Parallel Port Address Assignment for Ordered Multi-Device Access

Solution Overview

Problem

In a multi-device system, such as a battery pack, when multiple slave devices simultaneously access the master device, the master device cannot accurately assign unique addresses due to simultaneous receipt of address assignment instructions by all connected slave devices.

Innovation Solution

The master device disables the address assignment function of parallel ports other than the first parallel port receiving a request, sends an address assignment instruction to the first parallel port, and re-enables the function upon receiving a completion instruction, ensuring accurate sequential address assignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the master device enables address assignment function on all parallel ports simultaneously, then multiple slave devices can access the master device at the same time, but the master device cannot accurately assign addresses to the accessed slave devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress assignment efficiencyVSAvoidaddress assignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The master device disables the address assignment function of parallel ports other than the first parallel port before sending the address assignment instruction. This preliminary action ensures that only the first parallel port is active for address assignment, preventing other slave devices from receiving the instruction and ensuring accurate address assignment to the correct slave device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the master device disables address assignment function of other parallel ports during address assignment, then address assignment accuracy is improved, but the address assignment process becomes sequential and slower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress assignment accuracyVSAvoidaddress assignment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The master device disables the address assignment function of parallel ports other than the first parallel port before sending the address assignment instruction. This preliminary action ensures that only the first parallel port is active for address assignment, preventing other slave devices from receiving the instruction and ensuring accurate address assignment to the correct slave device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The master device periodically enables and disables the address assignment function of parallel ports based on the address assignment process. The function is disabled during active address assignment and re-enabled after completion, creating a periodic pattern that ensures accuracy while allowing continuous operation across multiple ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20260023710A1Address assignment method, electronic device, multi-device system, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 ECOFLOW INC

AI summary

This application provides an address assignment method. According to the method, when an address assignment request is received through a first parallel port, an address assignment function of a parallel port other than the first parallel port is disabled; an address assignment instruction is sent to the first parallel port; and when an address configuration complete instruction is received through the first parallel port, the address assignment function of the parallel port other than the first parallel port is enabled.