Patent attributes
A method for managing a network in which Bluetooth equipped devices are linked together when the network master cannot serve as a master. During normal operation, the network master updates the backup master rank information when the network master disappears, in a predetermined cycle, according to link information, such as received signal strength indication (RSSI) or link quality, transmitted from the Bluetooth equipped devices serving as a slave. When power of the network master is exhausted, or when the network master leaves the network operating region, a new master is selected from the remaining slaves according to the backup master rank information, thereby reconfiguring a network around the new network master. The method enables proper designation of a new master when a preexisting network master leaves the network operating region, thereby increasing a probability of holding connection throughout the network.
