Determination of distance between nodes in a computer network

A method for determining relative distances between a base node and at least one other nodes of a computer network, the method comprising:

• receiving, from the base node through the computer network, at least one query message, each of which includes:
• an expiration parameter which specifies an expiration condition for the query message;
• and
• a data body which includes data specifying the expiration condition of the query message as specified in the expiration parameter of the query message;
• and
• determining a quickest expiration of the at least one query message, wherein the quickest expiration is determined according to the respective expiration conditions of the query messages as specified in the data body of the query message;
• wherein the quickest expiration relates to the relative distance.

A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to determine relative distances between a base node and at least one other nodes of a computer network, the computer instructions comprising:

• a sending module which is configured to send through the computer network at least two query messages, each of which includes:
• an expiration parameter which specifies an expiration condition for the query message;
• and
• a data body which includes data specifying the expiration condition of the query message as specified in the expiration parameter of the query message;
• and
• a receiving module which is operatively coupled to the sending module and which is configured to receive, from a recipient one of the other nodes, a query response message which includes data specifying a quickest expiration of at least one received one of the query messages which are received by the recipient node, wherein the quickest expiration is determined according to the respective expiration conditions of the received query messages as specified in the data body of the received query messages;
• wherein the quickest expiration relates to the relative distance.

A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to determine relative distances between a base node and one or more other nodes of a computer network, the computer instructions comprising:

• a receiving module which is configured to receive, from the base node through the computer network, at least one query message, each of which includes:
• an expiration parameter which specifies an expiration condition for the query message;
• and
• a data body which includes data specifying the expiration condition of the query message as specified in the expiration parameter of the query message;
• and
• a comparison module which is operatively coupled to the receiving module and which is configured to determine a quickest expiration of the at least one query message, wherein the quickest expiration is determined according to the respective expiration conditions of the query messages as specified in the data body of the query messages;
• wherein the quickest expiration relates to the relative distance.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory operatively coupled to the processor;
• and
• distance determining logic which executes in the processor from the memory and which, when executed by the processor, causes the computer to determine relative distances between the computer system and at least one other node through a computer network, the distance determining logic comprising:
• a sending module which is configured to send through the computer network at least two query messages, each of which includes:
• an expiration parameter which specifies an expiration condition for the query message;
• and
• a data body which includes data specifying the expiration condition of the query message as specified in the expiration parameter of the query message;
• and
• a receiving module which is operatively coupled to the sending module and which is configured to receive, from a recipient one of the other nodes, a query response message which includes data specifying a quickest expiration of at least one received ones of the query messages which are received by the recipient node, wherein the quickest expiration is determined according to the respective expiration conditions of the received query messages as specified in the data body of the received query messages;
• wherein the quickest expiration relates to the relative distance.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory operatively coupled to the processor;
• and
• distance determining logic which executes in the processor from the memory and which, when executed by the processor, causes the computer to determine relative distances between the computer system and a base node through a computer network, the distance determining logic comprising:
• a receiving module which is configured to receive, from the base node through the computer network, at least one query message, each of which includes:
• an expiration parameter which specifies an expiration condition for the query message;
• and
• a data body which includes data specifying the expiration condition of the query message as specified in the expiration parameter of the query message;
• and
• a comparison module which is operatively coupled to the receiving module and which is configured to determine a quickest expiration of the at least one query message, wherein the quickest expiration is determined according to the respective expiration conditions of the query messages as specified in the data body of the query messages;
• wherein the quickest expiration relates to the relative distance.

An apparatus for determining relative distances between a base node and at least one other node of a computer network, the apparatus comprising:

• means for sending through the computer network at least two query messages, each of which includes:
• an expiration parameter which specifies an expiration condition for the query message;
• and
• a data body which includes data specifying the expiration condition of the query message as specified in the expiration parameter of the query message;
• and
• means for receiving, from a recipient one of the other nodes, a query response message which includes data specifying a quickest expiration of at least one received one of the query messages which is received by the recipient node, wherein the quickest expiration is determined according to the respective expiration conditions of the received query messages as specified in the data body of the received query message;
• wherein the quickest expiration relates to the relative distance.

An apparatus for determining relative distances between a base node and at least one other nodes of a computer network, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving, from the base node through the computer network, at least one query message, each of which includes:
• an expiration parameter which specifies an expiration condition for the query message;
• and
• a data body which includes data specifying the expiration condition of the query message as specified in the expiration parameter of the query message;
• and
• means for determining a quickest expiration of the at least one query message, wherein the quickest expiration is determined according to the respective expiration conditions of the query messages as specified in the data body of the query message;
• wherein the quickest expiration relates to the relative distance.