Method for installing a wireless network which transmits node addresses directly from a wireless installation device to the nodes without using the wireless network
First Claim
1. A method for installing a wireless network, including the steps of:
- physically installing a plurality of nodes in respective different locations in a building; and
using a wireless installation device to program one of the nodes with its node address, said node address being transmitted wirelessly directly from said wireless installation device to said one node.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for installing a wireless network, which includes the steps of physically installing a plurality of nodes in respective different locations in a building, connecting the nodes to a power supply and powering up the nodes, using a wireless installation device to program a respective address into the nodes, using the wireless installation device to program one or more default settings into the nodes, using the wireless installation device to verify operation of the nodes, and, using the wireless installation device to dump at least information regarding the physical location and associated address of the nodes to a building computer. In a presently preferred embodiment, the wireless installation device is preferably an RF portable computer which has an RF transmitter which has a variable power setting, and an RF receiver which also has a variable power setting. During installation of each node, the RF portable computer assigns a unique address to that node, and then loads the assigned address and all appropriate default settings into that node. The address data and default settings are preferably stored in nonvolatile memory provided in each node. The wireless programming of the nodes is preferably accomplished using a software "handshaking" procedure which ensures that the address and default setting data is only loaded into the node currently being programmed, and not inadvertently into one or more other nearby nodes. In this connection, an iterative power reduction scheme can be utilized to prevent multiple nodes from being inadvertently assigned the same address. Also disclosed is a method for installing one or more nodes in an existing wireless network, which method is performed in essentially the same manner as that described above in connection with the original installation of the wireless network itself, with the exception being that instead of an entire network of nodes being installed, only one or more nodes are installed in a pre-existing wireless network.
196 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for installing a wireless network, including the steps of:
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physically installing a plurality of nodes in respective different locations in a building; and using a wireless installation device to program one of the nodes with its node address, said node address being transmitted wirelessly directly from said wireless installation device to said one node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for installing a wireless network, including the steps of:
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physically installing a plurality of nodes in respective different locations in a building; and using a wireless installation device to program at least selected ones of the nodes with a respective address, wherein the step of using the wireless installation device is carried out using a software handshaking procedure designed to ensure that only the node currently being programmed is programmed with said address, and wherein, in accordance with said software handshaking procedure; said wireless installation device transmits an address assignment command over a prescribed transmitting range; each node which receives said address assignment command transmits an address acknowledgment response for return to said wireless installation device; and
,said wireless installation device transmits a cancel address assignment command over said prescribed transmitting range, decreases said prescribed transmitting range, and re-transmits said address assignment command over the decreased transmitting range. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for installing at least one additional node in a wireless network which includes a control node and a plurality of other nodes, including the steps of:
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physically installing said at least one additional node; connecting the at least one additional node to a power supply and powering up the at least one additional node; using a wireless installation device to program a respective address into said at least one additional node; using said wireless installation device to program one or more default settings in addition to said respective address into said at least one additional node; using said wireless installation device to verify operation of said at least one additional node; and
,using said wireless installation device to dump at least information regarding a physical location and associated address of said at least one additional node to the control nodes wherein said respective address and said one or more default settings are transmitted wirelessly directly from said wireless installation device to said at least one additional node without using the wireless network, and wherein said using of said wireless installation device to verify operation of said at least one additional node and to dump information to the control node is done without using the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method for installing a wireless network, including the steps of:
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physically installing a node to be included in the wireless network in a respective location in a building; connecting the node to a power supply and powering up the node; using a wireless installation device to program a respective address into the node; using said wireless installation device to program one or more default settings in addition to said respective address into the node; using said wireless installation device to verify operation of the node; and
,repeating each of the above-recited steps for each of the nodes to be included in the wireless network until all of the nodes to be included in the wireless network have been installed. wherein said respective address and said one or more default settings are transmitted wirelessly directly from said wireless installation device to the node without using the wireless network being installed, and wherein said using of said wireless installation device to verify operation of the node is done without using the wireless network being installed. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification