Patent ID: 8553664

Claim:
A method comprising: coupling a user interface to a wireless control system having a wireless gateway and a plurality of wireless input and output devices wherein the wireless gateway and each of the plurality of wireless input and output devices is located within and protects a secured area, where at least one input device of the plurality of wireless input and output devices detects fires and wherein at least one of the plurality of wireless input and output devices communicates with the wireless gateway through another of the plurality of wireless input and output devices; receiving through the user interface a selection of a wireless transmission parameter used in transmitting messages between the wireless gateway and at least some of the plurality of wireless input and output devices; determining a latency time value of messages transmitted between the wireless gateway and each of the plurality of input and output devices based upon use of the received selection of the wireless transmission parameter; displaying the calculated latency time value on the user interface; and changing an operating mode of the plurality of wireless input and output devices in accordance with the received selection to optimize one or more of at least latency and battery life of the wireless input and output devices where the changed operating mode includes a latency time that is less than a predetermined maximum latency between the wireless control system and each of the plurality of input and output devices including the at least one device that communicates through the other of the plurality of wireless input and output devices.