Patents Assigned to Dust Networks, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8194636
    Abstract: Timing synchronization for mesh networks is disclosed. A temperature calibration data is received. A plurality of previously stored calibration values each corresponding to different temperatures is adjusted based at least in part on the received temperature calibration data. A temperature measurement is received. A first clock offset is determined based at least in part on the adjusted plurality of previously stored calibration values and the temperature measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance R. Doherty, Robert M. Shear, Jonathan Simon, Zhenqiang Ye
  • Patent number: 8194655
    Abstract: In a packet communication network, a method of packet switched transport is provided using digraphs defining paths among nodes in which a graph identifier, instead of a literal destination address, is used to determine paths through the network. The nodes themselves implement a real-time mesh of connectivity. Packets flow along paths that are available to them, flowing around obstructions such as dead nodes and lost links without need for additional computation, route request messages, or dynamic routing tree construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristofer S. J. Pister
  • Patent number: 8189479
    Abstract: A system for congestion control for a wireless sensor network comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to determine a level of congestion at one or more nodes and indicate an adjustment to network traffic in response to the level of congestion. The adjustment to the network traffic reduces the level of congestion at the one or more nodes. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide instructions to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Robert Doherty, Jonathan Simon, Zhenqiang Ye
  • Publication number: 20120087272
    Abstract: A system for determining node locations comprises an interface for receiving a first set of measurements at a first set of nodes, the first set of nodes having known locations. The system further comprising an interface for receiving a second set of measurements at a node having an unknown location, and a processor configured for determining a location of the node with unknown location based at least in part on the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: DUST NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Lemkin, Thor Juneau, Lance R. Doherty
  • Patent number: 8139554
    Abstract: Communicating using a mesh network is disclosed. A frame length used for communicating a packet between a first node and a second node of a wireless mesh network is selected. A route from the first node to the second node is determined including one or more intermediate nodes that receive and transmit the packet. Node to node communications within the frame along the route is selected such that a communication latency time is below a predetermined limit time for a predetermined percentage of communications between the first node and the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Simon, Lance R. Doherty
  • Patent number: 8102784
    Abstract: A system for determining node locations comprises an interface for receiving a first set of measurements at a first set of nodes, the first set of nodes having known locations. The system further comprising an interface for receiving a second set of measurements at a node having an unknown location, and a processor configured for determining a location of the node with unknown location based at least in part on the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lemkin, Thor Juneau, Lance R. Doherty
  • Patent number: 8059629
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing a digraph network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving timing information from a first node at a second node over a first connection specified by a first digraph link, wherein the first digraph link is a directional link specifying routing information at the first node in a network, and wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes each with a plurality of digraph links. The method further comprises calculating a synchronized time using the received timing information and a local time and sending timing information from the second node to a third node over a second connection specified by a second digraph link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristofer S. J. Pister
  • Patent number: 7961664
    Abstract: A method for a digraph linked network to provide subnetwork communication is disclosed. The method running a first superframe in a digraph linked network containing at least one digraph link wherein a digraph link is a directional link specifying routing information between a first node and a second node in the digraph linked network. The method further comprises running a second superframe in a digraph linked network containing at least one digraph link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofer S. J. Pister, Robert M. Shear
  • Patent number: 7898322
    Abstract: Frequency demodulation of a signal is disclosed. A first edge event and a second edge event are detected in a signal. The second edge event is an edge event subsequent in time to the first edge event. A data bit based at least in part on a timing interval between the first edge event and the second edge event is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lemkin, Brett Warneke
  • Patent number: 7881239
    Abstract: A device for a node in a digraph network comprising is disclosed. The device comprises an internal time reference, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter. The device further comprises a temperature sensor for stabilizing the internal time reference against drifting with respect to an internal time reference of another node in the network and a microprocessor for managing the reception and transmission of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofer S. J. Pister, Yuri S. Zats, Robert Alan Contant, Noah Treuhaft
  • Patent number: 7873043
    Abstract: A method of assigning cells in a superframe using digraph link information in a network of nodes is disclosed. The method comprises determining a total number of desired digraph links in the network of nodes wherein a digraph link is a directional link specifying routing information at each node in the network between said node and a second node, and wherein the network of nodes includes a plurality of nodes each with a plurality of digraph links. The method further comprises selecting a superframe size at least large enough to accommodate the total number of desired digraph links and assigning each desired digraph link to a cell in the superframe wherein each cell in the superframe specifies a synchronized time and frequency communication plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofer S. J. Pister, Robert M. Shear
  • Patent number: 7791419
    Abstract: Timing calibrator is disclosed. A first oscillator includes an output. The first oscillator includes a mechanically resonant element. A second oscillator includes an output. The second oscillator includes a quartz resonator. A frequency relater has an output, a first input, and a second input. The frequency relater has the first input coupled to the first oscillator output and the second input coupled to the second oscillator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Lemkin
  • Patent number: 7787427
    Abstract: Communicating using a wireless mesh network is disclosed. A route is determined from a first node to each other node in the wireless mesh network including one or more intermediate nodes that receive and transmit the packet. A frame length used for communicating a packet is selected based on the routes from the first node to each other node in the wireless mesh network. Node to node communications are selected within the frame along the route such that a predetermined average communication latency time is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Simon, Lance R. Doherty
  • Patent number: 7742435
    Abstract: Communicating for a mesh network is disclosed. A battery-powered node is assigned to communicate with a sending powered backbone node. The sending powered backbone node is assigned to either a first group or a second group. If the sending powered backbone node is assigned to the first group, then the sending powered backbone node sends a packet to either a gateway node or a second group receiving powered backbone node that is assigned to the second group and that is closer to the gateway node. If the sending powered backbone node is assigned to the second group, then the sending powered backbone node sends a packet to either a gateway node or a first group receiving powered backbone node that is assigned to the first group and that is closer to the gateway node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance R. Doherty, Jonathan Simon, William Alan Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7630326
    Abstract: Configuring mesh networks based on an application is disclosed. An indication is received that a status is changed. In the event that the change in status requires a change in a mesh network configuration, a notice is transmitted to change the mesh network configuration and a local change required for the change in the mesh network configuration is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Shear
  • Patent number: 7529217
    Abstract: In a packet communication network, a method and apparatus for packet switched transport is provided among intelligent nodes wherein the duty cycling of the intelligent nodes is minimized in order to maximize power life using a synchronization algorithm that assures all nodes are able to propagate information through the network without undue use of transmission and reception power. Frequency hopping time-division multiple access supports packet communication between intelligent nodes via assigned directed links, each link being assigned to a time-channel offset (cell) in a superframe, so that a link carrying a packet string between any two intelligent nodes is active only during its assigned time slot. The result is efficient use of spectrum and minimal expenditure of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofer S. J. Pister, Yuri S. Zats, Rob Conant, Noah Treuhaft
  • Patent number: 7420980
    Abstract: A method of assigning cells in a superframe using digraph link information in a network of nodes is disclosed. The method comprises determining a total number of desired digraph links in the network of nodes wherein a digraph link is a directional link specifying routing information at each node in the network between said node and a second node, and wherein the network of nodes includes a plurality of nodes each with a plurality of digraph links. The method further comprises selecting a superframe size at least large enough to accommodate the total number of desired digraph links and assigning each desired digraph link to a cell in the superframe wherein each cell in the superframe specifies a synchronized time and frequency communication plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofer S. J. Pister, Robert M. Shear
  • Patent number: 7375594
    Abstract: Tuning a radio oscillator frequency to a reference frequency is disclosed. A radio oscillator is set using a predetermined value loaded into an adjustment bit array. A highest selected bit is selected to be used in locating a final tuned value for the adjustment bit array. The final tuned value is determined by successively setting a selected bit starting with the highest selected bit in the adjustment bit array. And, the selected bit value in the final tuned value is determined using a measurement of the radio oscillator frequency and its relation to a reference frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Dust Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lemkin, Ben Cook