Pool And Spa Network Enrollment Using Dynamic Address Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network device discovery protocols, such as Modbus, require pre-assignment of unique addresses to devices, making setup and configuration time-consuming and error-prone, especially when adding multiple devices to a network.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamic device discovery and address assignment, where a master controller broadcasts a discovery request, receives unique identifiers from slave devices, and assigns network addresses based on these identifiers, eliminating the need for pre-configuration and allowing any number of like devices to be added to the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-assignment of unique addresses is required for device discovery, then device identification reliability is improved, but setup time and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each slave device is pre-configured with a unique identifier during manufacturing, but this identifier is not used for network communication until needed. The system performs preliminary discovery actions by broadcasting a discovery request that elicits responses containing these pre-configured identifiers, allowing the master to then dynamically assign network addresses based on these identifiers without requiring manual pre-configuration of communication addresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary discovery request/response mechanism that mediates between the pre-configured unique identifiers and the dynamic network address assignment. The discovery request broadcasts a query across the network, and slave devices respond with their unique identifiers, allowing the master controller to act as an intermediary that maps these identifiers to network addresses automatically, eliminating manual configuration while maintaining reliable device identification.
2Reliability
If manual pre-addressing is required for each device, then address uniqueness is ensured, but configuration error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
Slave devices automatically respond to discovery requests with their pre-configured unique identifiers without requiring manual intervention. The master controller automatically processes these responses and assigns network addresses, making the system self-service oriented. This eliminates manual address configuration entirely, ensuring address uniqueness through automated processes while dramatically reducing configuration errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where slave devices respond to discovery requests with their unique identifiers, providing feedback to the master controller. The master uses this feedback to dynamically assign network addresses, creating a closed-loop system that automatically ensures address uniqueness without manual intervention, thereby eliminating configuration errors associated with manual addressing.
3Device complexity
If incremental addressing schemes are used, then device discovery is systematic, but adaptability to dynamic device addition decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic address assignment system where network addresses are not statically assigned but dynamically allocated based on real-time discovery. When new slave devices are added to the network, the master controller broadcasts a discovery request, receives responses with unique identifiers, and dynamically assigns available network addresses from a pool. This dynamic approach maintains systematic discovery through structured request/response protocols while providing full adaptability to dynamic device addition and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The discovery request mechanism serves multiple functions: it discovers new devices on the network, identifies their unique identifiers, triggers dynamic address assignment, and updates network topology information. This universal mechanism handles both initial system setup and dynamic device addition uniformly, maintaining systematic discovery processes while providing versatility for any number of devices to be added or removed without reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pool or spa system includes networked pool or spa devices that can be dynamically configured with network address by a controller. The controller can transmit a device discovery request on a network and can receive a discovery response from pool or spa devices that require a network address. The system determines and assigns the network addresses for the pool or spa devices based on unique device identifiers associated with the responding pool or spa devices. The network addresses assigned to the pool or spa device are transmitted to the pool or spa device to be used by the pool or spa devices to communicate with the controller over the network. The system can be used to discover and assign addresses to various types of pool or spa devices, such as pumps, underwater lights, chlorinators, water feature controllers, remote controllers, and/or other types of devices.