CPC H04L 45/32 (2013.01) [H04L 45/124 (2013.01); H04L 45/20 (2013.01); H04L 45/24 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
1. A method of communicating between a server and a target node device operating in a network of operatively interconnected node devices, each node device comprising a first communication interface and a second communication interface, wherein said first communication interface is arranged for direct uplink and downlink wireless message exchange via a wireless communication system between said server and a node device, and said second communication interface is arranged for inter-node device communication between node devices in said network, wherein said server is arranged for keeping a record of a last communication message successfully exchanged with each node device via the first communication interface, and wherein said last communication message excludes a heartbeat message, said method comprising:
determining, by said server, prior to communicating with said target node device, a current communication status of said target node device, wherein said current communication status is based on information in the record of said last communication message successfully exchanged with said target node device via said first communication interface;
communicating, by said server with said target node device, via said first communication interface of said target node device, if said determined current communication status of said target node device indicates availability for data exchange via said first communication interface; and
communicating, by said server, with said target node device, via at least one other node device of said network selected by said server, if said determined current communication status of said target node device indicates non-availability for data exchange via said first communication interface,
wherein the record for said target node device comprises a time stamp of the last successfully exchanged communication message, wherein said current communication status of said target node device is determined by said server to be non-availability for data exchange via said first communication interface when said last successfully exchanged communication message with said target node device is exchanged at a point in time prior to a predetermined time period from determining said current communication status by said server, and wherein the predetermined time period comprises a sleep mode cycle, known by said server, of said target node device.
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