Method of automatically assigning device addresses to devices communicating over a common data bus

• US 5,671,387 A
• Filed: 11/07/1995
• Issued: 09/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Spira, Joel S., Pierce, Brett A., Jacobs, Russel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Travis, John
• Application Number:
  US08/554,680
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 395/420, 395/728-732
• US Class Current: 711/210
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 2023/003 Additional elements for the decoration of curtains
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 2023/006 Illumination devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 2023/025 Panel type curtains
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 2201/02 Hook-and-loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 5/0325 using electrical or electronical drive, detecting or controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2016 Control means for actuating the roller blind, e.g. using electronic control
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2019 powered, e.g. by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2041 Blind sheets, e.g. shape of sheets, reinforcements in sheets, materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/002 made of webs, e.g. of fabrics, or wallpaper, used as coverings or linings of a number of similar elements carried by a common web E04F13/0862; paperhanging, tapestry work B44C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/405 Two rollers
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6881 Mechanical counters
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/174 Bearings specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/40 Roller blinds usable only as awnings E04F10/06
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/60 Spring drums operated only by closure members
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/66 with a roller situated at the bottom
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/70 comprising an electric motor positioned outside the roller
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/72 comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/88 for limiting unrolling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0669 with decentralised address assignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 21/16 : having annular armature cores with salient poles with homopolar co-operation H02K21/20
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2207/03 : Tubular motors, i.e. rotary motors mounted inside a tube, e.g. for blinds
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 49/10 : of the permanent-magnet type
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1021 : Magnetically influenced friction brakes
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/106 : with dynamo-electric brakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 : for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5092 : by self-assignment, e.g. picking addresses at random and testing if they are already in use

Abstract

A method of automatically assigning device addresses to devices communicating over a common data bus. Each of the devices may, for example, control an electrically operable system such as a panel assembly that can be disposed over a window opening to control the transmission of light, heat or air through the window and/or for producing different decorative scenes within a room. The method includes sending out a first, trial device address and waiting for an acknowledgement from all of the other devices connected to the data bus to determine whether another device acknowledges that first trial device address as its own. If an acknowledgement is received from any other device, a subsequent, different, trial address is transmitted over the data bus and further waiting ensues to check whether the second trial address has been previously assigned. This process is repeated until the device finds a previously unassigned device address which it then assigns to itself.

Claims

1. A method of labelling a device connected to a data bus with a unique device address, in a system comprising a plurality of devices operating on a peer basis, the method comprising the steps of:

a) sending out a first trial address from said device and waiting for an acknowledgment from any other device connected to said data bus with a device address which is identical to said first trial address;

b) if an acknowledgment is received from any other device, sending out a subsequent, different, trial address and waiting for an acknowledgment from any other device with a device address which is identical to said subsequent trial address; and

c) if an acknowledgment is received, repeating step b), otherwise labelling said device with said unacknowledged address as its unique device address;

wherein said device is a component in a panel system arrangement comprising at least one elongated panel assembly including a plurality of panels following one another along the length of said panel assembly, said panels being configured to provide various aesthetic, light transmitting, or environment controlling characteristics;

first and second spaced rollers, said panel assembly having first and second ends respectively secured to said first and second rollers and being selectively windable onto one or the other of said roller in a manner enabling any said panel or portion thereof to be positioned between said rollers; and

control means effective for automatically positioning any one of said panels that has been selected via a selection device between said rollers.

2. A method of labelling a device connected to a data bus with a unique device address, in a system comprising a plurality of devices operating on a peer basis, the method comprising the steps of:

a) sending out a first trial address from said device and waiting for an acknowledgment from any other device connected to said data bus with a device address which is identical to said first trial address;

b) if an acknowledgment is received from any other device, sending out a subsequent, different, trial address and waiting for an acknowledgment from any other device with a device address which is identical to said subsequent trial address; and

c) if an acknowledgment is received, repeating step b), otherwise labelling said device with said unacknowledged address as its unique device address;

wherein said device accesses said data bus following a unique time delay after an idle line state of said data bus is detected, said time delay being related to said unique device address after said device has been labelled therewith.