Patent ID: 8305905

Claim:
A system comprising: a first node including at least one hardwire connection to at least a second node; wherein said first node is configured to broadcast a first signal both wirelessly and over said at least one hardwire connection; wherein said first node selectively transmits further communications to said second node either via said at least one hardwire connection or wirelessly, dependent on whether said second node responds to said first signal via said at least one hardwire connection or wirelessly, respectively; and wherein said first node broadcasts the first signal to establish communication, and said first node transmits further communications to said second node to maintain communication between said first and second nodes, and wherein said first node transmits the first signal at a first signal strength, and the further communications at a second signal strength, when the first signal and the further communications are transmitted wirelessly, and further wherein the first signal strength is based on an estimated distance between said first node and said second node.