Abstract: The present invention relates to channel selection in ad hoc wireless networks. The present invention provides a method of selecting a channel for a node in an ad hoc network of nodes, the method comprising: increasing a preference score for a channel (E) in response to receiving a stimulatory control message (hoot x) associated with the channel from another node; decreasing the preference score for the channel (A) in response to receiving an inhibitory control message (hoot y) associated with the channel from another node; selecting a channel dependent on the preference score for the channel.

Abstract: Each node in a hierarchical network regularly checks to determine whether its network connection is intact. If not, it autonomously communicates with other nodes in the physical neighborhood, using wireless capability also included at each node. It first searches for a wireless path to its immediate neighbors in the hierarchy attempting to reach a working node connected to the same distribution point. The nodes collect, store and exchange connectivity data on neighboring nodes. One member of a group of nodes that have exchanged connectivity information is selected to transmit a connectivity report to network control center. If not itself connected to the hierarchical network, the selected node can use the connection to the closest working node and its broadband connection to the network control center to inform the network operator of the fault and its likely location.

Abstract: In a method of operating a data network comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes (30) each of which is operable to perform one or more services upon receiving a suitable request for a service, one or more user devices (10) connected to the network can issue requests (12, 14) for a service to be carried out by a node or nodes within the network.

Abstract: The nodes (200, 201), etc in a hierarchical network are also capable of forming direct wireless connections between each other. Each node checks on a regular basis to determine whether its network connection is intact. If a node (211) discovers that its direct broadband connection (31, 21, 33, 24, 34) to the exchange (2) has failed, it autonomously communicates with other nodes (201, 202, 212, 220) in the physical neighbourhood, using its wireless capability. It first searches for a path through a WIFI connection to its immediate neighbours in the hierarchy to attempt to reach a working node (210, 212) connected to the same Distribution Point (21). (These are not necessarily the nearest neighbours in the wireless network). The nodes collect and store connectivity data on neighbouring nodes, and exchange connectivity data between themselves to identify nodes, and groups of nodes, that are not currently connected to the branched network.

Abstract: In a method of operating a data network comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes (30) each of which is operable to perform one or more services upon receiving a suitable request for a service, one or more user devices (10) connected to the network can issue requests (12,14) for a service to be carried out by a node or nodes within the network. The method comprises: operating a virtual mechanism (50) in which a plurality of different types of elements (61,65,66,67) are represented, each element obeying a set of rules associated with the respective type of the element, the respective set of rules specifying how the element behaves, wherein each element has a location property which may be correlated to one or more nodes or node locations, the method further comprising analysing the virtual mechanism (50) and selecting one or more services to be offered by each node (30) in the network based on the analysis of the virtual mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to channel selection in ad hoc wireless networks. The present invention provides a method of selecting a channel for a node in an ad hoc network of nodes, the method comprising: increasing a preference score for a channel (E) in response to receiving a stimulatory control message (hoot x) associated with the channel from another node; decreasing the preference score for the channel (A) in response to receiving an inhibitory control message (hoot y) associated with the channel from another node; selecting a channel dependent on the preference score for the channel.

Abstract: Wireless devices in (10, 20, 30 etc) in an ad hoc network each select a channel on which to operate such that conflicts with neighbouring devices are avoided. Each device (20) has a normal power output, giving it a normal range (31) and an enhanced power output, giving it an extended “inhibition” range (33). Initially each device (20) transmits at the enhanced power level, such that it can be detected by devices (40, 50) within the extended range (33). If it detects other devices transmitting on the same channel, it may change to another channel. Once a channel has been identified on which no conflict is detected, the device (20) switches to the normal power level. By initiating the channel selection process at the enhanced level, conflicts between the transmissions of devices (20, 40), which would be detectable at a device (30) within the normal range of both, can be avoided despite the two devices (20, 40) not be able to detect each other directly at the normal power level.

Abstract: A method of sorting large quantities of data is implemented on a computer based system. The method comprises defining a plurality of sort statements, determining the relevance of each of the sort statements to each data file in the database, defining a site on a display for each of the sort statements, representing the data files as elements on the display, and causing the elements to move from an initial position towards the sites according to the relevance of the respective sort parameters to the respective data files and the position of the sites relative to the respective elements.

Abstract: Each base station in a network has an antenna which is connected in the conventional way to a transceiver for handling normal call traffic on one or more radio channels. In addition there is another transmitter which transmits a test signal on each of several test channels, one for each radio channel available for use by the main transceiver. The transceiver also has a receiver for detecting the test channels. The system is controlled by a timer which ensures that the transmitter and receiver do not operate at the same time. The receive times may be random, or may be co-ordinated between individual base stations. When the receiver is in operation, it will detect transmissions of the test signals from other base stations. The signal strength is measured and the result is used by a control system to determine a preference value for each channel; the stronger the signal detected, the lower the preference value.

Abstract: An on-line database searching system uses a product selection process performing an evolutionary search strategy, with the user acting as the selective pressure, using “mutations” based on the most recent selection or selections. The selections are mutated by varying characteristics of the items selected to define a new set of characteristics, and further items having the newly selected character set are then selected for consideration by the user. By selecting in a multidimensional range of characteristics, such a process can create a serendipitous exploration of the ‘search space’, more akin to the browsing process used in a real shop than the typical branched search approach of existing catalogue-based systems.

Abstract: A channel allocation process for a cellular telephone network starts from a position of homogeneity in which each base station has the potential to use all channels. It develops ever greater heterogeneities by processing a combination of short and medium range interactions between the base stations themselves, causing each base station of the cellular telephone network to inhibit its neighbors from using a given channel, to generate a usage factor for each channel in each cell indicative of the level of interference to be expected on that channel in that cell. Channels can then be allocated to each base station according to the ranking of the usage factors determined for the channels at that base station. The entire network may be emulated by a single processor, controlling the base stations of the network in accordance with the results of the process.

Abstract: Each base station in a network has an antenna 1 which is connected in the conventional way to a transceiver 2 for handling normal call traffic on one or more radio channels. In addition there is another transmitter 3 which transmits a test signal on each of several test channels, one for each radio channel available for use by the main transceiver 2. The transceiver also has a receiver 4 for detecting the test channels. The system is controlled by a timer 5 which ensures that the transmitter 3 and receiver 4 do not operate at the same time. The receive times may be random, or may be coordinated between individual base stations.