IP Library Granted Patent US 6,862,430
Granted Patent B1
US 6,862,430 · App. 09/610,670 · Granted Mar 1, 2005

System and method for selecting repeaters

Assignee: Echelon Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,862,430
App. No.
09/610,670
Granted
Mar 1, 2005
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method is described for selecting repeaters comprising: transmitting a first signal from a first node to a second node; measuring signal strength of the first signal at the second node; transmitting a second signal from the second node to the first node; measuring signal strength of the second signal at the first node; and selecting the second node as a repeater based on the signal strength of the first signal and/or the signal strength of the second signal. Another embodiment of the method comprises: calculating signal strength of a signal transmitted to each of a plurality of nodes (the signal strength being measured at each node of the plurality); and selecting one or more of the nodes to be a repeater if the signal strength is below a maximum threshold value and above a minimum threshold value.

Claims (40)

1. A method for selecting repeaters comprising:

transmitting a first signal from a first node to a second node;

measuring signal strength of said first signal at said second node;

transmitting a second signal from said second node to said first node, said signal strength of said first signal stored as data in said second signal;

measuring signal strength of said second signal at said first node; and

selecting said second node as a repeater based on said signal strength of said first signal and/or said signal strength of said second signal.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selecting said second node as a repeater if said signal strength of said first signal is within a specified range and said signal strength of said second signal is within a specified range.

3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:

selecting said second node as a repeater if combined signal strength of said first signal and said second signal is within a specified range.

4. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:

selecting said second node as a repeater if an average of said signal strength of said first signal and said signal strength of said second signal is within a specified range.

5. The method as in claim 1 wherein said first node performs selecting of said second node as a repeater based on said signal strength of said first signal and/or said signal strength of said second signal.

6. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:

if said second node is selected as a repeater, transmitting a third signal from said second node to a third node;

measuring signal strength of said third signal at said third node;

transmitting a fourth signal from said third node to said second node;

measuring signal strength of said fourth signal at said second node; and

selecting said third node as a second-tier repeater based on said signal strength of said third signal and/or said signal strength of said fourth signal.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selecting said third node as a second-tier repeater if said signal strength of said first signal is within a specified range and said signal strength of said second signal is within a specified range.

8. An article of manufacture including a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a first network node, cause said processor to:

transmit a first signal from said first network node to a second node;

measure signal strength of said first signal at said second node;

transmit a second signal from said second node to said first node, said signal strength of said first signal is stored as data in said second signal;

measure signal strength of said second signal at said first node; and

select said second node as a repeater based on said signal strength of said first signal and/or said signal strength of said second signal.

9. The article of manufacture as in claim 8 including additional instructions which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to:

select said second node as a repeater if said signal strength of said first signal is within a specified range and said signal strength of said second signal is within a specified range.

10. The article of manufacture as in claim 8 including additional instructions which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to:

select said second node as a repeater if combined signal strength of said first signal and said second signal is within a specified range.

11. The article of manufacture as in claim 8 including additional instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to:

select said second node as a repeater if an average of said signal strength of said first signal and said signal strength of said second signal is within a specified range.

12. The article of manufacture as in claim 8 wherein said first node performs selecting of said second node as a repeater based on said signal strength of said first signal and/or said signal strength of said second signal.

13. The article of manufacture as in claim 8 including additional instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to:

if said second node is selected as a repeater, transmit a third signal from said second node to a third node;

measure signal strength of said third signal at said third node;

transmit a fourth signal from said third node to said second node;

measure signal strength of said fourth signal at said second node; and

select said third node as a second-tier repeater based on said signal strength of said third signal and/or said signal strength of said fourth signal.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2019
From: OBSIDIAN AGENCY SERVICES, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ECHELON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 050480/0865 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2018
From: ECHELON CORPORATION
To: OBSIDIAN AGENCY SERVICES, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047205/0018 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2000
From: DUFFY, DARRELL; RILEY, GLEN
To: ECHELON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 011100/0357 →