Cluster head resignation to improve routing in mobile communication systems

A network communications apparatus comprising:

• a memory which stores network information;
• a processor which (i) controls said apparatus to operate as a cluster gateway;
• (ii) controls said apparatus to resign from operating as a cluster gateway;
• (iii) maintains affiliation with a first cluster gateway at least during a period in which said apparatus ends operation as a cluster gateway and commences operation as a cluster member of the first cluster gateway;
• and
• a transceiver which transmits communication messages.

In a communications system for communication among plural member stations in a network in which member stations are arranged in clusters of communication member stations with one of the member stations being a cluster head, each member station communicating with the network through at least one affiliated cluster head stations, the cluster head stations communicating with other cluster head stations, a method of operating a communications station comprising the steps of:

• operating the communications station as a cluster head station;
• resigning the communications station from operating as a cluster head station;
• and
• maintaining affiliation with a first neighbor cluster head station while the communications station transitions from operating as a cluster head station to operating as a member station of a cluster headed by the first neighbor cluster head station.

Computer executable code stored on a computer readable medium, the code to operate a communications station so as to communicate with a plurality of mobile stations in a network in which stations are arranged in clusters of communication member stations, with one member station being a cluster head station for each cluster, each member station communicating with the network through at least one affiliated cluster head station, the cluster head station communicating with other cluster head stations, said computer executable code comprising:

• code to operate the communications station as a cluster head station;
• code to resign the communications station from operating as a cluster head station;
• and
• code to maintain affiliation with a first neighbor cluster head station at least during a period in which the communications station resigns as a cluster head station and commences operating as a member station of a cluster headed by the first neighbor cluster head station.

In a communications system for communication among plural stations in a network in which stations are arranged in clusters of communication member stations with one of the member stations being a head station of the cluster, the cluster head stations communicating with other cluster head stations, a method for configuring the network of stations includes the steps of:

• operating at least a first and a second station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first and second stations forming a communications link;
• resigning the first station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met;
• and
• maintaining the communication link between the first and second station as the first station transitions from operating as a cluster head station to operating as a cluster member station of a cluster headed by the second cluster head station.

A network communications apparatus comprising:

• storage means for storing network information;
• first control means for controlling an operation of said apparatus in a cluster gateway mode;
• second control means for controlling said apparatus to resign from operation in the cluster gateway mode;
• maintaining means for maintaining a communications link with a first cluster gateway while the apparatus transitions from operating in the cluster gateway mode to operating in a cluster member mode as a cluster member of a cluster headed by the first cluster head station;
• and
• transmitting means for transmitting communication messages.