Systems and methods for controlling data paths for wireless networks
First Claim
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1. A network node for use in a wireless sensor network, comprising:
- memory operable to store a routing indicator indicating whether the network node is enabled to operate as a hop for unicast messages destined for other nodes of the wireless sensor network; and
logic operable to control, based on the routing indicator, whether the network node is specified as a hop for a data path for unicast messages from a source node to a destination node of the wireless sensor network, wherein the logic is configured to set the routing indicator in response to user input such that the network node is disabled from operating as a hop for unicast messages within the wireless sensor network while the network node is enabled to forward multicast messages within the wireless sensor network.
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Abstract
A network node for use in a wireless sensor network has memory that is configured to store a routing indicator indicating whether the network node may function as a routing node for messages destined for other nodes of the wireless sensor network. The network node also has logic that is configured to control, based on the routing indicator, whether the network node is specified as a hop for a data path from a source node to a destination node of the wireless sensor network. In one exemplary embodiment, the routing indicator is controlled based on sleeping characteristics of the network node.
16 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A network node for use in a wireless sensor network, comprising:
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memory operable to store a routing indicator indicating whether the network node is enabled to operate as a hop for unicast messages destined for other nodes of the wireless sensor network; and logic operable to control, based on the routing indicator, whether the network node is specified as a hop for a data path for unicast messages from a source node to a destination node of the wireless sensor network, wherein the logic is configured to set the routing indicator in response to user input such that the network node is disabled from operating as a hop for unicast messages within the wireless sensor network while the network node is enabled to forward multicast messages within the wireless sensor network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A wireless sensor network, comprising:
a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes operable to communicate messages through the wireless sensor network, one of the nodes having memory for storing a routing indicator indicating whether the one node is enabled to function as a routing node, wherein the one node is operable to control the routing indicator based on user input such that the one node is disabled from functioning as a routing node for unicast messages while the one node is enabled to forward multicast messages. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling data paths for wireless sensor networks, comprising the steps of:
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receiving user input; storing a routing indicator in memory of a first node of a wireless sensor network, the routing indicator indicating whether the first node is enabled to function as a routing node for unicast messages with the wireless sensor network; controlling the routing indicator based on the user input such that the routing indicator indicates that the first node is disabled from functioning as a routing node for unicast messages within the wireless sensor network while the first node is enabled to forward multicast messages; forwarding multicast messages from the first node while the first node is disabled, based on the routing indicator, from functioning as a routing node for unicast messages within the wireless sensor network; performing a route discovery within the wireless sensor network; and defining data routes, based on the route discovery, for unicast messages to be communicated through the wireless sensor network, wherein the data routes are defined, based on the routing indicator, such that the first node is prevented from being a hop for unicast messages destined for other nodes. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling data paths for wireless sensor networks, comprising the steps of:
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receiving user input; storing a routing indicator in memory of a first node of a wireless sensor network; setting the routing indicator in response to the user input such that the routing indicator indicates that the first node is disabled from functioning as a routing node for unicast messages within the wireless sensor network; receiving a route discovery message at the first node; analyzing the routing indicator in response to the route discovery message; determining whether to transmit a reply to the route discovery message from the first node based on the routing indicator; receiving a multicast message at the first node while the first node is disabled, based on the routing indicator, from functioning as a routing node for unicast messages within the wireless network; and forwarding the multicast message from the first node while the first node is disabled, based on the routing indicator, from functioning as a routing node for unicast messages within the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for use in a wireless sensor network, comprising:
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communicating messages between nodes of the wireless sensor network; storing, in one of the nodes, a routing indicator indicating whether the one node is enabled to function as a routing node for unicast messages within the wireless sensor network; and controlling the one node based on the routing indicator such that the one node is disabled from functioning as a routing node for unicast messages within the wireless sensor network while the one node is enabled to forward multicast messages. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification