초록 ▼

The present invention provides a controller that operates using two different processors. Each processor performs certain predetermined functions. A control processor is responsible for switching AC power distribution and control, while a message processor is responsible for messaging. A polling sch

The present invention provides a controller that operates using two different processors. Each processor performs certain predetermined functions. A control processor is responsible for switching AC power distribution and control, while a message processor is responsible for messaging. A polling scheme and arbitration logic prevent data transfers relating to these two processors from interfering with each other. A configurable interface allows many different types of appliances to attach to the system, and a serial multimode interface further enhances the configurability of the system.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for controlling electrical power and distributing digital data between a plurality of first type appliances only inputting AC power, second type non-microprocessor based appliances inputting AC power and receiving and transmitting digital data, and third type microprocessor based appliances

A system for controlling electrical power and distributing digital data between a plurality of first type appliances only inputting AC power, second type non-microprocessor based appliances inputting AC power and receiving and transmitting digital data, and third type microprocessor based appliances inputting AC power and receiving and transmitting digital data, said system comprising: control processor means for performing control operations including processing control digital data from one of said first, second and third type appliances to any other of said first, second and third type appliances; message processor means for handling transmission of message digital data from one of said third type appliances to another of said third type appliances; a plurality of numerically identifiable electrical branches; a plurality of branch interface means coupled to each of said plurality of branches for receiving and transmitting some of said digital data associated with any of two of said first, second and third type appliances, each branch interface means comprising: means for supplying two addresses identifying uniquely both of said any two of said first, second and third type alliances; means for serially inputting and outputting some of said digital data to said branch; means for serially inputting and outputting some of said digital data to first and second data ports; means for controlling AC power delivered to said both of said any two of said first, second and third type appliances using some of said control digital data; and user configurable means for encoding a branch interface type signal representing a predetermined configuration of said branch interface apparatus; a plurality of appliance connect means for coupling said second and third types of appliances to said branch interface means; and polling means coupled between said control processor means, said message processor means, and said plurality of electrical branches for polling each of said branch interface means, said polling means comprising: control polling means for polling each of said branches one at a time in a numerically ascending order; message polling means for polling each of said branches one at a time in numerically descending order; and arbitor means for determining priority of said control and message polling means so that the same branch is never used by said control processor means and said message processor means at the same time.