METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IN A MESH NETWORK USING SOFTWARE PROXIES

• US 20080037569A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sensicast Systems
• Original Assignee: Sensicast Systems
• Inventors: Berry, Victor, Werb, Jay, Weiss, Howard, Lamb, C.
• Application Number:
  US11/776,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20080037569A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0037 Inter-user or inter-terminal allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0825 using asymmetric-key encryption or public key infrastructure [PKI], e.g. key signature or public key certificates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/083 involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/16 the keys or algorithms being changed during operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. 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

A method and apparatus for communication in a wireless sensor network. In one embodiment, one or more routers in a network may be available for communication with one or more star nodes at a randomized time and/or frequency. A connectivity assessment, which may be performed at several different frequencies and/or times, may be performed to evaluate the quality of communications between devices in the network. Primary and secondary communication relationships may be formed between devices to provide for system redundancy. One or more proxies may be maintained where each proxy includes a status of one or more devices in the network, e.g., one or more star nodes or routers. Proxies may be used to handle information requests and/or status change requests, e.g., a proxy may be requested to change a communication relationship between devices in the network and may generate command signals to cause the corresponding devices to make the change.

Claims

1. A wireless sensor network comprising:

a plurality of star nodes constructed and arranged to transmit and receive wireless signals;

a plurality of routers each constructed and arranged to transmit and receive wireless signals for communication with at least one star node; and

a host computer that communicates with the plurality of routers at least in part via wireless signals, the host computer including a set of software proxies that include status information consistent with a current status of the plurality of star nodes and the plurality of routers.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein a data request regarding at least one of the star nodes or at least one of the routers is directed to a corresponding software proxy, and a response to the data request is provided based on data associated with the corresponding software proxy.

3. The network of claim 1, wherein at least one of the star nodes is associated with at least one corresponding sensor device and is constructed and arranged to transmit a wireless signal including information received from the corresponding sensor device

4. The network of claim 1, wherein a request to change a status of at least one of the star nodes or the routers is directed to at least one corresponding software proxy which generates at least one command signal provided to at least one star node or router to effect the requested change in the network.

5. The network of claim 1, further comprising a gateway, and wherein the host computer communicates with a star node or router via the gateway.

6. The network of claim 5, wherein the host computer communicates with the gateway via a wired connection, and the gateway communicates with the star node or router via a wireless connection.

7. The network of claim 1, wherein the status includes information regarding a parent/child relationship between a star node or router and another device in the network.