Automatic Device Clustering via Power Line Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual effort is substantial for identifying relationships between interconnected programmable devices, which hampers efficient management and maintenance due to the lack of automated clustering methods.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that automatically cluster programmable devices based on a power connection hierarchy, utilizing power outputs and network interfaces to transmit and receive identification messages, update device tables, and communicate using protocols like CAN, MODBUS, and Ethernet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual methods are used to identify relationships between programmable devices, then device relationships can be identified, but substantial manual effort is required reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice relationship identification efficiencyVSAvoidmanual effort time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables programmable devices to automatically identify and cluster themselves by transmitting identification messages through power lines and exchanging data via network interfaces. Each device autonomously determines parent-child relationships based on power connection hierarchies without requiring manual intervention, thereby resolving the technical contradiction by eliminating manual effort while maintaining accurate device relationship identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If automated clustering is implemented using power outputs and network interfaces, then device relationship identification becomes automatic, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice clustering automationVSAvoidclustering system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes existing power lines to serve dual purposes: providing electrical power to devices and transmitting identification messages for automatic clustering. By making the power infrastructure multi-functional, the system achieves automated clustering without adding dedicated communication hardware, thus reducing the increase in device complexity while maintaining high automation levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs standard communication protocols (CAN, MODBUS, Ethernet) as intermediaries to facilitate data exchange between devices during the clustering process. These protocols act as mediators that enable automatic relationship identification without requiring custom complex communication mechanisms, thereby achieving automation with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9674043B2Systems and methods for automatically clustering devices

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORP

AI summary

A system including a parent device is provided. The parent device includes a power output configured to provide output power to an external device, a first network interface configured to exchange data with at least one external device, and at least one controller coupled to the power output and the first network interface. The controller is configured to determine an identifier of the parent device, transmit an identification message to a child device via the power output, the identification message including the identifier of the parent device, and receive a response to the identification message via the first network interface, the response including an identifier of the child device.