Patent ID: 7760109

Claim:
A network including: a plurality of modules, each of the modules for operation in communication with other ones of the modules forming an adaptive network thereof, each of the plurality of modules having a unique identification code and comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals on a selected frequency of electromagnetic energy; at least one sensor for detecting proximity of an object; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and the sensor for forming a data signal representative of sensed proximity of an object for transmission with the respective identification code via the transceiver, said processor producing for transmission by the transceiver a join request that includes the identification code of the module, said join request representative of a request by the module to operate within the network; said transceiver receiving an acknowledgement signal from a second module operating within the network if no acknowledgement signal is transmitted by any additional modules within a time interval measured at the second module; and a base station including computer and a memory for storing identification codes and receiving said join request, said computer comparing the identification code in the received join request to the stored identification codes and forwarding a reply signal indicative of the resultant comparison.