Method to Install a Wireless NetworkBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to wireless networks, and more particularly, to methods for installing a wireless network. The network can be wireless, packet skipped. A network consisting of a plurality of nodes communicating between each of them and with a control node (also referred to as a "main" or "central" node) via wireless links, such as via infrared or preferably RF, is generally referred to as a wireless network (or radio). In wireless networks, each node includes a controlling node that includes a digital signal processing device (for example a microprocessor) and a wireless transceiver. In a skipped packet wireless network the data is communicated (transferred) between individual nodes and the control node by a technique known as "skipped packet", in which individual "packets" of data are transferred from the control node to the node of destination and from a source node to the control node by means of hopping from node to node according to a network path protocol. For RF-based communication, "packets" are logical data units typically located in a size range of approximately 5-1000 bytes. Generally, data communications are carried out under the control of the control node, which is typically a computer on which data communications reside by control with software. The use of the RF-based hop packet data transfer scheme enables the reduction in the cost of transceivers and compliance with FCC requirements part 15. Such wireless networks, and more specifically, packet-hopped networks are particularly useful to control one or more functions or systems of a building, for example lighting, HVAC, and / or building security systems, because a wireless network offers a low cost, internal communication infrastructure that does not require new additional lines to the existing structure to carry the information of the network. In addition, such networks can support additional systems installed in the building, such as registers, heating control, air conditioning control, and personal communications systems. The control node of such building control networks is typically a programmable controller or building computer. The individual nodes to the building's computer run different software programs that are complementary, and together they constitute the control system with software. The individual nodes are typically distributed throughout the building to monitor the status / value of the prescribed parameters of the building system to be controlled, and to produce control signals in response to commands issued by the building computer to adjust the prescribed parameters as is required. It is important that the building's computer is enabled to send and receive data to and from each node in the network to adequately monitor the status / value of the prescribed parameters, and to issue commands to adjust the prescribed parameters as required, in accordance with control system with software. A building control network that exemplifies is an automatic or intelligent lighting control system that monitors lighting levels, occupancy status, energy consumption as a function of time, and / or other lighting parameters of each room and room. / or area of the building within the network for example every room and / or area of the building that is equipped with lighting modules linked to a controller node (also referred to as a "wall unit") that includes an RF tranceptor, an apparatus of digital signal processing (eg, a microcontroller or a microprocessor), and control circuitry for the lighting signals to change their brightness levels. Each lighting module and its associated controller node together constitute a node in the network that is under the management / control of the building's computer. In such intelligent lighting control systems, each of the lighting modules is preferably individually programmed (for example by the occupants of the building) via its associated wall unit, to provide direct control of the adjustment of the ballasts decrease there, and thus direct level control of lighting the lamps right there. In this regard, each of the nodes includes one or more sensors (for example, occupancy status, daylight (ambient lighting), and dimmer / illumination level sensors) which provide a feedback sensor to the digital signal processing apparatus (eg microprocessor) of the controlling node, which is programmed to analyze (process) the data feedback sensor and to generate control signals to adjust the lighting level of the associated monitored lamps, such as is required, to perform the local lighting conditions programmed. The data feedback sensor is also transmitted by each of the nodes in the network to the building's computer, when required by the building's computer for such, or when local lighting conditions change. The building's computer analyzes (processes) the data feedback sensor according to the software-controlled lighting system loaded there, and sends control data (commands) to the individual nodes, as required, to adjust the levels of lighting of rooms / monitored areas of the building according to the lighting system with software control, for example to optimize the energy efficiency of the lighting system, and by means of this pass over the programmed lighting levels provided by the individual lighting modules. Then in addition to being individually programmable and capable of independent operation, the distribution modules are functionally integrated within a large building network under the control of the building's computer. The data communications in such networks are generally between building computers and individual nodes, and vice versa on a common communication channel according to a network route protocol. The data is transferred in packets from the building computer to the destination node outside the immediate transmission range of the building computer (for example not directly "linked" or "connected" to the building computer) by jumps or transmission