Apparatus for internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS)

A method comprising:

• determining, via a processor at a node in a network, an energy cost for communication and a message priority, wherein the energy cost for communication is determined, at least in part, on an energy cost associated with a synchronous or asynchronous communication path type,
• determining, via the processor, a synchronous communication has a lower energy cost than asynchronous communication and routing distribution of the objects on at least one synchronous path in response to the determination;
• receiving a high priority message code from one or more of a plurality of network elements, and responsive to the high priority message code, determining a message priority;
• distributing, via the processor, objects for data processing to one or more of a plurality of network elements, wherein the distribution of the objects for data processing varies based on the determined energy cost for communication and the determined message priority;
• receiving, via the processor at the node, a high priority message code from one or more of a plurality of network elements;
• and
• responsive to the high priority message code, initiating, via the processor at the node, one or more local signals to either reduce or increase inhibition of at least one neighboring node.

An apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive data from a data signal on a network;
• a memory configured to store the received data;
• a processor coupled to the communication interface and the memory and configured to:
• determine an energy cost for communication and a message priority wherein the energy cost for communication is determined, at least in part, on an energy cost associated with a synchronous or asynchronous communication path type;
• determine a synchronous communication has a lower energy cost than asynchronous communication and route distribution of the objects on at least one synchronous path in response to the determination;
• receive a high priority message code from one or more of a plurality of network elements, and responsive to the high priority message code, determine a message priority;
• distribute objects for data processing to one or more of a plurality of network elements, wherein the distribution of the objects for data processing varies based on the determined energy cost for communication and the determined message priority;
• receive a high priority message code from one or more of a plurality of network elements;
• and
• responsive to the high priority message code, initiate one or more local signals to either reduce or increase inhibition of at least one neighboring node.