Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure decrease conflicts between individual lighting devices in a wireless network when responding to a broadcast/multicast message sent to a group of devices. In some embodiments the devices delay sending their acknowledgment to commands until after a specific time period. Some embodiments limit the number of time delays to one of a predetermined number of time delays, where the number of time delays are assigned by an external source, such as the gateway. Still other embodiments include assigning each device one of a limited number of preset time delays, where the total number of preset time delays are less than the number of devices, for example, ten (10) percent of the number of devices (here some devices will have the same time delays as other devices). Still other embodiments use bitmaps to designating which one or more individual devices the message is intended for.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure decrease conflicts between individual lighting devices in a wireless network when responding to a broadcast/multicast message sent to a group of devices. In some embodiments the devices delay sending their acknowledgment to commands until after a specific time period. Some embodiments limit the number of time delays to one of a predetermined number of time delays, where the number of time delays are assigned by an external source, such as the gateway. Still other embodiments include assigning each device one of a limited number of preset time delays, where the total number of preset time delays are less than the number of devices, for example, ten (10) percent of the number of devices (here some devices will have the same time delays as other devices). Still other embodiments use bitmaps to designating which one or more individual devices the message is intended for.