Patent Publication Number: US-2007109992-A1

Title: Indirect command pathways between an end point device and a target access point via a secondary access point

Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of:  
      U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/365,102, filed Mar. 1, 2006 and entitled “MULTIPLE NODE APPLICATIONS COOPERATIVELY MANAGING A PLURALITY OF PACKET SWITCHED NETWORK PATHWAYS,” (attorney docket No. BP 52754);    
      U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/394,253, filed Mar. 30, 2006 and entitled “NETWORK NODES COOPERATIVELY ROUTING TRAFFIC FLOW AMONGST WIRED AND WIRELESS NETWORK,” (attorney docket No. BP5276);  
      U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/418,644, filed May 5, 2006 and entitled “PATHWAY PARAMETER EXCHANGE BETWEEN ACCESS NETWORKS OF DIFFERING TYPES,” (attorney docket No. BP5319); and  
      U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/448,240, filed Jun. 6, 2006 and entitled “ACCESS POINT SUPPORTING DIRECT AND INDIRECT DOWNSTREAM DELIVERY BASED ON COMMUNICATION CHARACTERISTICS,” (attorney docket No. BP5329), all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.  
      The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/736,889, filed Nov. 14, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      [Not Applicable] 
     SEQUENCE LISTING  
      [Not Applicable] 
     [MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE] 
      [Not Applicable] 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      Various aspects of present invention relate to delivery of command data packet to a destination device via an indirect pathway instead of selecting a direct pathway to the destination device for delivery.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      A notebook, a personal computer, a video game box, a personal digital assistant, a headset, a phone, a set top box, servers and many other types of end point devices (EPDs) may be communicatively connected to more than one packet switched data networks. These packet switched data networks may operate pursuant to communicatively incompatible protocols. Typical examples of the packet switched data network include EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) networks, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) networks, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 networks, Bluetooth, WiMax networks, Internet, Intranet, satellite networks, etc.  
      Each EPD is typically assigned a unique network address by a packet switched data network. From a simplified point of view, an access point belonging to a packet switched data network acts as a transceiver with one end communicatively connected to an EPD and another to a node (e.g., router, modem, gateway, or switch) of the packet switched data network. EPDs exchange data packets via the access point. Some EPDs may associate with, multiple access points that belong to the same or different packet switched data networks. Such EPDs may have multiple radios, one for each association. Different packet switched data networks may be interconnected via a backbone network.  
      A typical EPD having no pending upstream communication either keeps its radio active (e.g., to receive unexpected downstream communication) or places it in a sleep mode. When active but not in use, portable EPDs consume battery power. EPDs that place their radios in sleep modes, i.e., turning off their radios; typically have a burden of periodically waking up, resynchronizing or reassociating, and checking for often non-existent pending communications. To sleep for longer periods of time increases average delivery time delay.  
      Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with various aspects of the present invention.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An end point device that supports packet data communication with at least a first access point and a second access point and chooses an indirect pathway via the second access point for sending special purpose data packets to the first access point, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. In addition the first access point and the second access point separately decide to send command data packets to the end point device indirectly via the second access point and the first access point respectively. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well details of illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For various aspects of the present invention to be easily understood and readily practiced, various aspects will now be described, for purposes of illustration and not limitation, in conjunction with the following figures:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a communication network wherein end point devices employ indirect command pathways to a selected access point that supports a direct data pathway flowing through the selected access point in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an end point device of  FIG. 1 , the end point device selecting and subsequently using an indirect command pathway for delivery of a command to an associated access point;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a first access point of  FIG. 1  initiating delivery of a command to an end point device via a second access point to which the end point device is communicatively coupled instead of using a direct downstream pathway for the delivery of the command to the end point device;  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of commands the end point device of  FIG. 2  delivers to the associated access point using the indirect command pathway;  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of commands the first access point of  FIG. 3  delivers to the end point device using a pathway via the second access point;  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of components of an end point device that supports a direct data pathway to a first access point and an indirect command pathway to the first access point via a second access point, where the end point device uses the indirect command pathway for delivery of a plurality of commands to the first access point;  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of components of an access point  700  that supports a direct downstream pathway and additionally an indirect upstream pathway to an end point device, where the access point uses the indirect upstream pathway for delivery of a command to the end point device;  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a method of selecting a pathway for delivery of data packet to an access point and subsequent delivery via the selected pathway, where the selection of the pathway by an end point device is based on the data packet type; and  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a method of selecting a pathway for delivery of data packet to an end point device and subsequent delivery via the selected pathway, where the selection of the pathway by an access point is based on the data packet type.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a communication network wherein end point devices employ indirect command pathways to a selected access point that supports a direct data pathway flowing through the selected access point in accordance with the present invention. Two end point devices (EPDs)  111  and  121  exchange data via a direct data pathway that flows from one of the EPDs  111  and  121  through a selected AP (Access Point), through an Internet backbone network  197 , and back through another AP to the other of the EPDs  111  and  121 . EPDs  111  and  121  may comprise personal computing devices, telephones, personal digital assistants, servers, set top boxes, media players, storage systems, or any other source or destination Internet ready devices such as client or server equipment.  
      Each of the EPDs  111  and  121  establish an association with one of the available APs, herein a “selected AP”, through which the direct data pathway flows. To support the direct data pathway, each of the EPDs  111  and  121  and its selected AP establish an indirect command pathway via a secondary AP. Through the indirect command pathway, the EPD and selected AP can exchange commands (or service requests) outside of the direct data pathway. Such indirect command pathways can be used for many purposes such as, for example, to support or manage: a) security; b) data flow; c) handover; d) association, re-association and disassociation; e) persistent network connectivity; f) power conservation; g) load balancing; h) testing; and i) supplemental information exchange.  
      Along with conventional circuitry and software, the EPDs  111  and  121  have a series of communication interfaces and employ circuitry and/or software to carry out ICGP (“Indirect Command Generation and Processing”). Although all could be so configured, many of the illustrated APs also employ circuitry and/or software to carry out ICGP. As with the EPDs, the APs also have a series of communication interfaces for communicating upstream toward an Internet backbone network  197  and downstream toward an EPD. Each of the communication interfaces operate according to at least one industry or proprietary standard to conduct wired (herein, including fiber) and wireless communication exchanges.  
      To establish a direct data pathway, the EPD  111  uses its wWAN (wireless Wide Area Network) communication interface  113  to wirelessly communicate to wWAN downstream interface (I/F)  167  of an SP-AP (Service Provider&#39;s Access Point)  163 . Any proprietary or industry standard wWAN might be used such as, for example, WiMax. Through this wWAN link, the EPD  111  associates with the service provider AP  163  to gain access through both the service provider AP  163  and packet switched service provider network (PS-SPN)  161  to reach the Internet backbone network  197 . Similarly, the EPD  121  uses its wireless circuit switched communication interface (“WCS I/F”)  125  to wirelessly communicate to wireless circuit switched interface  187  of an SP-AP  183 . The SP-AP  183  belongs to circuit switched service provider network CS-SPN  181 . The EPD  121  reaches the Internet backbone network  197  via the SP-AP  183  that is part of the CS-SPN  181 . The CS-SPN  181  may be a GPRS network. Each of the SP-AP  163  and the SP-AP  183  has at least one upstream communication interface (not shown). The SP-AP  163  and the SP-AP  183  interact with the Internet backbone network  197  via respective upstream communication interfaces.  
      To send data to the EPD  121 , the EPD  111  transmits the data via its wWAN communication interface  113 . The data travels upstream via the SP-AP  163  and the PS-SPN  161  to the Internet backbone network  197 . The data then travels downstream from the Internet backbone network  197  to the EPD  121  via the CS-SPN  181  and the SP-AP  183 . The EPD  121  receives the data from the SP-AP  183  via the WCS interface  125  of the EPD  121 . A direct data pathway between the EPD  111  and the EPD  121  that flows through the SP-AP  163  thus comprises the wWAN communication interface  113  of the EPD  111 , the wWAN downstream interface  167  of the SP-AP  163 , the SP-AP  163  that belongs to PS-SPN  161 , the Internet backbone network  197 , the SP-AP  183  that belongs to the CS-SPN  181 , the WCS interface  187  of the SP-AP  183  and the WCS interface  125  of the EPD  121 . The data, during its upstream movement through the direct data pathway follows a formatting structure prescribed by the WiMax standard while during its downstream movement follows a formatting structure prescribed by the GPRS standard.  
      The EPD  111  associates itself with a client AP  131  via its WLAN interface  115 . The WLAN interface  115  may typically support IEEE 802.11 protocol. The client AP  131  is a transceiver that has at least one downstream communication interface and at least one upstream communication interface. The client AP  131  has a WLAN downstream communication interface  135  and a wWAN upstream interface  133 . The client AP  131  exchanges data with the EPD  111  via the WLAN downstream interface  135  using for example, the IEEE 802.11 protocol while exchanges data with the SP-AP  163  via the wWAN upstream interface  133  using for example, the WiMax protocol. The EPD  111  similarly supports a WLAN protocol for communication via the WLAN interface  115  and a wWAN protocol for communication via its wWAN interface  113 . The EPD  111  has two communication interfaces, namely the wWAN interface  113  and the WLAN interface  115 . Hence the EPD  111  is able to interact with two access points simultaneously.  
