Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method to implement a Smart Device Network Application Infrastructure (SDNA) that supports and facilitates the development, deployment and management of device networks and device network applications. The Smart Device Network Application infrastructure (SDNA) refers to an integrated processing platform that supports and facilitates the development, deployment and management of distributed applications based on device networks. It involves the concurrent execution of several processes that interact to provide support and resources for said applications.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment this video system comprises a master control unit 52, several slave devices 50 connected to a video camera, a videotape recorder and a video monitor. This system adds video bus capabilities to a standard video system, so a standard video surveillance system may be upgraded to a video bus system without major changes. The video bus system requires an external control device because an embedded controller could limit the final application to a single manufacturer. Using this approach, the videotape recorders and cameras may be standard systems, and the control of the video bus system resides in the external control device, adding features without any major changes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to implement any control system based on the logical association of identical single control devices (called control cells). Control cells are versatile control devices with basic processing capabilities that can be dynamically programmed and configured to perform any simple task. Control cells may be combined to form logical control device associations (called control tissues), which are complex control structures capable of carrying out complex tasks. This method of control system design and implementation has several outstanding advantages over the usual manner in which control systems are designed, including a significant reduction of both system complexity and system production/maintenance costs.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel and highly versatile, network-ready and intelligent controller architecture, called Versatile Device (VD), which may be programmed to perform any task, regardless of complexity, and may be used to control everyday non-network-ready devices across a network. The Versatile device (VD) comprises five fundamental modules, namely, a central processing unit (CPU) module, a memory module, an input/output ports module, a communications module and a network adapter module. Its open architecture allows it to interoperate across any network, regardless of the underlying networking technology. In addition, such device comprises processing capabilities based on an open processing architecture that is independent of the processing technology used.

Abstract: Low processing power microprocessors are cheap and represent a great solution for automation, control, basic signal processing and other problems. A microprocessor's intelligence derives from the program it executes. The Smart Internetworking Operating System (SIOS) is a multitasking operating system capable of operating in low processing power platforms, such as 8-bit microprocessors. SIOS supports rapid development of complete applications since task programming is based on SIOS instructions, instead of on the underlying microprocessor's native language. The SIOS instruction set allows the execution of both simple and complex operations, which speeds up application development since programmers need not be concerned with the microprocessor-specific details, and can concentrate on developing intelligent operation routines according to the requirements of the problem at hand.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a novel method to achieve network protocol independence in which communication between interconnected network device nodes may be carried out regardless of the underlying network protocol and/or media.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of source routing to implement device-to-device communications across a hybrid distributed device control network. The method is based in packet communications in which packets are structured so that they can be readily converted between communications protocols, and in which packets enclose routing information and parameters.

Abstract: A method to design a controller is provided, considering controller“s versatility to work over any kind of layer 3 or layer 2 communication protocol and under any kind of control application. A programming language running on a system external to the controller considers a high level programming method. At the same time, the corresponding graphic interface needed to monitor a controller or a group of networking controllers is considered as a central program capable of communicating with the controller(s) in order to request for valuable data to monitor the control system and the process being controlled. Defining an object-oriented programming methodology the high level programming language as long as the centralized monitoring graphic interface can be abstract entities from the point of view of the controller(s) and vice versa. In order to abstract the controller from the type of selected communication protocol or control network working on layer 3 or layer 2, a network adapter is defined.

Abstract: The present invention is a software architecture that provides high versatility and performance. This architecture is composed of two dimensions: the first one belongs in the application level, and the second in the multicore dimension. The application dimension is related to the different applications based in the conceptual model of abstractions exposed in this patent. The multicore dimension is related to the applications dimension instantiated several times in the same computer (multiple processors) or in several computers. All the cores within the multicore dimension are related in order to share information and integrate all the architecture's applications. The multicore architecture avoids bottlenecks in the simultaneous execution of multiple applications on the same computer by means of a large virtual core composed of small interconnected cores.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a novel and comprehensive method that can be justly called TRUE distributed control (TRUE-DC). This paradigm or method is based on a thorough understanding of real industry needs, and of the theory behind distributed control systems (i.e., the idea of distributed control). It encloses, supplements and/or corrects existing distributed control methods and concepts by introducing a new and real distributed control model based on distributed logic, redundancy and security.

Abstract: On the preferred embodiment, this system comprises two video cameras 18 and 20, a document tray 12 performing document detection, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen 10, a push button 14 for local activations, and an LED indicator 16. The main function and object of this system is to act as a front-end for a video security system able to record documents transactions. This camera system provides compatibility with any existing image storage device capable of storing and managing composite video images. If the main storage system can handle and store composite video images, this camera system is compatible with it and can get any advanced feature shown in the main video system.