Bus Subscriber Address Allocation Without Daisy-Chain Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bus arrangements lack flexibility in addressing subscribers without daisy chain control wires or coding switches, necessitating alternative methods for address allocation.
Innovation Solution
A bus arrangement with a coordinator, subscribers equipped with buttons, displays, and a memory, allowing manual selection and automated address assignment through a broadcast message and acknowledge mechanism, enabling flexible address allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a daisy chain control wire is used for automatic address allocation, then address assignment is simple and effective, but the device complexity increases due to additional wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address allocation function from the physical wiring structure by implementing a software-based addressing mechanism. The coordinator device manages address assignment through communication protocols rather than requiring physical daisy-chain wiring, separating the addressing function from the electrical connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wiring-based daisy chain address allocation system with an electronic/communication-based system. Instead of using physical wire connections to establish address sequences, the system uses digital communication messages exchanged between the coordinator and subscriber devices to assign and manage addresses.
2Device complexity
If coding switches are used for address assignment, then no additional wiring is needed, but the ease of operation decreases due to manual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service addressing system where the coordinator device automatically manages address allocation to subscriber devices. Instead of requiring manual configuration through coding switches, the system performs automatic address assignment through communication protocols, with the coordinator serving itself and other devices in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs address allocation as a preliminary action during system initialization or device addition. The coordinator device proactively assigns addresses to subscribers before they need to operate, eliminating the need for manual pre-configuration through coding switches and simplifying the operational process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual address configuration is implemented, then flexibility is increased, but the time required for setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs address allocation as a preliminary automated action during system initialization or when new devices are added to the network. The coordinator device proactively assigns addresses before operational needs arise, maintaining flexibility in address management while eliminating manual configuration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where subscriber devices confirm receipt of assigned addresses to the coordinator. This automated feedback loop ensures proper address allocation while reducing setup time, allowing the system to adapt to different configurations without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments relate to a coordinator; a plurality of subscribers, each comprising a button, a memory and a display; and a bus which couples the coordinator to the plurality of subscribers. The coordinator and the plurality of subscribers are configured to be set in an addresses allocation mode. In the addresses allocation mode, the coordinator is configured to indicate a first subscriber number and to broadcast a first broadcast message to the plurality of subscribers. In the addresses allocation mode after activation of a button of a first subscriber of the plurality of subscribers, the first subscriber is configured to be activated and to send an acknowledge message to the coordinator.