Abstract: In an apparatus for varying the rate at which the broadcast beacons are transmitted, there is at least one router (2). The router transmits beacons which contain various types of data, controls the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, and adaptively varies the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, in response to a variety of network conditions.

Abstract: In a radio network having plural routers (10, 12, 14, 16, 18), each router includes a routing table (101, 121, 141, 161, 181). Link state information of the network that has been forwarded to the router is received and used to determine the connections in the network. The determined network connections are collected to generate network topology information which is placed in the routing table (101, 121, 141, 161, 181). The network topology information is retrievable for inclusion in messages forwarded by the receiving router.

Abstract: A communications system has stations arranged in clusters (1a, 1b and 1c) of communication member stations (CM2, CM3, CM6 and CM7), with one member station (CH1, CH4 or CH5) in each cluster being a head station for the cluster. Each member station (CM2, CM3, CM6 and CM7) communicates with the network through a cluster head station (CH1, CH4 or CH5). The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4 and CH5) communicate among other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4 and CH5). A mobile communications station (e.g., CM3) evaluates a beacon message received from a first member station (e.g., CM6) of the plurality of mobile stations through a transceiver 6. The station CM3 also determines whether to communicate with the first member station CM6 directly or to communicate with the first member station CM6 by forwarding messages through a cluster head station CH1 that is affiliated to the mobile communications station CM3.

Abstract: A communication system has stations arranged in clusters of member stations, each of which communicates with the other member stations. One member station is a head station of the cluster that communicates with head stations of other clusters. The stations are configured by determining the communication state between a station and one or more cluster head stations. The station is assigned to at least one cluster when a prescribed communication state has been determined between the station and the cluster head station. The station is set to be in independent communication with the one or more cluster head stations which have the prescribed communication state with the station.

Abstract: A network for routing packets includes multiple nodes. A first node has a direct link to a second node. The first node receives a packet and identifies a primary next hop to which to transmit the packet (410). The primary next hop identifies at least the second node. The first node transmits the packet to the second node (420), determines whether the transmission was successful (430), and identifies at least a third node when the transmission to the second node was unsuccessful. The first node identifies the third node by: finding a node in the network that has a direct link to both the first and second nodes (440); identifying at least one alternate next hop, assuming that the link between the first and second nodes is unavailable, determining the cost associated with each of the alternate next hops, and selecting one of the alternate next hops based on the determined cost (640); or retrieving a predetermined alternate next hop from a forwarding table stored by the first node (940).

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: In an apparatus for varying the rate at which the broadcast beacons are transmitted, there is at least one router (2). The router transmits beacons which contain various types of data, controls the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, and adaptively varies the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, in response to a variety of network conditions.

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: A system facilitates visual monitoring of a dangerous location. The system includes a stationary camera device (110) and at least one mobile display device (120) corresponding to at least one vehicle. The camera device (110) captures a video image of the dangerous location and transmits video signals representative of the captured video image. The display device (120) receives the video signals from the camera device (110) when the corresponding vehicle is in proximity to the camera device (110) and presents the video signals as a video image of the dangerous location to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system facilitates visual monitoring of a dangerous location. The system includes a stationary camera device (110) and at least one mobile display device (120) corresponding to at least one vehicle. The camera device (110) captures a video image of the dangerous location and transmits video signals representative of the captured video image. The display device (120) receives the video signals from the camera device (110) when the corresponding vehicle is in proximity to the camera device (110) and presents the video signals as a video image of the dangerous location to a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A state of charge gauge for measuring the state of charge of secondary batteries, such as the type employed in electric vehicles, includes a microprocessor which, when supplied with data varying in accordance with battery discharge current and battery terminal voltage, determines battery resistance. Having determined battery resistance which is a dynamically varying parameter dependent on battery temperature and age, the microprocessor computes the total battery charge capacity. Comparison of the quantity of battery charge already depleted with the previously computed total battery charge capacity yields an accurate indication of remaining battery charge.