 1 may comprise a plurality of wireless transceivers 502 each including an antenna 504 which enables the mobile terminal 1 to support one or more collocated entities (e.g., non-AP or AP entities). It will be appreciated that concurrent non-AP / AP operation may also be available with a single wireless transceiver / antenna, e.g., the wireless transceiver 408 with the antenna 410 as shown in the illustration 400.

[0067] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary apparatus block diagram 600 for a mobile terminal 2 (e.g., the mobile terminal 304 in FIG. 3) which is capable of operating as both a non-AP and an AP (e.g., access point (AP), access point multi-link device (AP MLD)) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The mobile terminal 2 in FIG.6 may be a potential AP and may comprise a controller circuitry 602, a memory 604, a secondary storage 606, and a wireless transceiver 608 including an antenna 610. The mobile terminal 2 may have access to an external network 612. In a variation as shown in an illustration 700 of FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 2 may be a potential AP and may comprise a plurality of wireless transceivers 708 each including an antenna 710 which may enable the mobile terminal 2 to support one or more collocated entities (e.g., non-AP or AP entities). It will be appreciated that concurrent non-AP / AP operation may also be available with a single wireless transceiver / antenna, e.g., the wireless transceiver 608 with the antenna 610 as shown in the illustration 600. In another variation, as shown in an illustration 800 of FIG. 8, anadditional wireless transceiver 804 may be used to connect with the external network. The additional wireless transceiver 804 may use a protocol that is different from that of a wireless transceiver 802. For example, the wireless transceiver 802 may use Wi-Fi to communicate with one or more mobile terminals, while the wireless transceiver 804 may use a cellular wireless technology (e.g. , LTE or 5G) to communicate with an external network 806.

[0068] FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram 900 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A mobile terminal 902 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may send a discover message 908 to one or more mobile terminals such as a mobile terminal 904 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) to discover one or more potential wireless networks (e.g., that may be created by the mobile terminal 904). The mobile terminal 904 may be a potential AP with access to an external network 906. The discover message 908 may be received by the mobile terminal 904 as a request for the mobile terminal 904 to start operating as an AP for a potential wireless network. The mobile terminal 904 may thus optionally send a response 910 to the mobile terminal 902, e.g., as an acknowledgement of the discover message or as a confirmation that the mobile terminal 904 will start operating as an AP in response to the discover message, and start operating as an AP. In an example, the mobile terminal 904 may send the response 910 as a non-AP STA. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 904 may send the response 910 as an AP (i.e., The mobile terminal 904 may start operating as an AP before sending the response 910. This behavior is beneficial especially when the mobile terminal 904 sends a Probe response frame or another frame that is sent by an AP so that the AP’s behavior is compliant with and / or consistent to the specifications in existing wireless LAN standards (e.g., IEEE802.1 1 )). As an AP, the mobile terminal 904 may send a Beacon 912 to the mobile terminal 902. This may be followed by an authentication and association process 914, and then a 4-way handshake process 916 to establish a connection between the mobile terminal 902 and the mobile terminal 904. In case of an open network, the 4-Way handshake process 916 may be omitted. After successful establishment of the connection, the mobile terminal 902 may access the external network 906 via the mobile terminal 904 and a data exchange 918 between the mobile terminal 902 and the external network 906 may therefore be possible. Credentials used during the successful authentication and association process 914 may also be saved for use in a future connection between the mobile terminal 902 and the mobile terminal 904. For example, referring to illustration 1000 of FIG. 10, saved credentials 1010 may be used during the authentication and association process 1008 between the mobile terminal 1002 and the mobile terminal 1004 before the mobile terminal 1002 can have access to external network 1006. The saved credentials 1010may have been obtained from a previous successful connection or by out-of-band means, e.g., such as manual user input, QR code, Bluetooth, among other things. Then, the mobile terminal 1002 may access the external network 1006 via the mobile terminal 1004 and a data exchange 1012 between the mobile terminal 1002 and the external network 1006 may proceed.

[0069] FIG. 1 1 depicts a flowchart 1 100 illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal (e.g., the mobile terminal 902 in FIG. 9) capable of operating as a non-AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. At step 1102, a message is sent by the mobile terminal on one or more wireless channels to discover one or more potential wireless networks. At an optional step 1 104, a response may be received by the mobile terminal from a potential AP, e.g., a mobile terminal which may operate as an AP for one or more potential wireless networks which may have been indicated in the message sent at step 1 102. At step 1 106, it is determined whether a Beacon is received by the mobile terminal from an AP of a suitable wireless network, including potential wireless networks. The AP may have been a potential AP and may have started operating as an AP (e.g., from a non-AP) in response to receiving the message sent at step 1 102. The AP may also have been the potential AP which sent the response received by the mobile terminal at optional step 1 104. If the Beacon is not received, the process may return to step 1 102 to continue discovery of potential wireless networks. Otherwise, the process may proceed to step 1 108 in which the mobile terminal joins the wireless network of the AP. At step 1 1 10, the mobile terminal may access an external network through the AP. It will be appreciated that the wireless network of the AP and / or the external network may be the one or more potential networks which the mobile terminal seeks to discover.

[0070] FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart 1200 illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal (e.g., the mobile terminal 1002 in FIG. 10) capable of operating as a non-AP including the use of saved credentials according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. At step 1202, a message is sent by the mobile terminal on one or more wireless channels to discover one or more potential wireless networks. At an optional step 1204, a response may be received by the mobile terminal from a potential AP, e.g., a mobile terminal which may operate as an AP for one or more potential wireless networks which may have been indicated in the message sent at step 1202. At step 1206, it is determined whether a Beacon is received by the mobile terminal from an AP of a suitable wireless network, including potential wireless networks. The AP may have been a potential AP and may have started operating as an AP (e.g., from a non-AP) in response to receiving the message sent at step 1202. The AP may also have been the potential AP which sent the responsereceived by the mobile terminal at optional step 1204. If, at step 1 06, it is determined that the Beacon is not received (e.g., from an AP of a suitable wireless network, including potential wireless networks), the process may return to step 1202 to continue discovery of potential wireless networks. Otherwise, the process may proceed to step 1208 in which the mobile terminal joins the wireless network of the AP using saved credentials, e.g., from a previous successful connection between the mobile terminal and the AP. At step 1210, the mobile terminal may access an external network through the AP. It will be appreciated that the wireless network of the AP and / or the external network may be the one or more potential networks which the mobile terminal seeks to discover.

[0071] FIG. 13 depicts a flowchart 1300 illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal (e.g., the mobile terminal 902 in FIG. 9) capable of operating as a non-AP that includes a process for discovering potential wireless networks including access to an external network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. At step 1302, a message is sent by the mobile terminal on one or more wireless channels to discover one or more potential wireless networks with access to an external network. At an optional step 1304, a response may be received by the mobile terminal from a potential AP, e.g., a mobile terminal which may operate as an AP for one or more potential wireless networks and with access to an external network which may have been indicated in the message sent at step 1302. At step 1306, it is determined whether a Beacon is received by the mobile terminal from an AP of a suitable wireless network, including potential wireless networks. The AP may have been a potential AP that started operating as an AP (e.g., from a non-AP) in response to receiving the message sent at step 1302. The AP may also have been the potential AP which sent the response received by the mobile terminal at optional step 1304 or another AP with access to the external network. If the Beacon is not received, the process may return to step 1302. Otherwise, the process may proceed to step 1308 in which the mobile terminal joins a wireless network of the AP. At step 1310, the mobile terminal may access the external network through the AP.

[0072] FIG. 14 depicts a flowchart 1400 illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal that may be a potential AP (e.g., the mobile terminal 904 in FIG. 9) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. At step 1402, the mobile terminal receives a message from a peer mobile terminal for discovering one or more potential wireless networks. At an optional step 1404, the mobile terminal may send a response to the peer mobile terminal, e.g., if the mobile terminal is a potential AP that may operate as an AP for one or more potential wireless networks that mayhave been indicated in the message received at step 1402. At step 1406, the mobile terminal may start operating as an AP in response to receiving the message at step 1402. At step 1408, the mobile terminal may allow the peer mobile terminal to join the wireless network of the mobile terminal which started operating as an AP. At step 1410, the mobile terminal operating as an AP may route data traffic between the peer mobile terminal and an external network. It will be appreciated that the wireless network of the mobile terminal operating as the AP and / or the external network may be the one or more potential networks which the peer mobile terminal seeks to discover.

[0073] FIG. 15 depicts another flowchart 1500 illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal (e.g., the mobile terminal 904 in FIG. 9) that may be a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. At step 1502, the mobile terminal receives a message from a peer mobile terminal for discovering one or more potential wireless networks. At an optional step 1504, the mobile terminal may send a response to the peer mobile terminal, e.g., if the mobile terminal is a potential AP that may operate as an AP for one or more potential wireless networks that may have been indicated in the message received at step 1502. At step 1506, the mobile terminal may determine whether to start the wireless network, e.g., in response to receiving the message at step 1502 and the content of the message. If it is determined that the mobile terminal will not start the wireless network, the process may end. Otherwise, the process may proceed to step 1508 in which the mobile terminal may start operating as an AP in response to receiving the message at step 1502. At step 1510, the mobile terminal may allow the peer mobile terminal to join the wireless network of the mobile terminal which started operating as an AP. At step 1512, the mobile terminal operating as an AP may route data traffic between the peer mobile terminal and an external network. It will be appreciated that the wireless network of the mobile terminal operating as the AP and / or the external network may be the one or more potential networks which the peer mobile terminal seeks to discover.

[0074] Returning to the FIGs. 1 1 to 15, the message sent or received in steps 1 102, 1202, 1302, 1402 and 1502 may contain an indication or request for a potential AP to start operating as an AP of a potential wireless network. Also, the message may contain an indication or request to provide information about a potential wireless network or AP. In addition, the message may be carried in an IEEE 802.1 1 frame. The message may be sent using a robust modulation and coding scheme (MGS) to improve chances of reception. The message may contain information which may be used to identify one or more properties or capabilities of one or more target potential AP(s) orwireless network(s), for example a medium access control (MAC) address, service set identifier (SSID), short SSID, security settings, availability of services, and other similar information. Advantageously, this may result in the discovery or faster discovery of a suitable or desired potential network. The message may be a frame or part of a frame, and the information contained in the message may be carried in, for example, a field, a subfield, an element, or an extended element within the frame. The message may indicate if a response is required and may indicate if specific content is requested about a potential AP and / or potential wireless network. The message may also request a specific service or operation for the potential wireless network to be started, e.g., the wireless channel to be used for communication, or other similar information.

[0075] A potential AP may determine to start operating as an AP (similarly for sending a response) based on information about a peer mobile terminal (e.g., the mobile terminal sending a discover message to the potential AP) or desired potential wireless network(s) contained in the discover message. For example, the mobile terminal may be configured to start operating as an AP if it determines itself to be a likely target of the discover message, or if the discover message content fully or partially identifies or matches the potential wireless network, or if it determines the source of the discover message as a suitable and / or known peer mobile terminal to join the potential wireless network. Information such as one or more of a MAC address related to a source or destination mobile terminal, capabilities or operation parameters related to the desired or expected potential wireless network (e.g., access to an external network, performance, security, etc.), any ID or unique identifier that can fully or partially identify either mobile terminal (e.g., a vendor assigned ID), services available on the potential wireless network (e.g., availability of a specific external network), and / or any such or other information related to the pre-association or post-association operation of either mobile terminal. For example, a mobile terminal may use a different (e.g., random) MAC address during discovery to avoid being tracked and may include, in the discover message, a post-association MAC address to identify itself to the potential AP.

[0076] The information contained in a discover message may be masked (e.g., based on hashing) for privacy or compressed, contracted and / or combined for reducing airtime and satisfy frame requirements. For example, concatenating an expected SSID and MAC address of a potential AP and then hashing using a message-digest method 5 (MD5) hashing algorithm and then truncating to 4 or 8 bits, or concatenating pre-association and post-association MAC addresses of a peer mobile terminal and hashing using MD5 and truncating to 4 or 8 bits, or other similar methods. The information contained in the message may have been provided or obtainedby either mobile terminal during a previous successful connection with a peer mobile terminal, obtained out-of-band, preconfigured in the device, and / or from other similar sources. The determination to start operating as an AP may be within the MAC layer or in a higher layer. A potential AP may ignore the discover message if it does not determine the peer mobile terminal as suitable to join the potential network or does not identify the potential network as a suitable network based on the information contained in the message. Further, a potential AP that starts operating as an AP as a result of the discover message may stop operating as the AP of the wireless network after a timeout if no connections are established (e.g., with a peer mobile terminal) in order to save power. In another example, a potential AP that starts operating as an AP may stop operating as the AP of the wireless network after the peer terminal disconnects from the wireless network of the AP in order to save power.

[0077] Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) frames are Public Action frames defined in IEEE 802.1 1 and may be exchanged prior to joining a network, such as to request information of existing networks. In an implementation, the Group Addressed GAS Request frame may be sent as a broadcast message to discover one or more potential wireless networks. The format of a Group Addressed GAS Request frame 1600 is exemplarily shown in FIG. 16. The frame 1600 may include an ANQP element to discover the potential network(s). For example, the frame 1600 may include a Query Request field 1602. The Query Request field 1602 may contain a 2-octet Info ID field 1604 indicating an Info ID of 290 (e.g., indicating that the request frame is a discover potential network request) and / or a Discover Potential Network Request field 1606. For example, the field 1606 may be a 1 -octet field. A corresponding Query Response may be included in a Group Addressed GAS Response frame which may be sent by a peer mobile terminal (potential AP) in response to this frame.

