CLIAMS:
We Claim:
1. A method of transferring data between wireless devices comprising:
discovering one or more wireless devices at MAC level by exchanging operational transport mode and connect mode of the wireless devices;
establishing a logical link between the one or more wireless devices discovered at MAC level; and
performing transfer of data packets with Media Agnostic (MA) USB payload and MA USB enumeration via the established logical link.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operational transport mode is MAC transport mode and the connect mode is connectionless mode.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connectionless mode enables MA USB over MAC works in MAC and logical link connection (LLC) addressing scheme in the absence of physical connection and IP based connection.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connectionless WSB operations achieved with Logical MAC level link.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein discovering one or more wireless devices at MAC level comprises:
broadcasting presence of one or more wireless devices and services being provided; and
performing peer to peer probe request and peer to peer probe response between the one or more wireless devices.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless devices is a Wi-Fi serial bus (WSB) enabled wireless device, which supports at least one wireless protocol,
the at least one wireless protocol comprises at least one of a Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Wi-Fi direct services, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi Mesh Networks and Wi-Fi docking.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising optionally:
applying a WSB session setup over MAC layer, if a plurality of session for data transfer need to be maintained between the logically linked one or more wireless devices; and
applying a WSB session teardown over MAC layer.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
exchanging a WSB discovery notification packet for making common understanding on WSB operating transport and connect mode between one or more wireless devices.

Dated this the 07th day of July 2015

Signature

KEERTHI J S
Patent Agent
Agent for the Applicant
,TagSPECI:
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10; Rule 13)

METHOD OF TRANSFERRING DATA BETWEEN WIRELESS DEVICES

SAMSUNG R&D INSTITUTE INDIA – BANGALORE PRIVATE LIMITED
# 2870, ORION Building, Bagmane Constellation Business Park,
Outer Ring Road, Doddanakundi Circle,
Marathahalli Post, Bangalore-560 037
An Indian Company

The following Specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of wireless device and more particularly relates to a method of transferring data between wireless devices using Wi-Fi Serial Bus (WSB).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wi-Fi Serial Bus (WSB) is a technology or specification evolving in Wi-Fi Alliance consortium. The WSB technology is used for enumerating and connecting Host device with Peripherals in Wireless fashion replacing universal serial bus (USB Cables). WSB devices are classified as WSB Hosts such as Mobile Phone, TV, Laptop Etc. and WSB Clients such as Keyboard, Mouse, Web Camera etc. WSB throughput would be comparable to USB 2.0, 3.0 with IEEE 802.11, ac, ad modes…etc.

According to current Wi-Fi Serial Bus specification, Wi-Fi Serial bus devices such as WSB Host, WSB Hub and WSB client communicate directly over MAC and optionally over IP transport. The WSB uses Wi-Fi direct services along with Media Agnostic USB for enumeration and data exchanges with the Wireless Peripherals and Hosts. If WSB session setup and MA USB works directly over MAC layer (with MAC and LLC SSAP, LLC DSAP addressing), then there is no need the actual WSB connection setup between the WSB devices, which consumes time and resources.

Hence, there is a need for a method for enabling faster and efficient WSB enumeration and data transfers over Wi-Fi serial bus.

SUMMARY
An objective of present invention is to introduce a connectionless and lightweight Wi-Fi serial bus to enable fast and efficient WSB enumeration and data transfer. Hence, the time consuming process such as WSB connection setup and WSB session setup are avoided. The same concept is applied and managed in multiple WSB device environments.
The method of transferring data between wireless devices according to one embodiment of present invention comprises discovering one or more wireless devices at MAC level by exchanging operational transport mode and connect mode of the wireless devices, establishing a logical link between the one or more wireless devices discovered at MAC level and performing transfer of data packets with Media Agnostic (MA) USB payload and MA USB enumeration via the established logical link. In the present invention, the operational transport mode used for data transfer is MAC transport mode and the connect mode between the WSB devices is connectionless mode. In one embodiment of present invention, the connectionless mode enables MA USB over MAC works in MAC and logical link connection (LLC) addressing scheme in the absence of physical connection and IP based connection. The connectionless WSB operations achieved with Logical MAC level link.
In the method of transferring data between wireless devices, discovering one or more wireless devices at MAC level comprises broadcasting presence of one or more wireless devices and services being provided and performing peer to peer probe request and peer to peer probe response between the one or more wireless devices. The wireless devices is a Wi-Fi serial bus (WSB) enabled wireless device, which supports at least one wireless protocol and the at least one wireless protocol comprises at least one of a Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Wi-Fi direct services, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi Mesh Networks and Wi-Fi docking.
The method of transferring data between wireless devices optionally comprises applying a WSB session setup over MAC layer, if a plurality of session for data transfer need to be maintained between the logically linked one or more wireless devices and applying a WSB session teardown over MAC layer. Further, the method of transferring data between wireless devices comprises exchanging a WSB discovery notification packet for making common understanding on WSB operating transport and connect mode between one or more wireless devices.

