Abstract: The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a plurality of timely organized ad hoc data communications networks and a method for data communication. A network from the plurality of networks includes media-independent communications links and plurality of network nodes, where a network node in the plurality could be coupled to at least one other network node via a media independent communication link, and a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality is coupled to at least one other access point via another media-independent communications link. The network communicates during a data collection cycle that includes a broadcast interval, a time-slotted communications interval and a random access time-slotted communications interval. The plurality of network nodes are arranged in a self-assigned hierarchy where one or more nodes in the plurality of network nodes can be assigned more than one time slot to transmit the network information messages.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.

Abstract: A sniffer for an ad-hoc network including an RF transceiver for receiving network packets from the ad-hoc network, the RF transceiver being operable to receive the network packets without the sniffer being connected to the ad-hoc network; a microprocessor connected to the RF transceiver for processing the network packets to create associated FIFO packets; a memory connected to the microprocessor for storing the associated FIFO packets, and a communications interface for receiving the associated FIFO packets from the memory and for transmitting the associated FIFO packets to a computer.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a plurality of timely organized ad hoc data communications networks and a method for data communication. A network from the plurality of networks includes media-independent communications links and plurality of network nodes, where a network node in the plurality could be coupled to at least one other network node via a media independent communication link, and a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality is coupled to at least one other access point via another media-independent communications link. The network communicates during a data collection cycle that includes a broadcast interval, a time-slotted communications interval and a random access time-slotted communications interval. The plurality of network nodes are arranged in a self-assigned hierarchy where one or more nodes in the plurality of network nodes can be assigned more than one time slot to transmit the network information messages.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a plurality of timely organized ad hoc data communications networks and a method for data communication. A network from the plurality of networks includes media-independent communications links and plurality of network nodes, where a network node in the plurality could be coupled to at least one other network node via a media independent communication link, and a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality is coupled to at least one other access point via another media-independent communications link. The network communicates during a data collection cycle that includes a broadcast interval, a time-slotted communications interval and a random access time-slotted communications interval. The plurality of network nodes are arranged in a self-assigned hierarchy where one or more nodes in the plurality of network nodes can be assigned more than one time slot to transmit the network information messages.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.

Abstract: A sniffer for an ad-hoc network is described. The sniffer includes an RF transceiver for receiving network packets from an ad-hoc network, the RF transceiver being operable to receive the network packets without the sniffer being connected to the ad-hoc network; a microprocessor connected to the RF transceiver for processing the network packets to create associated FIFO packets; a memory connected to the microprocessor for storing the associated FIFO packets,- and a communications interface for receiving the associated FIFO packets from the memory and for transmitting the associated FIFO packets to a computer.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a mobile access point having a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor, a communications interface coupled to the memory, and software that, when executed, causes the mobile access point to act as an access point in an ad hoc network. The mobile access point may also be coupled to a portable computer by means of the communications interface. The portable computer may be loaded with software tools that allows a user to troubleshoot a network node which has lost connectivity with the timely organized ad hoc network.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a plurality of timely organized ad hoc data communications networks and a method for data communication. A network from the plurality of networks includes media-independent communications links and plurality of network nodes, where a network node in the plurality could be coupled to at least one other network node via a media independent communication link, and a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality is coupled to at least one other access point via another media-independent communications link. The network communicates during a data collection cycle that includes a broadcast interval, a time-slotted communications interval and a random access time-slotted communications interval. The plurality of network nodes are arranged in a self-assigned hierarchy where one or more nodes in the plurality of network nodes can be assigned more than one time slot to transmit the network information messages.

Abstract: A timely organized ad hoc network is provided.

Abstract: A timely organized ad hoc network is provided, including at least one access point, and a plurality of network nodes operable to transmit and receive at least one node information message destined for the at least one access point, in which at least one of the plurality of network nodes transmits the at least one node information message to a first selected one of at least one neighboring destination, the first selected neighboring destination being selected in accordance with a dynamic self-routing protocol, the first selected neighboring destination including one of: i) the at least one access point, and ii) a first neighboring network node of the plurality of network nodes, if the at least one network node is prevented from directly transmitting the node information to the at least one access point.

Abstract: A system for communicating over a transmission line has a plurality of transceivers, each for generating an information signal for transmission over the transmission line and for reception of an information signal transmitted thereto over the transmission line. A device couples each transceiver to the transmission line. The device includes a ferrite core surrounding the transmission line and at least one winding extending through the core and connected to the transceiver. As a result, the current signal corresponding to a generated information signal, as applied to the transmission line during transmission, and a current signal corresponding to a transmitted information signal is received From the transmission line during reception.

Abstract: A method for tracking the location of mobile units, comprises providing a plurality of mobile units each having a wireless transmitter and a unique address and at least one stationary base unit having a phase array antenna with antenna elements. A signal including an address is received from at least one mobile unit by the at least base unit via the phase array antenna. The phase difference of the signal arriving at the antenna elements from each mobile unit is measured and the coordinates of the location of each mobile unit are calculated as a function of the phase differences.

Abstract: A method for tracking the location of mobile units, comprises providing a plurality of mobile units each having a wireless transmitter and a unique address and at least one stationary base unit having a phase array antenna with antenna elements. A signal including an address is received from at least one mobile unit by the at least base unit via the phase array antenna. The phase difference of the signal arriving at the antenna elements from each mobile unit is measured and the coordinates of the location of each mobile unit are calculated as a function of the phase differences.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling heating cables wherein a plurality of two-conductor heating cables are disposed in contact with heatable vessels to heat the vessels. Power lines having at least two conductors are connected to the heating cables through a plurality of first switches. Each first switch is responsive to a control signal for selectively connecting and disconnecting one heating cable to and from the power lines. Each of a plurality of remote terminals is connected to the two conductors of a heating cable and detects the temperature of the heatable vessel heated by the heating cable. At least one main controller for controlling a plurality of first switches is connected to two of the power line conductors. Temperature data relating to temperatures detected by the temperature sensors is transmitted from the remote terminals over the heating cables and the power lines by spread spectrum data transmission to the main controller.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling heating cables wherein a plurality of two-conductor heating cables are disposed in contact with heatable vessels to heat the vessels. Power lines having at least two conductors are connected to the heating cables through a plurality of first switches. Each first switch is responsive to a control signal for selectively connecting and disconnecting one heating cable to and from the power lines. Each of a plurality of remote terminals is connected to the two conductors of a heating cable and detects the temperature of the heatable vessel heated by the heating cable. At least one main controller for controlling a plurality of first switches is connected to two of the power line conductors. Temperature data relating to temperatures detected by the temperature sensors is transmitted from the remote terminals over the heating cables and the power lines by spread spectrum data transmission to the main controller.