      The EPD  121  is adapted to use its four communication interfaces, namely WLAN interface  123 , the WCS interface  125 , wireless link interface  127  and wired link interface  128  to communicatively connect to a maximum of four access points simultaneously. In this exemplary case, the EPD  121  connects to client AP  141  via the WLAN interface  123 , to the SP-AP  183  via the WCS interface  125 , to client AP  151  via the wireless link interface  127  and again to the client AP  151  via the wired link interface  128 . The EPD  121  is adapted to support four different communication protocols. As an example, the EPD  121  may be supporting IEEE 802.11 for data communication via the WLAN interface  123 , GPRS for data communication via the WCS interface  125 , Bluetooth for data communication via the wireless link interface  127  and SS 7  for data communication via the wired link interface  127 .  
      The client AP  141  has a downstream WLAN interface  145  via which the client AP  141  interacts with one EPD, the EPD  121  in this exemplary case. The client AP  141  in addition has an upstream data network (DN) interface  143  via which the client AP  141  interacts with SP-AP  173 . The SP-AP  173  belongs to a packet switched service provider network  171  that may typically be a PSTN network. The PS-SPN network  171  is communicatively coupled to the Internet backbone network  197 . A second direct data pathway between the EPD  111  and the EPD  121  running via the SP-AP  163  passes through the WLAN interface  115  of the EPD  111 , the downstream WLAN downstream interface  135  of the client AP  131 , the wWAN upstream interface  133  of the client AP  131 , the wWAN downstream interface  167  of the SP-AP  163 , the PS-SPN  161 , the Internet backbone network  197 , the PS-SPN  171 , the data network interface  175  of the SP-AP  173 , the upstream DN interface of the client AP  141 , the downstream WLAN interface  145  and the WLAN interface  123  of the EPD  121 . Encapsulation, formatting and/or coding of the data delivered via the second direct data pathway from the EPD  111  follows a WLAN protocol structure (say, IEEE 802.11 protocol) and next a wWAN protocol structure (say, IEEE 802.20 protocol) during upstream movement towards the Internet backbone network  197  and follows a data network protocol (say, PSTN protocol) and next a WLAN protocol (say, a proprietary standard supporting packet data communication) during downstream movement towards the destination EPD  121 .  
      Varieties of protocols that are supported by the EPDs ( 111  and  121 ), the client APs ( 131 ,  141  and  151 ) and the SP-APs ( 163 ,  173 ,  183  and  193 ) for data communication may be communicatively incompatible. Alternately the EPDs, the client APs and the SP-APs may support identical protocols that operate in a substantially non-competitive manner for example, these identical protocols may be operating in different frequency bands. Each upstream and downstream communication interface of the EPDs, the client APs and the SP-APs operates pursuant to an industry or proprietary communication standard. “Downstream” and “upstream” do not refer to actual direction of data flow, but refer to relative location of a device (i.e., an EPD, a client AP or an SP-AP) with respect to the Internet backbone network  197 .  
      A client AP  151  has one upstream data network (DN) communication interface  153  and two downlink communication interfaces, a wireless link interface  157  and a wired link interface  159 . The client AP  151  interacts with the Internet backbone network  197  via SP-AP  193 . In this exemplary case the client AP  151  is communicatively connected to two different communication interfaces (the wireless link interface  127  and the wired link interface  128 ) of the EPD  121  via its two downlink communication interfaces. The client AP  151  may decide to use and/or may be directed to use any one or both of the two downlink communication interfaces to send data and/or receive data from the EPD  121 . The EPD  121  with its four communication interfaces may choose to send data to the EPD  111  via either the client AP  141 , or the SP-AP  183  or the client AP  151 .  
      The EPD  111  and the EPD  121  may communicate with each other via a plurality of pathways. Each of the EPDs  111  and  121  has a plurality of paths to reach a “selected AP”. As an example the EPD  121  wants to interact with the “selected AP”  141 . The EPD  121  may communicate directly with the “selected AP”  141  via the WLAN interface  123 , a first wireless link between the EPD  121  and the client AP  141  and the downstream WLAN interface  145 . The EPD may alternately or in addition communicate with the “selected AP”  141  via an indirect path that runs through the wired link interface  128 , a wired link between the EPD  121  and the client AP  151 , the downstream wired link interface  159 , the upstream DN interface  153 , the downstream DN interface  195 , the SP-AP  193 , the PS-SPN  191 , the Internet backbone network  197 , the PS-SPN  171 , the SP-AP  173 , the downstream DN interface  175  and the upstream DN interface  143  of the client AP  141 . Similarly any of the client APs ( 131 ,  141  or  151 ) and any of the SP-APs ( 163 ,  173 ,  183  and  193 ) has a direct downstream path to an associated EPD ( 111  or  121 ) and at least one indirect upstream path to the associated EPD. As an example the SP-AP  173  may send a data to the EPD  121  via the downstream DN interface  175  and the client AP  141  and/or may direct delivery of the data to the EPD  121  via the Internet backbone network  197  and the SP-AP  183 . The data from any of the APs flowing through the indirect upstream path to the associated EPD moves upstream towards the Internet backbone network  197  and then downstream towards the associated EPD via a second AP.  
      Each of the EPDs  111  and  121  has more than one communication interfaces. The EPDs  111  and  121  typically support a plurality of communication protocols for exchange of data and command packets via respective communication interfaces. As an example the EPD  111  supports WiMax protocol for data communication via its wWAN interface  113  and supports IEEE  802 . 11  protocol for data communication via its WLAN interface  115 . Multiple communication interfaces of each of the EPDs  111  and  121  are implemented with entirely independent circuitry or may share common circuit elements. The PS-SPN  161 , the PS-SPN  171 , the PS-SPN  181  and the PS-SPN  191  are communicatively coupled to each other via the Internet backbone network  197 . Each of the EPDs  111  and  121  is communicatively coupled/associated with more than one access points. As an example, the EPD  121  is associated with the client AP  141 , the SP-AP  183  and the client AP  151 . Each of the EPDs  111  and  121  has a direct data pathway (i.e., a direct communication route to another EPD) that flows through a first associated AP (or “selected AP”) as well at least one indirect command pathway to the first associated AP via a second associated AP. In addition to flowing through the second associated AP, the indirect command pathway will typically flow through the Internet backbone network  197  to reach the first associated AP. Flowing through the Internet backbone network  197  is not necessary in some situations, however. For example, the indirect command pathway might flow between the first and second associated APs via a service provider&#39;s network when both the first and second associated APs are provided by a single packet switched service provider.  
      More particularly, the EPD  121  has a direct communication path to the SP-AP  183  via the WCS I/F  125  and an indirect communication path to the SP-AP  183  via the client AP  151 . In this example, data sent by the EPD  121  travels upstream via the client AP  151  and the SP-AP  193  to the Internet backbone network  197  and then downstream to the SP-AP  183 . If the SP-AP  183  and the SP-AP  193  belong to same service provider network, the data sent by the EPD  121  via the client AP  151  need not travel up to the Internet backbone network  197  and may be routed by the SP-AP  193  directly to the SP-AP  183 , thereby bypassing the Internet backbone network  197 . The at least one indirect command pathway typically flows through the Internet backbone network  197  when the first associated AP and the second associated AP support communicatively incompatible protocols and/or are maintained by different service providers.  
      Each of the EPDs, ( 111  and  121 ) and access points, whether client APs or SP-APs, that are adapted to communicate directly to any of the EPDs ( 111  and  121 ) comprises an indirect command generation and processing circuitry (ICGP). The EPD  111  has an ICGP  117 , the EPD  121  has an ICGP  129 , the client AP  131  has an ICGP  137 , the client AP  141  has an ICGP  147 , the client AP  151  has an ICGP  155 , the SP-AP  163  has an ICGP  165 , and the SP-AP  183  has an ICGP  185 . The ICGP circuitry carries out two functionalities, an indirect command generation (ICG) functionality and an indirect command processing (ICP) functionality. Any one or both of the ICG and the ICP functionalities may be selectively disabled and re-enabled. The ICGP circuitry is typically a combination of hardware and software. For example, the ICG and ICP may be implemented in general purpose processing circuitry that operates pursuant to ICGP program code. Any general or specific purpose, combined or separate ICG and ICP circuitry and/or software may be employed.  
      ICGP circuitry of each of the EPDs ( 111  and  121 ) uses a direct data pathway for delivery of data and an indirect command pathway for exchanging commands. In particular, for example, the EPD  121  may establish a direct data pathway with some remote EPD (not shown) via the client AP  141  and through the SP-AP  173  and the Internet backbone network  197 . The EPD  121  establishes the direct data pathway upon associating with the client AP  141 . After establishing the direct data pathway, the EPD  121  may exchange data with the remote EPD.  
      In addition to the direct data pathway, the EPD  121  may also establish an indirect command pathway through which commands, typically relating to the direct data pathway, are exchanged between the client AP  141  and the EPD  121 . Such indirect command pathway, however, does not flow directly between the client AP  141  and the EPD  121 . Instead, the indirect command pathway flows from the client AP  141  through another AP, e.g., the client AP  151 . In one example, commands originating from the EPD  121  flows from the EPD  121  to the client AP  151 , SP-AP  193 , Internet backbone network  197 , and SP-AP  173  before reaching the client AP  141 . Commands originating from the client AP  141  reach the EPD  121  via a reverse direction of the flow.  
      With a direct data pathway flowing through the SP AP  183 , the ICGP circuitry  129  inserts in the destination address field of generated commands (i.e., into each command packet) the unique network identifier of the SP-AP  183 . The client AP  151 , if part of the indirect command pathway, receives such commands via one of the downstream wireless and wired link interfaces  157  and  159 . Based on the destination address (that of the SP AP  183 ), the client AP  151  routes the command upstream to the Internet backbone network which, in turn, routes such commands downstream to the ICGP circuitry  185  of the SP AP  183 . The same indirect command pathway may be used for sending a response or originating and sending other commands from the ICGP circuitry  185  to the ICGP circuitry  129 . Although not shown, the Internet backbone network  197  consists of a plurality of network nodes that route the packet there through and toward the destination using the destination address.  
      Simultaneous use of more than one direct data pathway and/or more than one indirect command pathway may be employed. When available, the ICGP functionality may choose which one or more of the available indirect pathways to use to deliver commands.  
      Data exchanged between two or more EPDs typically consists of one or combination of real time and/or archived files, program code, and multimedia information such as text, audio, video, picture, movie, video game, and television programs. Commands exchanged via the indirect command pathway typically relate to the direct data pathway. A command may consist of a request, enquiry, or instruction that may involve an adjustment by the recipient or any other type of response. For example, while sending data via a direct data pathway through the SP-AP  183  using the WCS interface  125 , the EPD  121  may send a command via an indirect command pathway to the SP-AP  183  using the wireless link interface  127  to the client AP  151 . In response to the command received via the client AP  151 , SP AP  193  and Internet backbone network  197 , the ICGP circuitry  185  invokes corresponding ICG functionality. Such command might be to place the SP AP  183  into sleep mode servicing of the EPD  121 . It might be to adjust protocol or other communication parameters. Many other types of commands (originating from either access points or EPDs) and related servicing is possible. As previously mentioned, such commands may be related to any functionality involving: a) security; b) data flow; c) handover; d) association, re-association and disassociation; e) persistent network connectivity; f) power conservation; g) load balancing; h) testing; and i) supplemental information exchange. For example, the command may direct establishing of an alternate direct data pathway. It may direct delivery of pending data to the EPD  121  via a previously busy or sleeping WCS I/F  125 . The command may request test packet exchanges or reporting thereon. Other commands request information for monitoring or managing an active direct data pathway and so on.  
      For example, if the WLAN interface circuitry  123  that supports the direct data pathway is in a sleep mode or is otherwise unavailable, the client AP  141  may generate and send a command to “wake up” the WLAN interface circuitry  123  when the client AP  141  receives data to be delivered to the EPD  121 . The command is sent along an indirect command pathway, e.g., from the client AP  141  to the SP AP  173 , through the Internet backbone network  197  to the SP AP  183 , and, via the WCS interface  187 , to the EPD  121 .  
      The client AP  141  receives the command from the SP-AP  173  via the upstream DN I/F  143 . Portion of the ICGP circuitry  147  that is responsible for ICP functionality determines that the command is meant for the client AP  141  and subsequently processes the command. The client AP  141  is hence aware of the fact that the control signal to the EPD  121  is not to be sent to the EPD  121  via the downstream WLAN interface  145  of the client AP  141 . The indirect command pathway between the EPD  121  and the client AP  141  (“selected AP”) in this example passes through the client AP  151 . ICG functionality of the ICGP circuitry  129  of the EPD  121  and ICP functionality of the ICGP circuitry  147  of the client AP  141  jointly manage transmission, flow and reception of the command (i.e., the request from the EPD  121 ) via the indirect command pathway.  
      The EPD  121  is uniquely identified by a network address. The client AP  141  knows the network address of the EPD  121 . The client AP  141  may decide to respond to the command received via the indirect command pathway by sending the control data to the EPD  121  via the indirect command pathway. In another embodiment the client AP  141  may select a second indirect pathway to the EPD  121  for delivery of the control data. The ICG portion of the ICGP circuitry  147  of the client AP  141  directs the control data to be appended with the network address of the EPD  121  as destination address and then directs transmission of the control data via the upstream DN I/F  143 . The control data with the network address of the EPD  121  appended to it travels upstream via the SP-AP  173  to the Internet backbone network  197 . The Internet backbone network  197  routes the control data to the PS-SPN  191 . The control data next travels downstream and reaches the SP-AP  193 . The client AP  151  receives the control data fro the SP-AP  193  via the upstream DN I/F  153 . The client AP  151  from the destination address of the control data decides that the control data is meant for the EPD  121 . The client AP  151  forwards the control data to the EPD  121 . The EPD  121  ultimately receives the control data via the wired link I/F  128 . The ICP portion of the ICGP circuitry  129  of the EPD  121  subsequently processes the control data. In this example the client AP  141  sends the command data i.e., the control data to the EPD  121  via the indirect command pathway that passes through client AP  151 . ICG functionality of the ICGP circuitry  147  of the client AP  141  and ICP functionality of the ICGP circuitry  129  of the EPD  121  jointly manage transmission, flow and reception of the command (i.e., the control data) via the indirect command pathway. The command i.e., the control data in this example keeps the sleeping EPD  121  communicatively associated with the client AP  141 .  
      In yet another embodiment, the EPD  121  may want to know if there is any data at the SP- AP  183  awaiting transmission to the EPD  121  while the WCS I/F of the EPD  121  is in “sleep mode”. The ICGP circuitry  129  of the EPD  121  evokes the ICG functionality. The ICGP circuitry  129  directs transmission of a command comprising an enquiry for pending data at the SP-AP  183  via WLAN I/F  123  of the EPD  121 . The command comprising the enquiry travels via the client AP  141 , the PS-SPN  171 , the Internet backbone network  197  and the CS-SPN  181  to finally reach the SP-AP  183 . The EPD  121  may want to get associated with the client AP  131  with which it is not associated currently. The EPD  121  has no direct pathway to the client AP  131 . The EPD  121  decides to send an association request to the client AP  131  via the SP-AP  183 . The ICGP circuitry  129  of the EPD  121  directs transmission of the command (i.e., the association request) via the WCS I/F  125  of the EPD  121 . The indirect command pathway in this example may comprise the SP-AP  183 , the Internet backbone network  197 , the SP-AP  163  and the upstream wWAN I/F  133  of the client AP  131 . The command travels via the indirect command pathway to reach the client AP  131 . Similarly the command may include a disassociation request from the EPD  121  to the client AP  141 , a handover request from the EPD  111  for handover from the client AP  131  to the client AP  141 .  
      The EPD  111  (as well the EPD  121 ) and a “selected AP” may exchange an enquiry and subsequent response information via the indirect command pathway when the direct data pathway between the EPD  111  and the “selected AP” is not available. The EPD  111  and/or the “selected AP” may in addition choose the indirect command pathway for delivery of the command when the direct data pathway between the EPD  111  and the “selected AP” does not support required quality of service, required robustness against eavesdropping and/or the direct data pathway becomes overloaded or delay in the direct data pathway exceeds a predefined limit. Any of the EPDs  111  and  121  has a first indirect pathway and a second indirect pathway to the client AP  151 . The first indirect pathway passes through the client AP  141  and the second indirect pathway passes through the SP-AP  183 . The ICGP circuitry  129  selects one from the first indirect pathway and the second indirect pathway and directs delivery of the command via the selected indirect pathway the client AP  151 .  
      Any of the APs (the client APs and SP-APs) send command to a “destination EPD” via an indirect command pathway while it sends data to the “destination EPD” via a direct data pathway. The indirect command pathway passes through a second AP with which the “destination EPD” is currently communicatively associated. The AP uses the indirect command pathway to deliver the command to the “destination EPD” either because it may have been instructed to do so by the “destination EPD” or for example, when the AP finds the direct data pathway to the “destination EPD” unreliable. As an example the client AP  131  has a direct data pathway to the EPD  111  via the downstream WLAN I/F  135  and has an indirect command pathway to the EPD  111  via the SP-AP  163 . The client AP  131  may lose connectivity to the EPD  111  via the direct data pathway at an instant of time. Such situation may typically arise when the EPD  111  moves out of coverage range of the client AP  131 . In such a case, the client AP  131  may send a control signal or a re-association request to the EPD  111  via the indirect command pathway. The indirect command pathway to the “destination EPD” may not pass through the Internet backbone network  197 .  
      The command sent by the EPD  121  to the client AP  151  via the indirect command pathway i.e., via the WCS I/F  125  and the SP-AP  183  may comprise protocol information corresponding to the wired link protocol used by the wired link I/F  128  of the EPD  121  to communicate directly with the client AP  151 . The command from the EPD  151  to the client AP  151  may comprise, for example, an increased bandwidth allocation request corresponding to the direct data pathway to the client AP  151 , status information corresponding to the wired link I/F  128  of the EPD  121 , a power adjustment request effecting an increase/decrease in power of the downstream wired link I/F  159  of the client AP  151  etc. The command may consist, for example, of one or more of a request, an enquiry, a control message and a instruction that invokes a processing on one or more of the downstream wired link I/F  159  of the client AP  151  the direct data pathway between the EPD  121  and the client AP  151  and the wired link I/F  128  of the EPD  121 .  
      In another variant of the present invention the ICGP circuitry  137  of the client AP  131  decides to send a special-purpose data to the EPD  111  via an indirect pathway instead of sending via a direct data pathway comprising the downstream WLAN I/F  135  of the client AP  131  and the WLAN I/F  115  of the EPD  111 . As a way of example the client AP  131  (i.e., the ICGP  137 ) sends a wake up command to the EPD  111  via the indirect pathway to wake up the hitherto sleeping WLAN I/F  115  of the EPD  111 . The client AP  131  sends data to the EPD  111  via the direct data pathway i.e., via the downstream WLAN I/F  135  of the client AP  131  and the WLAN I/F  115  of the EPD  111  once the WLAN I/F  115  of the EPD  111  wakes up in response to the wake up command from the client AP  131 . The client AP  131  (i.e., the ICGP  137  may direct to send) may send a protocol and/or a power adjustment request corresponding to the direct data pathway to the EPD  111  via the indirect pathway even when the WLAN I/F  115  of the EPD  111  is operative. The EPD  111  responds to the protocol and/or the power adjustment request by adjusting protocol parameter setting of the WLAN I/F  115  and/or by adjusting power of the WLAN I/F  115 . The WLAN I/F  115  of the EPD  111  continues exchanging data with the client AP  131  via the WLAN I/F  115  i.e., via the direct data pathway with adjusted protocol parameter setting and/or adjusted WLAN I/F  115  power. The ICGP circuitry  137  of the client AP  131  may direct transmission of a pathway information i.e., traffic information, allocated bandwidth information, available bandwidth information, current data transfer rate information, interference level information corresponding to the direct data pathway, a status information corresponding to the client AP  131  etc. to the EPD  111  via the indirect pathway instead of directing transmission via the direct data pathway. ICG functionality of the ICGP circuitry  137  of the client AP  131  decides to direct the special-purpose data via the indirect pathway based on or irrespective of the status of the WLAN I/F  115  of the EPD  111 . The indirect pathway from the client AP  131  to the EPD  111  may for example, pass through the SP-AP  173  and the wWAN I/F  113  of the EPD  111 . ICP functionality of the ICGP circuitry  117  of the EPD  111  directs the wWAN I/F  113  to receive the special-purpose data arriving via the indirect pathway.  
      Many other types of commands and command processing are contemplated. For example, security related commands relating to a direct data pathway might involve exchange of public or private keys or encrypted information via the indirect command pathway. Data flow related commands might involve altering routing tables. Graceful disassociation from a direct data pathway, when a direct data pathway is out of range or otherwise unavailable may be accomplished using a detach command sent via the indirect command pathway. Test commands and associated performance information gathering related to the direct data pathway may be exchanged via the indirect command pathway.  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an end point device of  FIG. 1 , the end point device  251  selecting and subsequently using an indirect command pathway for delivery of a command to an associated access point. The end point device (EPD)  251  comprises a transceiver circuitry  253 . The transceiver circuitry  253  comprises a first radio  255  that supports a wired packet switched data protocol  224 , a second radio  257  that supports a first wireless packet switched data protocol  223  and a third radio  259  that supports a second wireless packet switched data protocol  232 . The first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol may be any of an IEEE 802.11 protocol, an IEEE 802.16 protocol, a Bluetooth, an IEEE 802.20 protocol, a CDMA, a WCDMA, a GSM, a GPRS and an EDGE. The EPD  251  is adapted to support three simultaneous packet data communication via the first radio  255 , the second radio  257  and the third radio  259 . A first AP  221  supports the first wireless protocol  223  and the wired protocol  224 , a second AP  227  supports the first wireless protocol  223 , a third AP  231  supports the second wireless protocol  232  and a fourth AP  235  supports the second wireless protocol  232 . The EPD  251  is located within communication range of the first AP  221 , the second AP  227 , the third AP  231  and the fourth AP  235 . The first AP  221  is communicatively connected to backbone network  203  via a first service provider network  205 , the second AP  227  and the third AP  231  are communicatively connected to the backbone network  203  via a second service provider network  207  and the fourth AP  235  is communicatively connected to the backbone network  203  via a third service provider network  209 .  
      As a way of example the EPD  251  is communicatively coupled to the first AP  221 , the second AP  227  and the third AP  231 . The EPD  251  sends and receives data packets from the first AP  221  via the first radio  255  using the wired protocol  224 . The EPD  251  sends and receives data packets from the second AP  227  via the second radio  257  using the first wireless protocol  223 . In addition the EPD  251  sends and receives data packets from the third AP  231  via the third radio  259  using the second wireless protocol  232 . The EPD  251  has a first upstream pathway to the backbone network  203  via the first AP  221 , a second upstream pathway to the backbone network  203  via the second AP  227  and a third upstream pathway to the backbone network  203  via the third AP  231 . The first AP  221 , the second AP  227  and the third AP  231  are uniquely identified by a first AP address, a second AP address and a third AP address respectively. The EPD  251  stores AP addresses  273  of the EPD  251 . The EPD  251  comprises an indirect route initiation circuitry (IRIC)  281  that initiates selection and transmission of the command data packet to any of the first AP  221 , the second AP  227  and the third AP  231  via an indirect pathway. The indirect pathway is henceforth called the indirect command pathway as the indirect pathway carries the command data packet.  
      The data packets sent and received by the EPD  251  from either of the first AP  221 , the second AP  227  and the third AP  231  comprise one or more of an audio, text, video, picture, music file, photo, television program, webpage, streaming video, movie, live and/or archived multimedia information. The EPD  251  may be one of a television, a phone, a notebook, a personal computer, a PDA, a game box, a headphone, a server etc. The EPD  251  exchanges the data packets with the third AP  231  using the third radio  259  and the second wireless protocol  232 . The command data packet sent by the EPD  251  to, for example, the third AP  231  comprises a request, an enquiry and/or an instruction to be carried out by the third AP  231  resulting in a change in status and/or parameters of the first radio  255 , the second radio  257  and/or the third radio  259  of the EPD  251 , a change in a direct data communication link between the EPD  251  and the third AP  231 , a change in status and/or parameters of the third AP  231  etc. As an example, the command data packet sent to the third AP  231  via the indirect command pathway comprises a pending data packet enquiry when the third radio  259  is in sleep mode i.e., the third radio  259  is not exchanging data packets with the third AP  231  via the direct communication link. The third AP  231  responds to the pending data packet enquiry from the EPD  251  by requesting the EPD  251  to wake up the third radio  259  in order to receive data packets that are waiting in the third AP  231  via the direct data communication link. The command data packet in the example causes change in status of the third radio  259  from the sleep mode to the wake up mode. If there are no pending data packets in the third AP  231  then the third AP  231  informs the EPD  251  about absence of pending data packets. The third AP  231  sends response to the pending data packet enquiry to the EPD  251  via the indirect command pathway and/or another indirect pathway because the third radio  259  of the EPD  251  is in sleep mode. The third AP  231  decides the pathway to be used for delivery of the response to the EPD  251 .  
      As an example, the command data packet sent to the third AP  231  via the indirect command pathway comprises a pathway information request corresponding to the third upstream pathway between the EPD  251  and the backbone network  203  when the third radio  259  is in wake up mode i.e., the third radio  259  is exchanging data packets with the third AP  231  via the direct data communication link. The IRIC  281  of the EPD  251  chooses to use the indirect command pathway for sending the pathway information request to the third AP  231  in order to not increase traffic load on the direct communication link. The pathway information corresponding to the third upstream pathway typically comprises current interference and current delay in the third upstream pathway, maximum data rate supported by the third upstream pathway etc. The third AP  231  receives and/or measures the pathway information corresponding to the third upstream pathway and stores the information in a memory of the third AP  231 . In response to the pathway information request received via the indirect command pathway, the third AP  231  delivers the pathway information stored in the memory to the EPD  251  via the indirect command pathway and/or another indirect pathway. The EPD  251  decides to continue using the third radio  259  and/or other radios of the EPD  251  (i.e., the first radio  255  and the second radio  257 ) to send the data packets to the backbone network  203  depending on the pathway information the EPD  251  receives from the third AP  231 . The EPD  251  may alternately or in addition decide to increase/decrease transmit power of the third radio  259  in response to the pathway information. The command data packet sent to the third AP  231  via the indirect command pathway causes a change in status of the third radio  259  in this exemplary case.  
      The IRIC  281  of the EPD  251  selects the indirect command pathway via which the command data packet reaches the third AP  231  from the EPD  251 . The EPD  251  has a first indirect pathway and a second indirect pathway from the EPD  251  to the third AP  231 . The first indirect pathway comprises the first radio  255 , the first AP  221 , the first service provider network  205 , the backbone network  203 , the second service provider network  207  and the third AP  231 . The IRIC  281  of the EPD  251  directs transmission of the command data packet with the third AP address appended to it via the first radio  255  if the IRIC  281  selects the first indirect path for transmission of the command data packet. The third AP address is appended to the command data packet so that the command data packet gets routed properly by nodes during its movement along the first indirect pathway. The first radio  255  sends the command data packet to the first AP  221  using the wired protocol  224 . The first AP  221  and the first service provider network  205  support the wired protocol  224 . The command data packet moves upstream from the first radio  255  to the backbone network  203  via the first AP  221  and the first service provider network  205 . Structure of the command data packet conforms to the wired protocol  224  during upstream movement. The backbone network  203  forwards the command data packet to the second service provider network  207  by inspecting the third AP address appended to the command data packet. The command data packet travels downstream from the backbone network  203  to the third AP  231  via the second service provider network  207 . The command data packet structure follows the first wireless protocol  223  or the second wireless protocol  232  when the command data packet travels from the backbone network  203  to the second service provider network  207 . The command data packet is encapsulated as per the second wireless protocol  232  when the command data packet travels from the second service provider network  207  to the third AP  231 . The third AP  231  supports the second wireless protocol  232  for receiving and transmitting data packets. The third AP  231  comprises an indirect route end point circuitry (IREPC)  233  that determines that the command data packet appended with the third AP address and arriving via an upstream interface of the third AP  231  is intended for the third AP  231 . The IREPC  233  processes the command data packet in/without conjunction with a processing circuitry of the third AP  231  and responds to the command data packet.  
      The second indirect pathway comprises the second radio  257 , the second AP  227 , the second service provider network  207  and the third AP  231 . The IRIC  281  of the EPD  251  directs transmission of the command data packet with the third AP address appended to it via the second radio  257  and using the first wireless protocol  223  if the IRIC  281  selects the second indirect pathway for transmission of the command data packet. The IRIC  281  selects either of the first indirect pathway and the second indirect pathway depending on current performance of the first indirect pathway and the second indirect pathway. The EPD  251  collects the current performance information from the first AP  221  and the second AP  227  regularly and/or when required by the IRIC  281 . The current pathway information may typically include interference, congestion, load, delay etc. on the first indirect pathway and the second indirect pathway. The command data packet travels upstream to the second service provider network  207  via the second radio  257  and the second AP  227 . The second service provider network  207  routes the command data packet to the third AP  231 . The command data packet is encapsulated pursuant to the second wireless protocol  232  by the second service provider network  207  as the third AP  231  supports the second wireless protocol  232 . The IREPC  233  of the third AP  231  processes the command data packet in/without conjunction with the processing circuitry of the third AP  231 .  
      In another embodiment the EPD  251  is communicatively associated with first AP  221  via the first radio  255 , with the second AP  227  via the second radio  257  and with the fourth AP  235  via the third radio  259 . The EPD  251  wishes to send a second command data packet to the first AP  221 . The IRIC  281  of the EPD  251  may select either of a first indirect path via the second AP  227  and a second indirect path via the fourth AP  235  for delivery of the second command data packet. The first indirect path as well the second indirect path runs via the backbone network  203 . The IRIC  281  of the EPD  251  appends the first AP address to the second command data packet to ensure routing of the second command data packet via all nodes along the first indirect path as well the second indirect path.  
      In yet another embodiment the first radio  255  of the EPD  251  is adapted to receive packets but not transmit the packets. As an example, the EPD  251  is communicatively associated with the first AP  221  via the first radio  255  and the fourth AP  235  via the third radio  259 . The first AP  221  has a downstream communication path to the EPD  251  while the EPD  251  does not have an upstream communication path to the first AP  221 . The EPD  251  in this exemplary case receives data packets and special purpose packets that comprise request, command and/or enquiry from the first AP  221  via the downstream communication path and the first radio  255  using the wired protocol  224 . The IRIC  281  of the EPD  251  directs the command data packet meant for the first AP  221  to be appended with the first AP address and sent out via the third radio  259 . The command data packet sent out by the third radio  259  of the EPD  251  using the second wireless protocol  232  travels upstream to the fourth AP  235  and further upstream to the third service provider network  209  and next to the backbone network  203 . The backbone network  203  forwards the command data packet to the first service provider network  205  that subsequently forwards the command data packet to the first AP  221 . Encapsulation and formatting of the command data packet conforms to the second wireless protocol  232  during upstream movement while conforms to the wired protocol  224  during downstream movement. The IREPC  225  of the first AP  221  processes the command data packet that may typically comprise information related to a) handover, b) disassociation, c) association and re-association, d) power consumption, e) current load, f) current delay, g) bandwidth requirement etc. of the EPD  251  and/or the downstream communication path. In this exemplary case the EPD  251 , because of unavailability of the upstream communication path to the first AP  221 , sends the command data packet to the first AP  221  via the fourth AP  235  and the backbone network  203 .  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a first access point  131  of  FIG. 1  initiating delivery of a command to an end point device  351  via a second access point  321  to which the end point device  351  is communicatively coupled instead of using a direct downstream pathway for the delivery of the command to the end point device  351 . The first AP  311  operates pursuant to a wired protocol  313 . The first AP  311  typically comprises an upstream communication interface, a downstream communication interface, processing circuitry and memory or other type of storage. The first AP  311  sends and receives data packets from the EPD  351  via the direct downstream pathway. The direct downstream pathway comprises the downstream interface of the of the first AP  311 , a wired link between the first AP  311  and the EPD  351  and first transceiver  361  of the EPD  351 . The first transceiver  361  supports the wired protocol  313 . The first AP  311  communicates with a first service provider network  305  via the upstream communication interface. The first service provider network  305  is communicatively coupled to an upstream backbone network  303 . The first AP  311  interacts with the backbone network  303  via wired communication links.  
      The backbone network  303  is in addition communicatively coupled to a second service provider network  307 . A second AP  321  and a third AP  331  operate under the second service provider network  307 . The second AP  321  and the third AP  331  respectively uses a first wireless protocol  323  and a second wireless protocol  333  for exchange of data packets with the EPD  351 . The EPD  351  comprises a second transceiver  371  that supports the first wireless protocol  323  and a third transceiver  381  that supports the second wireless protocol  333 . The EPD  351  uses the second transceiver  371  to communicate with the second AP  321  while uses the third transceiver  381  to communicate with the third AP  331 . Each of the wired protocol  313 , the first wireless protocol  323  and the second wireless protocol  333  may be packet switched data protocol or circuit switched data protocol. Typical examples of standard packet switched data protocol are IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, EDGE, Bluetooth etc. Typical example of standard circuit switched data protocol is GPRS etc. The first AP  311 , the second AP  321  and the third AP  331  respectively assigns a first EPD address, a second EPD address and a third EPD address to the EPD  351  at beginning of association. The first AP  311 , the second AP  321  and the third AP  331  respectively uses the first EPD address, the second EPD address and the third EPD address to send data to the EPD  351 . Data refers to real time and/or archived multimedia information. The first AP  311  sets first EPD address as destination address of the data that is destined for the EPD  351  and sends the data to the EPD  351  via the downstream communication interface of the first AP  311 . The first AP  311  receives the second EPD address and the third EPD address from the EPD  351  upon association with the EPD  351 . The first AP  311  stores three EPD addresses  393 . In addition the second AP  321  and the third AP  331  store the three EPD addresses  393 . The second AP  321  and the third AP  331  comprises IRIC (Indirect Route Initiation Circuitry)  327  and IRIC  337  respectively. The second AP  321  as well the third AP  331  is adapted to select an indirect path for delivery of a special purpose data to the EPD  351  instead of sending the special purpose data packet to the EPD  351  via a direct downstream pathway. Any indirect path from any of the APs to the EPD  351  is henceforth referred to as indirect command path and any direct downstream path from any of the APs to the EPD  351  is referred to as direct downstream data path because the indirect command path carries the command and/or special purpose data and the direct downstream data path carries the data destined for the EPD  351 .  
      In  FIG. 3 , the EPD  351  is shown to be communicatively associated with all three APs, the first AP  311 , the second AP  321  and the third AP  331 . Any of the APs, for example the first AP  311  may not be associated with the EPD  351  in one embodiment. The first AP  311  i.e., the IRIC  317  of the first AP  311  selects an indirect command path and sends a command to the EPD  351  via the selected indirect command path because there is no direct down stream path via which the first AP  31  may reach the EPD  351 . The command in this example may typically be an association request to the EPD  351 .  
      The first AP  311  sends the data typically comprising audio, video, photo, multimedia files, text, television programs, music video, movie, live and/or archived information etc. to the EPD  351  via the direct downstream data path to the EPD  351 . The first AP  311  encapsulates the data with the first EPD address prior to transmitting the data via the direct downstream data path. An IRIC  317  of the first AP  311  directs command(s) destined for the EPD  351  to be routed via an indirect command path. The command in this example may be routed to the EPD  351  either via the second AP  321  or via the third AP  331 . An IRIC  317  of the first AP  311  in one embodiment selects a priori an AP via which the command is to be routed. In the one embodiment the IRIC  317  decides to route the command to the EPD  351  via the second AP  321 . Thus the indirect command path in the one embodiment passes via the second AP  321 . The IRIC  317  i.e., the first AP  311  encapsulates the command with the second EPD address. The IRIC  317  if aware of a unique network address of the second AP  321  may also append the network address of the second AP  321  to the encapsulated command. The IRIC  317  triggers transmission of the encapsulated command via the upstream communication interface of the first AP  311 . The encapsulated command is routed by nodes along its upstream movement to the backbone network  303  via the first service provider network  305 . The encapsulated command data packet is forwarded by the backbone network  303  to the second service provider network  307 . The second service provider network  307  forwards the encapsulated data packet to the second AP  321  using the network address of the second AP  321  attached to the encapsulated command. The second AP  321  receives the command from the second service provider network  305  via an upstream communication interface of the second AP  321 . The second AP  321  uses the second EPD address to deliver any data directly to the EPD  351  via a downstream communication interface of the second AP  321 . The second AP  321  determines that the command is destined for the EPD  351  by inspecting the second EPD address attached to the command. The second AP  321  sends the command to the EPD  351  via the downstream communication interface of the second AP  321 . The EPD  351  receives the command via the second transceiver  371 . An indirect route end point circuitry (IREPC)  397  of the EPD  351  subsequently processes the command.  
      In another embodiment the IRIC  317  does not know the network address of the second AP  321 . The IRIC  317  is neither aware of a unique network address of the third AP  331 . The IRIC  317  in the another embodiment does not decide a priori the AP via which the command data packet is to be routed. In the another embodiment the IRIC  317  of the first AP  311  encapsulates the command with the second EPD address and directs transmission of the encapsulated command via the upstream communication interface of the first AP  311 . The encapsulated command travels upstream to the backbone network  303  via the first service provider network  305 . The encapsulated command is forwarded by the backbone network  303  to the second service provider network  307 . The second service provider network  307  forwards the command to the second AP  321  as well to the third AP  331 . The second AP  321  uses the second EPD address to deliver any data directly to the EPD  351  via the downstream communication interface of the second AP  321 . The second AP  321  determines that it has to service the encapsulated command by inspecting the second EPD address attached to the encapsulated command. The second AP  321  subsequently sends the command to the EPD  351  via the downstream communication interface of the second AP  321 . The third AP  331  determines that the encapsulated command is not to be serviced by it and subsequently discards the command.  
      The command sent by the first AP  311  to the EPD  351  via the second AP  321  comprises a request, an enquiry, an instruction and/or control information to be subsequently processed by the EPD  351 . As an example, the first transceiver  361  is in sleep mode, i.e., the EPD  351  has decided to not use the first transceiver  361  for data communication with the first AP  311  for a predefined time. The first AP  311  receives and/or anticipates receiving data destined for the EPD  351  from the backbone network  303 . The first AP  311  wants the first transceiver  361  to wake up and be prepared for receiving the data from the first AP  311  via the first transceiver  361 . The IRIC  317  of the first AP  311  sends a wake up request to the EPD  351  via the upstream communication interface of the first AP  311 . The IRIC  317  ensures that the command comprising the wake up request is encapsulated with the second EPD address or the third EPD address. The encapsulated command travels via the backbone network  303  and reaches the EPD  351  either via the second AP  321  or the third AP  331  based on address appended to the command. If the IRIC  317  is not aware which of the second transceiver  371  and the third transceiver  381  is operative currently then the IRIC  317  ensures transmission of the command twice, first time the command is encapsulated with the second EPD address and second time the command is encapsulated with the third EPD address. The indirect command path passes through either i) the second AP  321 , ii) the third AP  331 , or iii) both the second AP  321  and the third AP  331 . The EPD  351  receives the command either via the second transceiver  371  or via the third transceiver  381  based on the indirect command path selected by the IRIC  317 . The EPD  351  responds to the command by waking up the first transceiver  361 . The EPD  351  is now ready to exchange data with the first AP  311  via the first transceiver  361 .  
      As another example, the first AP  311  anticipates receiving no data destined for the EPD  351  from the backbone network  303  for a fixed span of time. The first AP  311  wants the first transceiver  361  to remain in the sleep mode for the fixed span of time. The IRIC  317  of the first AP  311  sends a request to the EPD  351  to this effect via the indirect command path. The EPD  351  receives the request via the indirect command path and responds to the request by putting the first transceiver  361  in the sleep mode for the fixed span of time.  
      The command in another example comprises an enquiry seeking to know volume of data waiting at the first transceiver  361  for delivery to the first AP  311  and maximum data transmission rate supported by the first transceiver  361 . The first AP  311  sends the enquiry to the EPD  351  via the upstream communication interface of the first AP  311  and the third AP  331  while simultaneously receiving data from the EPD  351  via the downstream communication interface of the first AP  311  i.e., via the direct downstream data path. The indirect command path in the another example comprises the upstream communication interface of the first AP  311  and the third AP  331 . The IREPC  397  of the EPD  351  responds to the enquiry from the first AP  311  by triggering delivery of length of pending data queue at the first transceiver  361  and the maximum data transmission rate supported by the first transceiver  361  to the first AP  311  via the third transceiver  381  or via the first transceiver  361 . The first AP  311  may use the response from the EPD  351  to allocate more bandwidth to the direct downstream data path such that length of pending data queue at the first transceiver  361  decreases quickly i.e., the pending data are transmitted to the first AP  311  via the direct downstream data path of increased bandwidth more quickly.  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of commands the end point device  251  of  FIG. 2  delivers to the associated access point using the indirect command pathway. The EPD  403  comprises a first communication interface  405  that supports data communication using a first protocol  407 . The first protocol  407  may be a packet switched data communication protocol or a circuit switched data communication protocol. The EPD  403  has a first direct upstream data pathway to a first AP  431 . The first direct upstream data pathway comprises the first communication interface  405 , a first communication link between the EPD  403  and the first AP  431  and a downstream communication interface  433  of the first AP  431 . The downstream communication interface  433  supports data communication using the first protocol  407 . The EPD  403  has a second communication interface  415  that supports data communication using a second protocol  417 . The second protocol  417  may be a packet switched data communication protocol or a circuit switched data communication protocol. The EPD  403  has a second direct upstream data pathway to a second AP  471 . The second direct upstream data pathway comprises the second communication interface  415 , a second communication link between the EPD  403  and the second AP  471  and a downstream communication interface  473  of the second AP  471 . The downstream communication interface  473  supports the second protocol  417 . The first protocol  407  and the second protocol  417  are one or more of a wired, a wireless terrestrial, a cellular and a wireless satellite data protocol.  
      The first AP  431  is communicatively connected to a first Internet Service Provider (ISP) network  453  via an upstream communication interface  439  of the first AP  431 . The upstream communication interface  439  and the first ISP network  453  i.e., all nodes belonging to the first ISP network  453  support data communication using the first protocol  407 . The second AP  471  is communicatively connected to a second ISP network  457  via an upstream communication interface  479  of the second AP  471 . The upstream communication interface  479  and the second ISP network  457  support data communication using the second protocol  417 . The first ISP network  453  and the second ISP network  457  are communicatively connected to an Internet backbone  451 . The EPD  403  is adapted to interact with the Internet backbone  451  via the first AP  431  and using the first protocol  407 . In addition the EPD  403  is adapted to interact with the Internet backbone  451  via the second AP  471  and using the second protocol  417 .  
      The first AP  407  and the second AP  417  are uniquely identified by a first AP address and a second AP address respectively. The EPD  403  uses the first AP address and the second AP address to communicate directly with the first AP  407  and the second AP  417  respectively. Direct communication to the APs  407  and the  417  refer to sending data via the first direct upstream data pathway and the second direct upstream data pathway. The EPD  403  stores the first AP address and the second AP address in the EPD  403 . There is the indirect command pathway between the EPD  403  and the second AP  471  in addition to the second direct upstream data pathway between the EPD  403  and the second AP  471 . The indirect command pathway comprises the first direct upstream data pathway between the EPD  403  and the first AP  431 , the upstream communication interface  439  of the first AP  431 , the first ISP network  453 , the Internet backbone  451 , the second ISP network  457  and the upstream communication interface  479  of the second AP  471 . The EPD  403  uses the second direct upstream data pathway to send and receive data from the second AP  471  while uses the indirect command pathway to send command to the second AP  471 . The command comprises typically a resource allocation request, a protocol adjustment request, a power adjustment request, an attach and/or detach instruction, a status enquiry, a pathway information retrieval command etc. to the second AP  471 . The second AP  471  responds to the command by typically actuating a change in the EPD status, a change in the second direct upstream data pathway characteristics etc. The EPD  403  sends the command to the second AP  471  via the first AP  431  to control interaction of the first AP  431  with the EPD  403 .  
      As an example, the EPD  403  exchanges data with the second AP  471  via the second direct upstream data pathway. The EPD  403  wishes to detach from the second AP  471 . The EPD  403  sends a detachment request to the second AP  471  via the indirect command pathway. The second AP  471  receives and responds to the detachment request by detaching from the EPD  403  i.e., withdrawing communication association with the EPD  403 . The command may be an EPD status notification message to the second AP  471 . The EPD  403  wishes to put the second communication interface  415  to sleep mode i.e., the EPD  403  desires to stop data exchange via the second communication interface  415  for a predefined time span. The EPD  403  chooses to inform the second AP  471  about intended change in status of the second communication interface  415  by sending the EPD status notification message to the second AP  471  via the indirect command pathway. The second AP  471  receives and responds to the EPD status notification message by finding an alternate pathway for data exchange with the EPD  403  or withholding data communication with the EPD  403  for the predefined time span and/or aborting data communication with the EPD  403 . The command (i.e., the EPD status notification message) sent to the second AP  471  via the indirect command pathway causes abortion of data exchange along the second direct upstream data pathway for at least the predefined time span. As another example, the second communication interface  415  of the EPD  403  is in sleep mode. The EPD  403  desires to keep the second communication interface  415  in the sleep more for a period longer than the predefined time span. The EPD  403  sends a command to the second AP  471  to this effect via the indirect command pathway.  
      In yet another example, the EPD  403  exchanges data with the second AP  471  via the second direct upstream data pathway and the second communication interface  415 . The EPD  403  sends a bandwidth allocation request to the second AP  471  via the indirect command pathway when number of data waiting at the EPD  403  for upstream delivery to the second AP  471  exceeds a preset threshold. The EPD  403  chooses the indirect command pathway for delivery so as not to interrupt and/or eat up bandwidth on the second direct upstream data pathway. The second AP  471  receives the bandwidth allocation request via the indirect command pathway from the EPD  403  and responds by allocating more bandwidth to the second direct upstream data pathway. The command (i.e., the bandwidth allocation request) sent to the second AP  471  via the indirect command pathway in this example causes an increase in bandwidth of the second direct upstream data pathway. The EPD  403  appends the second AP address to the command prior to sending the command via the indirect command pathway. The command encounters a plurality of nodes while traveling along the indirect command pathway. Each of the plurality of nodes reads the second AP address appended to the command, decides a next node based on the second AP address, and forwards the command to the next node. This process of forwarding continues until the command reaches the second AP  471 . The first ISP network  453  and the second ISP network  457  may or may not be maintained by same service provider. The first protocol  407  may or may not be communicatively compatible with the second protocol  417 .  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of commands the first access point  311  of  FIG. 3  delivers to the end point device  571  using a pathway via the second access point  551 . The first AP  503  has a direct downstream communication pathway with the EPD  571 . The first AP  503  sends data destined for the EPD  571  via the direct downstream communication pathway to the EPD  571 . The direct downstream communication pathway is alternately referred to as direct downstream data pathway. The direct downstream data pathway comprises a downstream communication interface  511  of the first AP  503 , a first communication interface  573  of the EPD  571  and a wired and/or a wireless communication link between the downstream communication interface  511  and the first communication interface  573 . The first AP  503  and the EPD  571  communicate using a first protocol  577 . If the first protocol  577  supports data transmission and reception wirelessly then the communication link between the downstream communication interface  511  and the first communication interface  573  is a wireless link. The first AP  503  has an upstream communication interface  505 . The first AP  503  is adapted to receive and send data to backbone network  531  via the upstream communication interface  505 . The data sent to the backbone network  531  via the upstream communication interface  505  travels through a first data network  521 . All nodes belonging to the first data network  521  support the first protocol  577 . The first data network  521  may support either packet switched communication or circuit switched communication.  
      The backbone network  521  is in addition communicatively coupled to a second data network  541  that supports a second protocol  585 . The second protocol  585  is one or more of a wired, a wireless terrestrial, a cellular and a wireless satellite data protocol. A second AP  551  belongs to the second data network  541 . The second AP  551  interacts with the backbone network  521  via the second data network  541  via an upstream communication interface  553 . The second AP  551  in addition comprises a downstream communication interface  561  via which the second AP  551  is communicatively coupled to the EPD  571 . The second AP  551  exchanges data with the EPD  571  via a second direct downstream communication pathway or alternately called a second direct downstream data pathway. The second direct downstream data pathway comprises the downstream communication interface  561  of the second AP  551 , a second communication interface  581  of the EPD  571  and a wired and/or a wireless communication link between the downstream communication interface  561  and the second communication interface  581 . The second AP  551  follows the second protocol  585  for upstream communication with the backbone network  521  as well for downstream communication with the EPD  571 . The first protocol  577  and the second protocol  585  may be communicatively incompatible. The first data network  521  and the second data network  541  may be maintained by different service providers.  
      The first AP  503  sends data to the EPD  571  via the first direct downstream data pathway. The first AP  503  has an indirect communication path to the EPD  571 . The indirect path comprises the upstream communication interface  505 , the first packet switched network  521 , the backbone network  531 , the second packet switched network  541 , the upstream communication interface  553  of the second AP  551 , the downstream communication interface  561  of the second AP  551  and the second communication interface  581  of the EPD  571 . The first AP  503  delivers command to the EPD  571  via the indirect communication path. The indirect communication path from the first AP  503  to the EPD  571  is alternately referred to as indirect command path. The command meant for the EPD  571  and transmitted by the first AP  503  via the upstream communication interface  505  of the first AP  503  moves upstream to the backbone network  531  and then moves downstream via the second AP  551  to the EPD  571 . Encapsulation and/or formatting of the command follow the first protocol  577  during upstream movement and follow the second protocol  585  during downstream movement. The first AP  503  identifies the EPD  571  by a unique first EPD address  575  and the second AP  503  identifies the EPD  571  by a unique second EPD address  583 . The first AP  503  appends data destined for the EPD  571  with the first EPD address  575  prior to transmitting them via the first direct downstream data pathway. The second AP  551  appends data destined for the EPD  571  with the second EPD address  583  prior to transmitting them via the second direct downstream data pathway. Each of the first AP  503  and the second AP  551  stores the first EPD address  575  and the second EPD address  583 . The first AP  503  appends the command with the second EPD address  583  prior to transmitting them via the upstream communication interface  505 . The command reaches the second AP  551  traveling via the indirect command path. The second AP  551  determines that the second AP  551  has to send the command to the EPD  571  using the second direct downstream data pathway by observing the second EPD address  583  appended to the command. The command will be ignored by any other AP even if the other AP is communicatively associated with the EPD  571 . The command sent by the first AP  503  to the EPD  571  via the indirect command path typically comprises EPD wake up command, power adjustment command, bandwidth allocation command, AP status information, attachment and/or detachment request, first direct downstream data pathway information retrieval request etc.  
      As a way of example the first AP  503  is interacting with the EPD  571  via the first direct downstream data pathway. The first communication interface  573  of the EPD  571  is in use. The first AP  503  sends a transmit power increase request corresponding to the first communication interface  573  to the EPD  571  via the indirect command path. The EPD  571  receives the transmit power increase request via the second communication interface  581  and responds to the request by increasing transmit power of the first communication interface  573 . The response to a command i.e., the request sent by the first AP  503  via the indirect command path causes an increase in signal power level in the first direct downstream data pathway. As another example the command comprises a detach request for the first communication interface  573 . The EPD  571  responds to the detach request by directing the first communication interface  573  to stop receiving and transmitting data to the first AP  503  via the first direct downstream data pathway.  
      The first AP  503  collects pathway information corresponding to an upstream pathway from the first AP  503  to the backbone network  531  regularly and/or as and when required. The pathway information at an instant of time typically comprises current data rate supported, current bit error rate, current level of interference, current delay, cost of data transmission etc., in the upstream pathway. The first AP  503  sends the pathway information to the EPD  571  either regularly and/or when asked for via the indirect command path while simultaneously exchanging data with the EPD  571  via the first direct downstream data pathway. The EPD  571  needs the pathway information to decide future course of actions i.e., the EPD  571  stops transmission via the first communication interface  573 , sends data via the first communication interface  573  at an increased/decreased rate, changes transmit power of the first communication interface  573 , applies encryption to the data prior to transmission etc., using the pathway information received via the indirect command path. The first AP  503  analyzes the pathway information and determines that the current delay in the upstream pathway has exceeded a predefined threshold. The first AP  503  sends a lower data transfer request corresponding to the first communication interface  573  to the EPD  571  via the indirect command path. The EPD  571  responds to the lower data transfer request by sending out the data via the first communication interface  573  at a decreased rate.  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of components of an end point device  600  that supports a direct data pathway to a first access point and an indirect command pathway to the first access point via a second access point, where the end point device  600  uses the indirect command pathway for delivery of a plurality of commands to the first access point. The EPD  600  comprises a processing circuitry  603 . An operating system  605  and a communication application  607  runs on the EPD  600 . The EPD  600  is for example, a phone, a notebook, a personal computer, a PDA, a headphone, a video game box, a notebook, a server, a client terminal etc. The communication application  607  running on the EPD  600  may be a phone call, a messaging service, an Internet telephony application, a web browsing application, an archived file download application, a video conferencing, an online video game etc., that requires transmission and/or reception of data from one or more data communication network. The EPD  600  comprises a user interface  631 . The user interface  631  may typically be a mouse, a keypad, a joystick, a thumbwheel, a touch screen, a plurality of buttons etc. The EPD  600  comprises a first wired upstream interface  641  that supports data communication with the first AP using a first protocol  643 . The EPD  600  further comprises a second wired upstream interface  651  that supports data communication with the second AP using a second protocol  653 . The EPD  600  has a first wireless upstream interface  661  and a second wireless upstream interface  671  that support data communication with a third AP and a fourth AP respectively using a third protocol  663  and a fourth protocol  673 . The first protocol  643 , the second protocol  653 , the third protocol  663  and the fourth protocol  673  may be communicatively incompatible.  
      The EPD  600  receives a unique EPD address when the EPD  600  associates itself with any access point. The EPD  600  has four EPD addresses  613  corresponding to four communication associations with the first AP, the second AP, the third AP and the fourth AP. The EPD  600  stores the EPD addresses  613  in a storage system  611  of the EPD  600 . Each of the first AP, the second AP, the third AP and the fourth AP are uniquely identified by a first AP address, a second AP address, a third AP address and a fourth AP address respectively. The EPD  600  stores four AP addresses  615  in the storage system  611 . The EPD  600  in addition stores a plurality of commands  617  in the storage system  611 . The EPD  600  comprises an indirect route initiation circuitry (IRIC)  621  and an indirect route end point circuitry (IREPC)  626 .  
      The EPD  600  exchanges data with the first AP as required by the communication application  607  running on the EPD  600 . The EPD  600  encapsulates the data with the first AP address as destination address and in conformity with the first protocol  643  and transmits the data via the first wired upstream interface  641 . The plurality of commands  617  are requests, enquiries and/or instructions sent to either of four access points to effectuate a change in interaction of the EPD  600  with corresponding access point. The EPD  600  sends one or more of the plurality of commands  617  to the four access points via indirect routes instead of direct routes. As a way of example the EPD  600  desires to send a command from the plurality of commands to the first AP. The IRIC  621  of the EPD  600  selects the indirect command pathway passing through the second AP to send the command to the first AP. The IRIC  621  directs encapsulation of the command with the first AP address as destination address and in conformity with the second protocol  653 . The IRIC  621  directs transmission of the encapsulated command via the second wired upstream interface  651 . The encapsulated command reaches the second AP. The second AP reads the destination address of the encapsulated command and forwards the encapsulated command to a next node. The encapsulated command after traveling via one or more data networks reaches the first AP. The first AP determines that the encapsulated command is intended for the first AP by using the destination address. The first AP subsequently processes the command.  
      Any of the four access points may send a command and/or a special purpose data to the EPD  600  via indirect route. As an example the fourth AP sends the special purpose data to the EPD  600  via the third AP. The first wireless upstream interface  661  that is communicatively coupled to the third AP receives the special purpose data. The first wireless upstream interface  661  forwards the received data to IREPC  626 . The IREPC  626  determines origin of the special purpose data and subsequently processes the special purpose data may comprise request, instruction or query that corresponds to support or management of a) security; b) data flow; c) handover; d) association, re-association and disassociation; e) persistent network connectivity; f) power conservation; g) load balancing; h) testing; and i) supplemental information on direct route between any of the four access points and the EPD  600 .  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of components of an access point  700  that supports a direct downstream pathway and additionally an indirect upstream pathway to an end point device, where the access point  700  uses the indirect upstream pathway for delivery of a command to the end point device. The AP  700  comprises a processing circuitry  713 . The AP  700  comprises a plurality of wired interfaces  721  and a plurality of wireless interfaces  771 . Few of the wired interfaces  721  support data communication with upstream node(s). A node is, for example, a router, a switch, a modem that is communicatively connected to the AP  700  via a first end and communicatively connected to a backbone network directly and/or indirectly via a second end. Remaining of the wired interfaces  721  support data communication with downstream end point device(s). An EPD is typically a phone, a notebook, a personal computer, a video game box, a server etc. A communication application runs on the EPD. The EPD supports data communication with one or more data networks in conformity with a data communication protocol. The EPD receives and sends data generated by the communication application to the one or more data networks. “Upstream” and “Downstream” respectively refers to location of the node or the EPD with respect to the backbone network and does not refer to actual direction of flow of data. The data networks may be a packet switched data communication network and/or a circuit switched data communication network. The AP  700  has a first wired upstream interface  723  via which the AP  700  is communicatively coupled i.e., associated with a first node  725 . The AP  700  has a second wired upstream interface  731  via which the AP  700  is associated with a second node  733 . The AP  700  has a first wired downstream interface  741  via which the AP  700  is associated with a first EPD  751 . The AP  700  in addition comprises a first wireless upstream interface  773 , a first wireless downstream interface  781 , and a second wireless downstream interface  791  via which the AP  700  is communicatively connected with a third node  775 , a second EPD  783 , and a third EPD  793  respectively. Each of the plurality of wired interfaces  721  supports data communication using a first protocol  720  and each of the plurality of wireless interfaces  771  support data communication using a second protocol  770 . The first protocol  720  may be communicatively incompatible with the second protocol  770 .  
      The AP  700  assigns unique network addresses to the first EPD, the second EPD and the third EPD at beginning of association. The AP  700  stores the first EPD network address, the second EPD network address and the third EPD network address (collectively  705 ) in a storage system  703  of the AP  700 . Each of the first node, the second node and the third node is uniquely identified by respective network addresses. The AP  700  stores the first node address, the second node address and the third node address (collectively  709 ) in the storage system  703 . The AP  700  comprises an indirect route initiation circuitry (IRIC)  718  and an indirect route end point circuitry (IREPC)  719 .  
      The AP  700  supports data communication with the first EPD  743  via the first wired downstream interface  741 . A direct downstream pathway from the AP  700  to the first EPD  743  comprises the first wired downstream interface  741 , i.e., a data transmitted by the AP  700  via the first wired downstream interface  741  travels along the direct downstream pathway and reaches the first EPD  743 . As a way of example the first EPD  743  is communicatively connected to a second AP that in turn is connected to a fourth node. The first node  725 , the second node  733 , the third node  775  and the fourth node are communicatively coupled to each other via the backbone network. An indirect upstream pathway from the AP  700  to the first EPD  743  comprises the first upstream wired interface  723 , the first node  725 , the backbone network, the fourth node, the second AP and the first EPD  743 . The IRIC  718  of the AP  700  chooses the indirect upstream pathway for delivery of the command to the first EPD  743  and chooses the direct downstream pathway for delivery of data to the first EPD  743 . The data typically comprise text, music, movie, audio, live performance, television program, video game and any of a variety of live and/or archived multimedia information. The command is a special purpose packet that comprises a request, an enquiry, an instruction, and/or control information. Response of the first EPD  743  to the command brings about a change in interaction of the AP  700  with the first EPD  743  via the direct downstream pathway. The AP  700  has a direct downstream pathway and at least one indirect upstream pathway to each of the first EPD  743 , the second EPD  783  and the third EPD  793 . The at least one indirect upstream pathway may not necessarily pass through the backbone network. The direct downstream pathway includes one of the plurality of downstream interfaces  741 ,  781  and  791 . The at least one indirect upstream pathway includes one of the plurality of upstream interfaces  723 ,  731  and  773 . The IRIC  718  of the AP  700  performs encapsulation and formatting of the command prior to delivering the command via the indirect upstream pathway.  
      The AP  700  receives command from any of the first EPD  743 , the second EPD  783  and the third EPD  793  via any one of the plurality of upstream interfaces  723 ,  731  and  773 . As an example a data arrives from the first EPD  743  at the first downstream wired interface  741  whereas the command(s) arrives from the first EPD  743  at the first upstream wired interface  723 . The first upstream wired interface  723  forwards the received command(s) to the IREPC  719  of the AP  700 . The IREPC  719  ascertains sender of the command(s). In the example the IREPC  719  determines that the first EPD  743  has sent the command(s). The IREPC  719  processes the command(s) with/without assistance from the processing circuitry  713  of the AP  700 . In another embodiment the plurality of wired interfaces  721  and the plurality of wireless interfaces  771  support other data communication protocols in addition to the first protocol  720  and the second protocol  770 . Functionalities performed by the AP  700  may be realized in a set top box.  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a method of selecting a pathway for delivery of a data packet to an access point and subsequent delivery via the selected pathway, where the selection of the pathway by an end point device is based on the data packet type. The method starts at block  803 . The EPD is communicatively coupled to a first AP and a second AP. The EPD is adapted to interact with the first AP via a direct communication path and via an indirect communication path. “Direct” refers to the fact that the direct communication path does not include an access point, another EPD and a node such as a modem, router, switch, gateway etc. The indirect communication path between the EPD and the first AP passes through the second AP. In block  805 , the EPD generates a data packet intended for the first AP. The first AP and the second AP are identified uniquely by a first AP address and a second AP address respectively. In a next step  807  the EPD attaches the first AP address to the data packet generated in the block  805 . The EPD selects a path from the direct communication path and the indirect communication path for delivery of the data packet to the first AP as shown in a block  809 . As shown in a block  815 , the EPD sends the data packet via the indirect communication path if the data packet typically comprises a request, an enquiry, control information, and/or an instruction that demands subsequent processing by the first AP. The EPD sends such command data packet to the second AP. The command data packet eventually reaches the first AP traveling through the indirect communication path. If the data packet comprises one or more of live and/or archived multimedia information then the EPD selects the direct communication path for delivery of such media data packet as illustrated in a block  813 .  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a method of selecting a pathway for delivery of data packet to an end point device and subsequent delivery via the selected pathway, where the selection of the pathway by an access point is based on the data packet type. The method starts in block  903 . The AP is a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the downstream EPD via a downstream radio and also communicatively coupled to an upstream node via an upstream radio. The upstream node is in turn connected with a backbone network. The AP is adapted to interact with the EPD via a downstream pathway. Communication via the downstream pathway involves the downstream radio. The downstream pathway is also referred to as a direct pathway to the EPD. The EPD is typically communicatively associated with a second AP that is connected to the backbone network. The AP is adapted to interact with the EPD via an upstream pathway. The upstream pathway passes through the upstream radio, the upstream node, the backbone network, the second AP and the EPD. The upstream pathway is also referred to as an indirect pathway to the EPD.  
      In block  905  the AP has a data packet ready to be sent to the EPD. The AP may receive the data packet from the upstream node via the upstream radio in one embodiment. The AP may generate the data packet in another embodiment. The data packet may comprise live and/or archived multimedia information. The data packet may alternately be a special purpose packet comprising a request, an enquiry and/or a command that necessitates processing by the EPD resulting in a change in the direct downstream pathway to the EPD. In step  909  the AP selects a pathway from the direct downstream pathway and the indirect upstream pathway for delivery of the data packet. Selection is based on the data packet type. The AP selects the direct downstream pathway for delivery if the data packet comprises live and/or archived multimedia information. The AP transmits such a media containing data packet to the EPD via the downstream radio as illustrated in block  912 . The AP selects the indirect upstream pathway for delivery if the data packet is the special purpose packet. The special purpose packet is to be sent to the EPD by the second AP during last leg of journey of the special purpose packet via the indirect upstream pathway. The second AP talks to the EPD using a unique network address. The AP retrieves the unique network address of the EPD in a next step  913 . The AP attaches the unique network address to the special purpose data packet as destination address as shown in a next block  915 . The AP transmits the special purpose data packet via the upstream radio in block  917 . The special purpose data packet ultimately reaches the second AP traveling via the upstream node and the backbone network. The second AP deciphers the destination address of the special purpose data packet, responds to the received special purpose data packet by forwarding the special purpose data packet to the EPD.  
      As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the term “communicatively coupled”, as may be used herein, includes wireless and wired, direct coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit, or module. As one of average skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes wireless and wired, direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as “communicatively coupled”.  
      The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.  
      The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.  
      One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.  
      Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to one of average skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.