Mesh network resiliency

• US 9,432,259 B1
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alarm.com Inc. (Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knight, Matthew Flannery, Hutz, David James
• Primary Examiner(s): Hamza, Faruk
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zaman, Shah R
• Application Number:
  US14/216,204
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0663 Performing the actions predefined by failover planning, e.g. switching to standby network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0836 to enhance reliability, e.g. reduce downtime
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/28 using route fault recovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/10 based on available power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Mesh network resiliency technology, in which a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network is determined, the first routing configuration being appropriate when a first power source of the mesh network is available. Routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration is provided to first nodes of the mesh network. An interruption of the first power source for the mesh network is detected by nodes of the mesh network. In response to detecting the interruption, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network is determined, the second routing configuration being appropriate when the first power source of the mesh network is unavailable. Routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second configuration is provided to second nodes of the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source.

Claims

1. A method for providing mesh network resiliency in a mesh network associated with a monitoring system, the method comprising:

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source;

detecting, for a particular node of the mesh network, an interruption of the second power source that is different than the first power source;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the second power source for the particular node of the mesh network, a third routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the third routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable and during which the second power source that powers the particular node of the mesh network is unavailable; and

providing, to third nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the third routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the third nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source, and wherein the third nodes do not include the particular node.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the first routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises determining a first routing configuration for nodes of one of a Z-Wave network, a ZigBee network, an IPv6 over Low power Wireless Personal Area Network (6LoWPAN), a Bluetooth network, or an INSTEON network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network comprises detecting an interruption of an alternating current (AC) power source for the mesh network, and

wherein providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including at least one of a battery power source or an external uninterruptable power supply power source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises:

identifying nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different than the first power source;

determining data routing paths for one or more particular nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different than the first power source, wherein the data routing paths for the one or more particular nodes of the mesh network utilize one or more nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different than the first power source; and

storing the data routing paths for the one or more particular nodes of the mesh network in a routing table.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, at least a first routing table that dictates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

and wherein providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, at least a second routing table that dictates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, the first routing table being different than the second routing table.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that designates a first set of nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes for the mesh network within the first routing configuration;

and wherein providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that designates a second set of nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes for the mesh network within the second routing configuration, the second set of nodes being different than the first set of nodes,

wherein the first set of nodes of the mesh network that are designated as routing nodes for the mesh network within the first routing configuration are the only nodes responsible for routing data in the mesh network within the first routing configuration; and

wherein the second set of nodes of the mesh network that are designated as routing nodes for the mesh network within the second routing configuration are the only nodes responsible for routing data in the mesh network within the second routing configuration.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

wherein determining the first routing configuration comprises determining, as the first routing configuration for the mesh network, a routing configuration that only includes nodes other than the critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network; and

wherein determining the second routing configuration comprises determining, as the second routing configuration for the mesh network, a routing configuration that only includes nodes other than the critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first routing configuration for the mesh network and the second routing configuration for the mesh network are different routing configurations for the mesh network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network comprises detecting the interruption of the first power source at a coordinator node of the mesh network, the coordinator node being a particular node of the nodes of the mesh network.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

identifying nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different that the first power source of the mesh network;

identifying, from among the nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source, one or more nodes of the mesh network that do not include an external uninterruptable power supply as a second power source; and

selecting, as the coordinator node, a particular node from among the one or more nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source and that do not include an external uninterruptable power supply as a second power source.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network comprises:

receiving, from one or more nodes of the mesh network, voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected; and

based on the voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected, determining that an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network has occurred.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises:

identifying nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different than the first power source; and

determining, as the second routing configuration, a routing configuration that includes only the nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different than the first power source.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises:

after detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, identifying nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different than the first power source; and

determining the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network based on performing dynamic network rerouting on the nodes of the mesh network that include a second power source that is different than the first power source.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, a restoration of the first power source for the mesh network; and

based on detecting the restoration of the first power source for the mesh network, reverting to the first routing configuration by providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, providing, to one or more of the second nodes of the mesh network, data that causes the one or more of the second nodes of the mesh network to enter a reduced power operation mode.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein providing routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to a particular node of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network, the method further comprising:

transmitting, from the particular node to one or more other nodes of the mesh network, data that includes information identifying routing responsibilities for the routing of the data in the mesh network.

8. A method for providing mesh network resiliency in a mesh network associated with a monitoring system, the method comprising:

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source;

identifying one or more nodes of the mesh network as critical nodes of the mesh network;

determining that the second routing configuration for the mesh network results in a disjointed mesh network;

based on the determination that the second routing configuration results in a disjointed mesh network, identifying one or more critical nodes of the mesh network that enable a fully jointed mesh network when used as routing nodes of the mesh network in the second routing configuration; and

updating the second routing configuration to include the one or more critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network in the second routing configuration,

wherein providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that designates a first set of nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes for the mesh network within the first routing configuration; and

wherein providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that designates a second set of nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes for the mesh network within the second routing configuration, the second set of nodes being different than the first set of nodes,

wherein the first set of nodes of the mesh network that are designated as routing nodes for the mesh network within the first routing configuration are the only nodes responsible for routing data in the mesh network within the first routing configuration; and

wherein the second set of nodes of the mesh network that are designated as routing nodes for the mesh network within the second routing configuration are the only nodes responsible for routing data in the mesh network within the second routing configuration,

wherein determining the first routing configuration comprises determining, as the first routing configuration for the mesh network, a routing configuration that only includes nodes other than the critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network; and

wherein determining the second routing configuration comprises determining, as the second routing configuration for the mesh network, a routing configuration that only includes nodes other than the critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network.

10. A method for providing mesh network resiliency in a mesh network associated with a monitoring system, the method comprising:

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source; and

maintaining ranked routing configurations for nodes of the mesh network in which each routing configuration is associated with a rank, and wherein determining the first routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises;

identifying, from among the ranked routing configurations, a first set of routing configurations appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

accessing ranks associated with the first set of routing configurations;

comparing the accessed ranks associated with the first set of routing configurations; and

selecting, from among the first set of routing configurations, the first routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network based on the comparison of the accessed ranks associated with the first set of routing configurations; and

wherein determining the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises;

identifying, from among the ranked routing configurations, a second set of routing configurations appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

accessing ranks associated with the second set of routing configurations;

comparing the accessed ranks associated with the second set of routing configurations; and

selecting, from among the second set of routing configurations, the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network based on the comparison of the accessed ranks associated with the second set of routing configurations.

14. A method for providing mesh network resiliency in a mesh network associated with a monitoring system, the method comprising:

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source;

failing to receive, from one or more nodes of the mesh network, voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected; and

based on failing to receive the voting data from one or more nodes of the mesh network, determining that an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network has occurred,

wherein detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network comprises;

receiving, from one or more nodes of the mesh network, voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected; and

based on the voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected, determining that an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network has occurred.

20. A system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable; and

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source;

detecting, for a particular node of the mesh network, an interruption of the second power source that is different than the first power source;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the second power source for the particular node of the mesh network, a third routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the third routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable and during which the second power source that powers the particular node of the mesh network is unavailable; and

providing, to third nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the third routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the third nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source, and wherein the third nodes do not include the particular node.

21. A system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable; and

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source;

identifying one or more nodes of the mesh network as critical nodes of the mesh network;

determining that the second routing configuration for the mesh network results in a disjointed mesh network;

based on the determination that the second routing configuration results in a disjointed mesh network, identifying one or more critical nodes of the mesh network that enable a fully jointed mesh network when used as routing nodes of the mesh network in the second routing configuration; and

updating the second routing configuration to include the one or more critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network in the second routing configuration,

wherein providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that designates a first set of nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes for the mesh network within the first routing configuration; and

wherein providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, the routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network comprises providing, to the second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that designates a second set of nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes for the mesh network within the second routing configuration, the second set of nodes being different than the first set of nodes,

wherein the first set of nodes of the mesh network that are designated as routing nodes for the mesh network within the first routing configuration are the only nodes responsible for routing data in the mesh network within the first routing configuration; and

wherein the second set of nodes of the mesh network that are designated as routing nodes for the mesh network within the second routing configuration are the only nodes responsible for routing data in the mesh network within the second routing configuration,

wherein determining the first routing configuration comprises determining, as the first routing configuration for the mesh network, a routing configuration that only includes nodes other than the critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network; and

wherein determining the second routing configuration comprises determining, as the second routing configuration for the mesh network, a routing configuration that only includes nodes other than the critical nodes of the mesh network as routing nodes of the mesh network.

22. A system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source; and

maintaining ranked routing configurations for nodes of the mesh network in which each routing configuration is associated with a rank,

wherein determining the first routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises;

identifying, from among the ranked routing configurations, a first set of routing configurations appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

accessing ranks associated with the first set of routing configurations;

comparing the accessed ranks associated with the first set of routing configurations; and

selecting, from among the first set of routing configurations, the first routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network based on the comparison of the accessed ranks associated with the first set of routing configurations; and

wherein determining the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network comprises;

identifying, from among the ranked routing configurations, a second set of routing configurations appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

accessing ranks associated with the second set of routing configurations;

comparing the accessed ranks associated with the second set of routing configurations; and

selecting, from among the second set of routing configurations, the second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network based on the comparison of the accessed ranks associated with the second set of routing configurations.

23. A system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

determining a first routing configuration for nodes of a mesh network associated with a monitoring or automation system located in a property, the nodes of the mesh network being associated with one or more sensors that sense attributes of the property and one or more devices that perform automated functionality for the property and the first routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which a first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is available;

providing, to one or more first nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the first routing configuration for the mesh network;

detecting, by one or more nodes of the mesh network, an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network;

determining, in response to detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network, a second routing configuration for nodes of the mesh network, the second routing configuration being appropriate at a time during which the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network is unavailable;

providing, to one or more second nodes of the mesh network, routing data that indicates routing responsibilities within the second routing configuration for the mesh network, each of the second nodes including a second power source that is different than the first power source;

failing to receive, from one or more nodes of the mesh network, voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected; and

based on failing to receive the voting data from one or more nodes of the mesh network, determining that an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network has occurred,

wherein detecting the interruption of the first power source for the mesh network comprises;

receiving, from one or more nodes of the mesh network, voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected; and

based on the voting data that indicates whether an interruption of the first power source that powers multiple nodes of the mesh network has been detected, determining that an interruption of the first power source for the mesh network has occurred.