# US 2021/0173384 A1 · Automation system with edge computing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0173384 A1 - Document ID: US20210173384A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/707,918 - Filed: 2019-12-09 - Published: 2021-06-10 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-09 - Assignees: Quest Automated Services, LLC - Applicants: Quest Automated Services, LLC - Inventors: Hanz Da Silva; Edward Martell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210173384A1 ## CPC - G05B 19/0426: {Programming the control sequence} - G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) - G05B 19/05: Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts - G05B 19/4183: {characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification} - G05B 19/4185: {characterised by the network communication} - H04L 61/50: Address allocation - H04L 61/5038: for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN] - H04L 61/5046: Resolving address allocation conflicts; Testing of addresses (testing when self-assigning an address H04L61/5092) - H04L 65/1013: {Network architectures, gateways, control or user entities} - H04L 2101/604: Address structures or formats - H04L 2101/622: Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - 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) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract An automation system employing multiple automated devices can establish and utilize two-way communication independent of a network controller by generating a unique network address with respective local circuitry. The local circuitry can be incorporated into a device or physically installed on-site in the form of an attachment, which allows automated devices to be upgraded and supplemented without altering the programming of a network controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising an automated device connected to a network computing device on a single site, the automated device comprising internal circuitry with no internal circuitry having computing capabilities, the internal circuitry connected to an external computing circuitry resident in a dongle physically attached to the automated device on the single site, the external computing circuitry configured to generate a unique automation network address from unique factory information collected from the automated device independent of the network computing device and internal circuitry. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal circuitry is incorporated in a housing of the automated device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external computing circuitry has a housing separate and independent of the automated device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the external computing circuitry is physically connected to a port of the automated device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the port is an Ethernet port. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the external computing circuitry is physically connected to the network computing device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the external computing circuitry is wirelessly connected to the automated device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the external computing circuitry is wirelessly connected to the network computing device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automated device is a valve and the network computing device is a programmable logic controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automated device is an articulating assembly and the network computing device is a programmable logic controller. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: connecting an external computing circuitry to an internal circuitry of a first automated device and a network computing device, the internal circuitry having no computing capabilities and resident in a dongle physically attached to the first automated device, the external computing circuitry, first automated device, and network computing device each positioned on a single site; collecting at least one unique factory information from the first automated device with the local computing circuitry; generating a unique automation system network address from the at least one unique factory information with the external computing circuitry independent of the network computing device and internal circuitry; and employing the unique automation system network address to conduct at least one automation task with the first automated device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the unique automation system network address is used for direct communication between two different automated devices without involvement of the network computing device or internal circuitry. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the unique automation system network address is used for two-way communication between the first automated device and the network computing device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one unique factory information is a serial number. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one unique factory information is an operational characteristic of the automated device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the operational characteristic is collected by executing a test sequence as directed by the external computing circuitry. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first automated device is altered by the external computing circuitry to comply with an optimization strategy generated by the external computing circuitry. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the optimization strategy is generated after polling a second automated device to collect automation information. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the second automated device is alerted by the external computing circuitry to comply with the optimization strategy. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the unique automation system network address is generated and utilized for data communication automatically by the external computing circuitry without involving the network computing device or internal circuitry.