System for installing and configuring (grouping and node address assignment) household devices in an automated environment
US5519878A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 21, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/2803
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for network node identification and network configuration. Prior to physical installation, a first node of a network is communicated with by a dedicated apparatus wherein the first node is requested to transmit a first unique identifier for the node to the apparatus. The apparatus then stores the first unique identifier received from the first node, and generates the first unique identifier on a medium (e.g. a label). This first unique identifier may be represented on the medium in a coded format. In one embodiment, the coded format is a code 39 bar code and the medium is an adhesive label. The labels obtained from querying the nodes prior to physical installation may be affixed to a floor plan of a networking system during installation, indicating each node's physical placement in that system. Each of the identifiers may then later be automatically read by an automated apparatus for network configuration. This apparatus (e.g. a general purpose programmed computer system) displays a physical layout of the networking system. This apparatus automatically reads the labels comprising the unique identifiers of nodes and assigns the identifiers to the respective p…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.