# US 2019/0173748 A1 · Automatic initialization routine in an automation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0173748 A1 - Document ID: US20190173748A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/274,032 - Filed: 2019-02-12 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-12 - Assignees: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH - Applicants: Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh - Inventors: Juergen GORKA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190173748A1 ## CPC - H04L 41/0806: for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play - G05B 19/0426: {Programming the control sequence} - G06F 13/374: using a self-select method with individual priority code comparator - H04L 41/0853: by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information - H04L 41/0869: Validating the configuration within one network element - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A method for initializing a system that includes a base module and a first and a second expansion module, wherein the first and the second expansion modules are electrically, detachably connected to the base module and each have one or more electrical peripheral interfaces. The method includes the execution of an initialization routine by the system. The initialization routine includes the querying of the first and the second expansion modules with regard to description data that include characteristics of the electrical peripheral interfaces and an identifier of the first and the second expansion modules, the storage of a data structure that includes the queried description data, and the provision of the data structure to a configuration device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for initializing a system that includes a base module and a first expansion module and a second expansion module, wherein the first and the second expansion modules are electrically, detachably connected to the base module and each have one or more electrical peripheral interfaces, the method comprising: execution of an initialization routine by the system, wherein the initialization routine comprises querying of the first and the second expansion modules with regard to description data that include characteristics of the electrical peripheral interfaces and an identifier of the first and the second expansion modules; storing a data structure that includes the queried description data; and providing the data structure to a configuration device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method for initializing a system according to claim 1, further comprising: executing a configuration routine by the configuration device, the configuration routine comprising: defining one or more receivers of status information, wherein the status information relates to analog or digital signals that are received through one or more of the peripheral interfaces; and defining one or more senders of control information, wherein the control information relates to analog or digital signals that are to be sent through one or more of the peripheral interfaces. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method for initializing a system according to claim 2, further comprising: executing an operating routine by the system, the operating routine comprising: sending the status information to the one or more defined receivers; and receiving the control information from the one or more defined senders; and controlling a current and/or a voltage that are applied to one or more of the peripheral interfaces based on the control information. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method for initializing a system according to claim 1, further comprising: querying a network with regard to network devices with which the system exchanges data via a sending and receiving of data packets; and identifying one of the network devices as the configuration device via the sending and/or receiving of data packets, wherein the provision of the data structure to the configuration device includes a transmission of the data structure to the configuration device via the sending of data packets to the configuration device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method for initializing a system according to claim 1, further comprising: checking whether one of the queried expansion modules has a peripheral interface that is intended and equipped to send and to receive data packets through a data line connected to the peripheral interface; querying the peripheral interface with regard to devices with which data is exchanged via the sending and/or receiving of data packets through the peripheral interface if one of the queried expansion modules does have a peripheral interface that is intended and equipped to send and to receive data packets through a data line connected to the peripheral interface; and storing, in the data structure, device information about the devices with which data about the peripheral interface is exchanged via the sending and/or receiving of data packets. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method for initializing a system according to claim 5, wherein the device information includes unique identifiers and/or addresses and/or information about digital and/or analog inputs and outputs of the devices. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method for initializing a system according to claim 1, wherein the base module and the first and second expansion modules are connected through a bus system, and wherein the queried description data include addresses of the first and second expansion modules. ### Claim 8 A system comprising: a base module that comprises a central processing unit, a memory, and a field bus interface; and a first expansion module and a second expansion module that are electrically, detachably connected to the base module and that have one or more electrical peripheral interfaces; wherein the system is adapted to execute an initialization routine, and, during the course of the initialization routine: to query the first and the second expansion modules with regard to description data, wherein the description data include characteristics of the electrical peripheral interfaces and an identifier of the first and the second expansion modules; to store a data structure that includes the queried description data; and to provide the data structure to a configuration device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the system in operation is additionally equipped: to send status information regarding analog or digital signals received at one or more of the peripheral interfaces to one or more receivers; and to control a current and/or a voltage that is applied to one or more of the peripheral interfaces based on received control information. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system according to claim 9, wherein the system receives information from the configuration device about the one or more receivers of the status information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the system is adapted: to query a network with regard to network devices with which the system exchanges data via the sending and/or receiving of data packets; to identify one of the network devices as the configuration device; and to transmit the data structure to the configuration device via data packets sent to the configuration device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the system is adapted: to check whether one of the queried expansion modules has a peripheral interface that is intended and equipped to send and to receive data packets through a data line connected to the peripheral interface; to query the peripheral interface with regard to devices with which data is exchanged via the sending and/or receiving of data packets through the peripheral interface if one of the queried expansion modules has a peripheral interface that is intended and equipped to send and to receive data packets through a data line connected to the peripheral interface; and to store in the data structure device information about the devices with which data is exchanged via the sending and/or receiving of data packets through the peripheral interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein the device information includes unique identifiers and/or addresses of the devices. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the base module and the first and the second expansion modules are connected through a bus system, and wherein the queried description data include addresses of the expansion modules or positions of the expansion modules in a logical ring topology, which comprises the base module and the first and second expansion modules.