EP2764661A2

EP2764661A2 - Communication network among electronic devices and method to automatically identify and manage the type of electronic devices connected to the network.

Info

Publication number: EP2764661A2
Application number: EP12829103.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Francesco URSO; Fabrizio Sellone; Andrea MERLI; Giulio COLUCCIA
Original assignee: Moltosenso Srl
Current assignee: Moltosenso Srl
Priority date: 2011-10-03
Filing date: 2012-10-03
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: ITTO20110877A1; WO2013050856A3; WO2013050856A2

Abstract

A communication network among electronic devices 4, said network is managed by means of a proper managing program "G", which is stored in at least one memory medium 21. Said network comprises at least one node 6, to which at least one of the electronic devices 4 is connected. Said node 6 comprises at least one motherboard 61 and at least one daughterboard 62, to which at least one device 4 is connected in an electrical manner or via radio. Said motherboard 61 and said daughterboard 62, which are electrically connected to one another, are suited to automatically identify and manage the type of electronic device 4 connected to said daughterboard 62, so that the network can manage said at least one device 4 as a function of the technical features of each connected device 4 itself.

Description

TITLE: COMMUNICATION NETWORK AMONG ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND METHOD TO AUTOMATICALLY RECOGNIZE AND MANAGE THE TYPE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES CONNECTED TO THE NETWORK The present invention is related to a communication network of electronic devices, both smart and passive devices, which, for example, communicate via wireless, said communication network being suited to manage a physical system.

Said communication network comprises at least one node, which is suited to identify, in an automatic manner, at least one peripheral device connected thereto.

In the technical field of wireless sensor networks, different systems are known, which feature predetermined configurations and architectures, which are suited to allow a data exchange between the central control unit and the different devices connected to the network.

Furthermore, electronic devices are known, in which, after the implementation of a dedicated computer program, every electronic device can communicate with a control unit via wireless.

Said device, therefore, has to be duly programmed before being used, as a function of the electronic device to which it is connected.

Furthermore, support devices are know, which are suited to operationalize the actuators that can be connected to a network.

Different methods are known, which are suited to connect different devices inside a network of electronic calculators or PCs. Furthermore, methods are known, which are suited to connect devices of different nature, which use middlewares, i.e. device-oriented computer software.

Said middlewares can be used both in wired networks and in wireless networks.

Said networks for the communication of electronic devices usually comprise:

• a network managing centre, which is base, for example, on a computer or on an integrated or embedded system;

• a network managing software, which is executed on the managing centre, and allows an operator to act on different components of the network and of the system;

• a series of smart objects provided with a processing unit and with some peripheral units, such as memory, timer, converters, interfaces, etc., which are able to communicate via radio with one another, with the network managing centre and with other networks through heterogeneous radio interfaces;

· power supplies, even from energy sources of different nature;

• routers, which are suited to establish a communication between the objects and the network managing centre, if they are too far apart. Said routers, in some cases, can establish a communication within sub-networks or groups of nodes, which share the same communication protocol .

Said smart objects can be protected against the external environment by a casing, which is able to guarantee a proper degree of insulation and protection.

Said smart objects, furthermore, can be provided with a series of electronic devices, which can be available, for example, as sensors of different nature, preferably temperature, humidity, light, etc. sensors, and with actuators of different nature, such as electro-valves, relays, electric motors, dialers, etc..

In particular, said network managing software allows:

• the transmitting parameters of the smart objects, which are considered as elements or nodes of a network, to be set;

• the parameters of the network as a whole to be set;

• the operating parameters of the smart objects to be set, when the latter are autonomous;

• the tasks to be given to the smart objects to be set, when the latter are collaborative;

· the results of the processing of the smart objects to be stored, displayed and processed in real time.

The communication networks mentioned above are not able to automatically connect and disconnect different types of electronic devices, both smart and non- smart, without a complicated manual programming phase.

In the networks mentioned above, for example, the replacement of a device connected to a node with another device having technical, operating and use features that are completely different from those of the previous device can be very complicated.

The networks mentioned above do not allow the management of devices whose functions are not known, listed and stored in advance in a server.

In the networks mentioned above, the use of the devices and the cooperation among the devices cannot be dynamically adjusted to the changing working conditions to which a network of sensors and actuators can be subject (for example: interferences, harsh environmental conditions, temporary lack of connectivity, etc.) .

The object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above by providing a communication network among electronic devices, comprising nodes which are suited to automatically identify the device connected thereto and to implement the drivers , the programs , and the protocols that are suitable for its management and use. Furthermore, the solution of the problems described above allows a more efficient and highly adjustable cooperation among the nodes of the networks, since each node available in the network, by identifying the functions of the other nodes and by being aware of the conditions to which it is subject, self-adjusts its functions by extending or limiting them.

One aspect of the present invention is related to a communication network for electronic devices having the features set forth in appended claim 1.

A further aspect of the present invention is related to a method for identifying a device connected to the communication network according to the present invention.

Further accessory features are set forth in the appended dependent claims .

The additional features and advantages of the communication network according to the present invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, which respectively illustrate what follows:

· figure 1 shows a schematic example of a communication network among electronic devices according to the present invention; • figure 2 shows a flowchart of the devices comprised in a node of the network according to the present invention;

• figures 3A and 3.B show different alternative embodiments of the communication network among devices according to the present invention.

The figures mentioned above show a communication network among electronic devices 4. Said network is managed by means of a proper managing program "G" , which is stored in at least one memory medium 21, which, for example, can be controlled by a central control unit 2, which is suited to manage the network by means of said managing program "G" .

Preferably, said control unit 2 is comprised in the network according to the present invention.

If necessary, said device 4 comprises at least one data processing unit 41, thus providing smart electronic devices .

In the preferred embodiments, which, for example, are shown in figures 1, 3A and 3B, said network comprises at least one node 6, to which at least one of the electronic devices 4 is connected. The connection of the electronic device 4 to the node 6 can be of the electrical type, by means of a suited physical electrical connection, for example by means of a bus, or of the electromagnetic type, by means of a wireless connection, for example a radio connection. Said connection is suited to transfer items of information from and to said device 4.

Said node 6 comprises at least one motherboard 61 and at least one daughterboard 62, to which one of the above- mentioned devices 4 can be connected in an electrical manner or via radio. For the purpose of the present invention, the term "motherboard 61" indicates an electronic circuit comprising a plurality of electronic components, such as integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors, etc., which is suited to assume the function of master or manager in the hierarchy of electronic devices comprised in the node 6.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term daughterboard 62 indicates an electronic circuit comprising a plurality of electronic components, such as integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors, etc., which is suited to assume the function of slave or subordinate, with respect to said motherboard 61, in the hierarchy of electronic devices comprised in the node 6.

Said motherboard 61 and said daughterboard 62, which are electrically connected to one another, are able to automatically identify the type of electronic device 4 connected to the node 6, in particular to said daughterboard 62. The automatic identification of the devices 4 allows the network, for example said central control unit 2, through the communications, to manage and/or use said device 4 as a function of the technical features of the connected device 4 itself.

The network according to the present invention allows said at least one device 4 to be detected in real time. The functions associated to the single device 4 can be automatically used by the network.

For the purpose of the present invention, the expression "detecting in real time" means that the device 4 can be connected to the network at any time by means of the node 6 and it is automatically identified by the node, which immediately presents its functions to the network. For the purpose of the present invention, the expression "automatically identified" means that a node 6, in order to present the functions of the new device 4 connected thereto, does not have to reset or stop the task being executed.

For the purpose of the present invention, the expression "can be automatically used" means that the network, in order to use the functions of a new device, does not need to be stopped or subject to a re-setting, since it considers the device 4 as an immediately functioning device.

Said network is preferably a wireless network, in which the nodes 6 communicate, both with one another and with the central control unit 2, via radio waves. Each node 6 comprises at least one transceiver device 64, so as to communicate both with other nodes 6 and with the central control unit 2, which is provided with a transceiver device 22 as well, as well as with other networks.

Said network can comprise one or more transceiver devices, for example gateways, which are suited to allow the communication of the entire network according to the present invention with other networks, for example GPRS, Internet, Bluetooth, etc. networks. By way of example, the use of a Bluetooth transceiver allows the implementation of a proximity detection system, which is better than the one that could be obtained with the communication protocol of the network; alternatively, the device 4, or the node 6 to which it is connected, can be interfaced to the Internet with a mobile phone or a Wi-Fi transmitter, so as to transfer data and allow said heterogeneous networks to cooperate . Said wireless network is preferably obtained according to one ore more protocol solutions, which are suited to establish a communication between objects, machines and devices. Preferably, low data rate or high data rate communication protocols are implemented, such as ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 6L0WPA , Ant, Dash7 , WirelessHART, etc..

Said electronic devices, if necessary, can comprise different types of sensors as a function of the physical system in which said network is implemented and of the physical parameters, such as temperature, humidity, etc., that said network has to monitor.

Said devices 4 can be sensors of different nature, such as, for example, temperature, humidity, light, gas, liquid levels, distance, acceleration, speed, etc., both analogue and digital, for example both MEMS (Micro Electro- Mechanical System) and NEMS (Nano Electro-Mechanical Systems) . Said sensors are suited to collect items of information on the physical conditions by means of measurements of chemical or physical parameters, which are translated into analogue or digital parameters.

Said devices can be sensors, which are suited to determine the performances of the network to which the devices 4 themselves or other electronic devices are connected. Furthermore, said electronic devices 4 can be actuators of different nature as a function of the physical system in which said network is implemented and as a function of the activities that said electronic device 4 has to carry out inside the physical system.

In particular, said actuators can be of different nature, such as, for example, motors, relays, etc., so as to actively operate on the physical system with electrical or mechanical actions or with actions of different nature. The devices 4 comprised in the network can be both analogue devices and digital devices.

Said devices 4, furthermore, can be devices for the interconnection of networks of gateways, which are suited to allow the communication of the entire network according to the present invention with other networks, for example GPRS, Internet, Bluetooth, etc. networks.

Finally, said devices 4 can be further electrical, mechanical or electromechanical devices, in addition to the ones mentioned above, which are suited to increase the functions of the network for the management and the monitoring of the physical system in which the network itself is implemented.

In a non- limiting embodiment, said electronic devices 4 comprise a power supply 43, which is suited to supply power to said device by using the energy of the mains or of other energy sources, such as, for example, batteries, solar power plants, wind farms, and Peltier cells.

In a non- limiting embodiment, said electronic devices 4 are preferably provided with a protection casing, which is suited to protect both the device against external agents and the devices arranged close to said device 4, for example mechanical or electromagnetic protection.

Said node 6 is suited to establish a communication between the devices 4 and both the central control unit 2 and other nodes 6. Furthermore, said nodes 6 act as routers, so as to handle the data flow inside the network and, in some case, they can also establish a communication between different networks, which, for example, are suited to monitor different physical systems.

In a non- limiting embodiment, which, for example, is shown in figure 3B, the transceiver device 64, besides being used as communication device of the node 6 with other nodes, is used as electronic device 4. Said transceiver device 64, in particular, can be used as distance sensor, in terms of length, for example between two nodes, or as measurer of the input and/or output data flow of said node 6. By way of example, the network can determine the distance between the two nodes mentioned above by measuring the power of the radio signal received by a second node 6 and by being aware of the power transmitted by a first node 6.

A non- limiting example of a physical system in which said communication network can be applied is a system for the heating cost allocation and the thermoregulation of a building or residential complex.

In this non-binding example, the central control unit

2 of the network consists of an electronic calculator or PC, which is arranged, for example, close to the boiler room of a building. In said central control unit 2, the network managing software or program "G" implements an algorithm for the heat accounting and the allocation of costs to the owners. Starting from heat measurements performed in every residential unit of the building, said program "G" determines the allocation of the costs for the heating of the building to each owner, based on their respective actual consumption.

The measurement of the heat consumed by each residential unit is performed by some electronic devices 4, which, for example, are supplied with power by batteries, and are preferably provided with at least one temperature sensor, which is able to directly measure the heat emitted by each radiator. Said measures are communicated, for example via radio, to the central control unit 2 of the network at predetermined time intervals, which can be programmed by the management software "G" .

Further electronic devices 4, which are directly supplied with power by the mains, comprise actuators, which are able to adjust the operating conditions of each radiator, based on the needs of each owner, for example by means of at least one electro-valve.

Said network, thanks to the nodes 6 according to the present invention, can be configured with electronic devices 4 of different nature, such as, for example, sensors, actuators, communication systems, without the need to re-design the entire network. Said nodes 6, furthermore, enable a correct data flow from and to the control unit 2.

Each node 6 according to the present invention comprises at least one power supply 63, which is suited to draw energy from a power supply source and to transfer it to the devices comprised in the node 6.

Each motherboard 61 comprises at least one control device 611, which is suited to:

• manage the electronic devices 4 connected to a node 6 by means of at least one of said daughterboards 62 to which said device 4 is connected,

· perform a first processing of the data coming from one of said daughterboards 62 and, if necessary, from the electronic devices 4,

• transmit the data processed to the network, for example to other nodes 6 and/or to the central control unit 2.

Said control device 611 substantially comprises at least one microcontroller, at least one non-volatile memory medium, for example EEPROM, and, if necessary, a plurality of optional elements, such as, for example, counters, calendars, additional memory cards, both volatile and non volatile, etc.. Said plurality of optional elements is suited to expand the functions controlling the electronic device 4.

A mentioned above, said daughterboard 62 is connected, electrically or by means of radio waves, to one or more electronic devices 4.

Said daughterboard 62 is able to manage, for an electrical point of view, each device 4 connected thereto, thus guaranteeing a correct manging circuit for each device 4.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term "managing circuit" indicates a circuit, which is suited to allow a correct operation of the device 4, so as to correctly perform the functions for which it has been designed, for example polarization circuits, FPGA, storage circuit, etc ..

In a non-limiting embodiment, said daughterboard 62 comprises a data processing unit 621, which is suited to control and manage the data flow from and to the motherboard 6 as well as from and to the electronic device 4.

Said data processing unit 621 is able to automatically determine the number and type of electronic devices 4 connected to the daughterboard 62 itself, irrespective of the number of devices 4 connected thereto and of the order in which said device 4 has been connected to the node 6.

Each daughterboard 62 communicates to the motherboard

61 the number and type of each device 4 connected to the node 6. Said motherboard 61 is operatively connected to said at least one daughterboard 62, so as to allow one or more daughterboards 62 to be connected or removed at any time, without the need for the network according to present invention to be re-designed or subject to a re-setting.

Said power supply 63 performs the task of drawing energy from a power supply source, even an instable one, such as a battery, a solar panel, a Peltier cell, a small wind turbine, a wall adapter, a USB socket, etc., and of transforming it into a stable power supply source, which is suited to supply power to the devices comprised in the node 6 and, if necessary, to the electronic devices 4 connected thereto. Said power supply 63, furthermore, is suited to charge a battery with the excess energy, thus making it available in case the primary power supply source is not available. Preferably, each node 6 comprises a single power supply 63, which is duly designed as a function of the number of devices 4 that could be connected to the node 6.

Said power supply 63, furthermore, is suited to automatically adjust to the primary source to which it is connected, always guaranteeing a stable supply of power to the node 6 itself and, if necessary, to the electronic devices 4 connected to the node 6 itself.

Finally, said power supply 63, in a non- limiting embodiment, is connected to the motherboard 61 and at least one daughterboard 62, in order to send signals concerning the operating state of the power supply itself. Based on the signals received from the power supply 63, the motherboard 61 and the daughterboards 62 can, for example, reduce their energy consumption, thus signalling the fault of the power supply 63 comprised in the node 6 to the central control unit 2. Each daughterboard 62 has the task of interfacing with the electronic device 4, in order to perform the operations for which the device 4 has been connected to the node 6.

The motherboard 61, at least one daughterboard 62 and the power supply 63 are electrically connected to one another, for example through a serial line, so as to allow a mutual exchange of information. In order to allow the electronic devices 4 comprised in the daughterboard 62 to perform their function of communication and automatic configuration, the motherboard 61 and said one or more daughterboards 62 have to communicate with one another through one or more buses or communication lines, e.g. the I2C bus or the CAN bus . The data transfer by means of said bus generally takes place thanks to the arbitrated access to said bus, e.g. by means of the multi-master mode of said bus or communication lines.

Anyway, the bus managing mode has to be selected so as to minimize the probability of collision between the motherboard 61 and the daughterboards 62 comprised in the node 6, maximizing the data exchange or throughput of the bus and minimizing communication latencies, delays and overloads. Said bus managing method, finally, has to be able to minimize the physical connection lines used.

Each device 4 connected to at least one node 6 can be managed, for example, by establishing a communication between said device and both the node 6 to which it is connected and a further node 6, which is not directly connected to the device 4, as well as the central control unit 2. By way of example, in the non- limiting embodiment in which the daughterboard 62 comprises the data processing unit 621, said device 4 can be managed both by the node 6 to which it is connected and by the central control unit 2, as well as by other nodes 6 comprised in the network.

Therefore, each device 4 connected to each node 6 is identified by the daughterboard 62 to which it is connected and by the motherboard 61 to which said daughterboard 62 is connected.

Each electronic device 4 is associated to an identification code, so that each node 6 of the network can reach said device by means of the motherboard 61 to which said device 4 is connected, in order to exploit all the potentialities of said device 4.

The control device 611 regulates the data flow from and to each electronic device 4 connected to the 6, so as to avoid conflicts on the data communication line.

As to the automatic identification of an electronic device 4 performed by the node 6 and the configuration of the daughterboards 62 connected to the motherboard 61, there has to be an initial data exchange or hand-shaking step, during which the control device 611 is allowed to identify the daughterboard 62 connected to the motherboard 61, and the devices 4, which, in turn, are connected to each single daughterboard 62. The motherboard 61 assigns a dynamic address to the daughterboards 62 and to the devices 4 connected thereto, so as to be able to obtain a node 6 comprising a plurality of daughterboards 62 but avoiding address and use conflicts of the bus on which the data are transmitted.

In order to avoid conflicts and, consequently, communication errors, the communication method between the motherboard 61 and the daughterboards 62 preferably implements, during the identification step, a token procedure, in which only the daughterboard 62 owing said token can use the above-mentioned bus to communicate with the motherboard 61.

Said token consists of an electrical signal, called token signal, e.g. an electrical signal at a low logic level, which is introduced into a predetermined token cable, thus defining a token line.

Said token cable consists of two one-way connections, which are opposite to one another and, in particular, are arranged between two devices, e.g. the motherboard 61 and a daughterboard 62.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term "low logic level" identifies an electrical signal at a predetermined voltage, which is associated to a logical boolean value corresponding to the 0 value, as opposed to the high logic level, which is associated to a logical boolean value corresponding to the 1 value .

Said token cable establishes a communication between the motherboard 61 and the daughterboards 62 and is configured so as to be able to connect a new daughterboard 62 at any time, without the need to re-design the interconnection of the entire cable with the motherboard 61 or the daughterboards 62 present in the node 6. In particular, said token cable connects, with a double oneway connection, the motherboard 61 to a first daughterboard 62, which, in turn, is connected to a second daughterboard 62, and so on until the n^th daughterboard 62.

The method for automatically identifying and managing the type of devices 4 connected to a node 6, which is connected to a network according to the present invention, comprises the following basic steps, which are preferably performed one after the other:

• providing of a token line at a high logic value; • passage of the token from the motherboard 61 to the first daughterboard 62;

• storage, on the part of the first daughterboard 62, both of the address of the motherboard 61 and of the address associated by the motherboard 61 to the daughterboard 62 itself;

• transmission to the motherboard 61 of the signature associated to the first daughterboard 62;

• storage, on the part of the motherboard 61, of the signature and of the address associated to the first daughterboard 62;

• association to the first daughterboard 62 of the functions of each associated device 4;

• propagation toward the network, e.g. toward the central control unit 2, of the configuration of the first daughterboard and of the devices 4 connected thereto;

• passage of the token from the first daughterboard to the next second daughterboard.

The procedure continues until the last daughterboard 62 receives the token communicating its address and its signature .

Preferably, said identification method is performed, on the part of the motherboard 61, at predetermined time intervals, for example every hour, so as to detect both the presence of new daughterboards 62, and consequently of new devices 4 associated to the node 6, and possible faults of one or more devices 4 or of one or more daughterboards 62.

The last daughterboard 62 connected to the motherboard 61, once the data exchange with the motherboard has ended, tries to pass the token to a following daughterboard, which does not exist, thus taking the token line to a low logic value. When a given amount of time Tmax has elapsed, said amount of time being timed, for example, by a counter comprised in every daughterboard, in case no acquisition of the token by a following daughterboard is detected, the last daughterboard communicates to the motherboard that there are no more daughterboards, for example by setting the return bus at a high level.

Furthermore, when a maximum amount of time Tmax' has elapsed, said maximum amount of time Tmax' being higher than Tmax, in case the daughterboard 62 has not acquired the token, the motherboard 61 orders to pass the token onto the next daughterboard, until a daughterboard acquires the token, thus temporarily taking control of the bus.

This function is useful in those cases in which a daughterboard 62 presents faults that prevent it from communicating with the motherboard; in this way the motherboard can continue the enquiry of the following daughterboards and signal, for example to the central control unit 2, the fault of one or more daughterboards 62 comprised in the node.

During the step for providing the token line, the motherboard 61, and in particular the control device 611, orders to set the entire token line at a high logic level, for example by means of a pull-up resistor arranged on each daughterboard 62 and on the motherboard 61 itself.

Subsequently, the token passage step takes place. Said step symbolically corresponds to the assignment of the right to the exclusive communication on the bus. Said first daughterboard 62 acknowledges the transition change on the token line, thus virtually acquiring the token.

Once the daughterboard, for example the first daughterboard 62, has acquired said token, the remaining daughterboards 62 comprised in a node 6 are prevented from using the bus, for example for the communication of data to the motherboard 61.

Subsequently, the storage step takes place. The acquisition of the token marks the beginning of a data exchange between the motherboard 61 and the daughterboard 62, which at that time is enabled to use the bus. During said step, the motherboard 61, besides associating a univocal address to the daughterboard 62, communicates the univocal address that is associated to the motherboard 61 itself. These data are stored in a non-volatile memory medium, which, for example, is comprised in the data processing unit 621 comprised in the daughterboard 62.

Once the addresses have been acknowledged, the following signature transmission step takes place. During said step, the daughterboard 62 communicates its univocal signature to the motherboard 61. Said signature is stored in a non-volatile memory medium, which is comprised in the daughterboard 62 itself, for example in the data processing unit 621.

Said signature describes, by means of a code, for example an alphanumeric code, the types of devices 4 available at the same time on the daughterboard 62 and, for each type of device 4, the number and the main features.

In a preferred non- limiting embodiment, the signature of each daughterboard 62 is formulated as follows:

0xNS-0xS1-0xS2-0xS3-0xNA-0xA1-0xA2-0xA3-0xNG-0xG1-0xG2

Wherein OxNS is the total number of sensors connected to the daughterboard, and 0xSl-0xS2-0xS3 is a predetermined code associated to each single sensor; said code, for example, is a function of the type and of the number of sensors of the same type comprised in the daughterboard 62. OxNA is the total number of actuators connected to the daughterboard, and 0xAl-0xA2-0xA3 is a predetermined code associated to each single actuator, for example, as a function of the type and of the number of actuators of the same type comprised in the daughterboard 62. Similarly, OxNG is the total number of gateways comprised, and OxGl- 0xG2 is the code associated to each single gateway.

By way of example, the first daughterboard comprising three sensors, of which two are temperature sensors and one is a humidity sensor comprising a mechanical actuator and one single gateway, has the following signature:

0x3-0x2-0x4-0x7-0x1 -0x2-0x1 -0x9 Said signature, therefore, specifies the total number of sensors, an identification code for each single sensor, the total number of actuators, an identification code for each single actuator, the total number of available gateways, and an identification code for each available gateway.

In the event that the devices 4 comprised in a daughterboard 62 change in terms of number or type, for example in the event that a temperature sensor is replaced by a pressure sensor or a type of sensors is introduced and/or removed, the signature is changed, by means of known storage means on non-volatile media, as a function of the changes performed on the daughterboard 62.

The change of the signature is performed, for example, by an operator, during the removal and/or the addition of the device 4 by modifying the content of the non-volatile memory medium. Subsequently, the storage step takes place in the motherboard 61. During said step, the data received from the daughterboard 62 are stored in a non-volatile support medium, which, for example, is comprised in the control device 611, which is comprised in the motherboard 61 itself.

Following the storage step, the step for the association of the functions to each device 4 takes place. During said step, the sequence of commands aimed at managing all the devices 4 connected to the node 6 is developed, so as to allow each single device 4 to be associated to some main instructions for performing given operations, such as switching on, measurement, data transmission, etc.

Therefore, after the equipment of the devices has been determined and the functions that can be performed on each device 4 have been identified, the node 6 can load/store, in a non-volatile memory medium, only the code portions that are necessary for the configuration and the use of each single device 4.

Said code portions, which, for example can be applied for an entire category of sensors or actuators, are stored in at least one database or library, from which the motherboard 61, which is comprised in each node 6, can draw the code portions of interest as a function of the devices 4 connected to the daughterboards 62.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term "library" indicates a database, which is organized according to any given method and is suited to contain items of information, functions and data structures, which are useful for the development of the network according to the present invention. The data contained inside said at least one database or library can be updated by the operators, so as to allow the use of code portions that are more and more performing or to introduce new functions for the management of the devices 4 or new code portions for the management of new types of devices 4.

The modification of the contents of said at least one database or library takes place with the methods known for the modification of data on non-volatile memory media.

Subsequently the propagation step takes place, during which configuration of the daughterboard 62 and of the devices 4 connected to the daughterboard 62 itself is propagated toward the central control unit 2.

During this step, the motherboard 61 communicates to the network, for example to the central control unit, the number, type and features of each device 4 connected to the daughterboard that is communicating with the motherboard 61.

At the end of the propagation step, the step for the passage of the token to the next daughterboard takes place. During said step, once the data exchange between the first daughterboard 62 and the motherboard 61 has ended, the first daughterboard 62 itself sets the state of the token line at a low logic level at the output toward the next daughterboard, for example the second daughterboard.

Said token passage between the daughterboards 62 allows the next daughterboard to perform the same procedure for the identification of the devices 4 connected thereto and the data exchange with the motherboard 61.

Once the exchange of information between the motherboard 61 and all the daughterboards 62 comprised in the node 6 has ended, the motherboard 61 itself transmits a complete and updated map of the number of daughterboards 62 comprised in the node 6 and of the devices 4 connected to the node 6 itself specifying the physical functions that can be performed by each device 4 and the software functions that can be associated to each device .

Therefore, the motherboard 61 propagates toward the central control unit 2, or broadcasts to the network, the entirety of the functions that it can present to the network and updates them as new ones are made available. The updated map of the functions of the single nodes 6 and/or of the entire network can be stored in non-volatile memory medium, which, for example, is arranged close to the central control unit 2 and performs the function of network manager. In an alternative embodiment, the items of information concerning the functions of the network can be locally stored by the single nodes, thus providing a distributed network management.

In the event that a node 6 or a device 4 needs a special service, the node or device itself transmits a request to the entire network; otherwise, if it is already available in the map of the neighboring nodes, said request is transmitted directly to a specific node and/or device.

Preferably, the functions of each single electronic device 4 comprised in the daughterboard 62 can be developed by means of a machine learning process of the device 4 itself, so as to optimally manage all the features and functions of each device 4.

The development or not of the features and functions of the network is a function of the needs .of the network itself.

This development or regression of the features and functions of the devices 4 takes place without any interruption of the operation of the network itself and, therefore, without any re- setting to be performed when a new device 4 enters the network.

Said machine learning process substantially is an implementing program, which is suited to develop and create the code for the management of each single device 4 and is suited to associate each device 4 to specific software functions. Said process adds, to the initial code portions associated to the functions and the commands, further structures or code portions for processors that are suited to manage different features and functions for each single device 4.

Said machine learning process allows, by means of cyclical operations, the determination of the optimal use conditions of the different technical features of each single device 4, thus developing an optimal management protocol suited for each single device 4.

Said machine learning process guarantees simplicity in the use of the functions of the device 4, since the programmer is always provided with the usual interfaces, which are optimized for that single device directly in the network and in a transparent way for the programmer himself, thus managing a set of standard interfaces.

By means of said protocol, new features of the device 4 , which can be correctly used by means of the network managing program "G" or in a distributed manner through the other nodes of the network, are made available to the network.

Said machine learning process allows the configuration of each managing circuit of each sensor or actuator. Said configuration, for example, is carried out in series. Preferably, said configuration starts with the configuration of the most important functions of each device 4 and goes on until all the functions of the device 4 are correctly configured.

The configuration order is preferably established in advance .

The network managing program "G" can comprises, furthermore, at least one library for the virtualization of the components of the network, which is suited to create, in the managing centre, a virtual copy of the different devices operating in the network, for example the nodes 6, the devices 4, etc..

Said virtualization libraries, furthermore, are suited to allow access to all the functions provided to the network by the specific virtualized object; by way of example, the data exchanged by the node 6 with the other nodes 6 of the network, the data stored by the single node 6 in mass memories comprised therein, etc.

In the preferred embodiment of the network, the network managing program "G" comprises, furthermore, at least one application managing code portion, which is suited to allow an interaction between the network and the operator or final user. Said managing code portion manages the applications developed to use the services provided by the network itself. It has the task of presenting, by means of said applications, the services provided by the network of electronic devices 4, managing the use of the applications by the final user, and, finally, manging, at a high level, the actuation of the service requested to the network .

The storage of the data of the network and of the programs for managing both the network and each single device 4 comprised in the network itself can be distributed on different nodes 6, which are connected to the network. With this configuration, the network operability can be maximized. In said configuration, the functions are concentrated in predetermined nodes,- by way of example, one node has the task of receiving data from the network managing program, locally storing them as backup, and sending them to a remote machine or to a central control unit 2, where the operator or final user can see and process them or recover them in case of need.

The network according to the present invention allows specific functions to be added to or removed from the network, even in a non predetermined manner, without the need to the latter to interrupt the activities being performed in real time.

The network according to the present invention allows an optimization of the functions of the network developing inside the network itself; this occurs in an automatic manner, thanks to the real-time and automatic identification of the devices comprised in the network.

The functions of the network according to the present invention are not limited by the mere combination of the functions of the single devices available in the network, since they can vary as a function of the working conditions of the network and of the logic with which it has been designed.

The functions of the single devices are adjusted so as to perform the functions for which the network has been designed.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A communication network among electronic devices (4); said network is managed by means of a proper managing program (G) , which is stored in at least one memory medium (21) ;

said network comprises at least one node (6), to which at least one of the electronic devices (4) is connected;

said network is characterized in that:

• said at least one electronic device (4) is a sensor or an actuator, which comprises at least one data processing unit (41) ;

• said node (6) comprises at least one motherboard (61) and at least one daughterboard (62) , to which at least one device (4) is connected in an electrical manner or via radio;

• said motherboard (61) and said daughterboard (62) , which are electrically connected to one another, are suited to automatically identify and manage the type of electronic device (4) connected to said daughterboard (62) and to associate functions to each device (4) ;

• said motherboard (61) is suited to present the entirety of the functions to the network and to update them as new ones are made available;

so that the network can identify ^"in real time and manage said at least one device (4) as a function of the technical features of each connected device (4) itself, and so that the devices of the network can automatically use said functions .

2. A network according to claim 1, wherein said network is a wireless network, in which the nodes (6) communicate with one another via radio waves according to one ore more protocol solutions, which are suited to establish a communication between objects, machines and devices.

3. A network according to any of the previous claims, wherein each motherboard (61) comprises at least one control device (611), which is suited to:

• manage the electronic devices (4) connected to a node (6) by means of at least one of said daughterboards (62) comprised in the network to which said device (4) is connected;

· perform a first processing of the data coming from one of said daughterboards (62) ;

• transmit the data processed to other nodes (6) of the network .

4. A network according to claim 3, wherein each node (6) comprises, furthermore, at least one power supply (63) , which is suited to draw energy from a power supply source and to transfer it to the devices comprised in the node (6) .

5. A network according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device (4) is a device for the interconnection of networks of gateways, which is suited to allow the communication of the entire network and with other networks .

6. A network according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device (4) is an electrical, mechanical or electromechanical device, which is suited to increase the functions of the network for the control and the monitoring of the physical system in which the network itself is implemented.

7. A network according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device (4) is a transceiver device, which is suited both to establish a communication between the node (6) and other nodes and to collect items of information as a sensor.

8. A network according to claim 1, wherein said network can be controlled by means of a central control unit (2) , which is suited to manage the network by means of said managing program (G) .

9. A network according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of nodes (6) fulfills the function of distributed management of the network.

10. A network according to claim 1, wherein the network managing program (G) comprises, furthermore, at least one virtualization library of the components of the network, which is suited to create a virtual copy of the different devices operating in the network.

11. A method for automatically identifying and managing the type of an electronic device (4) connected to a node (6), which is part of a network according to claim 1; said method is characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• providing of a token line at a high logic value;

• passage of the token from the motherboard (61) to a first daughterboard (62) ;

• storage, on the part of the first daughterboard (62) , both of the address of the motherboard (61) and of the address associated by the motherboard (61) to the daughterboard (62) itself;

• transmission to the motherboard (61) of the signature associated to the first daughterboard (62) ; • storage, on the part of the motherboard (61) , of the signature and of the address associated to the first daughterboard (62) ;

• association of the functions to each device (4) associated to the first daughterboard (62) ;

• propagation toward the network of the configuration of the first daughterboard (62) and of the devices (4) connected thereto;

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein, by means of a machine learning process, the functions associated to each single electronic device (4) are further developed or loaded in the memory in order to be selected, so as to optimally manage all the features and functions of each device (4) connected to the node (6) .

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said specific signature comprises:

- the total number of sensors;

- an identification code for each single sensor;

- the total number of actuators;

- an identification code for each single actuator.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said specific signature comprises, furthermore:

- the total number of available gateways;

- an identification code for each single available gateway;

- the total number (4) of further devices (4) comprised in a further type of devices (4) ;

- an identification code for each device (4) belonging to this last type.