Conjoined Class-Based Networking

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.