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Data broadcasting with a prepare-to-broadcast message

  • US 10,375,672 B2
  • Filed: 07/03/2014
  • Issued: 08/06/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of broadcasting consumption data from a network device, the method comprising:

  • determining a particular data channel, from a plurality of data channels, for broadcasting consumption data, the consumption data associated with consumption of at least one of electricity, water, or gas;

    determining modulation techniques that are commonly available to a plurality of nodes located within a predetermined proximity to the network device, the plurality of nodes belonging to a heterogeneous network of nodes capable of communicating with the network device but having differing sets of modulation techniques available to use;

    determining a modulation technique of the determined commonly available modulation techniques to utilize for broadcasting the consumption data, the determined modulation technique providing a longest communication range from among the determined commonly available modulation techniques;

    broadcasting a prepare-to-broadcast message via a control channel, the prepare-to-broadcast message indicating that the consumption data will be broadcast on the particular data channel and using the determined modulation technique;

    switching to the particular data channel;

    broadcasting the consumption data via the particular data channel and the determined modulation technique without having received a communication from a neighboring node that indicates an availability of the neighboring node to receive the consumption data; and

    switching to the control channel after the consumption data has been broadcast.

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