Abstract: An automatic determination of an address suitable for a functional unit connected to other similar functional units via a bidirectional communication network. A field of possible addresses are scanned and a status request is transmitted for each address. In response to the request, if an answer is received, this means the address is already allocated, the address is incremented and the process is restarted. If no answer is received, then a second test is performed on the same address. If there is still no answer, meaning the address is available and not taken by another functional unit, the address is adopted.

Abstract: At each local data collection site, the local collection devices are arranged so as to identify and collect the data originating from acquisition devices, which data is transported on a first communication network serving the local site, and containing a local storage device for storing this data. The central site contains a device for transferring, via a second communication network, the data stored in each local site in the local collection device to the central monitoring and processing device, each data transfer being asynchronously initiated by the local collection device concerned at a moment in time or within a time interval which has been determined beforehand and communicated by the central monitoring and processing device.

Abstract: At one stage of an organization process for a home network, an electrical equipment waits for the designation of another remote electrical equipment in the same network. The waiting equipment transmits a designation request via the network. The electrical equipments affected by the request make their presence known, to an operator, in particular by flashing their indicator lamps. The operator designates one of the equipments by acting on any control of this object. The designated equipment transmits an answer message, which is accepted by the equipment initiating the designation request. The actions on the part of the operator create and organize a home network which is user friendly and simple to set up.

Abstract: Method for managing electric power in a network (R) to which are connected, on the one hand, appliances capable of 2-way communication with each other, each appliance consisting of a power subassembly and a control subassembly and, on the other hand, a so-called power manager unit designed to manage load shedding and reconnection functions exclusively affecting the said power subassemblies of each appliance with each disconnectable appliance being disconnected a priori.Any request for significant electric power made by a disconnected appliance results in a transaction between the said appliance and the power manager during which the said requesting disconnected appliances supplies the said power manager with information of a quantitative and qualitative nature concerning the power requested and on completion of which the said power manager authorizes or does not authorize reconnection of the power subassembly of the said requesting appliance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method allowing the management of electric power on the basis of the tariff schedules in force in a network (20) within a dwelling. The method according to the invention is based on communication which is established automatically between domestic appliances (201-205, 207, 210) and a so-called electric power manager unit (211) of which the task is, in particular, to coordinate the management of tariff schedules. The method makes it possible to slave the operation of appliances (201-205, 207, 210) to the tariff status in force which is known to the manager (211) by means of a link with an electricity meter (200) fitted in the network (20).