Hierarchical routing in ad-hoc networks
First Claim
1. A data relay device, the device having receiving means for receiving payload data from a data source, a buffer for storing payload data for subsequent transmission, means for receiving status data from similar devices, status data generation means for generating status data, the status data being derived from the quantity of data in the buffer store and the status data received from other devices, and comprising data relating to the separation of the device from other devices, the quantity of data in the buffer store means for determining a scalar status value determined by the quantity of data stored in the buffer and its separation from nearby sensors, status transmitter means for transmitting the status value to other devices selection means for identifying, from the status data received from other devices, a receiving device having a status value which varies from its own status value in a manner indicative that payload data may be forwarded to it, and payload transmission means for transmitting the payload data to the identified receiving device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A number of data collection devices (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) are free to move relative to each other through their environment, collecting data from their environment. They form an ad hoc wireless network (19, 29, 39, 49, etc) in which data collected by a device (20) (either by its own sensors (23), or relayed from another device (10)) is transmitted to a destination (90) either directly or by means of one or more other devices (30). The destination (90) collects data collected by the mobile terminals (10, 20, 30 etc) for subsequent processing. The wireless links (19, 29, 39 etc) between them have to re-arranged in order to provide the optimum network. Each device (20, 30) defines a scalar status value determined by factors including remaining battery life and amount of data in the buffer. The devices exchange information about their status values. Each device will only forward payload data to other devices having lower status values than its own.
36 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A data relay device, the device having
receiving means for receiving payload data from a data source, a buffer for storing payload data for subsequent transmission, means for receiving status data from similar devices, status data generation means for generating status data, the status data being derived from the quantity of data in the buffer store and the status data received from other devices, and comprising data relating to the separation of the device from other devices, the quantity of data in the buffer store means for determining a scalar status value determined by the quantity of data stored in the buffer and its separation from nearby sensors, status transmitter means for transmitting the status value to other devices selection means for identifying, from the status data received from other devices, a receiving device having a status value which varies from its own status value in a manner indicative that payload data may be forwarded to it, and payload transmission means for transmitting the payload data to the identified receiving device.
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12. A method of operating a plurality of data relay devices, comprising:
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collecting data in buffer stores in one or more such devices, exchanging status data between the devices, the status data comprising data relating to the separation between the devices, the quantity of data in their buffer stores each device defining, from the status data, a scalar status value determined by the quantity of data stored in the buffer and its separation from other sensors transmitting the status value to other devices and receiving the status values of other devices identifying, from the status data received from other devices, a receiving device having a status value which varies from its own status value in a manner indicative that payload data may be forwarded to it, and transmitting the payload data to the identified receiving device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification