System for networked component address and logical network formation and maintenance

• US 6,934,269 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2000
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hasha, Richard L., Osborne, Timothy R., Elsbree, John E., Christian, Bradford A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, KHANH Q
• Application Number:
  US09/556,279
• Time in Patent Office: 1,947 Days
• Field of Search: 370/312, 370/328, 370/462, 370/393.1, 370/393.2, 709/220, 709/225, 709/226, 709/228, 709/206, 709/224, 709/227, 709/232, 709/201, 382/119, 714/4
• US Class Current: 370/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2823 Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services

Abstract

A system for forming and maintaining one or more networks of devices connected to a shared includes processes for: (a) forming a logical network on the shared media; (b) discovering devices connected to the shared medium; (c) assigning (or acquiring) devices to a logical network; and (d) maintaining a logical network. The system also defines a message format and protocol for communication over the shared media. The protocol uses a two-level address scheme (e.g., a logical network ID and a device ID) and defines several message types used to support the above processes and other useful features. A logical network includes an address space arbiter (ASA) and, typically, one or more devices attached to the shared media. An acquisition authority (AA), interacting with the ASA, is required to complete acquisition of a device by a logical network.

Claims

1. A method of implementing a network of devices connected to a shared media, the devices being a part of a consumer electronic appliance, the method comprising:

forming a logical network on the shared media, the logical network including an address space arbiter (ASA) coupled to the shared media;

discovering a device coupled to the shared medium by communication between the ASA and the device;

acquiring the discovered device, the acquired device being a member of the logical network;

receiving a message from the device over the shared media;

comparing information associated with the device included in the message to information associated with devices in an acquired device table, the acquired device table being arranged to include information associated with devices that are members of the logical network;

adding information associated with the device to an announced device table if the information is not stored in the acquired device table and the device is unacquired, wherein the announced device table includes information associated with discovered but unacquired devices;

comparing elapsed time since the device last transmitted a message over the shared media to a predetermined inactive time limit;

sending a message to the device;

monitoring the shared media for a valid message from the device that is responsive to the message;

removing the device from the logical network if the elapsed time exceeds the maximum inactive time limit; and

resetting the elapsed time if the device provides a valid responsive message within a predetermined time period.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein acquiring the discovered device comprises acquiring the discovered device by operation of an acquisition authority (AA).

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a plurality of devices to the logical network, the plurality of devices being coupled to the shared media and configured to send and receive messages over the shared media, the plurality of devices being responsive to messages sent over the shared media that are addressed to the logical network.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a second logical network on the shared media by operation of a second ASA, members of the second logical network being configured to respond to messages carried on the shared media addressed to the second logical network and not to respond to messages carried on the shared media that are addressed to the logical network.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the shared media comprises a power-line of a building.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein forming a logical network comprises:

selecting an ID number by operation of the ASA;

broadcasting a message addressed to a logical network having the selected ID number as its logical network ID;

monitoring the shared media for a response to the broadcasted message; and

adopting the selected ID number as the logical network ID for the logical network.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein discovering a device comprises:

receiving a message from the device in the ASA; and

determining whether the device is unacquired.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein acquiring the discovered device further comprises:

assigning a logical device identifier to the device the logical device, identifier being information associated with the device;

assigning a logical network identifier to the device, the logical network identifier being a logical network ID associated with the formed logical network, the logical network identifier being information associated with the device;

adding the logical device identifier and a globally unique identifier associated with the device to the acquired device table, the globally unique identifier being information associated with the device; and

removing the logical device identifier and the globally unique identifier associated with the device from the announced device table.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising assigning the logical network ID as the device'"'"'s logical network identifier if the device'"'"'s globally unique identifier is stored in the acquired device table but the device'"'"'s logical network identifier and logical device identifier indicate that the device is unacquired.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising leaving the device'"'"'s logical network identifier and logical device identifier unchanged if the device'"'"'s globally unique identifier, logical network identifier and logical device identifier match those stored in the acquired device table for an acquired device.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising configuring the device into an unacquired state if the device'"'"'s logical network identifier matches the logical network ID but either the device'"'"'s logical network identifier or the device'"'"'s globally unique identifier do not match those stored in the acquired device table for an acquired device.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising obtaining a new logical network ID if the device'"'"'s logical network identifier matches the logical network ID but the device'"'"'s logical device identifier indicates that the device is an ASA.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the device is implemented as a process of an executing computer program.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the device is configurable to set the maximum inactive time limit by sending a message to the ASA that includes a value for the maximum inactive time limit.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the ASA includes a table that is configured to store the elapsed time and the maximum inactive time period.

16. A method of communication between devices on a shared media, the shared media being configurable to support communication within one or more logical networks, each logical network having a logical network ID and each device having a globally unique identifier, a logical network identifier, and a logical device identifier, the method comprising:

coupling a sending device and a receiving device on the shared media;

formatting a message for transmission on the shared media from the sending device to the receiving device, wherein the message includes;

a source logical network ID field configured to contain the logical network ID of the logical network of which the sending device is a member,

a source device ID field configurable to contain the logical device identifier,

a destination logical network ID field configurable to contain the logical network ID of which the receiving device is a member,

a destination device ID field configurable to contain the logical device ID of the receiving device,

a message type field configurable to contain a code indicative of information contained in the message, and a message data field configurable to contain data;

transmitting the message from the sending device to the receiving device over the shared media;

comparing the sending device'"'"'s globally unique identifier, logical network identifier, and logical device identifier to those of the receiving device, the globally unique identifier, logical network identifier and logical device identifier of the sending device being stored in an acquired device table;

adding the receiving device'"'"'s globally unique identifier, logical network identifier, and logical device identifier to an announced device table if the receiving device'"'"'s globally unique identifier is not stored in the acquired device table and the receiving device'"'"'s logical network identifier and logical device identifier indicate that the receiving device is unacquired;

comparing elapsed time since the receiving device last transmitted a message over the shared media to a predetermined maximum inactive time limit;

monitoring the shared media for a valid message from the receiving device that is responsive to the message;

removing the receiving device from the logical network if the elapsed time exceeds the maximum inactive time limit; and

resetting the elapsed time if the receiving device provides a valid responsive message within a predetermined time period.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the destination logical network ID field is configurable to contain a code representing all logical networks on the shared media.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the destination device ID field is configurable to contain a code representing all devices of the logical network indicated in the destination logical network ID field.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the source device ID field is configurable to contain a code representing that the sending device has no logical device ID.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the source logical network ID field is configurable to contain a code representing that the sending device is not a member of a logical network.

21. A system for supporting communication between devices connected to a shared media, the devices being a part of a consumer electronic appliance, the system comprising

a device coupled to the shared media, wherein the device is configured to send and receive messages over the shared media;

an address space arbiter (ASA) coupled to the shared media, the ASA being configurable to form a logical network with one or more devices connected to the shared media and to discover a device on the shared media by;

receiving a message from the device over the shared media;

comparing information associated with the device included in the message to information associated with devices in an acquired device table, the acquired device table being arranged to include information associated with devices that are members of the logical network; and

adding information associated with the device to an announced device table if the information is not stored in the acquired device table and the device is unacquired, wherein the announced device table includes information associated with discovered but unacquired devices; and

an acquisition authority (AA) at least intermittently coupled to the ASA, wherein the AA is configured to the selectively authorized the ASA to add a device to the logical network,

and wherein the AA is further configured to detect an inactive device by;

comparing an elapsed time since the device last transmitted a message over the shared media to a predetermined maximum inactive time limit

sending a message to the device,

monitoring the shared media for a valid message from the device that is responsive to the message,

removing the device from the logical network if the elapsed time exceeds the maximum inactive time limit, and

resetting the elapsed time if the device transmits a valid responsive message over the shared media within a predetermined time period,

wherein the logical network has a logical network ID, the ASA and any device of the logical network are configured to be responsive to messages sent over the shared media that are addressed to the logical network.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the device is implemented as a process of an executing computer program.

23. The system of claim 21 further comprising a second ASA and a second set of one or more devices coupled to the shared media, the second ASA and the second group of devices forming a second logical network on the shared media, members of the second logical network being configured to respond to messages carried on the shared media addressed to the second logical network and not respond to messages carried on the shared media that are addressed to the logical network.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein the shared media comprises a power-line of a building.

