Methods and Systems for Distributing Broadcast Messages on Various Networks
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- data storage for storing a broadcast message to be distributed to recipient devices, wherein the device and the recipient devices are part of a frequency hopping network in which nodes of the network communicate based on one or more frequency hopping sequences;
transmission hardware for distributing the broadcast message to the recipient devices by sending a chirp packet and the broadcast message, wherein the chirp packet indicates to any recipient devices receiving the chirp packet that the broadcast message will be sent subsequently, wherein the device sends the chirp packet on multiple channels used on the frequency hopping network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for sending a broadcast message in frequency hopping and other systems. Instead of sending a complete message separately to each device, a relatively small packet or “chirp” is sent. These chirps are either targeted at known devices or sent in a manner to sweep the RF band. Devices that hear the chirps get information about the channel and/or time that the broadcast data will be sent. These devices then listen for the broadcast data as instructed, e.g., at the specified time on the specified channel. A system may alternatively, or in addition, use a scheduled hopping sequence break as a broadcast moment. Such a broadcast moment can be scheduled to periodically interrupt the node hopping sequences so that, at such times, many or all nodes are scheduled to be on the same channel for potential broadcasts.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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data storage for storing a broadcast message to be distributed to recipient devices, wherein the device and the recipient devices are part of a frequency hopping network in which nodes of the network communicate based on one or more frequency hopping sequences; transmission hardware for distributing the broadcast message to the recipient devices by sending a chirp packet and the broadcast message, wherein the chirp packet indicates to any recipient devices receiving the chirp packet that the broadcast message will be sent subsequently, wherein the device sends the chirp packet on multiple channels used on the frequency hopping network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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receiving a broadcast message at a first device for distribution to recipient devices, wherein the first device and the recipient devices are part of a frequency hopping network in which nodes of the network communicate based on one or more frequency hopping sequences; sending a chirp packet, wherein the chirp packet indicates to any recipient devices receiving the chirp packet that a broadcast message will be sent subsequently, wherein the first device sends the chirp packet on multiple channels used on the frequency hopping network; and sending the broadcast message. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a mesh network comprising a plurality of devices configured to communicate using one or more frequency hopping sequences; a first device of the plurality of devices configured to store and send a broadcast message and send a chirp packet, wherein the chirp packet indicates to any recipient devices receiving the chirp packet that the broadcast message will be sent subsequently wherein the first device is configured to send the chirp packet on multiple channels; and a second device of the plurality of devices configured to receive the chirp message, and, in response to chirp message, listen for the broadcast message on a first channel different from a second channel specified by its frequency hopping sequence. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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a mesh network comprising a plurality of devices configured to communicate using one or more frequency hopping sequences; a first device of the plurality of devices configured to store and send a broadcast message at a time and on a first channel that is periodically-scheduled; and a second device of the plurality of devices, wherein the second device receives the broadcast message by listening at the time on the channel that is periodically-scheduled. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification