US 6980537

US Patent 6,980,537: Concise Summary

Title: Method and apparatus for communication network cluster formation and transmission of node link status messages with reduced protocol overhead traffic

Current Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC; Stingray IP Solutions LLC

Inventor: Yu-Jih Liu

Filing Date: November 13, 2000

Issue Date: December 27, 2005

Abstract: The patent describes a method and apparatus for forming clusters within a communication network by identifying network nodes crucial for relaying traffic and designating them as cluster head nodes, while others become member nodes. The system adjusts the beacon packet transmission rate (interval between transmissions) to facilitate cluster formation regardless of network size or varying initial node start times. Furthermore, it employs this cluster formation technique to create a three-tier architecture. In this setup, super nodes (an additional tier formed from cluster head nodes) distribute routing information, while cluster head nodes handle network data traffic. To reduce overhead, cluster head node databases are examined after super nodes flood routing information, and only missing data is requested from the corresponding super node, eliminating the need for acknowledgment messages.

Independent Claims Overview:

Claim 1 (Method Claim):
This claim describes a method for forming clusters in a communication network comprising multiple nodes. Each node includes a processor and a database. The method involves the nodes transmitting and receiving node status packets that contain neighbor information. The interval between these transmissions is adjusted based on the quantity of neighboring nodes. After a certain period without new neighbors or changes in neighbor sets, each node uses its stored neighbor information to determine if its own set of neighbors is a subset of any other neighboring node's neighbor set. If it is, the node designates itself as a member node. If its neighbor set is not a subset of any other neighboring node's set (meaning it is crucial for relaying traffic), it designates itself as a head node.

Claim 11 (Apparatus Claim):
This claim describes an apparatus, specifically a network node, designed to operate within a communication network with other nodes. The node includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor is configured to cause the transmitter to send node status packets with neighbor information and to adjust the interval between these transmissions. The processor also causes the receiver to receive node status packets. Crucially, the processor is configured to determine if its associated neighbor set is a subset of any other neighboring node's neighbor set. If it is, the processor designates the node as a member node; otherwise, it designates the node as a head node.

Claim 15 (Method Claim - Three-Tier Architecture for Information Flooding):
This claim outlines a method for flooding routing information in a multi-tier network (formed by the process of Claim 1). This method involves identifying nodes crucial for relaying traffic and designating them as cluster head nodes (forming a second tier). The same clustering procedure is then applied to these cluster head nodes to designate super nodes (forming a third tier). The super nodes then transmit database update packets to other super nodes and associated head nodes. The head nodes receive this information, update their databases, and if any information is missing, they send a request to their corresponding super node for the missing data. This process eliminates the need for acknowledgment messages during the flooding.

Claim 20 (Apparatus Claim - Three-Tier Architecture for Information Flooding):
This claim describes a network node apparatus for use in the three-tier architecture described in Claim 15. The node includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor is configured to identify the node as a cluster head or member. If it's a head node, the processor is further configured to determine if it should be a super node based on a clustering procedure applied to head nodes. If designated a super node, the processor transmits database update packets to other super nodes and associated head nodes. If designated a head node (but not a super node), the processor receives database update packets, updates its database, and if information is missing, it sends a request to its corresponding super node for the missing data.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

No authoritative information regarding specific CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 6980537 was found in the provided search results. General information about CAFC dockets was available, but no direct matches for this patent number in 2026.