Programmable switching system
First Claim
1. A programmable switching system comprising:
- a plurality of interconnected switching devices (ISDs), each having a unique network address, wherein each of the plurality of ISDs comprises;
a switch configured to operate in a switching mode and a programming mode, wherein the switch comprises;
a first push button switch for the selection of a fifth function SW_ON to turn on all appliances connected to the ISDs;
a second push button switch for the selection of a sixth function SW_OFF to turn off all appliances connected to the ISDs;
a third push button switch for the selection of a third function SW_SET to provide input to the switch for associating the network addresses of the plurality of ISDs with the master ISD; and
a three position switch for the selection of;
a first function PRG_ADD to set the switch in a programming adding mode and add one or more ISDs in the programmable switching system to be controlled by the switch of a master ISD,a second function PRG_REMOVE to set the switch in a programming removing mode and to remove one or more ISDs from the programmable switching system to be controlled by the switch of the master ISD, anda fourth function PRG_OFF to set the switch in the switching mode;
a communication interface configured to interconnect the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system over a network;
a microprocessor configured to control operation of the ISD when the switch is in the switching mode and program the ISD when the switch is in the programming mode; and
a memory having a network address storage, and firmware, when executed at the microprocessor, configured to;
communicate with the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system through the communication interface;
receive user'"'"'s inputs at each switch of the plurality of the ISDs of the programmable switching system to program the plurality of ISDs, when the switch is in the programming mode; and
receive user'"'"'s input at the switch to perform switching functions of the ISD, when the switch is in the switching mode.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a programmable switching system having N interconnected switching devices (ISDs), each of the ISDs having a unique network address. An ISD includes a switch operating in switching mode and programming mode, a communication interface, a microprocessor, and a memory. The microprocessor controls operation of ISDs when switch is in switching mode and programs ISD when switch is in programming mode. The memory includes a network address storage, and firmware. When the firmware is executed at the microprocessor, firmware is configured to: communicate with all ISDs of programmable switching system through communication interface over a network, receive user'"'"'s inputs at switches of ISDs, and in response of the received user'"'"'s inputs, to program ISDs, when switch is in programming mode, and receive user'"'"'s input at the switch to perform switching functions of the ISD, when the switch is in switching mode.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A programmable switching system comprising:
a plurality of interconnected switching devices (ISDs), each having a unique network address, wherein each of the plurality of ISDs comprises; a switch configured to operate in a switching mode and a programming mode, wherein the switch comprises; a first push button switch for the selection of a fifth function SW_ON to turn on all appliances connected to the ISDs; a second push button switch for the selection of a sixth function SW_OFF to turn off all appliances connected to the ISDs; a third push button switch for the selection of a third function SW_SET to provide input to the switch for associating the network addresses of the plurality of ISDs with the master ISD; and a three position switch for the selection of; a first function PRG_ADD to set the switch in a programming adding mode and add one or more ISDs in the programmable switching system to be controlled by the switch of a master ISD, a second function PRG_REMOVE to set the switch in a programming removing mode and to remove one or more ISDs from the programmable switching system to be controlled by the switch of the master ISD, and a fourth function PRG_OFF to set the switch in the switching mode; a communication interface configured to interconnect the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system over a network; a microprocessor configured to control operation of the ISD when the switch is in the switching mode and program the ISD when the switch is in the programming mode; and a memory having a network address storage, and firmware, when executed at the microprocessor, configured to; communicate with the plurality of ISDs of the programmable switching system through the communication interface; receive user'"'"'s inputs at each switch of the plurality of the ISDs of the programmable switching system to program the plurality of ISDs, when the switch is in the programming mode; and receive user'"'"'s input at the switch to perform switching functions of the ISD, when the switch is in the switching mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of programming a plurality of interconnected switching devices (ISD) to form a programmable switching system comprising:
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designating an ISD of the plurality of ISDs as a master ISD, and designating the remainder of the plurality of the ISDs as slave ISDs, wherein each of the plurality of ISDs has a unique network address; communicating with the plurality of ISDs through a communication interface of the master ISD over a network; receiving a user'"'"'s input at a switch of the master ISD to set the switch into one of the two modes;
a programming mode, and a switching mode, wherein the switch comprises;a first push button switch for the selection of a fifth function SW_ON to turn on the all appliances connected to the ISDs; a second push button switch for the selection of a sixth function SW_OFF a sixth function SW_OFF to turn off the all appliances connected to the ISDs; a third push button switch for the selection of a third function SW_SET to provide input to the switch for associating the network addresses of the plurality of ISDs with the master ISD; and a three-position switch for the selection of a first function PRG_ADD to set the switch in a programming adding mode and add one or more ISDs in the programmable switching system to be controlled by the switch of a master ISD, a second function PRG_REMOVE to set the switch in a programming removing mode and to remove one or more ISDs from the programmable switching system to be controlled by the switch of the master ISD and a fourth function PRG_OFF to set the switch in the switching mode; when the switch of the master ISD is in the programming mode; receiving a user'"'"'s input at the switch of the master ISD to add one or more ISDs into the programmable switching system or remove one or more ISDs from the programmable switching system; and programming the plurality of ISDs in response to the user'"'"'s inputs at the switches of these ISDs of the programmable switching system; and when the switch of the master ISD is in the switching mode; receiving a user'"'"'s input at the switch of the master ISD to turn on or off appliances connected to and controlled by the slave ISDs with their network addresses stored in a remote network address storage of the master ISD; and turning on or off the appliances connected to and controlled by the slave ISDs with their network addresses stored in the remote network address storage of the master ISD. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification