Multi-function load controller for carrier load control subsystem
First Claim
1. In a bi-directional communication and control system,a multipurpose two-way communication device coupled to a communication network line for receiving digital messages from and transmitting digital messages to said network, said device being operable in a first mode in which said device includes means for receiving and decoding a digital signal message from said network line and means responsive to the decoded message for executing a control function in accordance with an instruction contained in the decoded message, said device also being operable in a second mode in which said device includes means for receiving and storing a digital message from a master controller which includes an address portion and a function portion, means for generating a series of error checking bits the logic value of which is determined by the bits of said stored digital message, and means for developing a transmission output signal which includes at least the function portion of said stored digital message and said error checking bits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low cost, software based, 4 bit microprocessor is pin configurable to function either as a central controller in a communication and control network or as a slave load control unit in said network. The microprocessor when configured as a slave unit can also function as a customer service unit to inform a customer of existing utility rates and permit him to override an existing load management schedule if he so desires.
36 Citations
32 Claims
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1. In a bi-directional communication and control system,
a multipurpose two-way communication device coupled to a communication network line for receiving digital messages from and transmitting digital messages to said network, said device being operable in a first mode in which said device includes means for receiving and decoding a digital signal message from said network line and means responsive to the decoded message for executing a control function in accordance with an instruction contained in the decoded message, said device also being operable in a second mode in which said device includes means for receiving and storing a digital message from a master controller which includes an address portion and a function portion, means for generating a series of error checking bits the logic value of which is determined by the bits of said stored digital message, and means for developing a transmission output signal which includes at least the function portion of said stored digital message and said error checking bits.
- 11. A multipurpose two-way communication device coupled to a communication network line for receiving digital messages from and transmitting digital messages to said network, said device being operable in a slave mode in which said device includes means for receiving and storing a digital message from said network line which includes a function portion and means responsive to the function portion of said stored message for executing a control function in accordance therewith, said device also being operable in a master mode in which said device includes means for receiving and storing a digital message from a master controller which includes a function portion, and means for developing a digital transmission output signal for said network line which includes two start bits and said function portion of said stored master message.
- 22. In a communication and control system, the combination of, a common network line, transmitting means for placing on said network line an on-off keyed carrier signal message having a plurality of data bits each of which comprises a first carrier-on portion of predetermined duration and a succeeding data portion in which carrier is present or absent depending upon the logic value of said bit, and receiving means coupled to said network line for detecting said message, said receiving means including means for periodically sampling each bit of said message over a time interval which starts during the carrier-on portion of one bit and ends during the carrier-on portion of the next bit, and means controlled by said sampling means for assigning a first logic value to the sampled bit if all of the samples during a given interval correspond to the presence of carrier and a second logic value to the sampled bit if any one of the samples during said given interval corresponds to the absence of carrier.
Specification