Abstract: Collisions in wireless networks may be avoided by stacking acknowledge messages, relaying the stacked acknowledge messages, and reducing the number of acknowledge frames transmitted as a result of successful stacked acknowledge message transmissions. Additionally, a blind relay setup may be implemented to increase successful transmission rates such that a relay node in a transmission chain is configured to relay a frame without addressing the relay to a specific node. Non-neighboring nodes may receive frames out of order and relay the frames despite the out of order delivery.

Abstract: A method and system are described that allow a device operating in coordination with other devices to synchronize the devices operation with the other devices. A controllable device processor may determine that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet. The processor may obtain from the retransmitted data packet a start value and a time indicator related to performance of the operation. A ramp rate related to the operation to be performed may be obtained. Using the time indicator, an adjusted ramp rate may be calculated. An output value for the device may be set based on the start value, the adjusted ramp rate, and the time indicator. The adjusted ramp rate may result in completing the operation at substantially the same time as though the device received the original command.

Abstract: Collisions in wireless networks may be avoided by limiting competing transmissions at the same time or within a temporally proximate time range. A relay schedule may be transmitted with each frame in a transmission chain, the relay schedule containing transmission time information such that each participating node in the transmission chain has designated transmission times. The transmission times may be different such that transmissions are spaced out in an effective manner. A non-participant node may receive the transmission with the relay schedule and may delay transmissions during conflicting times based on the relay schedule.

Abstract: A way of synchronizing action execution across networked nodes using relative time. A command and a first time value can be received at a first networked device, where the first time value can correspond to a relative time at which an action is to occur. The command can be forwarded to another, second networked device along with a second relative time value that has been adjusted to take into account the elapsed time between the receipt of the command at the first device and the sending of the command to the second device. The action, which can include one or more events, can be caused to take place upon the execution of the command at about the first time value after the command was received at the first device and at about the second time value after the command was received at the second device.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter may provide a system and methods for commissioning a device or appliance into a network. A processor may detect the insertion of a removable device into a data receptacle of a first device. The first device may be an appliance or a network controller. Information may be retrieved from or delivered to the removable device. The information may be information specific to the appliance, such as model number, or may be information related to the network controller. For example, information delivered from the network controller to the removable device may include a network address assignment and network protocol to be used by an appliance when the appliance communicates with the network. The removable device may be removed from the first device and inserted into a data receptacle of a second device.

Abstract: A first portion of a cryptographic key can be conveyed through a secure channel to a device that can interact with a home network. After the first portion is received, a prompt can be sent by the recipient of the portion through a non-secure channel to the sender of the portion to send a second portion of the key. The cryptographic key can be constituted from the received portions and used by the device to secure communications with home network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a simulcast approach to broadcasting a message from each device, or node, of a network. A source device, such as a wall switch, may broadcast a message that may be received by a plurality of devices, such as light bulbs, in a network. Each of the plurality of devices may receive the message at substantially the same time. In response to the message, the receiving devices may determine if the message is to be retransmitted. If the message is to be retransmitted, it may generate a modified message. Each of the plurality of devices may transmit the modified message substantially simultaneously. To maintain timing to the source device between the devices in the network, the message may be configured to facilitate synchronization of the clocks to a timing signal in the message.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a backup wide area network connection for access points and routers. A network interface may be able to connect to wide area network over a broadband connection. A cellular modem may be able to connect to the wide area network through a cellular network. The cellular modem may be distinct from the network interface. A processor may be connected to the network interface and the cellular modem and may be able to detect that the broadband connection between the network interface and the wide area network is not connected and, in response, activate the cellular modem to connect to the cellular network, receive configuration data using the cellular modem, and apply a configuration setting from the received configuration data to establish the broadband connection through the network interface.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter may provide a system and methods for commissioning a device or appliance into a network. A processor may detect the insertion of a removable device into a data receptacle of a first device. The first device may be an appliance or a network controller. Information may be retrieved from or delivered to the removable device. The information may be information specific to the appliance, such as model number, or may be information related to the network controller. For example, information delivered from the network controller to the removable device may include a network address assignment and network protocol to be used by an appliance when the appliance communicates with the network. The removable device may be removed from the first device and inserted into a data receptacle of a second device.

Abstract: Collisions in wireless networks may be avoided by stacking acknowledge messages, relaying the stacked acknowledge messages, and reducing the number of acknowledge frames transmitted as a result of successful stacked acknowledge message transmissions. Additionally, a blind relay setup may be implemented to increase successful transmission rates such that a relay node in a transmission chain is configured to relay a frame without addressing the relay to a specific node. Non-neighboring nodes may receive frames out of order and relay the frames despite the out of order delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods in which a source device that may multicast a message to a plurality of destination devices. The source device may receive an acknowledgement from less than all of the plurality of destination devices. Each acknowledgement may include an indication of the destination device from which the acknowledgement is received. A destination device may process the multicast message and generate an acknowledgement in response. In response to a time period subsequent to transmission of the multicast message, the source device may generate an updated message that indicates an acknowledgement status of each destination device associated with the group identifier from which an acknowledgement has been received.

