System comprising interchangeable electronic controllers and corresponding methods
First Claim
1. A system for controlling more than one group of subsystem components performing a particular type of function, comprising:
- means for identifying the particular type of function performed by each group of subsystem components, said identifying means providing specific identifying information associated with each group of subsystem components for further communication;
a plurality of programmable means, operatively linked with said identifying means, for controlling the particular type of function performed by each group of subsystem components, each of said plurality of programmable means for controlling being interchangeably connectable in an operative manner with each group of subsystem components; and
at least one means, in communication with said plurality of programmable means for controlling, for storing a plurality of software applications, each of said plurality of software applications defining a particular set of instructions necessary for operation of one of said plurality of programmable means for controlling the particular type of function performed by one of said group of subsystem components when said one programmable means for controlling is operatively connected to a respective one of said groups of subsystem components, said at least one means for storing being programmed to;
(i) select a predetermined one of said plurality of software applications based on the specific identifying information associated with said group of subsystem components that is communicated by said identifying means, and (ii) transfer each said selected software application to each said corresponding programmable means for controlling for appropriate configuration of said corresponding programmable means upon operative connection with a respective one of said groups of subsystem components.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system comprising an interchangeable electronic controller is provided with programming that allows the controller to adapt a behavior that is dependent upon the particular type of function performed by a system or subsystem component. The system reconfigures the controller when the controller is moved from one group of subsystem components to another. A plurality of application programs are provided by a server from which the application program for a particular electronic controller is selected. The selection is based on criteria such as a subsystem component group identifier that identifies the particular type of function associated with the system or subsystem group of components.
34 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A system for controlling more than one group of subsystem components performing a particular type of function, comprising:
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means for identifying the particular type of function performed by each group of subsystem components, said identifying means providing specific identifying information associated with each group of subsystem components for further communication; a plurality of programmable means, operatively linked with said identifying means, for controlling the particular type of function performed by each group of subsystem components, each of said plurality of programmable means for controlling being interchangeably connectable in an operative manner with each group of subsystem components; and at least one means, in communication with said plurality of programmable means for controlling, for storing a plurality of software applications, each of said plurality of software applications defining a particular set of instructions necessary for operation of one of said plurality of programmable means for controlling the particular type of function performed by one of said group of subsystem components when said one programmable means for controlling is operatively connected to a respective one of said groups of subsystem components, said at least one means for storing being programmed to; (i) select a predetermined one of said plurality of software applications based on the specific identifying information associated with said group of subsystem components that is communicated by said identifying means, and (ii) transfer each said selected software application to each said corresponding programmable means for controlling for appropriate configuration of said corresponding programmable means upon operative connection with a respective one of said groups of subsystem components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for controlling more than one group of subsystem components, comprising:
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a subsystem component group identifier for providing specific identifying information associated with each group of subsystem components for further communication; a plurality of programmable electronic controllers, operatively linked with said subsystem component group identifier, for controlling at least one group of subsystem components, each of said plurality of programmable electronic controllers being interchangeably connectable in an operative manner with each group of subsystem components; and at least one server, in communication with said plurality of programmable electronic controllers, for storing a plurality of software applications, each of said plurality of software applications defining a particular set of instructions necessary for operation of one of said plurality of programmable electronic controllers when said one programmable electronic controller is operatively connected to a respective one of said groups of subsystem components, said at least one server being programmed to;
(i) select a predetermined one of said plurality of software applications based on the specific identifying information associated with said group of subsystem components that is communicated by said subcomponent group identifier, and (ii) transfer each said selected software application to each said corresponding programmable electronic controller for appropriate configuration of said corresponding programmable electronic controller upon operative connection with a respective one of said groups of subsystem components. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of group of subsystem components, each said group of subsystem components including an architecture selected from the set comprising at least one actuator, at least one sensor, and at least one sensor and at least one actuator, each said group of subsystem components performing a particular type of function, wherein the particular type of function performed by at least one of said group of subsystem components differs in nature from the particular type of function performed by another one of said group of subsystem components; a subsystem component group identifier associated with the particular type of function performed by each said group of subsystem components and operatively connected thereto; a plurality of interchangeable, programmable electronic controllers, said plurality of interchangeable, programmable electronic controllers being operatively interconnectable with each said group of subsystem components and operatively linked with said subsystem component group identifier; and at least one server in communication with said plurality of interchangeable, programmable electronic controllers, said at least one server being operable for storing a plurality of software applications, each of said plurality of software applications defining a particular set of instructions necessary for operation of one of said plurality interchangeable, programmable electronic controllers in correspondence with the particular type of function performed by one of said plurality of groups of subsystem components when said respective interchangeable, programmable electronic controller is operatively interconnected to a respective one of said groups of subsystem components, said at least one server being programmed to;
(i) select a predetermined one of said plurality of software applications based on said subsystem component group identifier associated with the particular type of function of said group of subsystem components and (ii) transfer each said selected software application to each said corresponding one interchangeable, programmable electronic controller for appropriate configuration of said corresponding one interchangeable, programmable electronic controller upon operative interconnection with a respective one of said groups of subsystem components. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for controlling a system comprising more than one group of subsystem components, each group performing a particular type of function, comprising the steps of:
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operatively connecting at least one reconfigurable, interchangeable electronic controller to one of said group of subsystem components; identifying the particular type of function performed by each operatively connected group of subsystem components, said step of identifying providing specific identifying information associated with each group of subsystem components; storing a plurality of software applications, each of said plurality of software applications defining a specific set of instructions for said reconfigurable, interchangeable controller that correspond to the specific identifying information associated with each one of said group of subsystem components; selecting a predetermined one of said plurality of software applications based on the specific identifying information associated with each one of said group of subsystem components and communicated by said reconfigurable, interchangeable controller; and transferring each said selected software application to each said corresponding reconfigurable, interchangeable electronic controller for configuration of said corresponding reconfigurable, interchangeable electronic controller, whereby control and operation of said operatively connected group of subsystem components is enabled. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification