Method and apparatus for managing multi-hop relay networks

A method of wireless communication for an apparatus associated with a network comprising:

• receiving, by the apparatus, a first notification corresponding to a state of association of a first device with the network, the first notification comprising a first timestamp corresponding to a time a disassociation event of the first device is detected when no communication is received from the first device for a first time period, during which the first device is prohibited from re-associating with the network to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• comparing, by the apparatus, the first timestamp with a second timestamp corresponding to the table stored by the apparatus;
• and
• updating, by the apparatus, the table with the first timestamp if the first timestamp is more recent than the second timestamp.

An apparatus associated with a network, comprising:

• means for initializing a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• means for detecting a disassociation event of a first device with the network, wherein the disassociation event is detected if no communication is received from the first device during a first time period;
• means for prohibiting the first device from re-associating with the network during the first time period to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of the table;
• means for updating at least one network parameter in the table based on the detection of the disassociation event;
• and
• means for generating a notification based on the update of the at least one network parameter.

An apparatus associated with a network comprising:

• means for receiving a first notification corresponding to a state of association of a first device with the network, the first notification comprising a first timestamp corresponding to a time a disassociation event of the first device is detected when no communication is received from the first device for a first time period, during which the first device is prohibited from re-associating with the network to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• means for comparing the first timestamp with a second timestamp corresponding to the table stored by the apparatus;
• and
• means for updating the table with the first timestamp if the first timestamp is more recent than the second timestamp.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by an apparatus associated with a network for:

• initializing, by the apparatus, a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• detecting, by the apparatus, a disassociation event of a first device with the network, wherein the disassociation event is detected if no communication is received from the first device during a first time period;
• prohibiting the first device from re-associating with the network during the first time period to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of the table;
• updating, by the apparatus, at least one network parameter in the table based on the detection of the disassociation event;
• and
• generating, by the apparatus, a notification based on the update of the at least one network parameter.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by an apparatus associated with a network for:

• receiving, by the apparatus, a first notification corresponding to a state of association of a first device with the network, the first notification comprising a first timestamp corresponding to a time a disassociation event of the first device is detected when no communication is received from the first device for a first time period, during which the first device is prohibited from re-associating with the network to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• comparing, by the apparatus, the first timestamp with a second timestamp corresponding to the table stored by the apparatus;
• and
• updating, by the apparatus, the table with the first timestamp if the first timestamp is more recent than the second timestamp.

An apparatus associated with a network comprising:

• a processing system configured to:
• initialize a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• detect a disassociation event of a first device with the network, wherein the disassociation event is detected if no communication is received from the first device during a first time period;
• prohibit the first device from re-associating with the network during the first time period to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of the table;
• update at least one network parameter in the table based on the detection of the disassociation event;
• and
• generate a notification based on the update of the at least one network parameter.

An apparatus associated with a network comprising:

• an interface configured to obtain a first notification corresponding to a state of association of a first device with the network, the first notification comprising a first timestamp corresponding to a time a disassociation event of the first device is detected when no communication is received from the first device for a first time period, during which the first device is prohibited from re-associating with the network to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• and
• a processing system coupled to the receiver, wherein the processing system is configured to:
• compare the first timestamp with a second timestamp corresponding to the table stored by the apparatus;
• and
• update the table with the first timestamp if the first timestamp is more recent than the second timestamp.

A relay associated with a network comprising:

• a processing system configured to:
• initialize a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• detect a disassociation event of a first device with the network, wherein the disassociation event is detected if no communication is received from the first device during a first time period;
• prohibit the first device from re-associating with the network during the first time period to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of the table;
• update at least one network parameter in the table based on the detection of the disassociation event;
• generate a notification based on the update of the at least one network parameter;
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit the notification.

A relay associated with a network comprising:

• an antenna;
• a receiver coupled to the antenna and configured to receive, via the antenna, a first notification corresponding to a state of association of a first device with the network, the first notification comprising a first timestamp corresponding to a time a disassociation event of the first device is detected when no communication is received from the first device for a first time period, during which the first device is prohibited from re-associating with the network to avoid a race-condition in order to ensure consistency of a table that includes one or more network parameters;
• and
• a processing system configured to:
• compare the first timestamp with a second timestamp corresponding to the table stored by the relay;
• and
• update the table with the first timestamp if the first timestamp is more recent than the second timestamp.