Abstract: Collisions in wireless networks may be avoided by limiting competing transmissions at the same time or within a temporally proximate time range. A relay schedule may be transmitted with each frame in a transmission chain, the relay schedule containing transmission time information such that each participating node in the transmission chain has designated transmission times. The transmission times may be different such that transmissions are spaced out in an effective manner. A non-participant node may receive the transmission with the relay schedule and may delay transmissions during conflicting times based on the relay schedule.

Abstract: Collisions in wireless networks may be avoided by limiting competing transmissions at the same time or within a temporally proximate time range. A relay schedule may be transmitted with each frame in a transmission chain, the relay schedule containing transmission time information such that each participating node in the transmission chain has designated transmission times. The transmission times may be different such that transmissions are spaced out in an effective manner. A non-participant node may receive the transmission with the relay schedule and may delay transmissions during conflicting times based on the relay schedule.

Abstract: Collisions in wireless networks may be avoided by stacking acknowledge messages, relaying the stacked acknowledge messages, and reducing the number of acknowledge frames transmitted as a result of successful stacked acknowledge message transmissions. Additionally, a blind relay setup may be implemented to increase successful transmission rates such that a relay node in a transmission chain is configured to relay a frame without addressing the relay to a specific node. Non-neighboring nodes may receive frames out of order and relay the frames despite the out of order delivery.

Abstract: A computing device can detect an event associated with an alert sound, and responsive to detecting the event, identify the alert sound associated with the detected event. The alert sound includes one or more control tones that are configured to communicate occurrence of the event to a hearing aid device within audio range of the computing device. The computing device outputs the alert sound via a speaker of the computing device, such that a hearing aid device can detect the one or more control tones and, in response, the hearing aid device can generate and output an audible indication associated with the detected one or more control tones.

Abstract: In transferring data between a first computing device having a first clock generator component and a second computing device having a second clock generator component, timing information is generated by at least the first clock generator component and is shared over a communication channel with the second computing device to synchronize the first and second clock generator components. Upon detecting that power available to the first computing device has fallen below a designated threshold level, the first computing device enters a power loss mode. Upon entering the power loss mode, the first computing device selectively inactivates one or more designated components by a power module while continuing operation of at least the first clock generator component to maintain the synchronizing timing information associated with the second clock generator component.

Abstract: The broadcast nature of wireless communication may be utilized by transmitting a packet frame identifying at least one relay node that can transmit the packet frame without transmitting an acknowledgement frame confirming receipt of the packet frame by a respective relay node. A relay node may cancel a relay obligation to transmit a packet frame based on detecting transmission of the packet frame by another node or based on detection of an acknowledgement frame confirming that a destination node received the packet frame. A transmission chain corresponding to the transmission of a packet frame may be assigned a priority. Alternatively or in addition, a relay node within a transmission chain may be assigned a priority. A priority may determine the amount of delay inserted prior to transmitting a packet frame.

Abstract: A method and system are described that allow a device operating in coordination with other devices to synchronize the devices operation with the other devices. A controllable device processor may determine that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet. The processor may obtain from the retransmitted data packet a start value and a time indicator related to performance of the operation. A ramp rate related to the operation to be performed may be obtained. Using the time indicator, an adjusted ramp rate may be calculated. An output value for the device may be set based on the start value, the adjusted ramp rate, and the time indicator. The adjusted ramp rate may result in completing the operation at substantially the same time as though the device received the original command.

Abstract: Doors such as garage doors can be automated by pushing commands to a removable device attached to the garage door. The state of the door (e.g. whether the door is open or closed) may be obtained from a position sensor located within a removable device. An implementation may indicate, over a wireless network, the state of the door to a user. The user may send a command to a wireless transmitter located within the device to change the state of the door. An implementation may also send a signal to the door to change the state of the door.

Abstract: A method and system are described that allow a device operating in coordination with other devices to synchronize the devices operation with the other devices. A controllable device processor may determine that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet. The processor may obtain from the retransmitted data packet a start value and a time indicator related to performance of the operation. A ramp rate related to the operation to be performed may be obtained. Using the time indicator, an adjusted ramp rate may be calculated. An output value for the device may be set based on the start value, the adjusted ramp rate, and the time indicator. The adjusted ramp rate may result in completing the operation at substantially the same time as though the device received the original command.