Patents by Inventor Michael Sean Holcombe
Michael Sean Holcombe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11770803Abstract: In some aspects, a channel hopping sequence for communication on a mesh network is generated. The hopping sequence may include multiple channels assigned to respective positions in the hopping sequence. In some cases, a first channel is assigned to a first position such that the first channel may transmit communications in a first transmission mode, such as a low-bandwidth transmission mode. In addition, an additional channels adjacent to the first channel is also assigned to the first position such that the combination of the first channel and additional channel may transmit communications in a second transmission mode, such as a high-bandwidth transmission mode. In some cases, a whitelist is determined based on the assigned channels. The whitelist may indicate channels that do not conflict with the assigned channels during transmission of a communication. In addition, channels may be assigned to the hopping sequence based on the whitelist.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technology, Inc.Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Govind Kharangate, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Patent number: 11706063Abstract: A system for switching between different communication modes by network nodes according to a time-division schedule to transmit and receive data packets is provided. For example, a transmitting node is configured to determine a scheduled communication mode of an upcoming time division according to a time-division schedule, and transmit a data packet in that time division when the scheduled communication mode matches a selected communication mode supported by both the transmitting node and a receiving node. The receiving node operates in a scheduled communication mode specified for a current time division by the time-division schedule and determines whether a header of the data packet is detected in the current time division. If not, the receiving node switches to a second scheduled communication mode specified for the subsequent time division by the time-division schedule to detect the header of the data packet in a subsequent time division.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Michael Sean Holcombe, Christopher Scott Hett
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Patent number: 11627603Abstract: A first node in a TSCH network may receive a message-initiation packet from a second node on the TSCH network. Based on information in the message-initiation packet, the first node may determine a transmission time for a message content packet that is associated with the message-initiation packet. The first node may generate or modify a node-specific transmission delay that indicates a backoff associated with the second node. The node-specific transmission delay may indicate a quantity of backoff time slots during which the first node delays initiating a transmission with the second node. If the first node receives, during the node-specific transmission delay, an additional packet intended for the second node, the first node may queue the additional packet until after the node-specific transmission delay is completed.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Justin Clifford Matthews
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Patent number: 11606816Abstract: A method for avoiding collision between a parent node and a child node in a time-slotted-channel-hopping (TSCH) mesh network is provided. For example, each node in the TSCH network can be configured to obtain a transmit offset index. At the beginning of a timeslot, the node determines its transmission priority based on the transmit offset index and an absolute slot number (ASN) of the timeslot. If the transmission priority of the node is an early transmission priority, the node transmits data packets according to the normal transmission process of the TSCH network. If the transmission priority of the node is a late transmission priority, the node enters a listen before talk (LBT) mode to listen for incoming communication on the network. If no incoming communications are detected during the LBT mode, the node then transmits data packets according to the normal transmission process of the TSCH network.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Justin Clifford Matthews
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Publication number: 20220338250Abstract: A first node in a TSCH network may receive a message-initiation packet from a second node on the TSCH network. Based on information in the message-initiation packet, the first node may determine a transmission time for a message content packet that is associated with the message-initiation packet. The first node may generate or modify a node-specific transmission delay that indicates a backoff associated with the second node. The node-specific transmission delay may indicate a quantity of backoff time slots during which the first node delays initiating a transmission with the second node. If the first node receives, during the node-specific transmission delay, an additional packet intended for the second node, the first node may queue the additional packet until after the node-specific transmission delay is completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2021Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Justin Clifford Matthews
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Publication number: 20220240345Abstract: A system for switching between different communication modes by network nodes according to a time-division schedule to transmit and receive data packets is provided. For example, a transmitting node is configured to determine a scheduled communication mode of an upcoming time division according to a time-division schedule, and transmit a data packet in that time division when the scheduled communication mode matches a selected communication mode supported by both the transmitting node and a receiving node. The receiving node operates in a scheduled communication mode specified for a current time division by the time-division schedule and determines whether a header of the data packet is detected in the current time division. If not, the receiving node switches to a second scheduled communication mode specified for the subsequent time division by the time-division schedule to detect the header of the data packet in a subsequent time division.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Michael Sean Holcombe, Christopher Scott Hett
