Serial Circuit Node Addressing via Sensor and Pulse Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assigning unique addresses to mass-manufactured electronic products in serial or common bus configurations is complex and increases manufacturing costs due to the need for individual wiring and inventory management of distinct circuit nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing sensor-based, pulse-based, and emitter-based addressing systems that allow for the assignment of unique addresses to unaddressed circuit nodes after assembly, using techniques such as external stimuli detection, pulse timing, and detectable outputs to identify and assign addresses without requiring individual control lines or complex inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parallel wiring is used to provide individual control to each circuit node, then individual control capability is improved, but the amount of physical wiring and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control wires into a single shared communication bus that carries address-specific signals. Instead of providing dedicated wiring to each circuit node, the system combines all control paths into one shared medium, reducing the total quantity of wiring while maintaining individual control capability through address-based addressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The single communication bus serves multiple functions: it provides power, ground, and bidirectional communication to all circuit nodes simultaneously. This universal bus replaces the need for separate dedicated control wires for each node, allowing one wire to perform what previously required multiple wires.
2Adaptability or versatility
If unique addresses are assigned to each circuit node in serial configuration, then individual identification capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Circuit nodes automatically generate or receive their unique addresses without requiring manual assignment or complex external programming during manufacturing. The addressing system is self-configuring, allowing nodes to identify themselves or be assigned addresses through simple automated processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining individual identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Unique addresses are pre-assigned to circuit nodes during the manufacturing process through automated methods, such that when the nodes are deployed in a serial configuration, they are already individually identifiable. This preliminary addressing action eliminates the need for complex post-assembly identification procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mass-manufactured electronic products are assigned unique addresses during production, then individual circuit node identification is improved, but inventory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of managing unique physical components for each addressed circuit node, the system uses software-based address assignments that can be replicated and modified without physical changes. Addresses are treated as virtual copies that can be assigned, reassigned, or reconfigured through data rather than requiring unique physical inventory tracking for each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows addresses to be dynamically changed or reconfigured without requiring physical modifications to the circuit nodes. This parameter-based addressing enables flexible inventory management where addresses can be adjusted through software rather than requiring complex tracking of unique physical identifiers for each manufactured unit.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to control individual circuit nodes coupled to a common serial line, each of the different circuit nodes must be assigned a locally unique address. However, mass manufactured electronics are manufactured as identical electronic devices. Thus, several techniques are presented for assigning unique addresses to identical electronic devices coupled to a common serial line. One set of techniques uses a local sensor that is stimulated in order to specify a single device on the serial line. Another set of techniques measures a pulse presented onto the common serial by a circuit node to determine its relative position on the serial line.