[0078] FIG. 17 depicts an exemplary Discover Potential Network Request field 1700 (e.g., an instance of the Discover Potential Network Request field 1606 in FIG. 16) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Contents of a discover message (e.g., contained in the Discover Potential Network Request field 1700) may include one or more of the following example contents. The Discover Potential Network Request field 1700 may comprise a Request Start AP subfield 1702 in which a value of 0 may indicate that the sender is not requesting a potential AP to start operating as an AP and a value of 1 may indicate that it is requesting a potential AP to start operating as an AP. Alternatively, this request may be implicitly determined based on, for example, a frame type, an address utilized by the message or other factors of the message. TheDiscover Potential Network Request field 1700 may comprise a Response Required field (not explicitly shown in FIG. 17) in which a value of 0 may indicate that a response (from a recipient of the message such as a potential AP) is not required and a value of 1 may indicate that a response is required or requested. Alternatively, this request may be implicitly determined based on, for example, a frame type or other factors of the message. The Discover Potential Network Request field 1700 may indicate one or more targeted potential AP MAC addresses (e.g., 48 bits or more), and may use a hashed version to reduce the length, or it may indicate a target potential AP using other similar device identifiers. The Discover Potential Network Request field 1700 may indicate one or more targeted AP SSID(s) of one or more potential wireless networks. An SSID element may be reused for this indication. Further, a hashed version or a simplified version of the SSID (e.g., Short SSID) may also be utilized. The Discover Potential Network Request field 1700 may also indicate information related to an external network, or access to an external network, that is desired by the mobile terminal. Target wireless network parameters, capabilities and / or services desired by the mobile terminal may also be indicated. Further, request(s) for information relating to one or more (sub)fields or elements in a response from a potential AP may also be indicated in the Discover Potential Network Request field 1700.

[0079] As a variant, FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Request frame 1800 with the discover request contained in a Vendor Specific ANQP element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the Group Addressed GAS Request frame 1800 may comprise a Discover Potential Network Request subfield 1806 in a Vendor Specific Content field 1804 inside a Query Request field 1802. This advantageously allows the solution to be used by third parties (e.g., vendors and organizations).

[0080] Another variant of the solution may be to contain the discover request in a Service Information Request ANQP element. FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Request frame 1900 with a Service Information Request ANQP element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, an info ID field 1902 may be set to a value of 281 (e.g., indicating Service Information Request). A possible response to the request frame 1900 may include information about the potential network or service.

[0081] In another variant, an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Response frame 2000 with an ANQP element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 20. A Group Addressed GAS Response frame 2000 may be sent by a mobile terminal (e.g., MobileTerminal 1 ) and contain the discover message, instead of a Group Addressed GAS Request. The Group Addressed GAS Response frame 2000 may be unsolicited and may comprise a Query Response field. The Query Response field may include a 2-octet Info ID subfield 2002 indicating a value of 290 (e.g., indicating that the frame 2000 includes a discover potential network request) and / or a Discover Potential Network Request field 2004. For example, the field 2004 may be a 1 - octet field. A response may not be required from a potential AP mobile terminal.

[0082] In another variant, an exemplary Group Addressed GAS Response frame 2100 is shown in FIG. 21. The Group Addressed GAS Response frame 2100 may be sent by a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) and may include a Vendor Specific ANQP element. For example, the Group Addressed GAS Response frame 2100 may be unsolicited and may comprise a Query Response field 2102. The Query Response field 2102 may include a Vendor Specific Content field 2104 that includes a Discover Potential Network Request subfield 2106. This advantageously allows solutions to be created by third parties (e.g., vendors and organizations). A response may not be required from a potential AP.

[0083] A Probe Request is a Management frame defined in IEEE 802.1 1 and is used for discovery of APs and to request information about the AP(s). In another variant, a mobile terminal may include a discover message in a Probe Request to discover both wireless networks of active APs and potential wireless networks of potential APs. The mobile terminal may request information about the potential wireless network(s). For example, Probe Request frame 2200 may comprise an Extended Request element 2202 containing information relating to a desired one or more potential wireless networks. In another example, it may include a Vendor Specific element 2206, such as shown in Probe Request frame 2200 of FIG. 22., that comprises a Discover Potential Network Request subfield 2208 within the Frame Body field 2204 to contain the information. A Probe Response frame may be sent in response with the requested information about the one or more potential wireless networks. A benefit to using the Probe Request is that the mobile terminal may also discover one or more other existing networks to be joined.

[0084] Alternatively, in an example, a Probe Response may be sent by a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1) to discover one or more potential networks. The Probe Response may be unsolicited. For example, referring to an exemplary Probe Response frame 2300 of FIG. 23, a Discover Potential Network extended element 2302 may be included, or alternatively, a Vendor Specific element 2304 (e.g., containing a Discover Potential Network Request field 2306) may beused. As another alternative, a Service Hash element (not shown) in the Probe Response frame 2300 may be used to indicate a request for potential wireless network as a service.

[0085] Alternatively or optionally, a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may send a short frame (not shown in the figures) before the frame that contains the discover message (e.g., carried in a frame such as a Group Addressed Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) or Probe frame 2300). The short frame may be regarded as an initial control frame (IGF) sent by a non-AP STA or non-AP MLD. The short frame may be, for example, a QoS Null, PS Poll, request to send (RTS), or clear to send-to-self (CTS-to-Self) frame. A potential AP (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may change its state or mode (e.g., start operating as an AP, perform transition to a non-low-power / high- capability / high-power / normal operation (e.g., operating with more performance or functionality as compared to a low-power / low-capability state or mode) from a low-power / low-capability state or mode) in response to reception of the IGF so the potential AP may be ready to process (e.g., receive / d ecode, perform MAC functionality) the frame that contains the discover message to be received. The mobile terminal may include padding(s) in the short frame for example, to account for any expected or possible delay for the potential AP to transition between states / modes.

[0086] A Beacon is a Management frame defined in IEEE 802.1 1 that is sent by an AP to manage a wireless network created by the AP. In some cases where a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) desiring to discover potential wireless networks may support concurrent (e.g., collocated) AP / non-AP operation, a discover message may be included in the Beacon which may be sent periodically. FIG. 24 depicts an exemplary Beacon frame 2400 that may be sent by an AP and may be received by a potential AP. An Interworking element 2402 may indicate in its Access Network Options field, a Service Hash element 2404 and Vendor Specific element 2406 of the Beacon frame 2400 are also possible candidates to indicate the request.

[0087] FIG. 25 depicts a flow diagram 2500 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP including sending (e.g., as a broadcast) a discover message to request a response from potential AP(s) before requesting the potential AP to start operating as an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A mobile terminal 2502 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may send a first discover message at 2508 to one or more mobile terminals such as a mobile terminal 2504 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) to discover one or more potential wireless networks (e.g., that may be created by the mobile terminal 2504). The mobile terminal 2504 may be a potential AP with access to an external network 2506. Upon receiving the first discovermessage 2508, the mobile terminal 2504 may send a response 2510 to the mobile terminal 2502 to acknowledge the first discover message, and / or to provide information related to a potential wireless network (e.g., that may be created by the mobile terminal 2504). After receiving the response, the mobile terminal 2502 may send a second discover message 2512 to a mobile terminal that sent a response (e.g., mobile terminal 2504). In some cases, the first discover message 2508 may be sent as a broadcast to solicit information from surrounding devices and the second discover message 2512 may be sent as a unicast to target a specific potential AP. Thus, the second message may be sent by the mobile terminal 2502 as a request for the mobile terminal 2504 to start operating as an AP. The mobile terminal 2504 thus starts operating as an AP and may optionally send a response 2514 to the mobile terminal 2502, e.g., as an acknowledgement of receiving the discover message and / or as a confirmation that the mobile terminal 2504 will start operating as an AP in response to the discover message. As an AP, the mobile terminal 2504 may send a Beacon to the mobile terminal 2502, to which the mobile terminal 2502 may proceed with an authentication and association process 2516 to connect to the mobile terminal 2504. A 4-way handshake process 2518 may also be included. After a successful authentication and association process 2516, the mobile terminal 2502 may access the external network 2506 via the mobile terminal 2504 and data exchange 2520 between the mobile terminal 2502 and the external network 2506 may therefore be possible.

