Networking systems, protocols, and methods for controlling target devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A network system, comprising:
- at least one adaptor, each comprising;
a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via a short-range wireless communications protocol;
a memory storing a Location Id identifying the network system and at least one of a Group Id and a Device Id identifying the adaptor; and
a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory;
at least one target device communicatively coupled to each adaptor;
at least one switch, each comprising;
a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via the short-range wireless communications protocol;
a memory storing the Location Id, a Device Id identifying the switch, and a target address identifying the adaptor(s) the switch is programmed to control; and
a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, wherein each switch is configured to generate and broadcast a control signal carrying the target address, and wherein each adaptor is configured to receive the control signal and operate the target device based on the control signal when the target address matches the Group Id or the Device Id identifying the adaptor;
at least one initialization/control device, each comprising;
a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via a short-range wireless communications protocol;
a memory storing a Location Id identifying the network system and at least one of a Group Id and a Device Id identifying the adaptor; and
a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, wherein the initialization/control device;
generates configuration and programming information comprising, for each switch and each adaptor, at least its Location Id and Device Id;
transmits, from the transceiver, the configuration and programming to each switch and each adaptor; and
broadcasts a second control signal for controlling at least one target device, the control signal comprising a target address, andwherein each adaptor further;
receives the second control signal;
determines whether the target address of the second control signal matches a Group Id or a Device Id identifying the adaptor; and
implements the second control signal to control the at least one target device communicatively coupled to the adaptor when its Group Id or a Device Id matches the target address of the second control signal.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for controlling electric and electronic devices. The devices may communicate with each other in a many-to-many, peer-to-peer network to provide control functionality without the need for a central controller. Device-to-device control messages may be implemented over short range, wireless broadcast messages.
38 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A network system, comprising:
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at least one adaptor, each comprising; a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via a short-range wireless communications protocol; a memory storing a Location Id identifying the network system and at least one of a Group Id and a Device Id identifying the adaptor; and a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory; at least one target device communicatively coupled to each adaptor; at least one switch, each comprising; a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via the short-range wireless communications protocol; a memory storing the Location Id, a Device Id identifying the switch, and a target address identifying the adaptor(s) the switch is programmed to control; and a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, wherein each switch is configured to generate and broadcast a control signal carrying the target address, and wherein each adaptor is configured to receive the control signal and operate the target device based on the control signal when the target address matches the Group Id or the Device Id identifying the adaptor; at least one initialization/control device, each comprising; a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via a short-range wireless communications protocol; a memory storing a Location Id identifying the network system and at least one of a Group Id and a Device Id identifying the adaptor; and a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, wherein the initialization/control device; generates configuration and programming information comprising, for each switch and each adaptor, at least its Location Id and Device Id; transmits, from the transceiver, the configuration and programming to each switch and each adaptor; and broadcasts a second control signal for controlling at least one target device, the control signal comprising a target address, and wherein each adaptor further; receives the second control signal; determines whether the target address of the second control signal matches a Group Id or a Device Id identifying the adaptor; and implements the second control signal to control the at least one target device communicatively coupled to the adaptor when its Group Id or a Device Id matches the target address of the second control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for operating a network system, comprising:
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providing the network system, comprising at least one switch and at least one adaptor, and at least one target device communicatively coupled to each adaptor; generating and broadcasting, from a switch, a control signal for controlling at least one target device, the control signal comprising a target address identifying the adaptor(s) the switch is programmed to control; receiving, by the at least one adaptor, the control signal; determining, by each adaptor, whether the target address matches a Group Id or a Device Id identifying the adaptor; for each adaptor with a Group Id or a Device Id matching the target address, implementing the control signal to control the at least one target device communicatively coupled to the adaptor; generating, by an initialization/control device, configuration and programming information comprising, for each switch and each adaptor, at least a Location Id defining the network system and a unique Device Id defining the switch or adaptor; transmitting from a transceiver of the initialization/control device, the configuration and programming information to each switch and each adaptor; broadcasting, from the initialization/control device, a second control signal for controlling at least one target device, the control signal comprising a target address; receiving, by the at least one adaptor, the second control signal; determining, by each adaptor, whether the target address of the second control signal matches a Group Id or a Device Id identifying the adaptor; and for each adaptor with a Group Id or a Device Id matching the target address of the second control signal, implementing the second control signal to control the at least one target device communicatively coupled to the adaptor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification