Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless personal area
network (WPAN) from an array of intercommunicating personal area network
(PAN) devices. The system comprises a location determinator configured to
determine a location for each of the PAN devices, a comparator coupled to
the determinator for comparing the location of each of the PAN devices
with WPAN association criteria to choose a subset meeting the WPAN
criteria at least in part, and a communication link coupled to the
comparator to transmit identification data of the subset to some or all
of the subset of PAN devices. When received, the information causes the
subset to form the WPAN, which then intercommunicate substantially
ignoring the non-WPAN devices. In a preferred embodiment, the comparator
selects the WPAN from those of the plurality of PAN devices that are
within a predetermined distance of each other and/or move as a group.