Abstract: A system for managing a distributed array of appliances includes a distributed array of the units, at least some of the relay units being appliance controllers having an appliance interface. At least some communications are relayed through at least two other relay units for coverage over a wide range using low power transceivers, based on automatically generated routing tables that are maintained in the relay units.

Abstract: A system for managing a distributed array of appliances includes a headend computer having a low power main transceiver and a distributed array of relay units. Each relay unit includes a low power satellite transceiver, a microcomputer connected to the satellite transceiver, the satellite transceiver being controlled by relay program instructions for detecting communications directed by the headend computer relative to the same relay unit and directing communications to the headend computer relative to the same relay unit, and for retransmitting communications to other relay units. At least some of the relay units are appliance controllers and include an appliance interface for communicating with the appliance, the microcomputer being also connected to the appliance interface and having program instructions for directing communication between the satellite transceiver and the appliance interface.