25. The system of claim 21 wherein the ASA includes a control unit.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the control unit is implemented with a computer system.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the control unit of the ASA is configured to form a logical network by:

selecting an ID number;

broadcasting a message addressed to a logical network having the selected ID number as its logical network ID,

monitoring the shared media for a response to the broadcasted message; and

adopting the selected ID number as the logical network ID for the logical network.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the control unit of the ASA is configured to acquire a device by:

receiving authorization to acquire the device from the AA;

assigning a logical device identifier to the device, the logical device identifier being information associated with the device;

assigning the logical network ID as a logical network identifier to the device, the logical network identifier being information associated with the device;

adding the logical device identifier and a globally unique identifier associated with the device to the acquired device table, the globally unique identifier being information associated with the device; and

removing the logical device identifier and the globally unique identifier associated with the device from the announced device table.

29. The system of claim 21 wherein the device is configurable to set the maximum inactive time limit by sending a message to the ASA that includes a value for the maximum inactive time limit.

30. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

forming a logical network on the shared media, the logical network including an address space arbiter (ASA) coupled to the shared media, the logical network having a logical network ID;

adding a device to the logical network;

receiving a message from the device over the shared media;

comparing information associated with the device included in the message to information associated with devices in an acquired device table, the acquired device table being arranged to include information associated with devices that are members of the logical network;

adding information associated with the device to an announced device table if the information is not stored in the acquired device table and the device is unacquired, wherein the announced device table includes information associated with discovered bit unacquired devices;

comparing an elapsed time since the device last transmitted a message over the shared media to a predetermined maximum inactive time limit,

sending message to the device;

monitoring the shared media for a valid message from the device that is responsive to the message;

removing the device from the logical network if the elapsed time exceeds the maximum inactive time limit; and

resetting the elapsed time if the device transmits a valid responsive message over the shared media within a predetermined time period.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein adding a device comprises computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

discovering the device coupled to the shared medium by communication between the ASA and the device; and

acquiring the discovered device by operation of an acquisition authority (AA), the acquired device being a member of the logical network.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 30, wherein forming a logical network comprises computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

selecting an ID number by operation of the ASA;

broadcasting a message addressed to a logical network having the selected ID number as its logical network ID;

monitoring the shared media for a response to the broadcasted message; and

adopting the selected ID number as the logical network ID for the logical network.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein discovering the device comprises computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

receiving a message from the device in the ASA; and

determining whether the device is unacquired.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein acquiring the device further comprises computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

assigning a logical device identifier to the device, the logical device being information associated with the device;

assigning the logical network ID as a logical network identifier to the device, the logical network identifier being information associated with the device;

adding the logical device identifier and a globally unique identifier associated with the device to acquired device table, the globally unique identifier being information associated with the device; and

removing the logical device identifier and the globally unique identifier associated with the device from the announced device table.

35. A system for implementing a network of devices connected to a shared media, the devices being part of a consumer electronic appliance, the system comprising:

means for forming a logical network on the shared media, the logical network having a logical network ID;

means for adding a device to the logical network;

means for receiving a message from the device over the shared media;

means for comparing information associated with the device included in the message to information associated with devices in an acquired device table, the acquired device table being arranged to include information associated with devices that re members of the logical network;

means for adding information associated with the device to an announced device table if the information is not stored in the acquired device table and the device is unacquired, wherein the announced device table includes information associated with discovered but unacquired devices;

means for comparing an elapsed time since the device last transmitted a message over the shared media to a predetermined maximum inactive time limit;

means for sending a message to the device;

means for monitoring the shared media for a valid message from the device that is responsive to the message;

means for removing the device from the logical network if the elapsed time exceeds the maximum inactive time limit; and

means for resetting the elapsed time if the device transmits a valid responsive message over the shared media within a predetermined time period.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the means for adding a device comprises:

means for discovering the device coupled to the shared medium; and

means for acquiring the discovered device, the acquired device being a member of the logical network.