Enhanced mode technique for growing mesh networks
First Claim
1. A method for adding devices to a wireless mesh network, the method comprising:
- determining if an open area is present in the vicinity of a wireless device in the wireless mesh network;
if an open area is not present, taking no action to add devices to the wireless mesh network;
if an open area is present, adjusting an antenna sensitivity pattern of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network to exhibit a directional sensitivity pattern having increased range in a direction of the open area in comparison with an omnidirectional sensitivity pattern to enable discovery of a wireless device that is out of range of the omnidirectional antenna sensitivity pattern;
transmitting a query using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern; and
if a response to the query transmitted using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern is received from a responding wireless device within a predetermined time period, adding the responding wireless device to the mesh network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless device and method provides for adding nodes to a wireless mesh network by adjusting an antenna sensitivity pattern of one or more nodes in the wireless mesh network to exhibit spatial selectivity. The method transmits a query, and if a response is received within a predetermined time period, the wireless device receives the response and adds the responding wireless device to the mesh network. The wireless device can adjust the transmission pattern to enable the antenna sensitivity pattern to cover a predetermined spatial area, and the predetermined time period can be fixed. The wireless devices can adjust the antenna sensitivity pattern in a coordinated manner. A method for supporting data connections between three or more wireless devices includes adjusting the sensitivity pattern of an antenna on a first wireless device, communicating with a second wireless device, and further adjusting the sensitivity pattern of the antenna for more wireless devices.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for adding devices to a wireless mesh network, the method comprising:
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determining if an open area is present in the vicinity of a wireless device in the wireless mesh network; if an open area is not present, taking no action to add devices to the wireless mesh network; if an open area is present, adjusting an antenna sensitivity pattern of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network to exhibit a directional sensitivity pattern having increased range in a direction of the open area in comparison with an omnidirectional sensitivity pattern to enable discovery of a wireless device that is out of range of the omnidirectional antenna sensitivity pattern; transmitting a query using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern; and if a response to the query transmitted using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern is received from a responding wireless device within a predetermined time period, adding the responding wireless device to the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A wireless device configured to operate in a wireless mesh network, the wireless device comprising:
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a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; a module operable via the processor, the module configured to determine if an open area is present in the vicinity of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network, if an open area is not present, to take no action to add devices to the wireless mesh network, and if an open area is present, to adjust an antenna sensitivity pattern of the wireless device to exhibit a directional sensitivity pattern having increased range in a direction of the open area in comparison with an omnidirectional sensitivity pattern to enable discovery of a wireless device that is out of range of the omnidirectional antenna sensitivity pattern; a transmitter configured to transmit a query using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern; and a receiver configured to determine whether a response to the query transmitted using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern is received from a responding wireless device in a predetermined time period and to add the responding wireless device to the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions to perform acts for adding devices to a wireless mesh network, the acts comprising:
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determining if an open area is present in the vicinity of a wireless device in the wireless mesh network; if an open area is not present, taking no action to add devices to the wireless mesh network; if an open area is present, adjusting an antenna sensitivity pattern of the wireless device in the wireless mesh network to exhibit a directional sensitivity pattern having increased range in a direction of the open area in comparison with an omnidirectional sensitivity pattern to enable discovery of a wireless device that is out of range of the omnidirectional antenna sensitivity pattern; transmitting a query using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern; and if a response to the query transmitted using the adjusted antenna sensitivity pattern is received from a responding wireless device within a predetermined time period, adding the responding wireless device to the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification