Static update controller enablement in a mesh network

• US 8,194,569 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sigma Designs Incorporated
• Inventors: Shorty, Peter, Franck, Jorgen, Johansen, Niels Thybo
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Chirag
• Assistant Examiner(s): Van, Jenkey
• Application Number:
  US11/552,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20070177613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,051 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/189 Transmission or retransmission of more than one copy of a message
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2001/0093 Point-to-multipoint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for using a primary controller in a mesh network to instruct a static update controller to enable node information server functionality to form a static update controller information server. Capabilities are described for using the static update controller information server to enable other controllers in the mesh network to command other nodes in the mesh network on behalf of the static update controller information server, to distribute an installation process to a plurality of controllers in a mesh network, and the like. The present invention further describes improved capabilities for associating a static update controller with an inclusion controller within a mesh network, associating the inclusion controller with a node slave within the mesh network, transmitting a first data between the static update controller and the inclusion controller, wherein the first data relates at least in part to the node slave, and transmitting a second data between the inclusion controller and the node slave, wherein the second data relates at least in part to the first data transmitted.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a primary controller in a mesh network to instruct a static update controller to enable node information server functionality to form a static update controller information server, wherein

the static update controller holds a copy of a network topology and changes to a network,

the primary controller optionally sends updated node information to the static update controller when at least one of a node is added to the network, a node is deleted from the network, and a routing change occurs in the network,

the updated node information is sent to the static update controller as a result of an automatic detection of a change in the topology of the network, including at least one of a user adding, deleting, and relocating a node within the mesh network, and

the user enables the automatic detection only through at least one of the relocation of the node, the powering up of the node, and the powering down of the node , wherein the primary controller further functions as a first inclusion controller.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information server is a server communicating identification information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information server is a server communicating installation information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating a second inclusion controller with the static update controller information server.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information server is associated with network command protocols.

6. A method comprising:

providing a static update controller in a mesh network with an enabled node information server functionality to form a static update controller information server; and

using the static update controller information server to enable inclusion controllers in the mesh network to command nodes in the mesh network on behalf

of the static update controller information server, wherein

the static update controller information server holds a copy of a network topology and changes to a network,

one of the inclusion controllers sends updated node information to the static update controller information server when at least one of a node is added to the network, a node is deleted from the network, and a routing change occurs in the network,

the static update controller information server transmits a free node ID in response to a request from the one of the inclusion controllers,

the updated node information is sent to the static update controller as a result of an automatic detection of a change in the topology of the network, including at least one of a user adding, deleting, and relocating a node within the mesh network, and

the user enables the automatic detection only through at least one of the relocation of the node, the powering up of the node, and the powering down of the node.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information server is a server communicating identification information.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the command relates to including a node in the mesh network.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the command relates to excluding a node in the mesh network.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the information server is associated with network command protocols.

11. A method comprising:

using a static update controller information server to distribute an installation process to a plurality of controllers in a mesh network;

providing an installation assignment to a first controller in a mesh network to install new nodes in the mesh network; and

enabling the installation assignment to be transferred from the first controller to a second controller, wherein

the static update controller information server holds a copy of a network topology and changes to a network,

one of the plurality of controllers sends updated node information to the static update controller information server when at least one of a node is added to the network, a node is deleted from the network, and a routing change occurs in the network,

the static update controller information server transmits a free node ID in response to a request from the one of the one of the plurality of controllers,

the updated node information is sent to the static update controller as a result of an automatic detection of a change in the topology of the network, including at least one of a user adding, deleting, and relocating a node within the mesh network, and

the user enables the automatic detection only through at least one of the relocation of the node, the powering up of the node, and the powering down of the node.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising associating at least one inclusion controller with the static update controller information server.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of controllers includes a static controller.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the installation assignment can be transferred from one node to another during the lifetime of the network.

15. A method comprising:

associating a static update controller with an inclusion controller within a mesh network;

associating the inclusion controller with a node slave within the mesh network;

transmitting a first data between the static update controller and the inclusion controller, wherein the first data relates at least in part to the node slave; and

transmitting a second data between the inclusion controller and the node slave, wherein the second data relates at least in part to the first data transmitted, wherein

the static update controller holds a copy of a network topology and changes to a network,

the inclusion controller sends updated node information to the static update controller when at least one of a node is added to the network, a node is deleted from the network, and a routing change occurs in the network,

the updated node information is sent to the static update controller as a result of an automatic detection of a change in the topology of the network, including at least one of a user adding, deleting, and relocating a node within the mesh network, and

the user enables the automatic detection only through at least one of the relocation of the node, the powering up of the node, and the powering down of the node.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first data is a topology update.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first data is related to adding a new node to a mesh network.

18. A system comprising:

a providing facility adapted to provide a static update controller in a mesh network with an enabled node information server functionality to form a static update controller information server; and

a usage facility adapted to use the static update controller information server to enable other controllers in the mesh network to command other nodes in the mesh network on behalf of the static update controller information server, wherein

the static update controller information server is adapted to hold a copy of a network topology and changes to a network,

one of the other controllers is adapted to send updated node information to the static update controller information server when at least one of a node is added to the network, a node is deleted from the network, and a routing change occurs in the network,

the static update controller information server is adapted to transmit a free node ID in response to a request from the one of the other controllers,

the updated node information is sent to the static update controller as a result of an automatic detection of a change in the topology of the network, including at least one of a user adding, deleting, and relocating a node within the mesh network, and

the user enables the automatic detection only through at least one of the relocation of the node, the powering up of the node, and the powering down of the node.

19. A system comprising:

a usage facility adapted to use a static update controller information server

to distribute an installation process to a plurality of controllers in a mesh network;

a providing facility adapted to provide an installation assignment to a first controller in a mesh network to install new nodes in the mesh network; and

an enabling facility adapted to enable the installation assignment to be transferred from the first controller to a second controller, wherein

the static update controller information server is adapted to hold a copy of a network topology and changes to a network,

one of the plurality of controllers is adapted to send updated node information to the static update controller information server when at least one of a node is added to the network, a node is deleted from the network, and a routing change occurs in the network,

the static update controller information server is adapted to transmit a free node ID in response to a request from the one of the plurality of controllers,

the updated node information is sent to the static update controller as a result of an automatic detection of a change in the topology of the network, including at least one of a user adding, deleting, and relocating a node within the mesh network, and

the user enables the automatic detection only through at least one of the

relocation of the node, the powering up of the node, and the powering down of the node.

20. A system comprising:

a first associating facility adapted to associate a static update controller with an inclusion controller within a mesh network;

a second associating facility adapted to associate the inclusion controller with a node slave within the mesh network;

a first transmitting facility adapted to transmit a first data between the static

update controller and the inclusion controller, wherein the first data relates at least in part to the node slave; and

a second transmitting facility adapted to transmit a second data between the inclusion controller and the node slave, wherein the second data relates at least in part to the first data transmitted, wherein

the static update controller is adapted to hold a copy of a topology of the mesh network and changes to the mesh network,

the inclusion controller sends updated node information to the static update controller when at least one of a node is added to the mesh network, a node is deleted from the mesh network, and a routing change occurs in the mesh network,

the updated node information is sent to the static update controller as a result of an automatic detection of a change in the topology of the network, including at least one of a user adding, deleting, and relocating a node within the mesh network, and

the user enables the automatic detection only through at least one of the relocation of the node, the powering up of the node, and the powering down of the node.