Propagation network

• US 20050041609A1
• Filed: 08/10/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Scheidt, David H.
• Application Number:
  US10/915,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20050041609A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/78 characterised by source locations or destination locations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a network communications system the purpose of which is to foster cooperation between synergistic nodes. Such a network is designed specifically to support information gathering and dissemination and is not intended as a general-purpose communications network. In particular, network communications involve transmitting nodes “blindly” broadcasting information in all directions without consideration for the identity of receiving nodes; and receiving nodes “blindly” receiving information, accepting all transmissions on a pre-defined frequency regardless of, and without knowledge of, origin.

Claims

1. A wireless data communication network comprising at least two nodes, each of said nodes having a transmitter and a receiver, wherein communication within said network comprises:

a transmitting node and at least one receiving node wherein the transmitting node broadcasts data to any receiving nodes within range of its transmitter, said broadcasting occurring at a specific frequency;

wherein said data comprises beliefs contained in a knowledge base of the transmitting node; and

,

wherein said transmitting node and said receiving nodes are not identified in the broadcasted data.

2. The wireless data communication network of claim 1 wherein said transmitting node comprises:

a coordination means to coordinate communications between the transmitting node and said receiving nodes;

a data link means to transmit data between said transmitting node and said receiving nodes; and

,

a knowledge administration means to maintain the transmitting node'"'"'s knowledge base.

3. The wireless data communication network of claim 2 wherein said transmitting node comprises a sensor.

4. The wireless data communication network of claim 3 wherein said knowledge administration means comprises a receiving means for receiving information from an information source, said information source selected from the group consisting of a sensor co-located with said transmitting node, data received from at least one other node, and combinations thereof.

5. The wireless data communication network of claim 4 wherein said knowledge administration means comprises a generation means for generation of beliefs to be transmitted.

6. The wireless data communication network of claim 5 wherein said coordination means comprises:

a means for periodically transmitting a synch pulse signal from said transmitting node; and

,

a means for determining N, the number of nodes proximate to the transmitting node by detecting pulse signals emanating from said proximate nodes.

7. The wireless data communication network of claim 6 wherein said coordination means comprises a means for using N to adjust the phase of transmissions occurring between proximate nodes.

8. The wireless data communication network of claim 6 wherein said coordination means comprises a means for utilizing coupled oscillation principles.

9. The wireless data communication network of claim 6 wherein said generation means utilizes N to determine beliefs to be transmitted.

10. The wireless data communication network of claim 4 wherein said knowledge administration means comprises entering updated beliefs in the transmitting node'"'"'s knowledge base when appropriate.

11. The wireless data communication network of claim 10 wherein said generation means determines beliefs to be transmitted based on the occurrence of said updated beliefs.

12. In a wireless data communication network, said network comprising at least two nodes, each of said nodes having a transmitter and a receiver;

a method of communicating between a transmitting node and at least one receiving node, said method comprising;

broadcasting data by said transmitting node to any receiving nodes within range of its transmitter, said broadcasting occurring at a specific frequency;

wherein said data comprises beliefs contained in a knowledge base of the transmitting node; and

,

wherein said transmitting node and said receiving nodes are not identified in the broadcasted data.

13. The method of communication of claim 12 further comprising:

coordinating communications between the transmitting node and said receiving nodes;

transmitting data between said transmitting node and said receiving nodes; and

,

maintaining the transmitting node'"'"'s knowledge base.

14. The method of communication of claim 13 wherein said maintaining step comprises receiving information from an information source, said information source selected from the group consisting of a sensor co-located with said transmitting node, data received from at least one other node, and combinations thereof.

15. The method of communication of claim 14 further comprising generating beliefs to be transmitted.

16. The method of communication of claim 15 wherein said coordinating step further comprises:

periodically transmitting a synch pulse signal from said transmitting node; and

,

determining N, the number of nodes proximate to the transmitting node by detecting pulse signals emanating from said proximate nodes.

17. The method of communication of claim 16 wherein said coordinating step further comprises:

utilizing N to adjust the phase of transmissions occurring between proximate nodes.

18. The method of communication of claim 15 wherein said generating step comprises utilizing N to determine beliefs to be transmitted.

19. The method of communication of claim 13 wherein said maintaining step comprises entering updated beliefs in the transmitting node'"'"'s knowledge base when appropriate.

20. The method of communication of claim 19 wherein said generating step comprises determining beliefs to be transmitted based on the occurrence of said updated beliefs.