Modular device backbone for a network of user-swappable products

A modular device network comprising:

• one or more backplates distributed throughout a user space and configured to couple with any of a plurality of swappable devices, wherein a particular backplate of the one or more backplates comprises:
• a configuration storage device to store backplate-based configuration information, wherein the backplate-based configuration information includes a backplate identifier unique to the particular backplate, wherein the backplate-based configuration information further includes protocols allowing a coupled one of the plurality of swappable devices to receive controller-based configuration information from a controller on a modular device network, wherein the controller-based configuration information includes data indicative of electrical wiring connections to one or more loads connected to the particular backplate;
• and
• a communication unit to transmit the backplate-based configuration information;
• and
• one or more swappable devices of the plurality of swappable devices coupled to the one or more backplates, wherein, upon coupling of a particular swappable device of the one or more swappable devices to the particular backplate, the particular swappable device receives the backplate-based configuration information from the particular backplate and further communicates with the controller using the protocols in the backplate-based configuration information to receive the controller-based configuration information from the controller, wherein the particular swappable device self-configures to operate the one or more loads connected to the particular backplate based on at least one of the backplate-based configuration information or the controller-based configuration information.

A method for providing a modular device network comprising:

• mounting one or more backplates throughout a user space, wherein the one or more backplates are configured to couple with any of a plurality of swappable devices, wherein a particular one of the one or more backplates comprises:
• a configuration storage device to store backplate-based configuration information, wherein the backplate-based configuration information includes a backplate identifier unique to the particular backplate, wherein the backplate-based configuration information further includes protocols allowing a coupled one of the plurality of swappable devices to receive controller-based configuration information from a controller on a modular device network, wherein the controller-based configuration information includes data indicative of electrical wiring connections to one or more loads connected to the particular backplate;
• and
• a communication unit to transmit the configuration information;
• and
• coupling one or more swappable devices of the plurality of swappable devices with at least one of the one or more backplates, wherein, upon coupling of a particular swappable device of the one or more swappable devices to the particular backplate, the particular swappable device receives the backplate-based configuration information from the particular backplate and further communicates with the controller using the protocols in the backplate-based configuration information to receive the controller-based configuration information from the controller, wherein the particular swappable device self-configures to operate the one or more loads connected to the particular backplate based on at least one of the backplate-based configuration information or the controller-based configuration information.