BRIEF DESRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present invention will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating Wi Fi serial bus connection between the Wi Fi devices such as WSB host, WSB hub and WSB peripheral devices.
Figure 2 illustrates Wi-Fi Serial Bus Components according to prior art.
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of the Wi-Fi Serial Bus service setup according to prior art.
Figure 4 illustrates Wi-Fi Serial Bus Components according one embodiment of present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of the Wi-Fi Serial Bus service setup according to one embodiment of present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a schematic representation of Wi-Fi Serial Bus service setup with WSB discovery packet according to another embodiment of present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a sequence diagram illustrating Wi-Fi Serial Bus Discovery, according to one embodiment of present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates the Connectionless Wi-Fi Serial Bus Architecture, according to one embodiment of present invention.
Figure 9 is a schematic representation depicting an exemplary format of Connectionless WSB or Lightweight WSB Discovery Notification Packet according to one embodiment of present invention.
Figure 10 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method of transferring data between wireless devices, according to one embodiment of present invention.
Figure11 is a block diagram illustrating one or more steps involved in the method oftransferring data between wireless devices, according to one embodiment of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The present invention can be modified in various forms. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention are only provided to explain more clearly the present invention to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.
The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include operatively connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating Wi-Fi serial bus (WSB) connection between the Wi-Fi devices such as WSB host, WSB hub and WSB peripheral devices. The data transfer among the Wi-Fi devices using WSB is called WSB session. According to Wi-Fi Serial Bus specification, Wi-Fi Serial bus devices such as WSB Host, WSB Hub and WSB client communicates over MAC and optionally over IP transport. The media Agnostic universal serial bus (MA USB) protocol and application specific (ASP) coordination protocol are used for the WSB session.
For instance, consider that the WSB host 101 (a laptop), WSB hub 102 and WSB clients (peripheral devices) such as printer and camera wirelessly. Mouse and keyboard are having a wired connection with WSB hub. In order to establish a connection with the WSB host and WSB client devices, these exist different phases such as WBS discover phase, WSB connection phase, WSB session set up phase. The according to the current specification, the WSB clients broadcasts the presence and services corresponding to the client devices. The host device 101 discovers the WSB client devices using the presence and the broadcasted services. The connection process includes P2P Probe request-response and P2P Service Discovery Request-Response and internet protocol connection. Further, WSB session is set up for MA USB device enumerations and data transfer.
Figure 2 illustrates Wi-Fi Serial Bus components according to prior art. The Wi-Fi host 202 are connected to the Wi-Fi peripheral or Wi-Fi client devices 202 using Wi-Fi direct or Wi-Fi direct service. In order to exchange data between the Wi-Fi host 201 and Wi-Fi client 202, the following steps such as WSB discovery, WSB connection set up, WSB session set up are performed. Further, the MA USB packets are transferred from WSB host device 201 to the WSB client device 202. A flow diagram illustrating the detailed method set up involved in establishing a connection and transferring data is illustrated in figure 3.
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of the Wi-Fi Serial Bus service setup according to prior art. The figure illustrates that the Wi-Fi host 201 and the Wi-Fi client 202 performs data transfer using WSB. According to current Wi-Fi Serial Bus specification, WSB Session Setup (ASP coordination protocol) and MA USB protocol are directly run on MAC mode between WSB client and WSB Host or Hub devices. But still in MAC mode cases, WSB physical connection is made and sessions are established at IP transport layer. The WSB advertise by the WSB client device 202 and the WSB seek by the WSB host device 201 occurred at step 301. This is termed as WSB discovery. At the present step, WSB host discovers WSB client device. In order to discover the client device by the host device, the client device broadcasts the presence and services. In order to perform the WSB discovery, WSB client 202 and WSB host initiate a WSB advertise action. The Peer 2 Peer probe P2P service discovery request and response between the WSB client device 202 and WSB host device 201is occurred at step 301. Further, at step 302, the WSB connection is established between the WSB host device 201 and WSB client device 202. The step 303 comprises peer to peer (P2P) provisional discovery, P2P Group owner negotiation, Group formation, DHCP IP assignment, IP port binding …etc as explained in the Wi-Fi Direct / Wi-Fi Peer to Peer specification. Further, at step 303, the WBS session set up is performed at MAC layer or at the IP layer. The WSB session set up 303 involves ASP session ADD and bound port…etc. as explained in the Wi-Fi Direct Service specification. The MA USB enumeration and data transfer is enabled at step 304 over MAC layer or the IP layer. The WSB session is teardown at step 306.
In the above stated WSB session operations, the WSB Connection Setup and WSB Session setup are time consuming operations.

Figure 4 illustrates Wi-Fi Serial Bus Components according one embodiment of present invention. According to one embodiment of present invention, the connection between the WSB host 401 and the WSB client 402 are discovered by sharing the mode of connection and type of data transfer. The present invention enables a connectionless connection between the WSB host 401 and WSB client 402. The connectionless connection between the WSB host 401 and WSB client 402 enables the connection over the MAC layer. This enables the data transfer over the MAC layer. The wireless connection comprises Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Wi-Fi direct services, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi Mesh Networks and Wi-Fi docking. The connection mode enables WBS discovery, MA USB enumeration and data transfer over MAC layer. The WBS discovery according to one embodiment of present invention is a light weight discovery. The light discovery of WSB client devices includes the exchange of the operational transport mode, connect mode. Whereas the light weight discovery of WSB devices skips the conventional steps such as WSB discovery such as extra service discovery request-response packets for performing WSB discovery. This provides a fast WSB discovery. The method steps performed during the connectionless mode WSB session is explained in detail in figure 5.
This connectionless or lightweight Wi-Fi serial bus provides faster and efficient WSB enumeration and data transfers since the time consuming process such as WSB connection setup and WSB session setup are avoided. The same concept is applicable in multiple WSB device environments as well.
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of the Wi-Fi Serial Bus service setup according to one embodiment of present invention. The figure illustrates a connectionless connection between the WSB client 402 and WSB host 401 according to one embodiment of present invention. The WSB client broadcasts the presence and services, whereas the WSB seek the client that matches the requirement. This is termed as WSB discovery. The WSB discovery is shown at step 501 of figure 5.
In one embodiment of present invention, the WSB discovery is a lightweight WSB discovery mechanism along with Logical link at MAC layer. The WSB connection setup and WSB session setup may be made optional steps in the present embodiment. This makes the connectionless WSB faster and efficient. Likewise, the WSB Session teardown is also made optional. The connectionless works only if the WSB client and WSB Host or WSB Hub works in MAC transport mode and connectionless as connect mode. If the connection mode is selected as optional IP mode or MAC transport mode with connection as connect mode, then the normal WSB specification procedures is followed. Whereas, both the WSB client and WSB Host or WSB Hub supports MAC transport mode and connectionless as connect mode, then the connectionless WSB session is enabled. In the connectionless WSB session, any WSB client broadcasts its presence and makes a logical link with WSB Host or WSB Hub device. This connection enables various MA USB operations.
The connectionless WSB Host or WSB Hub seeks for WSB client device which broadcast its presence and services. By using lightweight WSB discovery process, only P2P probe request and P2P probe response is performed between the WSB host and the WSB client devices. The P2P service discovery request-response is skipped. During the lightweight WSB discovery operations, WSB client and WSB Host or WSB Hub devices exchanges its operating WSB modes such as MAC mode or IP mode and connect Mode such as connectionless supported or not. If any of the device is operational only over IP mode then IP mode is selected as default WSB mode and normal steps in the WSB session is followed.
When both WSB client and WSB Host or WSB Hub devices support MAC mode as operational mode and connect mode as connectionless mode, then connectionless WSB session is applied. Connection event would be notified to MA USB layers for making logical link at MAC level. MA USB performs various operations such as enumerations and data transfer accordingly over MAC layer as indicated in step 503.
If user wants to maintain multiple sessions between WSB devices, WSB session setup (ASP coordination) over MAC could be applied optionally at step 502 before MA USB packet exchanges. Likewise, the WSB session teardown over MAC as shown in step 504 is applied parallel as optional step. The connection event from step 502 to step 503 is an optional event, whereas the connection event from step 501 to step 503 is mandatory.
Figure 6 illustrates a schematic representation of Wi-Fi Serial Bus service setup with WSB discovery packet according to another embodiment of present invention. The WSB host 402 and the WSB client performs a light weight WSB discovery at step 601. The WSB lightweight discovery involves P2P Probe request and P2P Probe response. P2P response includes the preferred operation and connect mode. Further, a WSB discovery notification packet is exchanged between the WSB host 401 and WSB client 402 as shown in step 602. This provides common understanding on WSB operating transport and connect mode between WSB Host and WSB Hub or WSB client devices. The same WSB discovery notification packet could be notified to all other WSB clients that are already part of WSB session. The data packets are transferred over MAC layer at step 604. If user wants to maintain multiple sessions between WSB devices, WSB session setup (ASP coordination) over MAC could be applied optionally at step 603 before MA USB packet exchanges. Likewise, the WSB session teardown over MAC as shown in step 605 is applied parallel as optional step.
Figure 7 illustrates a sequence diagram illustrating Wi-Fi Serial Bus Discovery, according to one embodiment of present invention. The WSB discovery phase according to prior art, WFDS (Wi-Fi Direct services) based Advertise Service is called from WSB client and WSB Host sends WFDS Seek service. Correspondingly the P2P Probe request-response and P2P Service Discovery Request-Response happens. According to one embodiment of present invention, P2P service discovery request-response is made as optional since most of the service information is again exchanged during MA USB device enumeration. This is termed as lightweight WSB discovery operation for connectionless WSB. The information in respect of transport mode may be added in advertise or seek service packets.
As illustrated in the figure, the service advertiser platform of the WSB client 402 or WSB host 401 devices includes the application, WSB service and the ASP. The WSB client 402 and the WSB host 401 exchanges the P2P probe request, service hash, P2P probe response, service name and advertisement ID. Whereas the operations mentioned in the box such as P2P service discovery request, service names, service information request, P2P service discovery response service name, advertisement ID and service information are skipped in the lightweight WSB discovery.
Figure 8 illustrates the connectionless Wi-Fi Serial Bus Architecture, according to one embodiment of present invention. As depicted in figure, the WSB service needs to incorporate the connectionless WSB session and lightweight WSB discovery services by directly interacting with the Wi-Fi direct module 801. The conventional Wi-Fi Serial Bus Architecture includes the Wi-Fi module. For instance, consider that the Wi-Fi service used in the present embodiment is Wi-Fi Direct. The Wi-Fi direct module 801 is linked with the ASP module 804 and the. The ASP module is operatively coupled with the WSB service 805. The WSB service module 805 and the IP transport module 802 are connected to MA USB module 803.
Whereas, in the connectionless Wi-Fi Serial Bus Architecture, according to one embodiment of present invention includes the modules such as Wi Fi direct module 801, WSB service module 805 and MA USB module 803. The ASP module 804 and the IP transport module 802 are optional, as the operational transport mode is MAC transport mode and the connect mode is connectionless mode.
Figure 9 is a schematic representation depicting an exemplary format of Connectionless WSB or Lightweight WSB Discovery Notification Packet according to one embodiment of present invention. The connectionless WSB or Lightweight WSB Discovery Advertise-Seek Packet structure is as follows:
AdvertiseService (service_name, auto_accept, service_information, service_status, operational_transport_mode, connect_mode)

SeekService (service_name, exact_search, mac_address, service_information_request, operational_transport_mode, connect_mode)

In one embodiment of present invention the connectionless WSB or Lightweight WSB Discovery Notification Packet structure is shown in the figure. The packet 900 includes a 802.11 MAC header bits 901, SNAP bits (902, 903), UI bits 904, Wi-Fi alliance bit 905, WSB OUI type bit 906, operational transport mode bit 907, connect mode bit 908 and FSC bit 909. The various bits in the packet are explained in detail below.

Connectionless WSB or Lightweight WSB Discovery Notification Packet

Whereas operational_transport_mode,
0 – Not used or Not supported
1 – MAC or 802.11 Mode (Mandatory)
2 – IP Mode (Optional)
3 – Reserved

Whereas connect_mode,
0 – Not used or Not supported
1 – Connection Mode
2 – Connectionless Mode
3 – Reserved.

Connectionless WSB or Lightweight WSB Discovery Notification packet is used by the WSB Host in order to notify to all the WSB Clients or WSB Hub devices. The same is applied to the newly joining WSB clients.

According to an exemplary embodiment of present invention, the operation and Connect mode are exchanged between the WSB Host and WSB client devices at P2P request-response packet via Advertise Service and Seek Service encapsulations such as shown in Connectionless WSB Packet Format.

Figure 10 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method of transferring data between wireless devices, according to one embodiment of present invention. The WSB host 401 seeks WSB client devices 402 as indicated in step 1001. When WSB Host starts to seek for the WSB clients, WSB host 402 sends P2P Probe request and the clients respond to the same with P2P probe response. Once WSB host detects the WSB client using the probe response, WSB Host 401 sends a WSB discovery Notification packet to client with the capability using SNAP packets at step 1002. When the WSB client 402 responds to the same with in specified time, the device uses the SNAP response to determine the capability of the WSB client 402. If client device response is positive, then at step 1003 the WSB host selects the operation mode and connection mode for further communications. If the response is negative, then the WSB host proceeds with the WSB discovery protocol as per normal WSB connection and WSB session setup.
Further, the connect mode of the WSB client 402 and the WSB host 401 are determined. If connect mode is Connection mode, then the WSB host proceeds with the WSB discovery protocol as per normal WSB connection and WSB session setup. If the connection mode is connectionless mode, then MAC based connectionless mode is selected for the data transfer at step 1006. This indicates that the WSB host 401 and WSB client 402 are ready for the WSB transactions. Then at step 1007, the WSB host 401 sends s WSB confirmation request to the WSB client 402. Further, the session starts and the device transferring SNAP packets with MA USB payload to the WSB client device.
Figure11 is a block diagram is an exemplary embodiment illustrating one or more steps involved in the method of transferring data between wireless devices, according to one embodiment of present invention. For example, consider that the laptop 1101 is a WSB Host and the printer (WSB Peripheral 1), camera (WSB Peripheral 2) and WSB Hub device are WSB clients. The WSB hub is connected with Mouse and Keyboard peripherals either wired or wirelessly via USB, BT….etc.
The connection (1) indicates that the Laptop (WSB Host) that performs WSB lightweight discovery packet exchanges for seeking the list of WSB clients such as printer (WSB Peripheral 1), camera (WSB Peripheral 2) and WSB Hub device which in turn connected with Mouse and Keyboard peripherals either wired or wirelessly via USB, BT….etc. The printer, camera and WSB Hub device advertises its services via WSB lightweight discovery packet responses. WSB Lightweight Discovery packet performs only P2P probe request – response for WSB advertise and seek service either encapsulate with operation and connect mode in it.
The connection (2) indicates the following operation. Once WSB lightweight discovery packet exchanges are done between laptop and peripherals like camera, printer, WSB hub; the laptop (WSB Host) evaluates the various operation and connect mode accordingly. If the WSB client or WSB Hub device replies with MAC mode as operation mode and connectionless Mode as connect mode, the connectionless WSB protocol operations is started. Otherwise the normal WSB operation is followed. In connectionless WSB protocol operations, the WSB connection setup is skipped and optionally applies WSB session setup and WSB Session Teardown if required.
The connection 3 indicates the connection establishment and the data transfer between the printer 1102 and the laptop 1101. Since Printer (WSB Peripheral 1) selected MAC Mode and connectionless Mode, WSB Connection setup is skipped for connectionless WSB and connect Event notification is sent to MA USB module which in turn performs MA USB enumerations and data transfer. Even before the MA USB operations, the WSB Session Setup is performed optionally over MAC layer and WSB Teardown, once it is done with WSB operations.
The connection 4 indicates the connection establishment and the data transfer between the WSB hub 1103 and the laptop 1101. Since WSB Hub selected MAC Mode and connectionless mode, WSB Connection setup is skipped for connectionless WSB mode and connect event notification is sent to MA USB which in turn performs MA USB enumerations and data transfer. Consider that the WSB Hub would select IP Mode as operation mode, normal WSB Connection setup and further WSB Session Setup and MA USB operations are followed.
WSB Hub makes Connectionless WSB setup for MA USB operations with laptop and it maps the packets to the downlink paths to mouse and keyboard peripheral devices via either wired or wireless interface such as USB, Bluetooth...etc. The connection s indicates the connection between the WSB hub 1103 with the mouse and keyboard peripheral devices.
The connection 4 indicates the connection establishment and the data transfer between the camera 1104 and the laptop 1101. Since the camera (WSB Peripheral 2) selected MAC mode and connectionless mode, WSB Connection setups is skipped for connectionless WSB and connect event notification is sent to MA USB. The MA USB performs MA USB enumerations and data transfer.
Although the invention of the method and system has been described in connection with the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.