Address Assignment Device for Branched Communication Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing address assignment methods in communication networks, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, fail to uniquely identify individual air-conditioning indoor units when there are branches in the communication line, leading to issues with address assignment in networks with multiple units at the same distance from the outdoor unit.

Innovation Solution

An address assignment device that includes a provisional address assignment unit, a duplicate address detecting unit, and a slave station address assignment unit, which measures distances, detects duplicate addresses, and analyzes network configurations to assign unique addresses to slave stations equidistant from the master station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If random address assignment is used, then automation is improved, but address uniqueness and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress assignment automationVSAvoidaddress uniqueness

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The master station measures the distance to each slave station and uses this feedback information to assign addresses. The distance measurement result is fed back to determine the address assignment, ensuring that slave stations at different distances receive different addresses, thus maintaining address uniqueness while automating the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for address assignment from random values to measured distance values. By using the distance parameter (which varies for slave stations at different positions on the communication line), the system ensures unique address assignment while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If distance-based address assignment is used, then automation is improved, but the ability to handle branched networks deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress assignment automationVSAvoidbranched network handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional distance measurement (from master station only) to two-dimensional distance measurement by also measuring distances between neighboring slave stations. This additional dimension of measurement enables the system to distinguish between slave stations that are equidistant from the master station but differ in their neighboring relationships, thus handling branched networks effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the address assignment process into multiple stages: first assigning addresses based on distance from the master station, then resolving conflicts for equidistant slave stations by measuring distances to neighboring stations. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex branched networks by breaking down the identification problem into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If manual address assignment is used, then address uniqueness is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress uniquenessVSAvoidassignment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service address assignment where slave stations automatically provide their identification information (distance from master station and distance to neighboring stations) without human intervention. The master station automatically processes this information and assigns addresses, eliminating the need for manual assignment while ensuring uniqueness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual assignment process with an automated electronic system that uses distance measurement and data processing. This substitution eliminates manual operations while maintaining address uniqueness through systematic electronic identification and assignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240364658A1Address assignment device, address assignment method, and computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An address assignment device is provided to a master station involved in a communication network in which the master station and a plurality of slave stations are connected via a communication line. A provisional address assignment unit registers with a provisional address table, a provisional address of each slave station, and a distance measurement result of a distance between the master station and each slave station. A duplicate address detecting unit requests each of equidistant slave stations to measure a distance to a neighboring slave station, and registers provisional addresses of the equidistant slave stations and a neighboring distance result with the provisional address table. A slave station address assignment unit analyzes a connecting configuration in the communication network, and assigns a slave station address for the provisional address of each slave station with using address information.