Method for improving performance and reducing power consumption of a wireless network arrangement

• US 9,237,506 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2012
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texecom Limited (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Texecom Limited (Halma PLC)
• Inventors: Brown, Clym, Alexander, Peter, Morgan, Reuben
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRA, INDER P
• Application Number:
  US13/634,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20150050936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/436, 455/419, 455/41.2, 455/420, 455/432.1, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 455/445, 370/311, 370/329, 370/235, 370/253, 370/328, 370/331, 370/217, 370/254, 370/312, 370/401
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/32 for defining a routing cluster membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method of transmitting electronic signals for use with a wireless network arrangement comprising assimilating and storing data relating to successful communication routes within the network arrangement and the transmission and receiving of electronic signals between the minimum number of devices in wireless network arrangement to improve efficiency of data communication and to reduce the power consumption of the network.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting electronic signals for use with a wireless network arrangement comprising assimilating and storing data indicating successful communication routes between devices and assimilating and storing data indicating the minimum number of devices in each communication route in a wireless network arrangement, identifying the most efficient communication route from said data for each communication route, configuring the devices in the wireless network arrangement into a zone arrangement wherein each device determines its zone by identifying the shortest communication route to the control panel from said data.

2. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 1, further comprising establishing communication route between non-adjacent devices located within the network arrangement, to transmit electronic signals between a first device and a target device using a minimum number of intervening network devices to relay the communication to the target device.

3. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 2, wherein a communication route comprises a single target device for receipt of the communication.

4. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 2, wherein a communication route comprises multiple target devices for receipt of the communication.

5. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 1 further comprising dividing the wireless network arrangement into zones wherein zone boundaries are not finite.

6. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 1 further comprising defining the zone boundaries by strength of the wireless signal.

7. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 1, further comprising establishing a communication route between a first device and a target device by transmitting electronic signals from the first device to the target device using the minimum number of intermediate network devices between the first device and the target device.

8. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 1, further comprising determining if a particular network device is part of a communication route of a particular network communication;

and switching to an inactive mode to reduce power consumption of the network device in the wireless network arrangement if the particular network device is outside of the communication route of the particular network communication; and

switching to an active mode if the particular network device is part of the communication route of the particular network communication.

9. A method of transmitting electronic signals in accordance with claim 1, wherein the method further comprises selectively enabling network devices to react to messages transmitted within the wireless network arrangement, wherein each device is selectively enabled according to said device'"'"'s location within the network arrangement as determined by the stored data of communication routes.

10. A network device configured and arranged to transmit electronic signals in a wireless network arrangement, comprising:

a battery configured and arranged to power the network device;

a transmitter and a receiver configured and arranged to send and receive electronic signals within the wireless network arrangement; and

electronics connected to the transmitter and received configured and arranged to assimilate and store data indicating successful communication routes between devices, the minimum number of devices in each communication route in the wireless network arrangement, and the most efficient communication route from said data for each communication route, said electronics further configured and arranged to calculate a zone for the network device by identifying the shortest communication route to the control panel from said data.

11. The network device according to claim 10 wherein the network device is configured and arranged to communicate with at least one non-adjacent device to establish a communication route between a first device to a target device using a minimum number of devices in the communication route.

12. The network device according to claim 10 wherein the network device is further configured and arranged to selectively participate in data communication to provide a communication route between a starting device and a target device, said route comprising a minimum number of intermediate network devices.

13. The network device according to claim 10 wherein the network device is further configured and arranged to switch to an inactive mode to reduce power consumption when not participating in signal communication and switch to an active mode when participating in a signal communication.