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Publication number: 20220039154Abstract: A method for avoiding collision between a parent node and a child node in a time-slotted-channel-hopping (TSCH) mesh network is provided. For example, each node in the TSCH network can be configured to obtain a transmit offset index. At the beginning of a timeslot, the node determines its transmission priority based on the transmit offset index and an absolute slot number (ASN) of the timeslot. If the transmission priority of the node is an early transmission priority, the node transmits data packets according to the normal transmission process of the TSCH network. If the transmission priority of the node is a late transmission priority, the node enters a listen before talk (LBT) mode to listen for incoming communication on the network. If no incoming communications are detected during the LBT mode, the node then transmits data packets according to the normal transmission process of the TSCH network.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Justin Clifford Matthews
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Publication number: 20220007341Abstract: In some aspects, a channel hopping sequence for communication on a mesh network is generated. The hopping sequence may include multiple channels assigned to respective positions in the hopping sequence. In some cases, a first channel is assigned to a first position such that the first channel may transmit communications in a first transmission mode, such as a low-bandwidth transmission mode. In addition, an additional channels adjacent to the first channel is also assigned to the first position such that the combination of the first channel and additional channel may transmit communications in a second transmission mode, such as a high-bandwidth transmission mode. In some cases, a whitelist is determined based on the assigned channels. The whitelist may indicate channels that do not conflict with the assigned channels during transmission of a communication. In addition, channels may be assigned to the hopping sequence based on the whitelist.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Govind Kharangate, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Patent number: 11153850Abstract: In some aspects, a channel hopping sequence for communication on a mesh network is generated. The hopping sequence may include multiple channels assigned to respective positions in the hopping sequence. In some cases, a first channel is assigned to a first position such that the first channel may transmit communications in a first transmission mode, such as a low-bandwidth transmission mode. In addition, an additional channels adjacent to the first channel is also assigned to the first position such that the combination of the first channel and additional channel may transmit communications in a second transmission mode, such as a high-bandwidth transmission mode. In some cases, a whitelist is determined based on the assigned channels. The whitelist may indicate channels that do not conflict with the assigned channels during transmission of a communication. In addition, channels may be assigned to the hopping sequence based on the whitelist.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Govind Kharangate, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Patent number: 11082812Abstract: A method is provided to transmit a message over a wireless mesh network. According to the method, a node connects to a second node by a first communications band and a second communications band, such that the node is configured to communicate with the second node over both the first communications band and the second communications band. The node identifies a message for transmission to the second node. The node determines that the second node is capable of receiving the message by way of the first communications band and is capable of receiving the message by way of the second communications band. The node dynamically determines a selected communications band, from the first communications band and the second communications band, to use to transmit the message to the second node over the wireless mesh network. The node transmits the message to the second node over the selected communications band.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Justin Clifford Matthews, Jr., Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Christopher Sean Calvert
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Patent number: 11006431Abstract: A system for selecting a communication mode for a transmitting node to communicate with a receiving node in a mesh network is provided. For example, a transmitting node can gather mode selection data that describe communication conditions of the transmitting node and the receiving node. Based on the mode selection data, the transmitting node can determine a first white list of modes that can be used by the transmitting node to successfully transmit data packets to the receiving node. The transmitting node also determines a second white list of modes that can be used by the receiving node to send acknowledgment packets successfully to the transmitting node. The transmitting node further identifies overlapped modes between the first and second white lists of modes. The transmitting node can then select one of the overlapped modes for transmitting data packets to the receiving node.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Publication number: 20200305153Abstract: A method for transmitting unicast messages includes: obtaining, by a first node configured to communicate on a primary time-slotted channel hopping (TSCH) network, a media access control (MAC) address of a second node configured to communicate on the primary TSCH network; determining whether the first node and the second node are also configured to communicate on a secondary TSCH network; and in response to determining that the first node and the second node are also configured to communicate on the secondary TSCH network: offsetting transmission of a unicast message until a second portion of a timeslot for the primary TSCH network; synchronizing to a channel hopping sequence and frequency of the secondary TSCH network for the second node, and transmitting, by the first node, the unicast message to the second node on the secondary TSCH network during the second portion of the timeslot.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2019Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: James Patrick Hanley, Michael Sean Holcombe, Christopher Scott Hett, Lawrence Harris
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Patent number: 10772095Abstract: A method for transmitting unicast messages includes: obtaining, by a first node configured to communicate on a primary time-slotted channel hopping (TSCH) network, a media access control (MAC) address of a second node configured to communicate on the primary TSCH network; determining whether the first node and the second node are also configured to communicate on a secondary TSCH network; and in response to determining that the first node and the second node are also configured to communicate on the secondary TSCH network: offsetting transmission of a unicast message until a second portion of a timeslot for the primary TSCH network; synchronizing to a channel hopping sequence and frequency of the secondary TSCH network for the second node, and transmitting, by the first node, the unicast message to the second node on the secondary TSCH network during the second portion of the timeslot.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: James Patrick Hanley, Michael Sean Holcombe, Christopher Scott Hett, Lawrence Harris
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Publication number: 20200275453Abstract: A system for selecting a communication mode for a transmitting node to communicate with a receiving node in a mesh network is provided. For example, a transmitting node can gather mode selection data that describe communication conditions of the transmitting node and the receiving node. Based on the mode selection data, the transmitting node can determine a first white list of modes that can be used by the transmitting node to successfully transmit data packets to the receiving node. The transmitting node also determines a second white list of modes that can be used by the receiving node to send acknowledgment packets successfully to the transmitting node. The transmitting node further identifies overlapped modes between the first and second white lists of modes. The transmitting node can then select one of the overlapped modes for transmitting data packets to the receiving node.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Publication number: 20200163055Abstract: In some aspects, a channel hopping sequence for communication on a mesh network is generated. The hopping sequence may include multiple channels assigned to respective positions in the hopping sequence. In some cases, a first channel is assigned to a first position such that the first channel may transmit communications in a first transmission mode, such as a low-bandwidth transmission mode. In addition, an additional channels adjacent to the first channel is also assigned to the first position such that the combination of the first channel and additional channel may transmit communications in a second transmission mode, such as a high-bandwidth transmission mode. In some cases, a whitelist is determined based on the assigned channels. The whitelist may indicate channels that do not conflict with the assigned channels during transmission of a communication. In addition, channels may be assigned to the hopping sequence based on the whitelist.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Govind Kharangate, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Publication number: 20200112839Abstract: A method is provided to transmit a message over a wireless mesh network. According to the method, a node connects to a second node by a first communications band and a second communications band, such that the node is configured to communicate with the second node over both the first communications band and the second communications band. The node identifies a message for transmission to the second node. The node determines that the second node is capable of receiving the message by way of the first communications band and is capable of receiving the message by way of the second communications band. The node dynamically determines a selected communications band, from the first communications band and the second communications band, to use to transmit the message to the second node over the wireless mesh network. The node transmits the message to the second node over the selected communications band.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Justin Clifford Matthews, JR., Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Christopher Sean Calvert
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Patent number: 10595300Abstract: In some aspects, a channel hopping sequence for communication on a mesh network is generated. The hopping sequence may include multiple channels assigned to respective positions in the hopping sequence. In some cases, a first channel is assigned to a first position such that the first channel may transmit communications in a first transmission mode, such as a low-bandwidth transmission mode. In addition, an additional channels adjacent to the first channel is also assigned to the first position such that the combination of the first channel and additional channel may transmit communications in a second transmission mode, such as a high-bandwidth transmission mode. In some cases, a whitelist is determined based on the assigned channels. The whitelist may indicate channels that do not conflict with the assigned channels during transmission of a communication. In addition, channels may be assigned to the hopping sequence based on the whitelist.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Govind Kharangate, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Publication number: 20190387499Abstract: In some aspects, a channel hopping sequence for communication on a mesh network is generated. The hopping sequence may include multiple channels assigned to respective positions in the hopping sequence. In some cases, a first channel is assigned to a first position such that the first channel may transmit communications in a first transmission mode, such as a low-bandwidth transmission mode. In addition, an additional channels adjacent to the first channel is also assigned to the first position such that the combination of the first channel and additional channel may transmit communications in a second transmission mode, such as a high-bandwidth transmission mode. In some cases, a whitelist is determined based on the assigned channels. The whitelist may indicate channels that do not conflict with the assigned channels during transmission of a communication. In addition, channels may be assigned to the hopping sequence based on the whitelist.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2018Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Justin Clifford Matthews, Matthew Donald Karlgaard, Govind Kharangate, Michael Sean Holcombe
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Patent number: 10230630Abstract: The determination and advertisement of a node's rank in an RF mesh network reflects sustained network changes. A node's advertised rank may be based on the node's induced rank and a previous rank candidate. Induced rank is the rank of the node at a particular point in time. Rank candidate is based on a running average of the node's past rank. The advertised rank may be based on a weighted sum of the induced rank and a previous rank candidate. Induced rank may consider a Link Quality Indicator (LQI), which may be based on a running average LQI.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Christopher Sean Calvert
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Publication number: 20170099218Abstract: The determination and advertisement of a node's rank in an RF mesh network reflects sustained network changes. A node's advertised rank may be based on the node's induced rank and a previous rank candidate. Induced rank is the rank of the node at a particular point in time. Rank candidate is based on a running average of the node's past rank. The advertised rank may be based on a weighted sum of the induced rank and a previous rank candidate. Induced rank may consider a Link Quality Indicator (LQI), which may be based on a running average LQI.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Michael Sean Holcombe, Christopher Sean Calvert