Patent ID: 7606210
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: H04L,H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method for a radio node coupled to a sensing device or an actuator to consolidate messages in a network of radio nodes that communicate data to an access node coupled to a computer, comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of messages during a communication receive period at a first radio node, the plurality of messages received from a plurality of radio nodes logically further from the access node than the first radio node; constructing a consolidated message containing each of the plurality of messages received from the plurality of radio nodes logically further from the access node than the first radio node; transmitting wirelessly the consolidated message from the first radio node to another radio node logically closer to the access node or directly to the access node if the access node is within the transmission range of the first radio node during a communication transmit time for the first radio node, wherein each of the plurality of messages are extracted from the consolidated message upon receipt at the access node; and discarding at least one of the plurality of messages received after constructing the consolidated message, wherein a second radio node logically closer to the access node than the first radio node creates a further consolidated message containing the consolidated message transmitted from the first radio node and one or more additional messages received from other radio nodes logically further from the access node than the second radio node.