Conjoined Class-Based Networking

Abstract

A data communication network includes two logically distinct class-based networks conjoined by at least one common node that has membership in each of the respective classes of the two logically distinct class-based networks. Optionally, three or more class-based networks may be conjoined to form a data communications network.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for maintaining information regarding communication links between a plurality of nodes in a wireless network, the method implemented by a first node, the first node including an audio codec and analog circuitry for audio playback via a speaker, the method comprising:
 for each communication link that is established with one or more other nodes, recording an identification of the other nodes;   receiving a packet, by the first node from another node via the communication link with the other node, the packet including a network pathway by which the packet was communicated in the wireless network;   communicating another packet to a destination node in the wireless network that is intended for receipt by the destination node, the communicating of the packet by the first node including:
 determining whether one or more network pathways from the first node to the destination node are known by the first node; 
 determining a preferred network pathway from the known network pathways; and 
 communicating the packet to the destination node via the preferred network pathway in the wireless network. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein if there is no known network pathway from the first node to the destination node, the method further comprising:
 communicating with the plurality of nodes to determine a network pathway to the destination node.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the determining the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways is based at least in part on a number of hops between the nodes in the known network pathways. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the determining the preferred network pathway based on an overall number of hops of each of the one or more network pathways. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the determining the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways comprises comparing the overall number of hops of the known network pathways. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the determining whether the one or more network pathways from the first node to the destination node are known by the first node includes searching the maintained information for a network pathway from the first node to the destination node. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the maintained information that is searched includes any network pathway to the destination node that is identified in the packet. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , the first node the first node comprising a microphone; and the method further comprising:
 detecting a sound with the microphone:   encoding a packet including a pathway and data indicative of the detected sound; and   transmitting the encoded packet.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , the first node comprising a housing and indicator lights visible on the outside of the housing, and the method further comprising:
 using one or more of the indicator lights to indicate that power to the first node is on or off.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , the first node comprising a housing and indicator lights visible on the outside of the housing, and the method further comprising:
 using one or more of the indicator lights to indicate local area network or wide area network connectivity.   
     
     
         31 . A wireless communication device operating as a node for communication in a wireless network comprising a plurality of nodes, the wireless communication device comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive radio frequency transmissions;   a transmitter configured to transmit radio frequency transmissions;   a memory configured to maintain information regarding communication links between the plurality of nodes in the wireless network;   an audio codec and analog circuitry for audio playback via a speaker; and   electronic components of the wireless communication device configured to:
 for each communication link that is established with one or more other nodes, record an identification of the other nodes; 
 receive from another node, using the receiver and via the communication link with the other node, a packet including a network pathway by which the packet was communicated in the wireless network; 
 communicate another packet, using the transmitter, to a destination node in the wireless network, the packet intended for receipt by the destination node, the communication of the packet including to:
 determine whether one or more network pathways from the node to the destination node are known by the node; 
 determine a preferred network pathway from the known network pathways; and 
 transmit the packet, using the transmitter, to the destination node via the preferred network pathway. 
 
   
     
     
         32 . The wireless communication device of  claim 31 , wherein if there is no known network pathway from the node to the destination node, the electronic components are configured to:
 communicate with the plurality of nodes to determine a network pathway to the destination node.   
     
     
         33 . The wireless communication device of  claim 31 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways is based at least in part on a number of hops between the nodes in the known network pathways. 
     
     
         34 . The wireless communication device of  claim 33 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway based on an overall number of hops of each of the one or more network pathways. 
     
     
         35 . The wireless communication device of  claim 34 , wherein the determination of the preferred network pathway from the known network pathways comprises comparing the overall number of hops of the known network pathways. 
     
     
         36 . The wireless communication device of  claim 31 , wherein the determination of whether the one or more network pathways from the node to the destination node are known by the node, includes a search of the maintained information for a network pathway from the node to the destination node. 
     
     
         37 . The wireless communication device of  claim 36 , wherein the maintained information that is searched includes any network pathway to the destination node that is identified in the packet. 
     
     
         38 . The wireless communication device of  claim 31 , further comprising a microphone; and
 the electronic components further configured to:   based on detecting a sound with the microphone:
 encode a packet including a pathway and data indicative of the detected sound; and 
 transmit the encoded packet. 
   
     
     
         39 . The wireless communication device of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a housing; and   indicator lights visible on the outside of the housing; and   the electronic components further configured to:
 indicate, using one or more of the indicator lights, that power to the wireless communication device is on or off. 
   
     
     
         40 . The wireless communication device of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a housing; and   indicator lights visible on the outside of the housing; and   the electronic components further configured to:
 indicate, using one or more of the indicator lights, local area network or wide area network connectivity.