[0088] FIG. 26 depicts a flow diagram 2600 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a hidden network is started according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A mobile terminal 2602 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may send a message 2608 to one or more mobile terminals such as a mobile terminal 2604 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) to discover one or more potential wireless networks (e.g., that may be created by the mobile terminal 2604). The message 2608 may indicate that the mobile terminal 2602 supports hidden network discovery. The mobile terminal 2604 may be a potential AP with access to the external network 2606. The message may be sent by the mobile terminal 2602 as a request for the mobile terminal 2604 to start operating as an AP. The mobile terminal 2604 may send a response 2610 to the mobile terminal 2602, then start operating as an AP, and may be configured to create a hidden network when operating as an AP. In a hidden network, the AP does not advertise its SSID in Beacons and may need a Probe exchange (e.g., where a Probe Request is sent to an AP and responded to with a Probe Response) before an authentication and association process. The response 2610 may indicate the intention of the mobile terminal 2604 to start a hidden network or indicate to the mobile terminal 2602 that it should send a Probe Request. Thus, the mobileterminal 2602 may send a Probe Request to the mobile terminal 2604 to initiate a Probe exchange 2612, followed by an authentication and association process 2614 and a 4-way handshake process 2616 with the mobile terminal 2604. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 2602 may skip sending the Probe Request and proceed to send an Authentication or Association Request frame as part of the authentication and association process 2614 after the mobile terminal 2604 starts operating as an AP, e.g., after receiving a Beacon from the AP. After a successful authentication and association process 2614 and 4-way handshake process 2616, the mobile terminal 2602 may access the external network 2606 via the hidden network created by the mobile terminal 2604 and data exchange 2618 between the mobile terminal 2602 and the external network 2606 may therefore be possible.

[0089] FIG. 27 depicts a flow diagram 2700 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a potential wireless network is advertised according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this variation, a mobile terminal 2704 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may be a potential AP and may be configured to send a message 2708 to other peer mobile terminals (e.g., to a mobile terminal 2702 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 )) advertising that the mobile terminal 2704 can operate as an AP for a potential wireless network. The mobile terminal 2702 may optionally send a response 2710 to the mobile terminal 2704 acknowledging the advertise message 2708. The remaining processes 2712, 2714, 2716, 2618 and 2720 may then be same as, for example, processes 908, 910, 912, 914 and 916 in the flow diagram 900 of FIG. 9.

[0090] As shown in process 2708 in the exemplary flow diagram 2700 of FIG. 27, the potential AP (the mobile terminal 2704) may advertise that it is capable of operating as an AP to facilitate discovery of one or more potential wireless networks. The advertise message 2708 may be sent in, for example, a Group Addressed GAS Response (e.g., as a response or unsolicited), a Probe Response (e.g., as a response or unsolicited), a Probe Request (e.g., as a broadcast), a fast initial link setup (FILS) Discovery, Beacon (e.g., in the case where the mobile terminal 2704 may operate as an AP concurrently), or other similar frames. The advertise message may be sent in- band or out-of-band (e.g., via Bluetooth). An example of an advertise message is shown in Probe Response frame 2800 of FIG. 28, in which a Potential Network Advertisement extended element 2802 with a Potential Network Advertisement field 2804 may be included, or a Vendor Specific element 2806 (e.g., containing a Potential Network Advertisement field 2808) may be used. Another alternative may be to advertise using an Extended Capabilities element, a Service Hintelement, or a Service Hash element. It may also be implicitly advertised by inclusion of or specific values of certain fields and / or elements in the Probe Response frame 2800. It will be appreciated that the Potential Network Advertisement field may include information about the potential wireless network parameters, capabilities and / or services.

[0091] FIG. 29 depicts a flow diagram 2900 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which connection is sped up according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a mobile terminal 2902 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may be configured to send a discover message 2908 which may also function as part of a connection sequence with a mobile terminal 2904 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2). The discover message 2908 may fulfil the function of one or more frames in the connection sequence to reduce time to establish the connection after the mobile terminal 2904 starts to operate as an AP. For example, the discover message 2908 may be or function as an Authentication and / or Association Request and the (optional) Response 2910 may be or function as an Authentication and / or Association Response. Thus, the 4-way handshake process 2912 may proceed and complete sooner, thus advantageously speeding up the time for mobile terminal 2904 to access the external network 2906 and perform data exchange 2914 via mobile terminal 2904.

[0092] In an implementation, a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may initially operate as a non-AP, with the benefits of operating at a lower power consumption (as opposed to operating as an AP) and having the ability to discover and join a wireless network. Subsequently, the mobile terminal may remain as a non-AP and join a wireless network created by a peer mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2). The peer mobile terminal may be a potential AP that starts operating as an AP after receiving a message from the mobile terminal requesting the peer mobile terminal to start operating as an AP. The mobile terminal may then access an external network via the peer mobile terminal.

[0093] In an implementation, a potential AP (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may initially operate as a non-AP, with the benefits of operating at a lower power consumption (as opposed to continually operating as an AP) and having the ability to discover and join a wireless network. The potential AP may be connected to an external network. Subsequently, the potential AP may start operating as an AP after receiving a message from a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) requesting the potential AP to start operating as an AP, allowing the mobile terminal to access its wirelessnetwork and routing data between the mobile terminal and the external network. The mobile terminal is thus able to access the external network via the potential AP.

[0094] In an implementation, a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may initially operate as an AP, with the benefits of being able to send Beacon frames (e.g., periodic Beacon transmission) for discovering one or more peer mobile terminals (e.g., one or more other potential APs), and being able to provide services on its own wireless network. Subsequently, the mobile terminal may start operating as a non-AP to join a wireless network created by a peer mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2). The peer mobile terminal may be a potential AP that starts operating as an AP after receiving a message from the mobile terminal requesting the peer mobile terminal to start operating as an AP. The mobile terminal may then access an external network via the peer mobile terminal. Alternatively, the mobile terminal may start a concurrent non-AP to join the wireless network of the peer mobile terminal, with the benefits that the mobile terminal may continue to provide services on its own wireless network, enable a collocated non-AP only when needed to save power, and be able to provide additional services (e.g., routing, content) on its own wireless network based on access to the peer mobile terminal’s wireless network or external network.

