# US 12,118,878 B2 · Techniques for release assistance indication assertion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,118,878 B2 - Document ID: US12118878B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/503,924 - Filed: 2023-11-07 - Published: 2024-02-29 - Granted: 2024-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-15 - Assignees: Itron, Inc. - Applicants: Itron, Inc. - Inventors: Richard Donald Maes, II; Robert Vernon Dusenberry; Eric S. Benson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12118878B2 ## CPC - G08C 17/02: using a radio link - G06F 13/385: {for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices} - G06F 13/4022: {using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network (G06F13/4009 takes precedence)} - G06F 13/4059: {where the synchronisation uses buffers, e.g. for speed matching between buses} - G08C 2201/42: Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network - Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract Techniques for transmitting data include one or more processors of a computing device included in a network device identifying data to be transmitted; and while a data session window is open: transmitting, using a transmitter of the network device, the data to a transceiver that is included in the network device and is separate from the one or more processors, wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit the data outside of the network device; and in response to determining that there is no additional data to be transmitted, (a) delaying for a period of time, and (b) after the period of time, instructing the transceiver to end the data session window early and transition to a lower power state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: identifying, by one or more processors included in a network device, data to be transmitted; and while a data session window is open: transmitting, by the one or more processors using a transmitter of the network device, the data to a transceiver that is included in the network device and is separate from the one or more processors, wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit the data outside of the network device; and in response to the one or more processors determining that there is no additional data to be transmitted, (a) delaying for a period of time, and (b) after the period of time, instructing the transceiver to end the data session window early and transition to a lower power state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining that there is no additional data to be transmitted comprises determining that one or more buffers are empty. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining that there is no additional data to be transmitted comprises determining that there is no data in a database that is ready to transmitted. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein instructing the transceiver to end the data session window early causes the transceiver to initiate a release assistance indication (RAI) with a base station. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein instructing the transceiver to end the data session window early comprises sending a command signal on an input/output pin coupled to the transceiver. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein instructing the transceiver to end the data session window early comprises sending a command to the transceiver. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein instructing the transceiver to end the data session window early comprises transmitting a bit or flag with the data transmitted to the transceiver via the transmitter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is a wireless transceiver, a cellular modem, or a cellular radio. ### Claim 10 One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a node in a wireless network, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: determining that there is data to be sent outside of the node; and during an open communication slot: sending, using a transmitter of the node, the data to a wireless transceiver of the node, wherein the wireless transceiver is separate from the one or more processors, and wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to send the data to a second node in the wireless network; and in response to determining that there is no additional data ready to be sent outside the node: waiting for a delay period; and after the delay period ends, commanding the wireless transceiver to end the open communication slot early and transition to a lower power mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein the transmitter is a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART). ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein determining that there is no additional data ready to be sent outside the node comprises determining that one or more data buffers are empty or determining that there is no data in a database that is ready to be sent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein commanding the wireless transceiver to end the open communication slot early comprises instructing the wireless transceiver to initiate a release assistance indication (RAI) with the second node. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10, wherein commanding the wireless transceiver to end the open communication slot early comprises sending a command signal on an input/output pin coupled to the wireless transceiver. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein the input/output pin is coupled to a dedicated pin on the wireless transceiver. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14, wherein the input/output pin is coupled to a programmable pin on the wireless transceiver. ### Claim 17 A networking device comprising: a wireless radio configured to exchange information wirelessly with a second network device; and a computing system separate from the wireless radio, the computing system comprising: a transmitter coupled to the wireless radio; one or more processing devices; and one or more memories storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processing devices cause the computing system to perform operations comprising: identifying data to be transmitted over a wireless network; and while a data transmission window is open: transmitting, using the transmitter, the data to the wireless radio; and in response to a determination that there is no additional data to transmitted over the wireless network: waiting for a period of time; and after the period of time elapses, providing an instruction to the wireless radio to end the data transmission window early and switch to a lower power state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The networking device of claim 17, wherein the instruction to the wireless radio to end the data transmission window early comprises an instruction to the wireless radio to send a release assistance indication (RAI) to the second networking device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The networking device of claim 17, wherein providing the instruction to the wireless radio comprises: providing a command signal on an input/output pin coupled to the wireless radio; or transmitting, using the transmitter, the instruction to the wireless radio; or setting a bit or flag in the data transmitted to the wireless radio. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The networking device of claim 19, wherein the input/output pin is programmable.