WO2014016503A2

WO2014016503A2 - Device pairing

Info

Publication number: WO2014016503A2
Application number: PCT/FR2013/051750
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Wildhorn; Boris DUPOUX
Original assignee: Ipw Europe
Priority date: 2012-07-23
Filing date: 2013-07-19
Publication date: 2014-01-30
Also published as: WO2014016503A3; FR2993731A1; FR2993731B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for pairing at least one wireless device (104, 106, 108) with a control module (102) of a wireless network, comprising the following steps: the control module (102) wirelessly emits a universal configuration signal to one or a plurality of wireless devices (104, 106, 108); in response to the universal configuration signal, each unpaired wireless device from the wireless devices wirelessly emits a response signal to the control module indicating that it is unpaired, the response signal comprising a unique identifier of the wireless device; the control module (102) wirelessly emits a pairing request signal to at least one of the unpaired wireless devices, the pairing request signal comprising a unique identifier of the control module; and said at least one unpaired wireless device saves the unique identifier to pair it with the control module.

Description

PAIRING DEVICES

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method and device for pairing wireless devices, and in particular to a method and device for pairing one or more wireless devices with a wireless control module.

Presentation of the prior art

Wireless networks comprising a number of devices that can communicate with a control module can perform various functions in a given environment. For example, wireless devices may include sensors adapted to make certain measurements of approximately ^¬ ment, such as temperature readings or pressure, and communicate the measurements to the control module.

More recently, it has been proposed to use such wireless networks to connect lamps that provide lighting for an area, such as a house, a garden, a street, a stage, and so on. Control signals can be transmitted wirelessly to each of the wireless lamps from the control module, to control various lamp functions, such as brightness level, color, flash frequency, etc. Such wireless networks are generally protected, so that only an authorized control module has permission to control the wireless devices, and so only wireless devices that are part of the wireless network can be controlled by the wireless module. ordered. For this, during a network initialization phase, a pairing method is used to link the control module to each wireless device of the network. The pairing method generally implies that each wireless device learns an identifier of the authorized control module, and that the authorized control module learns an identifier of each wireless device forming the network.

To prevent unauthorized remote pairing of wireless devices, a solution is to enable one pairing that when a button is pressed on each available wireless ^¬ operative part to be paired. However, a disadvantage of using such a pairing mechanism is that for some types of wireless devices it is inconvenient to press a button on each device during docking. For example, in the case of a network of wireless lamps, once the lamps have been placed in their environment, for example in the water of a swimming pool, or at the top of trees, recovering the lamps may be problematic and time-consuming if for example the wireless devices have to be paired with a new control module.

There is therefore a technical problem for pairing new devices in a wireless network without using a button on each wireless device to be paired.

summary

An object of embodiments of the present invention is to at least partially solve one or more problems of the prior art.

In one aspect, there is provided a method for pairing at least one wireless device with a control module of a wireless network, comprising the steps of: transmitting without the control module transmits a universal configuration signal to one or more wireless devices; in response to the universal configuration signal, wirelessly transmitting to the control module by each unpaired wireless device among the wireless devices a response signal indicating that it is unpaired, the response signal comprising a unique identifier the wireless device; transmitting wirelessly by the control module a pairing request signal to at least one of the unpaired wireless devices, the pairing request signal comprising a unique identifier of the control module; and storing by said at least one unpaired wireless device the unique identifier for pairing with the control module.

According to one embodiment, each of said one or more wireless devices includes a first lamp, the method further comprising, in response to the signal configu ration ^¬ universal, activating the first lamp by each wireless device unpaired.

According to another embodiment, each of said one or more wireless devices comprises the first lamp of a first color, a second lamp of a second color and a third lamp of a third color, the method comprising, in response to the universal configuration signal, the activation of the second lamp by each paired device among said one or more wireless devices if it is paired with the control module or the third lamp if it is paired with another module control.

According to another embodiment, before transmitting the pairing request signal, the control module is adapted to wirelessly transmit a control signal to said at least one unpaired wireless device for modifying a light adjustment. the first lamp.

In another embodiment, the control signal modifies the light setting of the first lamp causing it to flash. According to another embodiment, the method further comprises wirelessly transmitting, by the control module to said one or more paired wireless devices, a control signal to control a function of the paired wireless devices, the control signal being transmitted at a first power level, and the universal configuration signal being output at a second power level lower than the first power level.

According to another embodiment, the pairing of the wireless device with the control module comprises storing, in a memory location of a memory of the wireless device, the unique identifier of the control module, the memory location. which can be rewritten only by a communication comprising the unique identifier of the control module.

In another aspect, there is provided a control module comprising: a wireless communication interface; a memory ; and a processing device arranged to: wirelessly transmit a universal configuration signal via the wireless communication interface to one or more wireless devices; wirelessly receiving, in response to the universal configuration signal, a response signal from each unpaired wireless device among the wireless devices, indicating that it is unpaired, the response signal comprising a unique identifier of the device without wire; memorize the unique identifier in the memory; and wirelessly transmitting a pairing request signal by the inter ^¬ médiaire of one wireless communication interface to at least one of the wireless devices not paired, the pairing request signal comprising a unique identifier of control module.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a wireless device including a wireless communication interface; a memory ; and a control block arranged to: wirelessly receive from a control module via the wireless communication interface a universal configuration signal; in response to the universal configuration signal, wirelessly transmitting to the control module a response signal indicating that it is unpaired, the response signal comprising a unique identifier of the wireless device; and wirelessly receiving the control module a pairing request signal, the pairing request signal comprising a unique identifier of the control module.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a wireless network comprising the aforementioned control module and at least one wireless device as mentioned above.

Brief description of the drawings

The objects, features, aspects and advantages mentioned above ^¬ of the invention, and others, will emerge from reading the following detailed description of Réali modes ^¬ tion, given by way of illustration and not limitation, referring the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a wireless network according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates in more detail a wireless device of the wireless network of Figure 1 according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates in more detail a control module of the wireless network of Figure 1 according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating ^¬ opera tions in a method of pairing devices in a network according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail operations performed by a wireless device of the wireless network of Fig. 1 during the pairing process of Fig. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail operations performed by a control module of the wireless network of Figure 1 during the pairing process of Figure 4; and

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing signal flows between devices of a wireless network of Fig. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a wireless system 100 comprising a wireless control module 102, and a number of wireless devices, in this example four wireless devices 104, 106, 108, and 110.

It will be assumed that initially the wireless devices are not paired. As used herein, the term "unpaired device" means that the device has not been linked to a control module, and in particular, a unique identifier for a control module, such as a serial number of the control module, was not programmed into the unpaired device. When not paired, wireless devices operate for example with limited function ^¬ nalités. Alternatively, when not paired, the wireless devices can operate with all their functionality under the control of any control module.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates in more detail the wireless device 104 of Figure 1 according to an example embodiment. The other devices 106, 108 and 110 are for example identical to the device 104.

The wireless device 104 includes a control block 202, which for example controls a lamp module 204. The control block 202 comprises, for example, hardware comprising one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and / or one or more several processing devices under the control of instructions from an instruction memory (not shown in Figure 2). The lamp module 204 comprises for example three lamps 204A, 204B, and 204C, which emit respectively red, green and blue when activated. Although not shown in Figure 2, in addition to or instead there may be one or more other lamps emitting white light. For example, each of the lamps consists of one or more LEDs (light emitting diodes) and / or other light emitting devices.

The control block 202 is also in communication with a wireless communication interface 206, which is arranged to receive and transmit wireless signals via an antenna 208. In addition, a memory 210, which is for example a non-volatile programmable memory such as an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) is coupled to the control block 202. The memory 210 stores for example network configuration information including a memory location 212 storing a serial number SN of the wireless device 104, and a memory location 213 storing a serial number of the control module 102 with which it is paired. For example, the memory 210 is implemented by a bank of registers, and the memory locations 212 and 213 correspond to individual registers of this bank.

As will be described in more detail below, once the serial number of the control module 102 has been stored in the memory location 213, the control block 202 allows, for example, only the same control module , i.e., the control module having this serial number, to reset the data stored in this memory location. In some embodiments, this data may also be reset by a manual reset operation, for example by physically pressing a button on the wireless device 104.

The various blocks of the wireless device 104, including the lamp module 204, are, for example, powered by a power supply module (PSU) 214. For example, the power supply module 214 comprises one or more battery cells recharging. geable. In particular, the wireless device 104 is for example autonomous for at least several hours or more, which means that it does not need to be coupled to an external power source, such as a power supply network, to work. Recharging the battery cells is for example performed by a transformer (not shown) coupled to a power supply network, or by one or more solar cells or other means.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in block diagram form, the control module 102 according to an exemplary embodiment.

In this example, the control module 102 comprises a processing device 302, which receives instructions from an instruction memory 304. The processing device 302 is for example coupled to a wireless communication interface 306, which is arranged to receive and transmit wireless communications via an antenna 308. In addition, a memory 310, which is for example a nonvolatile programmable memory, such as an EEPROM, is coupled to the processing device 302. The memory 310 stores network configuration information, including in a memory location 312 an SN serial number of the control module 102, and in a memory location 313 the serial numbers of one or more wireless devices paired with the memory module. order 102.

The control module 102 also includes for example a display and / or a touch screen 314, which provides a user interface, as will be described in more detail below.

The control module 102 is for example a portable electronic dispo ^¬ operative part capable of wireless communication and can perform other functions, such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a handheld terminal or the like. In a variant, the control module 102 could be a dedicated control device. A pairing method for linking one or more wireless devices 104 to 110 with the wireless control module 102 of FIG. 1 will now be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main operations performed during a pairing method according to an exemplary embodiment.

In a first operation 401, the control module 102 wirelessly transmits a universal configuration signal to all wireless devices within range. For example, the universal configuration signal includes a universal serial number, which is for example known to all wireless devices in the network even before pairing. In one example, the universal serial number consists of six bytes of data. The universal serial number is for example followed by two bytes of code indicating the command, in this case a configuration command. For example, this universal signal is output with reduced power compared to the normal control signals output from the control module 102. This limits accidental interference with other unpaired devices in the vicinity. As shown in FIG. 1, in one example, the limit of the transmission range of this universal configuration signal corresponds to line 112, and includes wireless devices 104, 106 and 108, but not wireless device 110. .

In a subsequent operation 402, the unpaired wireless devices that receive the universal configuration signal respond by transmitting a response signal to the control module 102 indicating that they are unpaired, and including, for example, their SN serial number. or another identifier enabling the control module 102 to identify the wireless devices that respond. In addition, each unpaired wireless device also activates for example one or more of its lamps, thus indicating to a user of the control module 102 which lamps are not paired. For example, a wireless device is considered unpaired if its memory location 213 shown in FIG. 2 has not been programmed with the serial number of a control module. For example, when not paired, the memory location 213 stores a default value, for example consisting entirely of zeros.

In a subsequent operation 403, the control module 102 wirelessly transmits, in turn to one or more unpaired wireless devices, a tap request signal. For example, the pairing request signal includes network configuration information, such as a unique identifier or serial number of the control module, for example comprising 8 bytes of data. The pairing request signal also comprises, for example represented by 2 data multiplets, a code indicating the command to be executed, in this case the pairing request. In order to perform the pairing, the unique identifier / serial number is stored by the unpaired wireless device in the memory location 213, allowing it to be linked to the control module 102, as will be described further in detail in the following. The control module 102 also stores for example the serial number of the wireless device in the memory location 313.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail the operations performed by the control block 202 of the wireless device 104 of FIG. 2 during the pairing process of FIG. 4. The other devices 106, 108 and 110 operate, for example in the same way.

In a first operation 501, the wireless device 104 is for example activated, for example by activating the power source of the device, so that it can start to receive wireless signals. The device is initially unpaired, and for example it does not store the identifier of any control module in the memory location 213 of its memory 210. In a subsequent operation 502, it is determined whether a universal configuration signal has been received from any control module, such as module 102. Until such a configuration signal is received, the wireless device can for example remain in a semi-functional state, in which one or more of its functions are disabled. For example, the lamp module 204 may remain inactive. Alternatively, as previously mentioned, the wireless device may be operative prior to receiving the universal configuration signal, and be controllable by any control module.

When the universal configuration signal is received, the next operation is operation 503, in which a lamp of the lamp module 204 is activated in the configuration mode. In particular, the control block 202 activates for example one of the lamps 204A to 204C during the configuration mode, the color of the activated lamp indicating that the wireless device 104 is unpaired.

In a subsequent operation 504, the wireless device 104 transmits a response signal to the control module 102, indicating that it is unpaired, and comprising its unique identifier, for example its serial number SN. For example, each wireless device and each control module of the wireless network has an associated unique identifier, such as a serial number, which allows it to be distinguished from other devices in the network. For example, this identifier is transmitted with all the communications transmitted by the wireless device 104, and is included in communications addressed speci ^¬ fically to the wireless device 104.

The response signal is for example sent to the control module 102 after a random delay, to reduce the chances that a response signal will occur at the same time as the response signal of another wireless device.

In a following operation 505, it is determined whether a pairing request has been received from the control module 102, by example with a certain delay time after the transmission of the response of the operation 504. If so, the next operation is the operation 506 in which a unique identifier, such as the serial number of the control module 102, is stored by the wireless device 104 in the memory location 213, Réali ^¬ sant and a pairing of the wireless device 104 with the wireless control unit 102. Also, in operation 506, a confirmation signal is emitted e.g. to the control module 102.

After the operation 506, or after the operation 505 if no pairing request is received, the next operation is the operation 507. In the operation 507, it is determined whether a configuration output command has been received from the control module 102. When such a command is received, the next operation is the operation 508, in which the wireless device 102 exits the configuration mode. Once it is paired with the control module 102 and is no longer in the configuration mode, the wireless device 104 is for example sensitive only to communications received from the control module 102. In particular, these communications always include for example the serial number of the control module 102. The serial number transmitted is compared with the serial number stored by the wireless device in the memory location 213, and if they match, the wireless device will react to the command indicated in the communication. However, if it receives a universal configuration signal from another control module, it can activate one of its lamps to indicate that it is already paired.

For example, the lamp illuminated during operation 503 is of a first color to indicate that the device is not paired, and the lamp on after pairing is of a second different color to indicate that the device is already paired. In one embodiment, if it is the control module 102 that sends another universal configuration signal, the lamp 104 can respond by turning on a lamp a third color different from the first and second colors. In some embodiments, in this case it may be possible for a user to select this lamp using the control module to for example remove the association of the lamp with the control module. For example, a green light is on to indicate that the device is not paired, a blue light is on to indicate that the device is already paired with the control module, and a red light is on to indicate that the device is already paired with another control module.

In a subsequent operation 509, the wireless device 104 waits for a command from the control module 102. For example, the control could be to activate one or more of the lamps of the lamp module 204, to adjust one or more lamp settings, as the frequency cligno ^¬ ment or brightness and / or to perform any other functions of the wireless device 104.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail the operations in the pairing method of FIG. 4, carried out by the wireless control module 102, and in particular by the processing device 302 of the control module 102.

In a first operation 601, the processing device 302 for example transmits a universal configuration signal via the wireless communication interface 306. For example, a user selects a configuration mode using the control module 102 , the configuration mode used to define and / or update the pairing of the device in the network. In response to entering the configuration mode, the universal configuration signal is transmitted by the control module 102.

In a subsequent operation 602, for example after a certain time, the processing device 302 determines whether one or more wireless devices have responded. If none has responded, the next operation is operation 603, in which an error message is for example displayed on the affi ^¬ cheur / touch panel 314 of control module 102, indicating for example that there is "no devices in range". The user can then change their location, for example to be closer to the lamps to configure, before entering the configuration mode again.

In the other case, if in operation 602 responses are received from one or more unpaired wireless devices, the next operation is operation 604.

In the operation 604, a parameter N is set equal to the number of devices that responded in the operation 602, and a variable i is initialized to 1. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the parameter N is set to 3, which corresponds to the three wireless devices 104, 106 and 108 in the scope of the control module 102 which are supposed to respond to the universal configuration message. As will become apparent hereinafter, the responding wireless devices are, for example, ordered from 1 to N in the order in which the response signal is received from each device.

In a subsequent operation 606, it is determined whether an option of adding all unpaired wireless devices that respond, in other words pairing the control module 102 with each of the N unpaired devices, has been selected by the user. . For example, after receiving responses for one or more wireless devices, the utili ^¬ sateur is invited to indicate whether it wishes that all available devices are paired, or wants a decision by which devices will be paired.

If the "add all" option has not been selected by the user, the user is for example asked whether the device i unpaired devices must be added. At the same time, the control module 102 optionally transmits a control signal to the device i to command it to change its lighting function, to make it clear to the user which lamp is being considered. By example, change the lighting function Provogue cli ^¬ gnotement of one or more lamps of the relevant device.

If in operation 608 it is decided to add the device i, in other words to pair control module 102 with the wireless device, the following operation is the ope ration 610 ^¬.

In the operation 610, a pairing request is transmitted wirelessly to the device i by the control module 102, the pairing request including, for example, a unique identifier, such as a serial number, of the control module 102.

In the following operation 612, it is determined whether a confirmation message has been received from the wireless device i. The confirmation signal, which corresponds to the signal transmitted by the wireless device 104 in the operation 506 of FIG. 5, informs the control module 102 that the wireless device has received the pairing request signal and has memorized the signal. identi ^¬ relying single control module 102, and the devices are not paired.

If, within a certain period of time, the confirmation message is received, the next operation is the operation 613, in which the unique identifier of the device i is added to a stored group of device identifiers paired with the module. control 102 in the memory location 313 of the memory 310, and the control module is then paired with the wireless device i. In a variant, if in operation 612 no confirmation message is received, the following operation is the operation 614, in which an error message is for example displayed on the display / touch screen 314 of the module. command 102, indicating for example "device out of range".

The next operation after operations 613 and 614, and after operation 608 in case device i is not to be added, is operation 615.

In the operation 615, it is tested whether the variable i is equal to the parameter N. If not, the variable i is incremented in a next operation 616, and operation 606 is returned, operations 606 to 615 being repeated.

Once all the N unmatched wireless devices that responded have been processed, the next operation after operation 615 is a final process operation 617, in which a "exit configuration mode" command is sent to all devices.

Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary sequence of EVE ^¬ events and signal transmissions between the control module 102 and wireless devices 104 to 110 of Figure 1, and another control module 602.

Initially, a user selects for example, using the control module 102, a configu ^¬ ration mode.

The control module 102 responds, as described above, by transmitting a universal configuration signal to each of the devices 104, 106 and 108. The device 110, which is for example out of reach of the control module 102, receives not this signal.

Each of the devices 104 to 108 then activates for example one of its lamps to indicate that it is not yet linked, then emits a response signal with its serial number. For example, the response signals are received by the control module 102 first from the device 104, then from the device 108 and finally from the device 106.

The user is then prompted for example by the control module 102 to indicate whether all the devices 104 to 108 must be added to the wireless network or not. The utili ^¬ sateur corresponds, for example by selecting the option "add all", and in response the control module 102 transmits a pairing request to the devices so that they meet. In particular, a pairing request signal is first transmitted to the wireless device 104, which responds by returning a confirmation signal to the control module 102. Similarly, a pairing request is then sent to the dispo device. - wireless device 108, then device 106, each responding with a confirmation message. All these devices 104 to 108 are thus linked to the control module 102.

The user then selects, using the control module 102, for example to end the configuration mode. The control module 102 thus sends a "leave configuration mode" command to each of the devices 104 to 108, as has been previously described.

Then, user can select, using the control module 102, a command for each of the wireless devices of the group, which will be transmitted and which causes reactions of each of the devices 104 to 108.

The same user, or a different user, then uses for example the other control module 602 to send a universal control signal, which controls all unpaired devices within range. Since the wireless devices 104, 106 and 108 have already been paired, for example, only the wireless device 110 is responsive.

An advantage of the embodiments described herein is that the pairing of new wireless devices in a wireless network can be achieved in a simple manner without using a dedicated button on each wireless device. Instead, a universal configuration mode signal is issued, and any unpaired device within range responds.

With the description and made of at least one embodiment, various alterations, modifications and improved ^¬ tions readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, although the embodiments have been described in connection with wireless lamps, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that the lamp in each wireless device may be a secondary function of the device, the main function being a function ranging from an environmental sensor, a safety sensor, or simi ^¬ lar to a solar panel or other device. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that, although the embodiments have been described with reference to an example comprising only four wireless devices, there could be any number of such devices, for example. example from one to several hundred.

In addition, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the various functionalities described herein in connection with the various embodiments could be combined in some way in alternative embodiments.

Claims

A method for pairing at least one wireless device (104, 106, 108) with a control module (102) of a wireless network, comprising the steps of:

wirelessly transmitting by the control module (102) a universal configuration signal to one or more available wireless ^¬ sitifs (104, 106, 108), the universal configuration signal comprising a universal serial number;

in response to the universal configuration signal, wirelessly transmitting to the control module by each unpaired wireless device among the wireless devices a response signal indicating that it is unpaired, the response signal comprising a unique identifier the wireless device;

wirelessly transmitting by the control module (102) a signal of request pairing to at least one non-paired wireless devices, the request signal pairing compre ^¬ ing a unique identifier of the control module; and

storing by said at least one unpaired wireless device the unique identifier for pairing with the control module.

The method of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more wireless devices comprises a first lamp, the method further comprising, in response to the universal configuration signal, activating the first lamp by each non-wireless device. paired.

The method of claim 2, wherein each of said one or more wireless devices comprises the first lamp of a first color, a second lamp of a second color and a third lamp of a third color, the method comprising, in response to the universal configuration signal, the activation of the second lamp by each paired device among said one or more wireless devices if it is paired with the control module or the third lamp if it is paired with another control module.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein before transmitting the pairing request signal, the control module is adapted to wirelessly transmit a control signal to said at least one wireless device unpaired to change a light setting of the first lamp.

The method of claim 4, wherein the control signal changes the light setting of the first lamp causing it to flash.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising wireless transmission by the control module to said one or more wireless devices paired with a control signal to control a function of the wireless devices. paired, the control signal being transmitted at a first power level, and the universal configuration signal being emitted at a second power level lower than the first power level.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein pairing the wireless device with the control module includes storing, in a memory location (213), a memory (210) of the wireless device , the unique identifier of the control module, the memory location can be rewritten only by a communication comprising the unique identifier of the control module.

8. Control module comprising:

a wireless communication interface (306);

a memory (310); and

a treatment device (302) arranged for:

wirelessly transmitting a universal configuration signal via the wireless communication interface to one or more wireless devices (104, 106, 108), the universal configuration signal including a universal serial number; wirelessly receiving, in response to the signal configu ration ^¬ universal, a response signal from each wireless device unpaired from wireless devices indicating that it is not paired, the response signal comprising an identical trusting unique wireless device;

memorize the unique identifier in the memory; and wirelessly transmitting a pairing request signal through the wireless communication interface to at least one of the unpaired wireless devices, the pairing request signal comprising a unique identifier of the wireless communication module. ordered.

9. Wireless device comprising:

a wireless communication interface (206);

a memory (210); and

a control block (202) arranged for:

wirelessly receiving from a control module (102) via the wireless communication interface a universal configuration signal, the universal configuration signal including a universal serial number;

in response to the universal configuration signal, wirelessly transmitting to the control unit a response signal indicating that it is not paired, the compre ^¬ response signal with respect to an unique identifier of the wireless device; and

wirelessly receiving the control module (102) a pairing request signal, the pairing request signal comprising a unique identifier of the control module.

10. Wireless network comprising:

the control module of claim 8; and at least one wireless device of claim 9.