Hybrid communication system providing grouping, localization and/or commissioning capability

Abstract

Distinct physical channels in a network are exploited to provide capabilities that go significantly beyond conventional hybrid networks. In a first aspect, distinct physical channels are employed to determine physical relationships of the nodes with respect to each other. For example, whether or not the nodes of an RF wireless system are in the same room of a building can be determined by using optical messages passed between the nodes. In a second aspect, a first physical channel is employed for synchronized broadcasting, and a second physical channel is employed to enhance the capabilities of the synchronized broadcast network. For example, the nodes of an RF wireless broadcast network can be selectively commissioned (i.e., sensitized) with optical signals to commands that are broadcast on the RF network.

1 . A method of communication, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of nodes;   wherein each of said nodes is capable of performing communication over a first physical channel;   wherein each of said nodes is capable of performing communication over a second physical channel;   wherein said first and second physical channels have distinct physical properties;   establishing a network of said nodes using messages transmitted over said first physical channel;   determining one or more physical relationships of said nodes with respect to each other using messages transmitted over said second physical channel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first physical channel comprises a radio-frequency wireless channel, and wherein said second physical channel comprises a free space optical channel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said determining one or more physical relationships includes determination of whether or not nodes are in optical communication. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining one or more physical relationships includes determination of whether or not nodes are in a shared enclosed space. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said determining one or more physical relationships includes partitioning said nodes into disjoint sets corresponding to multiple enclosed spaces. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein some of said nodes are fixed nodes having a fixed location, and others of said nodes are mobile nodes having a variable location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said determining one or more physical relationships includes location determination of one or more of said mobile nodes with respect to one or more of said fixed nodes. 
     
     
         8 . A method of communication, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of nodes;   wherein each of said nodes is capable of performing communication over a first physical channel;   wherein each of said nodes is capable of performing communication over a second physical channel;   wherein said first and second physical channels have distinct physical properties; and   sensitizing one or more of said nodes to command messages broadcast over said first physical channel with activation messages broadcast over said second physical channel.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first physical channel comprises a radio-frequency wireless channel, and wherein said second physical channel comprises a free space optical channel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein one or more of said second broadcasted messages includes node identification information.