A method for operating devices in any of a plurality of different modes of communication using different respective communication channels, comprising: receiving an indication at a primary device of initiation of a communication mode change from a communication mode using a first communication channel to a communication mode using a second communication channel, and in response to the indication, transmitting a first command from the primary device over the first communication channel, where the primary device stores information indicating a number of secondary devices from which a response is expected; at each of the secondary devices that are in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted, responding to the first command with a response message transmitted over the first communication channel and remaining in a responsive state until a second command is received from the primary device over the first communication channel, where each secondary device that is not in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted changes to a responsive state after a predetermined amount of time in a non-responsive state and remains in a responsive state for at least a minimum time duration; and at the primary device, collecting response messages received from secondary devices over the first communication channel, and in response to the number of response messages received being equal to the indicated number, transmitting the second command from the primary device over the first communication channel. receiving an indication at a primary device of initiation of a communication mode change from a communication mode using a first communication channel to a communication mode using a second communication channel, and in response to the indication, transmitting a first command from the primary device over the first communication channel, where the primary device stores information indicating a number of secondary devices from which a response is expected; at each of the secondary devices that are in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted, responding to the first command with a response message transmitted over the first communication channel and remaining in a responsive state until a second command is received from the primary device over the first communication channel, where each secondary device that is not in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted changes to a responsive state after a predetermined amount of time in a non-responsive state and remains in a responsive state for at least a minimum time duration; and at the primary device, collecting response messages received from secondary devices over the first communication channel, and in response to the number of response messages received being equal to the indicated number, transmitting the second command from the primary device over the first communication channel. collecting response messages received from secondary devices over the first communication channel, and in response to the number of response messages received being equal to the indicated number, transmitting the second command from the primary device over the first communication channel. <EOS>