System and method for synchronizing multi-level output devices in an unreliable network
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- determining, by a processor in a controllable device, that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet, wherein the retransmitted data packet includes an operation command that cause the controllable device to perform an operation that was requested to be performed by a plurality of controllable devices operating in cooperation;
obtaining from the retransmitted data packet, information related to performance of the operation;
determining a time when the initial command was transmitted;
obtaining a ramp rate related to the operation to be performed;
calculating an adjusted ramp rate;
setting an output value for the controllable device based on the adjusted ramp rate; and
completing the operation using the set output value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system are described that allow a device operating in coordination with other devices to synchronize the devices operation with the other devices. A controllable device processor may determine that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet. The processor may obtain from the retransmitted data packet a start value and a time indicator related to performance of the operation. A ramp rate related to the operation to be performed may be obtained. Using the time indicator, an adjusted ramp rate may be calculated. An output value for the device may be set based on the start value, the adjusted ramp rate, and the time indicator. The adjusted ramp rate may result in completing the operation at substantially the same time as though the device received the original command.
18 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining, by a processor in a controllable device, that a received data packet is a retransmission of an initial control command data packet, wherein the retransmitted data packet includes an operation command that cause the controllable device to perform an operation that was requested to be performed by a plurality of controllable devices operating in cooperation; obtaining from the retransmitted data packet, information related to performance of the operation; determining a time when the initial command was transmitted; obtaining a ramp rate related to the operation to be performed; calculating an adjusted ramp rate; setting an output value for the controllable device based on the adjusted ramp rate; and completing the operation using the set output value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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determining, by a controllable device processor, that a received data packet is a retransmission of a performance request including a control command data packet, wherein the control command data packet includes an operation command that cause a device to perform an operation that was requested to be performed by a plurality of controllable devices in cooperation; obtaining an expected start value and a duration of the operation from the retransmitted data packet, wherein the expected start value is equal to an expected output value setting of the device at the time the retransmitted performance request is received and the duration is an elapsed time from transmission of a performance request until completion of the performance; determining an initial transmission time when the performance request was initially transmitted; identifying a retransmitted time when the performance request was retransmitted; determining a time difference between the initial transmission time and the retransmitted time; comparing a duration of the operation to the time difference; and based on the results of the comparison, signaling a controllable device output value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system comprising:
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a plurality of controllable devices operating in coordination with one another to perform an action; a controller device configured to control the plurality of controllable devices; and a communication network communicatively coupling the controller device and the plurality of controllable devices, wherein the controller device is further configured to; retransmit a control command to the plurality of output devices, wherein the control command includes a start value equal to an expected initial value setting of the device and an operation time value representing the time between the transmission of an earlier transmitted, initial control command until completion of the performance by the plurality of controllable devices; wherein each controllable device is configured to; identify a received command as a retransmission of an earlier transmitted, initial control command; in response to the identified retransmission command, obtain the start value and the elapsed time for performing the action from the reissued control command; determine a time when the initial control command was given; compare a duration for performing the action to the time delay; and based on the results of the comparison, generate an output value for the device based on the start value, a ramp rate, and the time delay duration. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification