Patent ID: 7116643
Filing Date: 2006-10-03
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method in a communication network having a data collector node and a plurality of sensor nodes that are distributed, the method comprising the steps of: occasionally sending agent packets configured in a roaming state from the collector node to at least some of the plurality of sensor nodes; occasionally updating a route suitability level at each node of the plurality of sensor nodes reflecting suitability of each node for routing agent packets toward the collector node; receiving an agent packet at a particular sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes; taking action, at the particular sensor node, in response to receipt of the agent packet, including the steps of: (a) accessing contents of the agent packet; (b) when the agent packet contents indicate a state that the agent packet is destined for the collector node: (c) when the agent packet contents indicate that the agent packet should continue in roaming state, forwarding the agent packet to a neighbor node selected at random.