Method for collecting data in a network, sensor, consumption meter, data collector and network

[0060]Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a supply network for the distribution of consumable goods or consumables, e.g. gas, water, electricity, fuel or heat. The supply network contains a large number of individual local consumption meters, which can, for example, be assigned to different residential units of an apartment building. The individual consumption meters 10, e.g. water meter, heat meter, electricity meter or gas meter, are connected via a wireless communication link to a data collector 3, which can function as master or concentrator.

[0061]The respective data collector 3 is connected to a so-called head-end 4 via a tertiary communication path 6. The data of the entire supply network is collected in the head-end 4. The tertiary communication link 6 can be a wired communication link or a communication link based on radio technology (e.g. mobile radio communication link). Alternatively, the data of th