Network configuration and method for assigning of network addresses to fans in a network
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10812444-B2
Publication Date
2020-10-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention concerns a method for the configuration of a network with network addresses, wherein the network consists of at least one central computer and a plurality of fans, which can communicate via a bus system in wired and/or wireless manner with the central computer, wherein each fan has a rewritable memory and a RFID interface for communication with a preferably mobile communications device, wherein the serial number of the respective fan is saved in its memory and the serial number can be read out by the communications device in the nonoperational voltage-free state of the particular fan.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a network comprising at least one central computer and a plurality of fans that can be in a voltage-free nonoperational state or in an operational state supplied with voltage. The plurality of fans communicate in a wired and/or a wireless manner via a bus system with the central computer. Each fan has a rewritable memory and a RFID interface for communication with a mobile communications device, where a serial number of a respective fan is stored in its memory.
The serial number can be read out in a voltage-free nonoperational state of the respective fan by the mobile communications device. The central computer is configured to automatically assign network addresses to voltage-free fans of the plurality of fans depending on the serial number read out. A position detection device is integrated in or provided in direct proximity to the mobile communications device to detect the position of the mobile communications device when the communications device is closest to a desired fan.
The detected position is relayed in the form of position data directly or indirectly to the memory, where the positioning data is in the form of coordinate data for locating a particular floor of a particular building of several buildings. A plurality of beacons, preferably Bluetooth beacons, are provided and distributed in surroundings of installation positions of the fans. Software of the communications device identifies each beacon in its transmission range and detects its signal strength or signal propagation time to determine a distance to a particular beacon, enabling ascertaining the desired fan position by determining relative position to one of the plurality of beacons.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim. The independent claim covers a fan network with voltage-free identification via RFID, automatic network address assignment by a central computer based on fan serial numbers, and commissioning that uses mobile-device position detection with beacon-based relative positioning to store coordinate-based floor/building position data in fan memory.
Voltage-free fan identification by RFID serial number
Each fan has a rewritable memory and a RFID interface for communication with a mobile communications device, wherein a serial number of a respective fan is stored in its memory and the serial number can be read out in a voltage-free nonoperational state of the respective fan by the mobile communications device.
Automatic assignment of network addresses based on read-out serial numbers
The central computer is configured such that it can automatically assign network addresses to voltage-free fans of the plurality of fans depending on the serial number read out.
Mobile-device integrated position detection to associate the closest desired fan
A position detection device is integrated in or provided in direct proximity to the mobile communications device, the position detection device detects position of the mobile communications device when the communication device is closest to a desired fan of the plurality of fans.
Beacon-based relative position for coordinate floor/building localization
A plurality of beacons are provided and distributed in surroundings of installation positions of the fans, and software of the communications device is configured to identify each beacon in its transmission range and detect its signal strength or signal propagation time to determine a distance to a particular beacon, enabling ascertaining the desired fan position by determining relative position to one of the plurality of beacons, wherein the positioning data is in the form of coordinate data for locating a particular floor of a particular building of several buildings.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage combines RFID-based serial-number reading from voltage-free fans, central-computer automatic address assignment from those serial numbers, and positioning-driven association of the closest desired fan using coordinate data for floor/building localization supported by beacon ranging and mobile-device position detection.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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