[0095] In an implementation, a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may initially operate as an AP and non-AP concurrently. Subsequently, the mobile terminal may continue operating as an AP and non-AP with the non-AP joining a wireless network created by a peer mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2). The peer mobile terminal may be a potential AP that starts operating as an AP after receiving a message from the mobile terminal requesting the peer mobile terminal to start operating as an AP. The mobile terminal may then access an external network via the peer mobile terminal. Advantageously, the mobile terminal may continue to provide services on its own wireless network while discovering and joining the wireless network of the peer mobile terminal, and be able to provide additional services (e.g., routing, content) on its own wireless network based on access to the peer mobile terminal’s wireless network or external network.

[0096] In an implementation, a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may initially operate as a non-AP. Subsequently, the mobile terminal may start operating concurrently as both an AP and a non-AP, with the non-AP joining a wireless network created by a peer mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2). The peer mobile terminal may be a potential AP that starts operating as an AP after receiving a message from the mobile terminal requesting the peer mobile terminal to start operating as an AP. The mobile terminal may then access an external network via the peermobile terminal. Advantageously, the mobile terminal may save power by starting to operate as an AP only when services are available, and the mobile terminal may also be able to provide additional services (e.g., routing, content) on its own wireless network based on access to the peer mobile terminal’s wireless network or external network.

[0097] In an implementation, a potential AP (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may initially operate as a non-AP, with the benefits of operating at a lower power consumption (as opposed to operating as an AP) and having the ability to discover and join a wireless network. The potential AP may be connected to an external network. Subsequently, the potential AP may start operating a collocated AP after receiving a message from a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) requesting the potential AP to start operating as an AP, allowing the potential AP to continue operating as a non- AP to discover or participate as a non-AP with other wireless networks, while still enabling the mobile terminal to access its wireless network, and routing data between the mobile terminal and the external network. The mobile terminal is thus able to access the external network via the potential AP.

[0098] In a use case, a vehicle infotainment system may automatically discover and connect to a mobile phone’s wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspot) to gain access to the Internet to enable certain services. In another use case, a laptop or tablet may automatically enable and connect to a mobile phone’s wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspot) to gain access to the Internet for supporting software applications. It will be appreciated that the above use cases are not meant to be exhaustive and further use cases are possible.

[0099] In an implementation, a mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may be configured to start transmission of a discover message when powered on. It may also start transmission of the discover message when a state is changed (e.g., sleep / inactive to awake / active, off to on, airplane mode on to off, etc.). It may also start transmission of the discover message based on user interaction (e.g., opening an application, accessing device settings), or based on out-of-band communication (e.g., Bluetooth Beacon / exchange). A wireless communication technology used for out-of-band communication may be selected based on similarity of coverage to the communication technology used for the subsequent data communication or suitability for a target use case. Alternatively, the mobile terminal may start transmission of the discover message after a period of scanning for existing wireless networks. Transmission of the discover message may be periodic, and may be on a single channel (e.g., similar to Beacon transmission) to increase chances of discovery by passive / active scan by a peer mobile terminal (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2).Alternatively, the mobile terminal may transmit the discover messages in bursts or randomly and over multiple channels. The mobile terminal may reduce a rate of transmission of sending discover messages after an initial period to reduce interference and power consumption. The mobile terminal may also be configured to concurrently perform passive or active scanning, and / or enter sleep / power-save / standby mode between periods to reduce power consumption. Another mobile terminal (potential AP) (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may be configured to perform a passive scan process periodically to receive Beacons and discover messages. The potential AP may avoid synchronizing with Beacon Interval timing by selecting an uncommon period or include random delays. Alternatively, the potential AP may initially operate as a non-AP and be configured to perform an active scan process periodically to discover networks, and then start operating as an AP after receiving a discover message (e.g., from the mobile terminal) during the scan process. Advantageously, the mobile terminal’s discover message has a higher chance of being received by the potential AP which scans over multiple channels to discover wireless networks, and the mobile terminal may quickly discover the potential AP.

[0100] In an implementation, a potential AP (e.g. Mobile Terminal 2) may initially be operating as a low-power / low-capability AP and with the potential to start operating as a non-low- power, high-capability, high-power or normal AP that provides more performance or functionality than a low-power / low-capability AP. For example, the low-power / low-capability AP may switch between a first operation state where the AP is in a state of active, awake, high-power and a second operation state where the AP is in a state of inactive, power-save, sleep, standby or low- power. The AP in the first operation state may switch to the second operation state, for example, when the AP sends fewer, less frequent or no Beacon frames to save power. The AP in the second operation state may switch to the first operation state, for example, when the AP sends Beacon frames more frequently or regularly to support discovery of the AP. While a low- power / low-capability AP, the potential AP may operate with reduced power-consumption, for example, by ceasing Beacon transmission during certain periods of time. Following reception of the discover message from a mobile terminal, the potential AP may start operating as a non-low- power / high-capability / high-power / normal AP, for example, sending more frequent or more regular Beacon frames and operating with higher power consumption as compared to a low-power / low- capability AP. The potential AP may determine to start operating as the non-low-power / high- capability / high-power / normal AP based on the content of the discover message.

[0101] FIG. 30 depicts a flow diagram 3000 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a passive scan is performed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A mobile terminal 3002 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may be configured to operate as a non-AP and send one or more discover messages 3006 over one or more wireless channels to discover one or more potential wireless networks. For example, the mobile terminal 3002 may perform active scan and include the discover message in transmitted Probe Requests. This allows the mobile terminal 3002 to discover both existing and potential APs. A mobile terminal 3004 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may be configured to perform a passive scan process 3008 periodically to discover networks, and then start operating as an AP after receiving a discover message (e.g., from the mobile terminal 3002) during the scan process. During passive scan, the mobile terminal 3004 may listen for messages for a certain time in each supported channel sequentially to allow it to receive frames sent on different channels. In the example in flow diagram 3000, the first two discover messages may have not been received by the mobile terminal 3002 due to reasons related to, for example, channel, timing, interference, or coverage.

[0102] FIG. 31 depicts a flow diagram 3100 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which an active scan is performed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A mobile terminal 3104 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may be configured to perform an active scan by, for example, transmitting a Probe Request 3106. The mobile terminal 3102 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may be configured to perform passive scan and receive on multiple channels for Probe Request / Response, Beacon, or other similar transmissions. Alternatively, mobile terminal 3102 may listen on a single channel (e.g., a preconfigured channel or selected channel based on prior knowledge of the operation of the mobile terminal 3104), or be configured to listen for a frame transmission from the mobile terminal 3104 at certain times (e.g., based on a schedule and synchronized by time or based on out-of-band information, e.g., Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)), or based on an external trigger (e.g., state change). The mobile terminal 3102 may be configured to send an optional response 31 10 after receiving a Probe Request 3108 from the mobile terminal 3104, and then may transmit a discover message 3112 for discovering one or more potential wireless networks. In the example in the flow diagram 3100, the first Probe Request 3106 shown may have not been received by the mobile terminal 3102 due to reasons related to, for example, channel, timing, interference, or coverage, or the mobile terminal 3102 may not have been powered on or ready yet.

[0103] FIG. 32 depicts a flow diagram 3200 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a potential AP operates as a low-power / low-capability AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A mobile terminal 3204 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may be operating as a low-power / low-capability AP, and may be configured to send Beacons (e.g., 3206) and for example may advertise itself as a potential AP. The mobile terminal 3204 may enter a low-power (e.g., a standby) state for a period before waking up to send Beacons in an awake / active state. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 3204 may send FILS Discovery frames (for faster discovery) instead of or in addition to sending Beacons. A mobile terminal 3202 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may be configured to, after receiving a Beacon 3208 from the mobile terminal 3204, transmit a discover message 3210 to the mobile terminal 3204 for discovering one or more potential wireless networks. The mobile terminal 3204 may switch to a non-low-power / high-capability / high-power / normal operation mode / state based on receiving of the discover message 3210 from the mobile terminal 3202 and remain in this mode while connected to the mobile terminal 3202. In the example in the flow diagram 3200, the first Beacon 3206 shown may have not been received by the mobile terminal 3202 due to reasons related to, for example, channel, timing, interference, or coverage, or the mobile terminal 3202 may not have been powered on or ready yet.

[0104] FIG. 33 depicts a flow diagram 3300 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 33, a mobile terminal 3302 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1) initially operates as an AP or a low-power / low-capability AP and sends Beacons to a mobile terminal 3304 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2). The mobile terminal 3304 may perform passive scans for discovering wireless networks Alternatively, the mobile terminal 3304 may perform active scans. The mobile terminal 3302 may have a collocated AP, or may operate as an AP or a low-power / low-capability AP. The mobile terminal 3302 may send Beacons (e.g., 3306). It may also send FILS Discovery frames (for faster discovery) instead of or in addition to Beacon frames. The mobile terminal 3304 may send a Probe Request 3308 to the mobile terminal 3302 after receiving the Beacon 3306. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 3304 may send a Probe Request 3308 (e.g., as a broadcast) as part of an active scan process with or without receiving the Beacon 3306. The mobile terminal 3302 may be configured to send an optional response 3310 (e.g., a Probe Response) after receiving the Probe Request 3308 from mobile terminal 3304, and then transmit a discover message 3312 to the mobile terminal 3304, e.g., on the same wireless channel as the Probe Request was received on for discovering one or more potential wireless networks. A mobileterminal 3302 may also be configured not to send the optional response 3310 to the mobile terminal 3304 but send a discover message 3312 to the mobile terminal 3304. Then, the mobile terminal 3302 may start operating as a non-AP to connect to a wireless network set up by the mobile terminal 3304. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 3302 may wait for a response (not shown) functioning as an acknowledgement or confirmation from the mobile terminal 3304 before starting operation as a non-AP. In starting operation as a non-AP, the mobile terminal 3302 may be suspending operation as an AP or low-power / low-capability AP so as to operate as a non-AP, or operating concurrently as both an AP (or low-power / low-capability AP) and a non-AP.

[0105] FIG. 34 depicts a flow diagram 3400 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 34, a mobile terminal 3402 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1) initially operates as an AP or a low-power / low-capability AP and sends Beacons including the discover message to a mobile terminal 3404. The mobile terminal 3402 may be configured to send a discover message 3406 comprising a Beacon with an Interworking element, for example. Upon receiving the discover message 3406, the mobile terminal 3404 may then start operating as an AP and transmit a Beacon 3412 to the mobile terminal 3402. Alternatively, upon receiving the discover message 3406, the mobile terminal 3404 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2) may optionally transmit a Probe Request 3408 to the mobile terminal 3402. In a variant, the mobile terminal 3404 may send a Probe Request 3408 (e.g., as a broadcast) as part of an active scan process with or without receiving the Beacon 3406. The mobile terminal 3402 may respond to the Probe Request 3406 by sending an optional response 3410 to the mobile terminal 3404. For example, the response 3410 may be a Beacon, a Probe Response or another discover message. The mobile terminal 3404 may start operating as an AP after receiving the response 3410 and transmit a Beacon 3412 to the mobile terminal 3402. Next, based on reception of the optional Probe Request 3408, or alternatively of the Beacon 3412, the mobile terminal 3402 may start operating as a non-AP to connect to a wireless network set up by the mobile terminal 3404. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 3402 may wait for a response (not shown) which functions as an acknowledgement or confirmation from the mobile terminal 3404 before starting operation as a non-AP. The mobile terminal 3402 may be suspending operation as an AP or low-power / low-capability AP so as to operate as a non-AP, or operating concurrently as both an AP (or low-power / low-capability AP) and a non-AP.

[0106] FIG. 35 depicts a flow diagram 3500 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which a rate of sending discover messages during discovery ofpotential wireless networks may be reduced according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, a mobile terminal 3502 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1) may be configured to periodically or regularly send discover messages 3504 over one or more wireless channels to discover one or more potential wireless networks. The mobile terminal 3502 may then be configured to transmit the discover messages at a reduced rate of transmission 3506 after an initial period with no suitable potential APs discovered, for example to save power. In the example in the flow diagram 3500, the first two discover messages 3504 shown may have not been received by the potential AP due to reasons related to, for example, channel, timing, interference, coverage, or the potential AP may not have been powered on or ready yet.

[0107] FIG. 36 depicts a flow diagram 3600 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which discovery of potential wireless networks may be made by out-of-band (OOB) communication according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a mobile terminal 3602 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) may be configured to exchange out-of-band messages 3606 with a mobile terminal 3604 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 2), e.g., the mobile terminal 3602 receiving a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon or other frame from the mobile terminal 3604 containing information about the potential wireless network or AP. The mobile terminal 3602 may then transmit a discover message 3608 requesting the mobile terminal 3604 to start operating as an AP.

[0108] FIG. 37 depicts a flow diagram 3700 illustrating a procedure for accessing a network through a potential AP in which discovery of potential wireless networks may be started by user interaction with a mobile terminal 3702 (e.g., Mobile Terminal 1 ) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, user interaction 3704 with mobile terminal 3702 may cause the mobile terminal 3702 to start sending (e.g., periodically or regularly) discover messages 3706 over one or more wireless channels to discover one or more potential wireless networks. In an example, the mobile terminal 3702 may then be configured to transmit the discover messages at a reduced rate of transmission 3708 after an initial period with no suitable potential APs discovered, for example to save power. In the example in the flow diagram 3700, the first two discover messages 3706 shown may have not been received by the potential AP due to reasons related to, for example, channel, timing, interference, or coverage, or the potential AP may not have been powered on or ready yet.

[0109] FIG. 38 shows an exemplary flow diagram 3800 illustrating a communication method according to various embodiments. At step 3802, a request is generated by a first communication apparatus for a second communication apparatus to operate as an AP. At step 3804, the request is transmitted by the first communication apparatus to the second communication apparatus.

[0110] FIG. 39 shows an exemplary flow diagram 3900 illustrating another communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. At step 3902, a request is received by a second communication apparatus from a first communication apparatus for the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP. At step 3904, the second communication apparatus configures itself to operate as the AP based on the request.

