NODE DISCOVERY AND CULLING IN WIRELESS MESH COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS
First Claim
1. A method of discovering neighbor nodes in a network, comprising:
- sending a query, by a first node, to a second node previously discovered;
sending a response to the query of the first node, by the second node, wherein the response comprises information about active neighbor nodes of the second node.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for providing a network and routing protocol for utility services are disclosed. A method includes discovering a utility network. Neighboring nodes are discovered and the node listens for advertised routes for networks from the neighbors. The node is then registered with one or more utility networks, receiving a unique address for each network registration. Each upstream node can independently make forwarding decisions on both upstream and downstream packets, i.e., choose the next hop according to the best information available to it. The node can sense transient link problems, outage problems and traffic characteristics. Information is used to find the best route out of and within each network. Each network node maintains multi-egress, multi-ingress network routing options both for itself and the node(s) associated with it. The node is capable of several route maintenance functions utilizing the basic routing protocol and algorithms.
95 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of discovering neighbor nodes in a network, comprising:
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sending a query, by a first node, to a second node previously discovered; sending a response to the query of the first node, by the second node, wherein the response comprises information about active neighbor nodes of the second node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12)
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6. A method of eliminating nodes from a source node'"'"'s list of other nodes with which the source node communicates, comprising:
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selecting an upper limit and a lower limit for a number of nodes on the list of nodes; categorizing nodes on the list of nodes as nodes to eliminate and nodes not to eliminate; and determining if the upper limit of nodes has been exceeded, and in the event the upper limit has been exceeded, eliminating nodes categorized as nodes to eliminate until the lower limit is reached. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification