Null interface feature in wireless mesh networking device
First Claim
1. A method for accelerating expansion of a mesh network formed around a gateway, the method executed at a first wireless device configured to attach to the mesh network, and the method comprising:
- while disconnected from the mesh network, detecting multiple second wireless devices that are configured to attach to the mesh network, wherein detection of the second wireless devices occurs while the second wireless devices are also disconnected from the mesh network;
while disconnected from the mesh network, forming a preliminary network that includes connections with the second wireless devices and facilitates data sharing with the second wireless devices;
while disconnected from the mesh network and connected to the preliminary network, detecting a third wireless device that is connected to the mesh network;
expanding the mesh network by attaching the preliminary network to the mesh network, wherein attaching includes;
maintaining the connections between the second wireless devices and the first wireless device;
forming a mesh network connection with the third wireless device, wherein forming the mesh network connection includes obtaining a mesh network cost function that describes routing capabilities of the third wireless device within the mesh network;
subsequent to attaching the preliminary network to the mesh network, receiving status information from the second wireless devices, wherein the status information is communicated using the connections; and
forwarding the status information to the gateway via the third wireless device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure describes processes and methods for enhancing reporting of status information in a wireless sensor network. This disclosure also provides designs of wireless sensor devices configured to connect to a wireless network, and to execute the processes disclosed herein. As described herein, a first sensor device transmits a beacon signal to a second wireless device, and the beacon signal is transmitted while the first and second wireless devices are disconnected from the sensor network. The first wireless device facilitates supplemental network formation by transmitting information to the second wireless device, wherein the information causes the second wireless device to form the supplemental network by performing network joining procedures with the first wireless sensor device, and wherein, after performing network joining procedures, the second wireless device transmits status information to the first wireless sensor device. The first wireless device then connects to the wireless network and transmits the status information through the network.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for accelerating expansion of a mesh network formed around a gateway, the method executed at a first wireless device configured to attach to the mesh network, and the method comprising:
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while disconnected from the mesh network, detecting multiple second wireless devices that are configured to attach to the mesh network, wherein detection of the second wireless devices occurs while the second wireless devices are also disconnected from the mesh network; while disconnected from the mesh network, forming a preliminary network that includes connections with the second wireless devices and facilitates data sharing with the second wireless devices; while disconnected from the mesh network and connected to the preliminary network, detecting a third wireless device that is connected to the mesh network; expanding the mesh network by attaching the preliminary network to the mesh network, wherein attaching includes; maintaining the connections between the second wireless devices and the first wireless device; forming a mesh network connection with the third wireless device, wherein forming the mesh network connection includes obtaining a mesh network cost function that describes routing capabilities of the third wireless device within the mesh network; subsequent to attaching the preliminary network to the mesh network, receiving status information from the second wireless devices, wherein the status information is communicated using the connections; and forwarding the status information to the gateway via the third wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for accelerating expansion of a mesh network formed around a gateway, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor configured to perform the following operations while the apparatus is disconnected from the mesh network; detect multiple second wireless devices configured to attach to the mesh network, wherein detection of the second wireless devices occurs while the second wireless devices are also disconnected from the mesh network; form a preliminary network that includes connections with the second wireless devices and facilitates data sharing with the second wireless devices; and detect a third wireless device that is connected to the mesh network; wherein the processor is further configured to; expand the mesh network by attaching the preliminary network to the mesh network, wherein attaching includes; maintaining the connections between the second wireless devices; and forming a mesh network connection with the third wireless device, wherein forming the mesh network connection includes obtaining a mesh network cost function that describes routing capabilities of the third wireless device within the mesh network; subsequent to attaching the preliminary network to the mesh network, receiving status information from the second wireless devices, wherein the status information is communicated using the connections; and forwarding the status information to the gateway via the third wireless device; and a memory coupled to the processor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification