Patent ID: 8189536

Claim:
A method of operating an adaptive network comprising a base station and a plurality of wireless interactive modules disposed at spaced locations with respect to one another in which each module is capable of receiving and transmitting data packets, the method comprising: identifying a first predetermined path for sending a first data packet from an originating module to the base station, wherein the first predetermined path comprises a plurality of intermediate path modules; sending the first data packet from one intermediate path module in the first predetermined path to a next intermediate path module in the first predetermined path; responsive to the one intermediate path module determining that the next intermediate path module failed to indicate having received the first data packet, the one intermediate path module locally broadcasting the first data packet so as to be received by any of the plurality of wireless interactive modules in the adaptive network within a predetermined local radio distance of the broadcasting one intermediate path module; the any of the plurality of wireless interactive modules that receives the locally broadcast first data packet then sending an indication of successful broadcast receipt to the broadcasting one intermediate module, wherein the indication of successful broadcast receipt is based on the any of the plurality of wireless interactive modules determining a valid path exists from itself to the base station; and the locally broadcasting one intermediate path module, upon receipt of a first indication of successful broadcast receipt, ceasing the local broadcasting of the first data packet.