Collision avoidance method for home automation devices using an ethernet hub

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for collision avoidance in Ethernet networks, such as home automation networks, with both personal computers and control devices attached to it. Ethernet hubs are considered as the type of device used to create the Ethernet network. When a network management message is sent as a broadcast information from one personal computer to all control devices, they will generate a delayed response to the sender computer. Such delay is generated on each control device in accordance to its own MAC address. It will guarantee different delay times on all attached control devices. The minimal time interval between two consecutive MAC addresses and the maximum possible delay time are estimated from the maximum number of expected devices attached to the hub(s).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for collision avoidance in Ethernet networks, the method comprising the following steps: Having a network with a plurality of control devices; Having all control devices management functions executed by a computer means; Sending a broadcast message to all of the control devices; and Having said control devices response to said broadcast message on an unique time delay.  
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1  in which the network uses an Ethernet standard.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1  in which said computer means is an 8-bit processor.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising having a hub.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth byte of the control device's MAC address as a counter; and Using said counter to determine the delay that said control device will send said response.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth byte of the control device's MAC address as a decreasing counter; Reducing the counter until counter reaches zero then having the control device send the response.  
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth byte of the control device's MAC address as a counter; Having a parameter to set time increments for delay; and Using said counter to determine the delay that said control device will send said response.  
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth byte of the control device's MAC address as a counter; Having said broadcast message contain an adjustment parameter to set required number of bytes used by said counter; and Using said counter to determine the delay that said control device will send said response.  
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes of the control device's MAC address as a counter; and Using said counter to determine the delay that said control device will send said response.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes of the control device's MAC address as a decreasing counter; and Reducing the counter until counter reaches zero then having the control device send the response.  
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes of the control device's MAC address as a decreasing counter; Having a parameter to set time increments for delay; and Using said counter to determine the delay that said control device will send said response.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 1  including the following steps: Using the fourth, fifth and sixth bytes of the control device's MAC address as a decreasing counter; Having said broadcast message contain an adjustment parameter to set required number of bytes used by said counter; and Using said counter to determine the delay that said control device will send said response.