Radio frequency local area network

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for routing data in a radio data communication system having one or more host computers, one or more intermediate base stations, and one or more RF terminals organizes the intermediate base stations into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically. Communication between the host computer and the RF terminals is achieved by using the network of intermediate base stations to transmit the data.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A bridging node for a communication network, the bridging node comprising: 
 at least one wireless transceiver adapted to communicate information between the bridging node and a mobile communication device; and    a memory adapted to store communication pathway information utilized for communicating with the mobile communication device;    wherein, the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the stored communication pathway information based, at least in part, on location of the mobile communication device relative to the bridging node.    
   
   
       26 . The bridging node of  claim 25 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the stored communication pathway information based, at least in part, on location of the mobile communication device relative to a second bridging node.  
   
   
       27 . The bridging node of  claim 25 , wherein: 
 the memory is adapted to store information of mobile communication device location; and    the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the stored information of mobile communication device location.    
   
   
       28 . The bridging node of  claim 25 , wherein the communication pathway information comprises communication packet routing information indexed by mobile communication device address.  
   
   
       29 . The bridging node of  claim 25 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to communicate with a second bridging node.  
   
   
       30 . The bridging node of  claim 29 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise stored communication pathway information based, at least in part, on communications with the second bridging node.  
   
   
       31 . The bridging node of  claim 29 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to: 
 receive logical distance information from the second bridging node indicating logical distance between the second bridging node and a third node of the communication network; and    utilize the received logical distance information to determine whether to attach to the second bridging node.    
   
   
       32 . The bridging node of  claim 25 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to transmit information indicating logical distance between the bridging node and a third node of the communication network.  
   
   
       33 . A bridging node for a communication network, the bridging node comprising: 
 at least one wireless transceiver adapted to communicate information between the bridging node and a mobile communication device and to communicate information between the bridging node and a second bridging node; and    a memory adapted to store communication pathway information that is utilized for communicating information with the mobile communication device;    wherein the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the communication pathway information.    
   
   
       34 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the communication pathway information based, at least in part, on information obtained from the second bridging node.  
   
   
       35 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one wireless transceiver adapted to communicate information between the bridging node and a mobile communication device is independent of the at least one wireless transceiver adapted to communicate information between the bridging node and a second bridging node.  
   
   
       36 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein the communication pathway information comprises a table of communication packet routing information indexed by mobile communication device address.  
   
   
       37 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein the communication pathway information comprises spanning tree routing table information.  
   
   
       38 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , further comprising a communication interface adapted to communicatively couple the bridging node to a first communication subnet, and wherein the second bridging node is communicatively coupled to a second communication subnet.  
   
   
       39 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to: 
 receive logical distance information from the second bridging node indicating logical distance between the second bridging node and a third node of the communication network, and    utilize the received logical distance information to determine whether to attach to the second bridging node.    
   
   
       40 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to transmit information indicating logical distance between the bridging node and a third node of the communication network.  
   
   
       41 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the stored communication pathway information based, at least in part, on location of the mobile communication device relative to the second bridging node.  
   
   
       42 . The bridging node of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 the memory is adapted to store information of mobile communication device location; and    the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the information of mobile communication device location.    
   
   
       43 . A bridging node for a communication network, the bridging node comprising: 
 at least one wireless transceiver adapted to communicate information between the bridging node and a plurality of mobile communication devices and to communicate information between the bridging node and a second bridging node; and    a memory adapted to store communication pathway information, indexed by respective addresses of the mobile communication devices, utilized for communicating with the mobile communication devices.    
   
   
       44 . The bridging node of  claim 43 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the communication pathway information to maintain efficient delivery of communication packets among the mobile communication devices.  
   
   
       45 . The bridging node of  claim 43 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to dynamically revise the stored communication pathway information based, at least in part, on location of the mobile communication devices relative to the bridging node.  
   
   
       46 . The bridging node of  claim 43 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to: 
 receive logical distance information from the second bridging node indicating logical distance between the second bridging node and a third node of the communication network; and    utilize the received logical distance information to determine whether to attach to the second bridging node.    
   
   
       47 . The bridging node of  claim 43 , wherein the bridging node is adapted to transmit information indicating logical distance between the bridging node and a third node of the communication network.