Patent · US Active

Controller network and method of controlling a controller network

US8738157B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
10References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2010
Grant dateMay 27, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 13, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D30/50
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of controlling a controller network is provided, the controller network comprising a plurality of devices, a controller for outputting control data to the devices, and a plurality of interface modules, each interface module being arranged to connect a respective device to the controller via the network. The method comprises: outputting, from the controller, a control message addressed to a first device, the control message corresponding to an action to be performed by the first device; receiving, at a first interface module connecting the first device to the network, the control message; storing the control message in a memory of the first interface module; broadcasting, from the controller, a trigger message addressed to at least the first device; receiving, at the first interface module, the trigger message; and passing, in response to the trigger message, the control message to the first device such that the action corresponding to the control message is performed. A corresponding controller network is also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.