Patents by Inventor Chris D. Walker

Chris D. Walker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8468165
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for discovering, identifying, and cataloguing devices on a network, particularly, devices included in a home automation or building control network. In embodiments, a node information table is populated with generic entries representing potentially-discoverable devices on the network. The table is traversed iteratively and potential devices are queried in turn to determine the type and capabilities of each potential device in the network. Device responses stored in the node information table, replacing generic entries with updated entries representative of actual network devices. Additionally, device responses may be used as a basis for subsequent queries to network devices. After device queries are completed, any remaining generic node information table entries are removed from the table, thereby only entries corresponding to positively-identified network devices remain in the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris D. Walker
  • Publication number: 20090150356
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for discovering, identifying, and cataloguing devices on a network, particularly, devices included in a home automation or building control network. In embodiments, a node information table is populated with generic entries representing potentially-discoverable devices on the network. The table is traverse iteratively and potential devices are queried in turn to determine the type and capabilities of each potential device in the network. Device responses stored in the node information table, replacing generic entries with updated entries representative of actual network devices. Additionally, device responses may be used as a basis for subsequent queries to network devices. After device queries are completed, any remaining generic node information table entries are removed from the table, thereby only entries corresponding to positively-identified network devices remain in the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris D. Walker