Abstract: Systems and methods that enable scalable, cost-effective payment reconciliation between owners of devices at least temporarily connected in or to a particular low-power, ad hoc mesh network.

Abstract: Methods of telecommunicating and systems configured to perform the methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include establishing a primary communications link, determining that a backup communications link is to be established, and determining a plurality of candidate network nodes. The method also includes selecting one of the candidate network nodes with which to establish the backup communications link, where the selected candidate network node is selected based at least in part on the selected candidate network node being in a foreign network, establishing the backup communications link with a selected candidate network node, and communicating using the backup communications link.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable scalable, cost-effective payment reconciliation between owners of devices at least temporarily connected in or to a particular low-power, ad hoc mesh network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for specifying and enforcing connections in a network. Embodiments generally include a network device that maintains a data structure that identifies preferred nodes. The data structure includes entries associated with preferred nodes. Connections are established and enforced based on the entries of the data structure. The data structure may be updated and modified allowing network and node reconfiguration.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing power of network devices in a low-power wireless network. Embodiments generally include, for a network device that periodically toggles between high-power and low-power modes, increasing the relative amount of time the network device operates in a low-power mode under certain conditions that may otherwise cause the network device to consume more power. Such conditions include when the network device fails to join the low-power wireless network and/or when the network device fails to communicate with the low-power wireless network with an accuracy above a certain threshold level.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing secure critical security parameter (CSP) generation in an integrated circuit (IC). Embodiments generally include determining that an ability to read the CSP externally (e.g., through a debug interface) has been disabled before the CSP is generated. Depending on the functionality of the device, embodiments can include other steps, such as determining whether software for executing a method for providing a secure CSP is being run for a first time. Among other things, the techniques provided herein for providing secure CSP generation can increase the security of the CSP and reduce manufacturing costs of the IC.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a packet in a low-power, ad-hoc, wireless mesh network may include receiving the packet at a first node. The network may include a plurality of nodes, and the plurality of nodes may include the first node. The method may also include transmitting, at a first time, the packet from the first node to a second node in the plurality of nodes. The method may additionally include receiving, at a second time, an indication from the second node that the second node successfully transmitted the packet to a third node. The method may further include maintaining a stored copy of the packet at the first node between the first time and the second time for retransmission.

Abstract: This disclosure describes processes and methods for enhancing reporting of status information in a wireless sensor network. This disclosure also provides designs of wireless sensor devices configured to connect to a wireless network, and to execute the processes disclosed herein. As described herein, a first sensor device transmits a beacon signal to a second wireless device, and the beacon signal is transmitted while the first and second wireless devices are disconnected from the sensor network. The first wireless device facilitates supplemental network formation by transmitting information to the second wireless device, wherein the information causes the second wireless device to form the supplemental network by performing network joining procedures with the first wireless sensor device, and wherein, after performing network joining procedures, the second wireless device transmits status information to the first wireless sensor device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes processes and methods for enhancing reporting of status information in a wireless sensor network. This disclosure also provides designs of wireless sensor devices configured to connect to a wireless network, and to execute the processes disclosed herein. As described herein, a first sensor device transmits a beacon signal to a second wireless device, and the beacon signal is transmitted while the first and second wireless devices are disconnected from the sensor network. The first wireless device facilitates supplemental network formation by transmitting information to the second wireless device, wherein the information causes the second wireless device to form the supplemental network by performing network joining procedures with the first wireless sensor device, and wherein, after performing network joining procedures, the second wireless device transmits status information to the first wireless sensor device.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling accelerated rejoining of network devices in a low-power wireless network after a connection to the low-power wireless network is lost. Embodiments generally include, for a network device that periodically conducts scans for beacons on the low-power wireless network, increasing the frequency, or scanning rate, at which the scans are performed. After a certain period of time, if the network device has not joined the low-power wireless network, the network device can implement a different scanning rate until it rejoins with the network. Additional techniques may be used to reduce power usage and preserve the structure of a portion of the low-power wireless network that has become disconnected with the rest of the network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing the amount of overhead transmitted in ad-hoc low-power wireless networks. Embodiments generally include aggregating a plurality of data packets and prepending and appending each with associated data. The plurality of data packets then can be inserted into a single data frame, or packet for transmission. Gaps may be inserted between the data packets for timing synchronization and/or other purposes.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing power of network devices in a low-power wireless network. Embodiments generally include, for a network device that periodically toggles between high-power and low-power modes, increasing the relative amount of time the network device operates in a low-power mode under certain conditions that may otherwise cause the network device to consume more power. Such conditions include when the network device fails to join the low-power wireless network and/or when the network device fails to communicate with the low-power wireless network with an accuracy above a certain threshold level.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing secure critical security parameter (CSP) generation in an integrated circuit (IC). Embodiments generally include determining that an ability to read the CSP externally (e.g., through a debug interface) has been disabled before the CSP is generated. Depending on the functionality of the device, embodiments can include other steps, such as determining whether software for executing a method for providing a secure CSP is being run for a first time. Among other things, the techniques provided herein for providing secure CSP generation can increase the security of the CSP and reduce manufacturing costs of the IC.

Abstract: A method of creating geographic zones may include receiving a selection of a first geographic zone located at least partially within a geographic region, storing a tree data structure that represents the first geographic zone, and sending the tree data structure to be stored on one or more asset tracking devices. The tree data structure may include a plurality of nodes organized into parent-child relationships where each of the nodes represents geographic areas. A root node may represent the geographic region, each child node may represent a sub-area of a geographic area represented by the respective parent node, each node may represent a geographic area that at least partially overlaps with the first geographic zone, and each node representing a geographic area that is entirely within the first geographic zone may include an identifier associated with the first geographic zone.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling accelerated rejoining of network devices in a low-power wireless network after a connection to the low-power wireless network is lost. Embodiments generally include, for a network device that periodically conducts scans for beacons on the low-power wireless network, increasing the frequency, or scanning rate, at which the scans are performed. After a certain period of time, if the network device has not joined the low-power wireless network, the network device can implement a different scanning rate until it rejoins with the network. Additional techniques may be used to reduce power usage and preserve the structure of a portion of the low-power wireless network that has become disconnected with the rest of the network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing power of network devices in a low-power wireless network. Embodiments generally include, for a network device that periodically toggles between high-power and low-power modes, increasing the relative amount of time the network device operates in a low-power mode under certain conditions that may otherwise cause the network device to consume more power. Such conditions include when the network device fails to join the low-power wireless network and/or when the network device fails to communicate with the low-power wireless network with an accuracy above a certain threshold level.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and devices are disclosed for enabling network devices to join a network. These embodiments generally include a first network device, which is joined to the network, sending authentication information. If the authentication information is determined as valid by a second network device, the second network device sends a join request toward the first network device. During or after the joining process, the first and second network devices can share scheduling information. These embodiments enable a network to have additional security while consuming low amounts of power.