Abstract: A method implemented in a device is disclosed for networking through signals transmitted across a shared medium network. The method starts with monitoring for a first signal on a shared medium of the shared medium network. The first signal is processed after it is received and while the first signal is being processed, a set of one or more signals is received on the shared medium. Then a set of one or more amplitude increases is determined, where each amplitude increase is from an earlier received signal to a later received signal. The set of one or more amplitude increases is compared to a threshold value and at least partially in response to the comparison, the device discards one or more signals from the first signal and the set of one or more signals.

Abstract: A method for automated topology discovery and management of meter nodes in a power grid is described. In the discovery mode any of the meter nodes is able to act as a proxy for a data concentrator to sort out the topology, and to determine the best path for communicating between a concentrator and each of the meter nodes.

Abstract: An improved programming interface which provides for event scheduling, improved variable declarations allowing for configuration of declaration parameters, and improved handling of I/O objects. In modern day computing devices and especially in networks of such devices it is important to provide for event scheduling; known computing devices allow for event scheduling based on the occurrence of a predefined event. However, such a system present shortfalls in that flexibility is not provided to allow scheduling based on any arbitrary condition. Therefore, it is disclosed to provide a programming environment which allows for event scheduling where the event may be any arbitrary condition thus providing increased flexibility in event driven programs. In addition, programs which run on such computing devices typically declare one or more variables; such variables having one or more parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: An improved programming interface which provides for event scheduling, improved variable declarations allowing for configuration of declaration parameters, and improved handling of I/O objects. In modern day computing devices and especially in networks of such devices it is important to provide for event scheduling; known computing devices allow for event scheduling based on the occurrence of a predefined event. However, such a system present shortfalls in that flexibility is not provided to allow scheduling based on any arbitrary condition. Therefore, it is disclosed to provide a programming environment which allows for event scheduling where the event may be any arbitrary condition thus providing increased flexibility in event driven programs. In addition, programs which run on such computing devices typically declare one or more variables; such variables having one or more parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: An improved programming interface which provides for event scheduling, improved variable declarations allowing for configuration of declaration parameters, and improved handling of I/O objects. In modern day computing devices and especially in networks of such devices it is important to provide for event scheduling; known computing devices allow for event scheduling based on the occurrence of a predefined event. However, such a system present shortfalls in that flexibility is not provided to allow scheduling based on any arbitrary condition. Therefore, it is disclosed to provide a programming environment which allows for event scheduling where the event may be any arbitrary condition thus providing increased flexibility in event driven programs. In addition, programs which run on such computing devices typically declare one or more variables; such variables having one or more parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for communicating information in a networked system wherein network variables are employed to accomplish such communication. Network variables allow for standardized communication of data between nodes in a network. A first node may be programmed, for example, to sense certain information and to report the information as a network variable X. A second node may be programmed to receive the variable X and to control devices based on the current value of the variable. The present invention provides for defining connections between the first and second node to facilitate such communication and for determining addressing information to allow for addressing of messages, including updates to the value of the variable X, between the nodes.

Abstract: A method of determining a transaction identifier for a message to be sent from a node on a network. The node has an address table and a memory. The method comprising the steps of: accessing the address table to determine an address for the message; and accessing the transaction identifier at a memory location corresponding to the address.

Abstract: A power line communications analyzer (PLCA) provides a signal strength metering system and selectable signal attenuation functions for adjusting the transmitting unit's attenuation and measuring error rate without the need for a user to be present at both the sending and receiving locations under test. Each PLCA is coupled to a power line communication network via an electrical outlet and power lines. In actual operation, one of the PLCAs acts as a data transmitter and the other PLCA acts as a data receiver. The mode of operation of the PLCA can be dynamically altered during operation of the system. The PLCA comprises control logic that receives command inputs from a keypad, generates data packets for transmission on the power line communication network, receives and analyzes data packets received from the power line communication network, detects the power line signal and/or noise level and drives the LED display accordingly, and displays packet transmission information on an LCD display.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for communicating information in a networked system wherein network variables are employed to accomplish such communication. Network variables allow for standardized communication of data between nodes in a network. A first node may be programmed, for example, to sense certain information and to report the information as a network variable X. A second node may be programmed to receive the variable X and to control devices based on the current value of the variable. The present invention provides for defining connections between the first and second node to facilitate such communication and for determining addressing information to allow for addressing of messages, including updates to the value of the variable X, between the nodes.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for communicating information in a networked system wherein network variables are employed to accomplish such communication. Network variables allow for standardized communication of data between nodes in a network. A first node may be programmed, for example, to sense certain information and to report the information as a network variable X. A second node may be programmed to receive the variable X and to control devices based on the current value of the variable. The present invention provides for defining connections between the first and second node to facilitate such communication and for determining addressing information to allow for addressing of messages, including updates to the value of the variable X, between the nodes.

Abstract: An interface file structure for allowing transfer of information between nodes in a network and a binding process for configuring nodes in the network. The interface offers an advantageous format designed to provide for minimal reading and writing of records while requiring minimal storage space per record. Further, an advantageous format for storing numeric information is disclosed in which information providing the number of buffers allocated and the size of such buffers is stored in a single nibble thus reducing required storage space.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for communicating information in a networked system wherein network variables are employed to accomplish such communication. Network variables allow for standardized communication of data between nodes in a network. A first node may be programmed, for example, to sense certain information and to report the information as a network variable X. A second node may be programmed to receive the variable X and to control devices based on the current value of the variable. The present invention provides for defining connections between the first and second node to facilitate such communication and for determining addressing information to allow for addressing of messages, including updates to the value of the variable X, between the nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving connection conflicts in a network is provide. A network connection point on a node cannot be added to a first network connection when it already belongs to a second network connection. When a particular configuration would otherwise violate this rule, a network connection point on the node is established as an alias to the network connection point. The alias network connection point is added to the first network connection. A correlation is established between the alias network connection point and the network variable that is associated with the network connection point. If the network variable is an input network variable, then the value of the network variable is updated responsive to messages received on either the first or the second connection. If the network variable is an output network variable, then messages are sent over both the first and second connections when the network variable is updated.

Abstract: An improved programming interface which provides for event scheduling, improved variable declarations allowing for configuration of declaration parameters, and improved handling of I/O objects. In modern day computing devices and especially in networks of such devices it is important to provide for event scheduling; known computing devices allow for event scheduling based on the occurrence of a predefined event. However, such a system present shortfalls in that flexibility is not provided to allow scheduling based on any arbitrary condition. Therefore, it is disclosed to provide a programming environment which allows for event scheduling where the event may be any arbitrary condition thus providing increased flexibility in event driven programs. In addition, programs which run on such computing devices typically declare one or more variables; such variables having one or more parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus useful in the configuration of communication network. The present invention provides for improved apparatus and techniques for configuration of network nodes. In particular, what is described is a device which may be coupled with each node of a network. When coupled to a node, the device and node cooperate in allowing communication of information identifying the node and the node type to the device. The node identification and type information may then be utilized to reliably complete configuration of a network.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for routing of messages in a networked system wherein reduced unnecessary retransmission of messages across routers is achieved by examining the address of the source of messages to be forwarded and, if the source of the message is on the transmit side of the router, not retransmitting the message. Further, when messages are originated which do not include source subnet address information, a router receiving such a message will update the source subnet address field of the message with its own source subnet address so as to allow other routers to use the updated source subnet address information in making routing decisions.

Abstract: An improved network for communication of message packets. The network of the present invention implements an improved collision avoidance, detection and backoff system for communication on a media between nodes. The apparatus calculates a time period P after detecting the media is idle using a formula F which is a function of a pseudo-random delay factor T. If the media remains idle during the time period P, the device may transmit a message. The apparatus further has the ability to assign messages as being either priority or non-priority messages. Priority messages may be transmitted during priority message slots preassigned to transmitting nodes. Non-priority message contend for the media during a period of time following the period set for transmission of priority messages.

Abstract: An improved network for communication of message packets. The present invention provides for improved reliable multicast messaging wherein messages may be reliably multicast to members of a multicast group and acknowledgements may be handled in an improved and efficient manner. In particular, a message may be transmitted to all members of a group, each member of the group responding to receipt of the message with an acknowledgement message. Further, facility is provided to allow for transmissions of reminder messages in the event one or members of a group do not respond to a message with an acknowledgement.

Abstract: An interface between a network cell and an associated network communications transceiver passes both network information and command/control information between the cell and the transceiver. The interface is designed to minimize the number of control lines between the cell and the transceiver. A protocol between the two devices is established to deal with configuration and error reporting as well as the passage of network data. This protocol consists of the cell and the transceiver each exchanging 8 bits of status and 8 bits of data simultaneously and continuously at rates up to 1.25 MBPS. Only a single version of cell firmware is required since a fixed amount of configuration information is sent from the cell to the transceiver, and a fixed amount of status information is returned from the transceiver to the cell.