Protocol extension scheme for wireless computer networks
AssigneeShare Wave, Inc.
InventorRajugopal R. Gubbi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A packet header for use in information packets transmitted within a computer network includes a protocol extension field that indicates changes of field values and/or lengths within the header. In one embodiment, the protocol extension field includes two bits. The value of the protocol extension field indicates whether or not the packet header has been altered: 00 indicates no alterations, 01 or 10 indicate a predetermined change in the content and/or length of the header, and 11 indicates dynamic negotiation of the field values and/or size. Such packets may be used in a communication protocol for the computer network.
Claims17
A method of dynamically negotiating a packet header size, comprising:
- identifying and maintaining a list of supported fields in a network communications packet header, the list listing at least default positions and default lengths of the supported fields;
- identifying and maintaining another list of packet header fields utilized in a current session for network communications between a master device and a client device, the list listing at least actual positions and actual lengths of the utilized packet header fields;
- and
- dynamically negotiating, between the master device and the client device, through use of extension bits and the lists, changes in at least one supported field of the utilized packet header of the current session due to demands in a network communication between the master device and the client device.
A network system for dynamically negotiating a packet header size, comprising:
- a master device;
- client devices in communication with the master device;
- a list of supported fields in a network packet header including at least default positions and default lengths of the supported fields;
- another list of packet header fields supported for a current session with actual positions and actual lengths of the packet header fields;
- and
- wherein the master device dynamically negotiates through use of extended bits and the lists changes in the supported fields of the packet header for the current session due to demands in the network communication between the master device and the client devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.