[0111] FIG. 40 shows an exemplary schematic view of a communication apparatus 2300 that can be implemented for accessing a network through a potential AP in accordance with the various embodiments. The communication apparatus 4000 may be implemented as a mobile terminal, application host, router, server, non-AP or AP according to various embodiments.

[0112] Various functions and operations of the communication apparatus 4000 are arranged into layers in accordance with a hierarchical model. In the model, lower layers report to higher layers and receive instructions therefrom in accordance with IEEE specifications. For the sake of simplicity, details of the hierarchical model are not discussed in the present disclosure.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 40, the communication apparatus 4000 may include circuitry 4014, at least one radio transmitter 4002, at least one radio receiver 4004 and at least one antenna 4012 (for the sake of simplicity, only one radio receiver and only one antenna is depicted in FIG. 40 for illustration purposes). The circuitry may include at least one controller 4006 for use in software and / or hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of communications with one or more other devices in a wireless network. The at least one controller 4006 may control at least one transmission signal generator 4008 for generating frames to be sent through the at least one radio transmitter 4002 to one or more other non-APs or APs and at least one receive signal processor 4010 for processing frames received through the at least one radio receiver 4004 from the one or more other non-APs or APs. The at least one transmission signal generator 4008 and the at least one receive signal processor 4010 may be stand-alone modules of the communication apparatus 4000 that communicate with the at leastone controller 4006 for the above-mentioned functions. Alternatively, the at least one transmission signal generator 4008 and the at least one receive signal processor 4010 may be included in the at least one controller 4006. It is appreciable to those skilled in the art that the arrangement of these functional modules is flexible and may vary depending on the practical needs and / or requirements. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets.

[0114] In various embodiments, when in operation, the at least one radio transmitter 4002, at least one radio receiver 4004, and at least one antenna 401 may be controlled by the at least one controller 4006. Furthermore, while only one radio transmitter 4002 is shown, it will be appreciated that there can be more than one of such transmitters.

[0115] In various embodiments, when in operation, the at least one radio receiver 4004, together with the at least one receive signal processor 4010, forms a receiver of the communication apparatus 4000. The receiver of the communication apparatus 4000, when in operation, provides functions required for processing an information container. While only one radio receiver 4004 is shown, it will be appreciated that there can be more than one of such receivers.

[0116] The communication apparatus 4000, when in operation, provides functions required for accessing a network through a potential AP. For example, the communication apparatus 4000 may be a first communication apparatus, and the circuitry 4014 may, in operation, generate a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an AP. The transmitter 4002 may, in operation, transmit the request to the second communication apparatus.

[0117] The request may comprise information identifying at least one or both of the first and second communication apparatuses. The request may comprise information relating to a network that the first communication apparatus intends to access. The circuitry 4014 may be configured to mask and / or compress the information in the request. The information may be obtained from a previous connection to the second communication apparatus.

[0118] The transmitter 4002 may be configured to transmit the request in a Public Action frame, the Public Action frame comprising an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) element indicating a request to discover a potential network. The transmitter 4002 may be configured totransmit the request in a Probe Request or a Probe Response frame, the Probe Request or Probe Response frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network.

[0119] The first communication apparatus may be configured to operate as an AP when transmitting the request and operate as a non-AP when joining a wireless network created by the second communication apparatus, and the transmitter 4002 may be configured to transmit the request in a Beacon frame, the Beacon frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network.

[0120] The first communication apparatus may further comprise a receiver 4004 which, in operation, receives a message from the second communication apparatus prior to transmitting the request, the message comprising an advertisement of a potential network indicating that the second communication apparatus is capable of operating as an AP.

[0121] The request may result in the second communication apparatus that is operating as a non-AP to operate as an AP, or that is operating as an AP in low-power / low-capability mode to operate as an AP in a non-low-power / high-capability / high-power / normal mode. The transmitter 4002 may be configured to transmit the request in an out-of-band channel. The transmitter 4002 may be configured to periodically transmit the request on one or more wireless channels.

[0122] The communication apparatus 4000 may be a second communication apparatus. The receiver 4004 may, in operation, receive a request from a first communication apparatus for the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP. The circuitry 4014 may, in operation, configure the second communication apparatus to operate as the AP based on the request.

[0123] The request may comprise information identifying at least one or both of the first and second communication apparatuses, and the circuitry 4014 may configure the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the information. The request may comprise information relating to a network that the first communication apparatus intends to access, and the circuitry 4014 may configure the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the information. The circuitry 4014 may be configured to unmask and / or decompress the information in the request. The information may be obtained from a previous connection to the first communication apparatus, and the circuitry 4014 may be configured toallow access of the first communication apparatus to a wireless network created by the second communication apparatus based on the information.

[0124] The request may be in a Public Action frame, the Public Action frame comprising an ANQP element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry 4014 may configure the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network. The request may be in a Probe Request or a Probe Response frame, the Probe Request or Probe Response frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry 4014 may configure the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network. The request may be in a Beacon frame, the Beacon frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry 4014 may configure the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network. The receiver 4004 may be configured to receive the request in an out-of-band channel. The second communication apparatus may be further configured to perform a scan process to discover a wireless network when not operating as an AP.

[0125] The second communication apparatus may further comprise a transmitter 4002 which, in operation, transmits a message to the first communication apparatus prior to receiving the request, the message comprising an advertisement of a potential network indicating that the second communication apparatus is capable of operating as an AP.

[0126] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment described above can be partly or entirely realized by an integrated circuit (IC) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), and each process described in each embodiment may be controlled partly or entirely by a same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be individually formed as chips, or one chip may be formed so as to include a part or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include a data input and output coupled thereto. The LSI here may be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, an ultra-LSI, a very-large-scale integration (VLSI), or a system on a chip (SoC) depending on the integration scales. However, the technique of implementing an integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI and may be realized by using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a special-purpose processor. In addition, a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)that can be programmed after the manufacture of the LSI or a reconfigurable processor in which the connections and the settings of circuit cells disposed inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be used. The present disclosure can be realized as digital processing and / or analogue processing. The functional blocks could be integrated with various integrated circuit technologies which are not limited to those mainly used at present. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0127] The present disclosure can be realized by any kind of apparatus, device or system having a function of communication, which is referred to as a communication apparatus.

[0128] Some non-limiting examples of such communication apparatus may include a phone (e.g., cellular (cell) phone, smart phone), a tablet, a personal computer (PC) (e.g., laptop, desktop, netbook), a camera (e.g., digital still / video camera), a digital player (digital audio / video player), a wearable device (e.g., wearable camera, smart watch, tracking device, head mounted display (HMD), smart glasses), a game console, a digital book reader, a telehealth / telemedicine (remote health and medicine) device, and a vehicle providing communication functionality (e.g., automotive, airplane, ship), and various combinations thereof.

[0129] The communication apparatus is not limited to be portable or movable, and may also include any kind of apparatus, device or system being non-portable or stationary, such as a smart home device (e.g., an appliance, lighting, smart meter, control panel), a vending machine, and any other “things” in a network of an “Internet of Things (loT)”.

[0130] The communication may include exchanging data through, for example, a cellular system, a wireless LAN system, a satellite system, etc., and various combinations thereof.

[0131] The communication apparatus may comprise a device such as a controller or a sensor which is coupled to a communication apparatus performing a function of communication described in the present disclosure. For example, the communication apparatus may comprise a controller or a sensor that generates control signals or data signals which are used by a communication apparatus performing a communication function of the communication apparatus.

[0132] The communication apparatus also may include an infrastructure facility, such as a base station, an access point, and any other apparatus, device or system that communicates with or controls apparatuses such as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0133] According to the present disclosure, various examples below have been described:1 . A first communication apparatus, comprising: circuitry, which in operation, generates a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an AP; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the request to the second communication apparatus.2. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the request comprises information identifying at least one or both of the first and second communication apparatuses.3. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the request comprises information relating to a network that the first communication apparatus intends to access.4. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 2 to 3, wherein the circuitry is configured to mask and / or compress the information in the request.5. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 2 to 4, wherein the information is obtained from a previous connection to the second communication apparatus.6. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the request in a Public Action frame, the Public Action frame comprising an ANQP element indicating a request to discover a potential network.7. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the request in a Probe Request or a Probe Response frame, the Probe Request or Probe Response frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network.8. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the first communication apparatus is configured to operate as an AP when transmitting the request and operate as a non- AP when joining a wireless network created by the second communication apparatus, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the request in a Beacon frame, the Beacon frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network.9. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , further comprising a receiver which, in operation, receives a message from the second communication apparatus prior to transmitting the request, the message comprising an advertisement of a potential network indicating that the second communication apparatus is capable of operating as an AP.10. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the request results in the second communication apparatus that is operating as a non-AP to operate as an AP, or that is operating as an AP in a low-power / low-capability mode to operate as an AP, or AP in a non-low- power / high-capability mode.1 1 . The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the request in an out-of-band channel.12. The first communication apparatus of example 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to periodically transmit the request on one or more wireless channels.13. A second communication apparatus comprising: a receiver, which in operation, receives a request from a first communication apparatus for the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP; and circuitry, which in operation, configures the second communication apparatus to operate as the AP based on the request.14. The second communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the request comprises information identifying at least one or both of the first and second communication apparatuses, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the information.15. The second communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the request comprises information relating to a network that the first communication apparatus intends to access, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the information.16. The second communication apparatus of any one of examples 14 to 15, wherein the circuitry is configured to unmask and / or decompress the information in the request.17. The second communication apparatus of any one of examples 14 to 16, wherein the information is obtained from a previous connection to the first communication apparatus, and the circuitry is configured to allow access of the first communication apparatus to a wireless network created by the second communication apparatus based on the information.18. The second communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the request is in a Public Action frame, the Public Action frame comprising an ANQP element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network.19. The second communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the request is in a Probe Request or a Probe Response frame, the Probe Request or Probe Response frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network.20. The second communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the request is in a Beacon frame, the Beacon frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network.21. The second communication apparatus of example 13, further comprising a transmitter which, in operation, transmits a message to the first communication apparatus prior to receiving the request, the message comprising an advertisement of a potential network indicating that the second communication apparatus is capable of operating as an AP.22. The second communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the receiver receives the request in an out-of-band channel.23. The second communication apparatus of example 13, is further configured to perform a scan process to discover a wireless network when not operating as an AP.24. A communication method comprising:Generating, by a first communication apparatus, a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an AP; and transmitting, by the first communication apparatus, the request to the second communication apparatus.25. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a second communication apparatus from a first communication apparatus, a request for the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP; and configuring, by the second communication apparatus, the second communication apparatus to operate as the AP based on the request.

[0134] Thus, it can be seen that the present embodiments provide communication apparatuses and methods for accessing a network through a potential AP.

[0135] While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the present embodiments, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should further be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, operation, or configuration of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing exemplary embodiments, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of steps and method of operation described in the exemplary embodiments and modules and structures of devices described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the subject matter as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A first communication apparatus, comprising: circuitry, which in operation, generates a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an access point (AP); and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the request to the second communication apparatus.

2. The first communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the request comprises information identifying at least one or both of the first and second communication apparatuses.

3. The first communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the request comprises information relating to a network that the first communication apparatus intends to access.

4. The first communication apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the circuitry is configured to mask and / or compress the information in the request.

5. The first communication apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the information is obtained from a previous connection to the second communication apparatus.

6. The first communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the request in a Public Action frame, the Public Action frame comprising an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) element indicating a request to discover a potential network.

7. The first communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the request in a Probe Request or a Probe Response frame, the Probe Request or Probe Response frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network.

8. The first communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first communication apparatus is configured to operate as an AP when transmitting the request and operate as a non-AP when joining a wireless network created by the second communication apparatus, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the request in a Beacon frame, the Beacon frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network.

9. The first communication apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a receiver which, in operation, receives a message from the second communication apparatus prior to transmitting the request, the message comprising an advertisement of a potential network indicating that the second communication apparatus is capable of operating as an AP.

10. A second communication apparatus comprising: a receiver, which in operation, receives a request from a first communication apparatus for the second communication apparatus to operate as an access point (AP); and circuitry, which in operation, configures the second communication apparatus to operate as the AP based on the request.

11. The second communication apparatus of claim 10, wherein the request comprises information identifying at least one or both of the first and second communication apparatuses, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the information.

12. The second communication apparatus of claim 10, wherein the request comprises information relating to a network that the first communication apparatus intends to access, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the information.

13. The second communication apparatus of any one of claims 1 1 to 12, wherein the circuitry is configured to unmask and / or decompress the information in the request.

14. The second communication apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the information is obtained from a previous connection to the first communication apparatus, and the circuitry is configured to allow access of the first communication apparatus to a wireless network created by the second communication apparatus based on the information.

15. The second communication apparatus of claim 10, wherein the request is in a Public Action frame, the Public Action frame comprising an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network.

16. The second communication apparatus of claim 10, wherein the request is in a Probe Request or a Probe Response frame, the Probe Request or Probe Response frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network.

17. The second communication apparatus of claim 10, wherein the request is in a Beacon frame, the Beacon frame comprising a discover potential network request element indicating a request to discover a potential network, and the circuitry configures the second communication apparatus to operate as an AP based on the request to discover the potential network.

18. The second communication apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a transmitter which, in operation, transmits a message to the first communication apparatus prior to receiving the request, the message comprising an advertisement of a potential network indicating that the second communication apparatus is capable of operating as an AP.

19. A communication method comprising:Generating, by a first communication apparatus, a request for a second communication apparatus to operate as an access point (AP); andtransmitting, by the first communication apparatus, the request to the second communication apparatus.

20. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a second communication apparatus from a first communication apparatus, a request for the second communication apparatus to operate as an access point (AP); and configuring, by the second communication apparatus, the second communication apparatus to operate as the AP based on the request.

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