Mesh Network Firmware Distribution via Intermediate Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility providers face high costs and inefficiencies in manually reading utility meters and distributing firmware upgrades across large mesh networks, particularly due to the need for extensive communication traffic and battery conservation in dispersed metering devices.

Innovation Solution

A system where utility providers use intermediate nodes within mesh networks to store and forward firmware upgrades, reducing the number of transmissions and power consumption by allowing intermediate nodes to receive and store data packets before forwarding them to meters, thereby minimizing communication traffic and extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If firmware upgrades are transmitted directly from utility provider to each meter through the mesh network, then all meters can receive updates, but the communication traffic and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware upgrade deliveryVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware upgrade transmission process is segmented into two phases: first, the utility provider transmits the upgrade to intermediate nodes; second, intermediate nodes forward the upgrade to meters. This segmentation reduces the number of active transmission paths simultaneously, lowering overall power consumption while ensuring reliable delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate nodes are introduced as mediators in the firmware distribution process. These nodes receive and store firmware upgrades, then forward them to meters when needed. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct provider-to-meter transmissions, significantly reducing communication traffic and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If firmware upgrades are transmitted directly from utility provider to each meter, then updates can be delivered, but the transmission time and network traffic increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware upgrade deliveryVSAvoidtransmission time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Intermediate nodes perform preliminary actions by receiving and storing firmware upgrades in advance. When meters need updates, the firmware is already available at intermediate nodes, enabling rapid forwarding without requiring time-consuming direct transmissions from the utility provider to each meter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission process is divided into setup phase (provider to intermediate nodes) and distribution phase (intermediate nodes to meters). This segmentation allows parallel processing and reduces overall transmission time by eliminating sequential provider-to-meter communication paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If manual meter reading is used, then no advanced communication infrastructure is needed, but labor costs and inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication infrastructureVSAvoidmeter reading efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh network enables meters to automatically transmit usage data to the utility provider without human intervention. Intermediate nodes self-organize to route data packets, eliminating the need for manual meter reading while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If extensive direct communication between utility provider and meters is implemented, then firmware can be distributed, but the number of transmissions and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware distributionVSAvoidcommunication energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Intermediate nodes serve as energy-efficient mediators that handle firmware distribution. By routing communications through these intermediaries, the system reduces the total number of direct transmission paths between the utility provider and meters, thereby minimizing communication energy loss while maintaining reliable firmware distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9165456B2Systems and methods for distributing data within a mesh network

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 MUELLER INT LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for distributing a firmware upgrade within a mesh network are provided. In one implementation, a firmware upgrade distributing system comprises a utility provider, which is configured to provide utility services to a plurality of customers, a plurality of meters, and a plurality of nodes. Each meter is configured to measure utility usage data of a respective customer. The nodes are configured to transmit the utility usage data from the plurality of meters to the utility provider. When at least one of the meters is scheduled to receive a firmware upgrade, the utility provider is configured to forward the firmware upgrade to at least one of the plurality of nodes. The at least one node is configured to receive and store the firmware upgrade and, after storing the firmware upgrade, is further configured to forward the firmware upgrade to at least one of the plurality of meters.