Method and system for providing a network protocol for utility services
First Claim
1. A method of connecting a node to a wireless network, comprising:
- (i) transmitting a first type of broadcast message from a first node over each of a plurality of channels, seeking a response from any other node that communicates on at least one of said channels;
(ii) upon receiving a response from another node communicating on one of the channels, transmitting a second type of broadcast message from the first node on said one channel, seeking responses from multiple other nodes communicating on said one channel; and
(iii) processing responses received at the first node to said second type of broadcast message, to select one of the other nodes communicating on said one channel, from which a response is received, as a neighbor link in a path for communications over a network associated with said one channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing a network protocol for utility services are disclosed are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises discovering a utility network, wherein a constant powered meter sends network discovery messages to find the utility network. Neighboring meters are discovered, wherein the constant powered meter sends hello messages periodically. The constant powered meter is registered with the utility network. Further, the battery powered meter finds and associates itself with a constant powered meter. The constant powered meter also registers its associate battery powered meter with the utility network. The constant powered meter sends a node registration message to the gateway of the utility network. The constant powered meter can sense outage problems with the gateway and the neighbors of its network, and search and migrate to an alternate network.
14 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of connecting a node to a wireless network, comprising:
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(i) transmitting a first type of broadcast message from a first node over each of a plurality of channels, seeking a response from any other node that communicates on at least one of said channels; (ii) upon receiving a response from another node communicating on one of the channels, transmitting a second type of broadcast message from the first node on said one channel, seeking responses from multiple other nodes communicating on said one channel; and (iii) processing responses received at the first node to said second type of broadcast message, to select one of the other nodes communicating on said one channel, from which a response is received, as a neighbor link in a path for communications over a network associated with said one channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of registering a node in a wireless network, comprising:
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transmitting a first type of broadcast message to discover the existence of a network; upon discovering a network, transmitting a second, different type of broadcast message to identify neighboring nodes on said network; and transmitting a registration message, via at least one of said neighboring nodes, to a gateway on the network, said registration message including an identification of the node being registered and information regarding the neighboring nodes that have been identified. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of registering a node in a wireless network, comprising:
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transmitting, from a first node, a broadcast message to discover the existence of a network; upon discovering a network, transmitting a second broadcast message from the first node to identify neighboring nodes on said network; selecting one of the identified neighbor nodes on the network as a master node, and sending a message from the first node to the selected node requesting the selected node to function as the first node'"'"'s master; and upon accepting the request to function as a master at the selected node, transmitting a registration message to a gateway on the network from the master node to register the first node with the gateway. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of registering a node in a wireless network, comprising:
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transmitting, from a first node, a broadcast message to discover the existence of a network; upon discovering a network, transmitting a second broadcast message from the first node to identify neighboring nodes on said network; sending a third message from the first node to one of the identified neighbor nodes that is capable of functioning as an intermediary node; and upon receiving the third message at the intermediary node, transmitting a registration message to a gateway on the network from the intermediary node to register the first node with the gateway. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification