Abstract:
A method of automatically assigning device addresses to devices communicating over a common data bus. Each of the devices may, for example, control an electrically operable system such as a panel assembly that can be disposed over a window opening to control the transmission of light, heat or air through the window and/or for producing different decorative scenes within a room. The method includes sending out a first, trial device address and waiting for an acknowledgement from all of the other devices connected to the data bus to determine whether another device acknowledges that first trial device address as its own. If an acknowledgement is received from any other device, a subsequent, different, trial address is transmitted over the data bus and further waiting ensues to check whether the second trial address has been previously assigned. This process is repeated until the device finds a previously unassigned device address which it then assigns to itself.
Abstract:
A motor-operated panel system includes a panel assembly consisting of an elongated flexible web formed of a plurality of different panels connected end-to-end for controlling the transmission of light, heat or air through a window and/or for producing different decorative scenes within a room. The panel assembly is wound on substantially identical elongated and spacedly arranged hollow rollers including an upper roller which contains a reversible motor, gear train, magnetic brake and a position sensor totally within the interior of the upper hollow roller. The position sensor serves to sense the absolute rotational position of the upper roller. The lower roller contains a torsional spring which is prewound to exert a pulling torque on the panel assembly, which torque is normally resisted by the magnetic brake in the upper roller. The panel system is controlled remotely from a panel control which may be wall mounted, communicating with the panel system via a data bus. Several panel systems may be controlled from a single panel control and/or any panel system may be operable from more than one panel control.