Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing an ad-hoc, autonomous communications network

• US 20060280137A1
• Filed: 06/09/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tischer, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,797,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing an ad-hoc, autonomous communications network is provided. The method includes activating a power supply for a first article embedded with communications components. The power supply is generated by at least one of a power source of the communications components and a power generator of the communications components that is implemented via active motion of the first article. The method also includes broadcasting a transmission event via the first article for a time period less than or equal to the life of the power supply. The method further includes detecting a communications node within a proximity of the first article, the communications node receiving the transmission event.

Claims

1. A method for implementing an ad-hoc, autonomous communications network, comprising:

activating a power supply for a first article embedded with communications components, the power supply generated via at least one of a power source of the communications components and a power generator of the communications components that is implemented by active motion of the first article;

broadcasting a transmission event via the communications components of the first article for a time period less than or equal to the life of the power supply; and

detecting a communications node within a proximity of the first article for receiving the transmission event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications node is a second article embedded with communications components, the communications components of the second article including a power supply, the power supply generated via at least one of a power source and a power generator that is implemented by active motion of the second article, the method further comprising:

temporarily storing the transmission event at the second article;

broadcasting the transmission event by the second article for a time period less than or equal to the life of the power supply of the second article; and

detecting a presence of a third article within a proximity of the second article, the third article embedded with communications components, the communications components of the third article including a power supply, the power supply generated via at least one of a power source and a power generator that is implemented by active motion of the third article.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first article and the third article are not in broadcast proximity of each other.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the broadcasting the transmission event by the second article includes broadcasting a second transmission event originating from the second article.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmission event comprises at least one of:

an identifier of at least one of;

the first article;

the second article;

the third article; and

the communications node;

a location of at least one of the first and second articles;

a time that the at least one of the first and second articles are at the location;

a brand identifier of the at least one of the first and second articles; and

entertainment elements, comprising at least one of;

text;

lights;

rich media; and

audio elements.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmission event is selectable via at least one of the first article and the second article.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission event is selectively assigned to a target article including at least one of:

articles embedded with communications components and within range of the first article;

selected articles embedded with communications components that are identified by the first article;

a stationary node; and

an aggregator node for collecting transmission event information from articles embedded with communications components.

8. A system for implementing an ad-hoc, autonomous communications network, comprising:

a first article embedded with communications components, the communications components comprising;

a power supply generated by at least one of a power source and a power generator that is implemented via active motion of the first article;

a transmitter for broadcasting a first transmission event that is broadcast for a time period less than or equal to the life of the power supply; and

a means for detecting a communications node within a proximity of the first article for receiving the first transmission event.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communications node is a second article embedded with communications components, the communications components of the second article including a power supply, the power supply generated via at least one of a power source and a power generator that is implemented by active motion of the second article, the communications components of the second article further comprising:

a temporary storage location for temporarily storing the transmission event;

a transmitter for broadcasting the transmission event for a time period less than or equal to the life of the power supply of the second article; and

a means for detecting a presence of a third article within a proximity of the second article, the third article embedded with communication components, the communications components of the third article including a power supply that generates power via at least one of a power source and a power generator implemented by active motion of the third article, the third article receiving the transmission event.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first article and the third article are not in broadcast proximity of each other.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the communications node is a stationary unit, comprising at least one of:

a server; and

a personal computer.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the broadcasting the transmission event by the second article includes broadcasting a second transmission event originating from the second article.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the transmission event comprises at least one of:

an identifier of at least one of;

the first article;

the second article;

the third article; and

the communications node;

a location of at least one of the first and second articles;

a time that the at least one of the first and second articles are at the location;

a brand identifier of the at least one of the first and second articles; and

entertainment elements, comprising at least one of;

text;

lights;

rich media; and

audio elements.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the first, second, and third articles further comprise a processor and at least one of:

a global positioning system; and

a rich media generator.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the transmission event is selectable via at least one of the first article and the second article.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein the transmission event is selectively assigned to a target article including at least one of:

articles embedded with communications components and within range of the first article;

selected articles embedded with communications components that are identified by the first article;

a stationary node; and

an aggregator node comprising a means for collecting transmission event information from the articles.

17. A computer program product for implementing an ad-hoc, autonomous communications network, the computer program product including instructions for performing a method, comprising:

activating a power supply for a first article embedded with communications components, the power supply generated via at least one of a power source of the communications components and a power generator of the communications components that is implemented by active motion of the first article;

broadcasting a transmission event via the first article for a time period less than or equal to the life of the power supply; and

detecting a communications node within a proximity of the first article for receiving the transmission event.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the communications node is a second article embedded with communications components, the communications components of the second article including a power supply generated via at least one of a power source and a power generator that is implemented by active motion of the second article, the computer program product further comprising instructions for performing:

temporarily storing the transmission event at the second article;

broadcasting the transmission event by the second article for a time period less than or equal to the life of the power supply of the second article; and

detecting a presence of a third article within a proximity of the second article, the third article embedded with communications components, the communications components of the third article including a power supply generated via at least one of a power source and a power generator that is implemented via active motion of the third article, the third article receiving the transmission event.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first article and the third article are not in broadcast proximity of each other.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the broadcasting the transmission event by the second article includes broadcasting a second transmission event originating from the second article.

21. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the transmission event comprises at least one of:

an identifier of at least one of;

the first article;

the second article;

the third article; and

the communications node;

a location of at least one of the first and second articles;

a time that the at least one of the first and second articles are at the location;

brand identifier of the at least one of the first and second articles; and

entertainment elements, comprising at least one of;

text;

lights;

rich media; and

audio elements.

22. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the transmission event is selectable via at least one of the first article and the second article.

23. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the transmission event is selectively assigned to a target article including at least one of:

articles embedded with communications components and within range of the first article;

selected articles embedded with communications components that are identified by the first article;

a stationary node; and

an aggregator node for collecting transmission event information from the articles.