Fast join of peer to peer group with power saving mode

A method of operating a first wireless device, the method comprising:

• wirelessly transmitting a first message;
• receiving a response to the first message via a wireless communications medium, the response being received from a second wireless device and the response providing information regarding when a third wireless device is expected to be awake;
• and
• using the information regarding when the third wireless device is expected to be awake to establish wireless communications with the third wireless device, the using of the information to establish the wireless communications comprising:
• deferring monitoring a channel used by the third wireless device according to the information regarding when the third wireless device is expected to be awake;
• and
• wirelessly transmitting a join request to the third wireless device for a wireless network controlled by the third wireless device.

A computer-readable storage device, having instructions stored therein for causing a wireless device to perform operations, the operations comprising:

• storing information about a device controlling a wireless network;
• receiving a first message from a first device via a wireless communications medium, the first message comprising an information element indicating a request for information about the wireless;
• based on the stored information, formatting a response to the first message including information about the device controlling the wireless network, wherein the information about the device controlling the wireless computing device wireless network includes an indication of a time at which the device controlling the wireless network is expected to be awake;
• and
• wirelessly transmitting the response to the first device, wherein the first device then:
• defers monitoring a channel used by the device controlling the wireless network based on the information regarding when the device controlling the wireless network is expected to be awake;
• and
• transmits a request to join the wireless network to the device controlling the wireless network.

A wireless computing device, comprising:

• a radio configured to interface the wireless computing device to a wireless network;
• at least one memory and at least one processor that are respectively configured to store and execute instructions to cause the radio to:
• transmit a probe request message, the probe request message comprising an information element indicating a request for information about a group owner of the wireless network;
• receive a probe reply message including information indicating a scheduled time for the group owner to exit a sleep state;
• and
• establish communications with the group owner, the instructions to establish the communications comprising instructions to:
• defer active scanning for the group owner until a time selected based on the scheduled time;
• and
• send a join request to the group owner.