Methods and Systems for Distributing Firmware Through an Over-the-Air Network
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a firmware-providing host for providing firmware to network node devices; and
a mesh network comprising network node devices;
wherein a battery-powered network node device of the mesh network comprises firmware downloaded from a non-battery-powered network node device to the battery-powered network node device, the firmware originating from the firmware-providing host and stored on the non-battery-powered network node device before download to the battery-powered network node device.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for over-the-air firmware distribution to battery-powered devices are disclosed. Such over-the-air distribution is accomplished, for example, using a non-battery-powered device as a buffer, for example, to reduce or eliminate the delay time of the over-the-air network. The firmware can be sent to and stored on a nearby, non-battery-powered device and then sent from there to the battery-powered endpoint device. The distribution of firmware to battery-powered devices may be implemented in an AMI system, a mesh network, a multi-channel radio network, or any other environment in which firmware distribution is desirable.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a firmware-providing host for providing firmware to network node devices; and a mesh network comprising network node devices; wherein a battery-powered network node device of the mesh network comprises firmware downloaded from a non-battery-powered network node device to the battery-powered network node device, the firmware originating from the firmware-providing host and stored on the non-battery-powered network node device before download to the battery-powered network node device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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providing a mesh network comprising network node devices; providing firmware to a non-battery-powered network node device of the mesh network; storing the firmware on the non-battery-powered network node device in a memory; and providing the firmware to a battery-powered network node device of the mesh network from the memory of the non-battery-powered network node device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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providing a mesh network comprising network node devices; storing firmware in a memory of a non-battery-powered network node device of the mesh network; providing a first portion of the firmware in a first transmission to a battery-powered network node device of the mesh network from the memory of the non-battery-powered network node device, providing a second portion of the firmware in a second transmission to the battery-powered network node device of the mesh network from the memory of the non-battery-powered network node device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method comprising:
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providing a mesh network comprising network node devices; configuring a transmission component of the battery-powered network node to send data to the non-battery-powered network node and remain awake after sending data only while awaiting acknowledgement of receipt of the data; storing firmware in a memory of a non-battery-powered network node device of the mesh network; and providing the firmware in a series of acknowledgement transmissions to the battery-powered network node device from the memory of the non-battery-powered network node device, each of the acknowledgment transmissions acknowledging receipt of data from the battery-powered network node and comprising a portion of the firmware; wherein the transmission component of the battery-powered network node is not awake for a download time period over which the firmware is provided to the battery-powered network node. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification