Apparatus and method for addressing modules in a system for controlling the release of material

• US 20090054997A1
• Filed: 06/10/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harrison AG Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Harrison AG Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Harrison, John H. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,611,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/7
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 79/005 Precision agriculture
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 7/0089 Regulating or controlling systems the delivery being related to the movement of a vehicle B05B9/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0391 Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy

Abstract

A method includes receiving a token over a token line at a first control module and, in response to receiving the token, receiving a first address. The first control module is configured to control one or more first actuators. The method also includes using the first address for communications over a communication line and identifying a second address. The method further includes providing the token over the token line to a second control module, where the second control module is configured to control one or more second actuators. In addition, the method includes providing the second address to the second control module in response to the second control module receiving the token.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a token over a token line at a first control module, the first control module configured to control one or more first actuators;

in response to receiving the token, receiving a first address;

using the first address for communications over a communication line;

identifying a second address;

providing the token over the token line to a second control module, the second control module configured to control one or more second actuators; and

providing the second address to the second control module in response to the second control module receiving the token.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the second address at the second control module for communications over the communication line;

identifying a third address;

providing the token over the token line to a third control module; and

providing the third address to the third control module in response to the third control module receiving the token.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising preventing the first control module from receiving the token from the second control module.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the second address comprises incrementing the first address to produce the second address.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a ping over the communication line, the ping directed to the first address.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

communicating a current software version associated with the first control module in response to the ping; and

receiving a software update.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving control signals at the first and second control modules, the control signals directed to the first and second control modules using the first and second addresses; and

opening and closing the first and second actuators based on the control signals.

8. A system comprising:

multiple actuators configured to release a material;

multiple control modules configured to control the actuators; and

a token line and a communication line coupling the control modules;

wherein at least one of the control modules is configured to;

receive a token over the token line;

in response to receiving the token, receive a first address;

use the first address for communications over the communication line;

identify a second address;

provide the token over the token line to another of the control modules; and

provide the second address to the other control module that receives the token.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the control modules is prevented from receiving the token after that control module has received its address.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the control modules is configured to identify the second address by incrementing the first address received by that control module.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

at least one of a controller, a processing device, and a wireless junction configured to ping at least one of the control modules over the communication line.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the control modules is further configured to communicate its current software version in response to the ping and to receive a software update.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a controller configured to provide control signals to the control modules, the control modules configured to open and close the actuators based on the control signals.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless positioning signals; and

a processing device configured to determine a position associated with the actuators based on the wireless positioning signals and to determine whether to open or close the actuators based on the determined position;

wherein the controller is configured to provide the control signals to the control modules based on signals from the processing device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processing device is configured to determine whether to open or close the actuators by determining whether the material has already been released at the determined position.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a controller configured to;

control one or more first actuators;

receive a first address in response to receiving a token over a token line;

use the first address for communications over a communication line;

identify a second address; and

provide the token over the token line and provide the second address over the communication line to a second apparatus configured to control one or more second actuators; and

an interface configured to communicate over the token and communication lines.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller cannot obtain the token from the second apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to identify the second address by incrementing the first address.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive a ping over the communication line, the ping directed to the first address;

communicate a current software version associated with the apparatus in response to the ping; and

receive a software update.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive control signals directed to the first address; and

open and close the one or more first actuators based on the control signals.