Multifunctional network interface node
First Claim
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1. A node for providing a common interface for a plurality of system devices connected to a network, comprising:
- (a) user-configurable software for providing a software interface for said plurality of system devices; and
(b) multifunctional hardware for providing a hardware interface for said plurality of system devices.
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Abstract
A flexible, user-configurable, multifunctional network interface node capable of communicating with and controlling a plurality of system devices, including digital, analog, and serial devices. The network node includes two basic components: (a) user-configurable software which provides a common software interface for different system devices; and (b) hardware which provides a hardware interface for the system devices and executes various functions as directed by the user-configurable software.
163 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A node for providing a common interface for a plurality of system devices connected to a network, comprising:
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(a) user-configurable software for providing a software interface for said plurality of system devices; and
(b) multifunctional hardware for providing a hardware interface for said plurality of system devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A node for providing a common interface for a plurality of system devices connected to a network, comprising:
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(a) user-configurable software for providing a software interface for said plurality of system devices wherein said user-configurable software further comprises;
(1) an application manager layer for facilitating multiprocessing, resource allocation, memory management and cooperation among independent application modules;
(2) application modules layer for application-dependent processing of system inputs and outputs; and
(3) a hardware abstraction layer to consolidate all hardware interfaces accessible from application modules; and
(b) multifunctional hardware for providing a hardware interface for said plurality of system devices, wherein said multifunctional hardware further comprises;
(1) memory for storing said user-configurable software;
(2) a microprocessing subunit for controlling the operation of said hardware as commanded by said user-configurable software;
(3) a plurality of inputs/outputs in communication with said microprocessing subunit for connecting to said system devices; and
(4) a power supply. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. A system for automated control of a plurality of system devices, comprising:
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(a) a node for providing a common interface for said plurality of system devices, further comprising;
user-configurable software for providing a software interface for said plurality of system devices; and
multifunctional hardware for providing a hardware interface for said plurality of system devices;
(b) a plurality of digital, analog, serial, or other system devices in communication with said node by means of a network; and
(c) a processing unit in communication with said node by means of said network for communicating with and controlling said system devices.
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64. A method for communicating with a variety of system devices from at least one processing terminal, comprising:
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(a) connecting said system devices to a multifunctional network interface node further comprising a user-configurable software interface; and
a hardware interface, whereby said node standardizes the voltage output levels and electronic communications protocols of said system devices; and
(b) connecting said multifunctional network interface node to a processing unit by means of a network, whereby said information from said system devices may be received and processed, and commands may be sent to said system devices.
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Specification