Shadow access point for hierarchical tree network using 802.11 infrastructure nodes in fire detection systems and other systems
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- first and second access points, each access point comprising one or more 802.11 wireless radios configured to communicate with a wireless node;
a central station adapted to receive and transmit data from and to the wireless node via the access points;
wherein the first and second access points are both configured to wirelessly receive first data from the wireless node at substantially a same time and the first access point is configured to forward the first data to the central station; and
wherein the first and second access points are both configured to receive second data from the central station for the wireless node, the first access point is configured as a primary access point to wirelessly transmit the second data to the wireless node and to transmit a beacon signal to indicate the health of the first access point, and the second access point is configured as a shadow access point and to listen for the beacon signals to help verify that the primary access point is operating properly and, if the shadow access point fails to receive a beacon signal from the primary access point, the shadow access point begins transmitting the beacon signals using the same network information as the primary access point.
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Abstract
A system includes first and second access points. Each access point includes one or more 802.11 wireless radios configured to communicate with a wireless node. The first and second access points are both configured to wirelessly receive first data from the wireless node at substantially a same time and forward the first data. The first and second access points are also both configured to receive second data for the wireless node. The first access point is configured to wirelessly transmit the second data to the wireless node, and the second access point is configured to refrain from transmitting the second data to the wireless node while the first access point is operating properly.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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first and second access points, each access point comprising one or more 802.11 wireless radios configured to communicate with a wireless node; a central station adapted to receive and transmit data from and to the wireless node via the access points; wherein the first and second access points are both configured to wirelessly receive first data from the wireless node at substantially a same time and the first access point is configured to forward the first data to the central station; and wherein the first and second access points are both configured to receive second data from the central station for the wireless node, the first access point is configured as a primary access point to wirelessly transmit the second data to the wireless node and to transmit a beacon signal to indicate the health of the first access point, and the second access point is configured as a shadow access point and to listen for the beacon signals to help verify that the primary access point is operating properly and, if the shadow access point fails to receive a beacon signal from the primary access point, the shadow access point begins transmitting the beacon signals using the same network information as the primary access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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one or more 802.11 wireless radios configured to communicate with a wireless node; and a controller configured to cause the apparatus to operate as one of;
a primary access point and a shadow access point;wherein, as the primary access point and as the shadow access point, the apparatus is configured to wirelessly receive first data from the wireless node and, as the primary access point forward the first data to a central station; wherein, as the primary access point, the apparatus is configured to receive second data for the wireless node and wirelessly transmit the second data to the wireless node and to transmit a beacon signal to indicate the health of the primary access point; and wherein, as the shadow access point, the apparatus is configured to receive the second data for the wireless node and listen for the beacon signals to help verify that the primary access point is operating properly and, if the shadow access point fails to receive a beacon signal from the primary access point, the shadow access point begins transmitting the beacon signals using the same network information as the primary access point. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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communicating at a first access point with a wireless node, the first access point comprising one or more 802.11 wireless radios; and selectively operating the first access point as one of;
a primary access point and a shadow access point;wherein, as the primary access point and as the shadow access point, the first access point wirelessly receives first data from the wireless node and, as the primary access point forwards the first data to a central station; wherein, as the primary access point, the first access point receives second data for the wireless node and wirelessly transmits the second data to the wireless node and transmits a heartbeat signal to the central station to indicate the health of the primary access point; and wherein, as the shadow access point, the first access point receives the second data for the wireless node and to transmit a beacon signal to indicate the health of the first access point, and the second access point is configured as a shadow access point and to listen for the beacon signals to help verify that the primary access point is operating properly and, if the shadow access point fails to receive a beacon signal from the primary access point, the shadow access point begins transmitting the beacon signals using the same network information as the primary access point. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification