Networking systems, protocols, and methods for controlling target devices
AssigneeAVI-On Labs, LLC
InventorEric L. Miller
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
A network system, comprising:
- a plurality of network components, including at least one switch and at least one adaptor, each network component comprising:
- a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via a short-range wireless communications protocol;
- a memory storing a Device Id;
- and
- a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory;
- and
- at least one target device communicatively coupled to each adaptor of the at least one adaptor, wherein a control signal broadcast from a switch is received by each network component within range of the switch via the short-range wireless communications protocol and rebroadcast until the control signal has reached each network component of the network system.
A method for configuring a network system comprising a plurality of network components, including at least one initialization/configuration (“I/C”) device, at least one switch, and at least one adaptor, each network component comprising a transceiver configured to send and receive control signals via a short-range wireless communications protocol, a memory, and a central processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory, the method comprising, using an I/C device in a master/slave communications session over the short-range wireless communications protocol:
- teaching each network component its address within the network system;
- teaching each switch which network components to control.
A method for operating a network system, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of network components, the network components comprising at least one switch and at least one adaptor, each adaptor communicatively coupled to a target device;
- broadcasting, from a switch via a short-range wireless communications protocol, a control signal addressed to at least one adaptor;
- and
- implementing the control signal with the at least one adaptor to which the control signal was addressed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.