Method and apparatus for establishing ad hoc communications pathways between source and destination nodes in a communications network

Abstract

Autoband's distributed networking intelligence provides a novel architecture capable of dynamically reconfiguring communications pathways consisting of links whose transmission media are opportunistically and dynamically selectable. At least one constituent node in such automatically configurable transient pathways is mobile, for example, information (source) server, intervening router node(s), gateway server and / or client device. Additionally, Autoband's ad hoc communications pathways may seamlessly and dynamically integrate (i.e., “graft”) into standard fixed node networks such as terrestrial networks, other wireless networks or combinations thereof. These communications may consist of point-to-point or multicast links. An economic market-based approach further assures allocation of available network resources (i.e., bandwidth and processing) needed to achieve the most optimally resource efficient communications pathway configurations for the totality of communications. Consequently, optimal network resource allocation and efficiency at a system-wide level is continuously achieved.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present patent application claims domestic priority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 202,732 which is a continuation of, filed Jul. 24, 2002, and now abandoned, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 307,330, filed Jul. 24, 2001. The content of that patent applicationU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 202,732, filed Jul. 24, 2002, is incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for communication amongst stationary and mobile nodes and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing ad hoc communication over variable mobile communications pathways that may become available at any given time.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The rapid proliferation in the number and diversity of communication devices, mobile networks and other types of communication channels available to t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system that optimizes communication paths based on opportunities that arise in a network. The system integrates network-level information to determine the best path for delivering any desired transmission to its appropriate destination. The goal is to maximize efficiency by dynamically capitalizing on these potential opportunities.

Problems solved by technology

However, not all the channels available have been utilized up to this point to better serve the ever increasing ubiquitous communications needs of the public.

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