of each node packet to node until the packet reaches the destination node. Each of the nodes that jumps or transmits a packet to one or more of the other nodes in the network is commonly referred to as a "repeater node" or simply a "repeater". The destination node generally recognizes receipt of a data packet from a building computer by returning a packet data recognition to the building computer via one or more repeaters in a similar manner. The advantages of network path algorithms are disclosed in a copending patent application Serial No. U.S. 08/558447, dated 11/16/95, in the name of A. Das-gupta, which is assigned to the applicant of the present invention, and to the co-pending application series U: S: 08/608910 dated February 29, 1996, to name by George A. Melnik, who is also assigned to the applicant of the present invention. The breakdown of both applications is here incorporated by reference. The installation of the building control network links the physical location and energization of each node in the network. Prior to advancing the present invention, the address of each node in the network and the preset parameters of each node were preprogrammed at the time of manufacture (for example "factory setting"), and not adjusted to the installation time. However, the preprogramming of nodes at the time of manufacturing them (for example prior to installation in a particular building), requires that the address be long (for example 100 bits or more) be used to ensure that all nodes are provided with a only direction. Such long addresses reduce the efficiency of data communications over common channel network communications. In this connection, since a typical network has only a few hundred nodes, it is only necessary to use addresses that are 7-10 bits long to ensure that each node in the network is assigned to a single address (as long as no another near the building with a similar system that is within the transmission range, in this case, a building identifier code can be added to the address of each node, or the network in different buildings can operate in different channels). Clearly, the use of short address nodes * could mean improved data communications efficiency of the wireless network. Then, the specific address site of the nodes at the time of installation could be superior to the technique of preprogramming the address of the nodes. As will be apparent hereinafter, the present invention, in one of these aspects, provides this capability. Prior to the advantage of the present invention, the preprogrammed factory setting of the individual nodes in the wireless network could only be changed via commands issued by the building computer. This significantly limits flexibility and significantly increases the cost of installing the wireless network. Then the ability of direct programming of each node at the time of installation could improve flexibility and lower the cost of programming the wireless network. It will be apparent hereinafter that the present invention in other aspects also provides this capability. To complete this installation, the installer must determine the address of each node in the network, and then put the address of the node and the location identification data (for example, number of digits) into the building's computer, for each node in the network. fourth) indicative of the physical location of such node within the building. In present the complexity of this procedure increases the time required and the cost per network installation. It will be apparent hereinafter, that the present invention, in another of these aspects, simplifies the procedure, and reduces the time required and cost of this procedure. After the nodes and the building's computer are installed, the wireless network is initialized, to proportional to the building's computer with a local node information connectivity with which the network communications protocol requires to route the packets. data through the network by the packet skip technique described above. The lnodal connectivity information includes information to which the nodes in the network are available to communicate with each other. The building's computer formulates route tables based on the nodal connectivity information with which it gathers the initialization process of the network. The building's computer then uses this routing tables to transfer data packets from the building's computer to the destination node and from a source node to the building's computer by skipping the packets from node to node along the route that is determined from table routes to make the available route more efficient and this time. An advantageous automatic initialization scheme is disclosed in copending application serial No. 08/579650 dated December 27, 1995 in the name of George A Melkin, and assigned to the applicant of the present invention the breakdown of which is incorporated herein by reference. As feedback to the user (typically to the building operations staff) the physical configuration of the wireless network can be displayed on the building's computer monitor, for example by illustrating the physical location of each node in a building floor plan . In this connection, links between network nodes can be automatically taken out during the initialization routine, thereby providing a graphical representation of the wireless network for diagnostic and operational purposes. Prior to advancing the present invention, the operation of each of the individual nodes could only be verified during (or after) the initialization of the network. Consequently, any malfunction or improper operation of a given node could only be detected or diagnosed after the network is fully installed and tested. Clearly, it could be an advantage to have the ability to test or verify the operation of the nodes at the time they were installed, in order to facilitate the correction of any diagnosed error or the replacement of the node before completing the installation of the entire network , and prior to the execution of the initialization routine. Such capacity reduces the time required and the cost for initializing the network, and could minimize communication difficulties. It will also be apparent hereinafter that the present invention in another aspect also provides this capability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention comprises the method for installing a wireless network, which includes the steps of physically placing a plurality of nodes in different respective locations in a building, using a wireless installation apparatus to program at least selected nodes in their respective addresses , and provide information regarding the physical location and associated to the address of at least the selected nodes of the nodes for a node control. The method preferably further includes the step of using the wireless installation apparatus to program the at least selected nodes with one or more preset parameters ("presets"). The method preferably also includes the step of using the wireless installation apparatus to verify the proper installation of each of the nodes. The method also preferably includes the steps of connecting the nodes to a power source and energizing the nodes, prior to using the wireless installation apparatus to program the nodes. Each of the nodes preferably includes a wireless tranceptor, preferably RF and a digital signal processing apparatus coupled to the tranceptor. The wireless transceiver and the digital signal processing apparatus (for example microprocessor or microcontroller) both constitute a controlling node. The wireless network is preferably wireless, packet hopping network that is configured to control one or more functions or systems of the building in which the network is installed such as lighting, HVAC, and / or building security systems. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless network is an automatic or intelligent lighting control system for the building and each of the nodes further includes a lighting module coupled to the controlling node. Each lighting module appropriately includes a ballast control and lamps operated by this means. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wireless installation apparatus is a portable computer that is equipped with wireless communication facilities. In this connection the portable computer is preferably a computer that preferably has a wireless transmitter preferably RF, which has been set to variable power and a preferably wireless receiver, preferably RF which also has a variable threshold. During the installation of each node, the laptop assigns a unique address to that node and then loads the assigned address and all 1.1presets within such a node, and the data address and factory settings are preferably stored in an anus volatile memory at each node. According to another aspect of the invention, the step of using the wireless installation apparatus is carried out using a "greeting" procedure that ensures that the address and factory setting data is only loaded into the node currently being programmed. , and not inadvertently within one or more of the other nodes next to. In this connection, an iterative power reduction scheme can be used to prevent multiple nodes from being inadvertently assigned to the same address. The present invention also encompasses a method for installing one or more nodes in an existing wireless network, this method is executed essentially in the same manner as described above in connection with the installation of the wireless network itself, only one or more nodes they are installed in a pre-existing wireless network. This process of installing one or more nodes in an existing wireless network is sometimes referred to as an "incremental installation". Just as a process can be used when one or more "new" nodes are added to an existing wireless network, or when one or more nodes are inadvertently "omitted" from the wireless network during the original initialization procedure. ' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other various features and advantages of the present invention will be understood with reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method to install a wireless network according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a wireless packet hopping network which can be installed using the method of the present invention; and, Figure 3 is a block diagram depicting a wireless communication link between a wireless installation tool and a controlling node. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to Figure 1, a method for installing a wireless network according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The first step 20 in the installation process is to physically place and install a node to be included in the network to a designated location in the building in which the network will be installed. The next step 22 is to connect the node to a power source and then energize the node.
The next step 24 is to use a wireless installation tool or apparatus 26 (shown in Figure 3) to assign a unique address to the node and to load the assigned address into a memory (preferably non-volatile memory) in the node. The next step 27 is to use the wireless installation tool 26 to program the preset parameters (e.g., lighting scheme, maximum and minimum brightness levels, etc.) within the node. These preset parameters or settings are preferably loaded into the memory of the node. The next step 28 is to use the wireless installation tool 26 to run a diagnostic routine to verify the proper operation of the node. If an error in the operation of the node is detected at the decision point 30, then the method branches to step 32, in which the problem causing the error is corrected or the node is replaced, appropriately according to the procedure prescribed when the problem arises. If an error is not detected at decision point 30, then the method branches to step 34, in which data indicative of the physical location of the node (eg an assigned quarter number in which the first node is physically placed) they are put inside the tool of the wireless installation 26. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that the space 34 can be executed prior to the execution of step 24, rather than after the decision point 30. In general, as it will be more apparent hereafter, for the execution of the steps of the method of the present invention is not limited thereto. At decision point 38, a determination is made when all the nodes are included in the network that has been installed, then the installation goes to the next location in the building where the next node to be installed will be physically placed, and the method returns to step 20. The procedure described above (for example step 20, 22, 24, 28,30 / 32, 30/34) is repeated for each node to be installed, until all the nodes are included. in the network that has been installed. After all the nodes have been physically installed, the method branches from the decision point 38 to the step 40, in which all the stored data (preferably in tabular form) in the wireless installation tool 26 (e.g. node addresses and preset data) are downloaded (downloaded) into the control node 54 (see figure 2) the control node 54 is preferably the building computer. The location of each of the nodes in the network can be reflected in a floor plan for the building and displayed on the monitor of the building's computer. Although the network installation method of the present invention has been described above in terms of physical co-location, installation and programming the individual nodes in the network at a time, in a sequential manner, will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is pertinent that all individual nodes can be physically installed and installed before programming any of the nodes. In this connection, the order of execution of several steps of the network installation method described above of the present invention is not limited to the present invention. However, to install a node at a time it can be ensured that two or more nodes will not be simultaneously programmed, since the nodes that are installed will not respond to the commands issued by the installation tool 26. Then in a broad sense, The present invention comprises a method for installing a wireless network, including the steps of physically installing a plurality of nodes in their respective and different locations in a building, using a wireless installation tool to program at least those selected from the nodes with their respective address (and if desired, with presets), and provide information indicative of the location and address (and if desired, with preset settings) of at least the selected nodes to the control node (building's computer), regardless of the order in which it is physically install and the steps are programmed and executed. Referring now to Figure 2, a block diagram of a wireless network 50 can be seen which can be installed using the network installation method described above of the present invention. The wireless network 50 is preferably a wireless packet hop network that is configured as an intelligent lighting control system. The wireless network 50 includes a plurality of individual nodes 52 and a computer of the building 54, which constitutes the control node of the network 50. Each of the individual nodes 52 preferably includes one or a few lighting modules 53 and a controlling node 56 coupled to it. As can be seen in Figure 3, the controlling node 56 (of each node 52) preferably includes a wireless transmitter 58 (shown as an RF transmitter) and a wireless receiver 60 (shown in an RF receiver). The transmitter and the RF receiver are commonly coupled to an RF antenna 62, and a microprocessor 64 (or others suitable for digital signal processing apparatus) both coupled to the RF transmitter 58 and the RF receiver 60. The RF transmitter 58 and RF receiver 60 are typically provided together as an integrated component, for example a transceiver. It will be appreciated that similarly other means of communication, such as infrared-based communication, can be used. As can be seen in Figure 2, the lighting module 53 (of each node 52) preferably includes a ballast controller 55 and a lamp 57 operated by the ballast controller 55. The wireless installation tool 26 is preferably a portable computer equipped with wireless communication facilities. For example, as reflected in Figure 3, the wireless installation tool 26 preferably includes a microprocessor 68 coupled to both RF transmitter 70 and an RF receiver 72. The RF transmitter 70 and RF receiver 72 are commonly coupled to an antenna RF 74. As indicated by the shaded line in Figure 3, the address and preset parameters are programmed into the controlling node 56 of a given node 52, via the RF communication link between the RF transmitter 70 of the wireless installation tool 26 and RF receiver 60 of controller node 56. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art that no type of wireless network does not specify the hardware used in connection with the wireless installation method practice of the present invention. Invention is limited to it. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of using the wireless installation tool 26 to program the nodes 52 is preferably carried out in such a manner as to minimize the likelihood of an inadvertent transmission of addresses and preset data from a Wireless installation tool 26 for any node that the node is currently being programmed. To begin with the RF transmitter 70 of the wireless installation tool 26 (which is preferably provided with an RF variable source setting) preferably set to a very low RF setting. Furthermore, the wireless installation tool 26 is preferably kept very close to the node currently being programmed that is within the transmission range of the RF transmitter 70 of the wireless installation tool 26. It should be noted that the nodes being installed operate on the same. often what the wireless installation tool 26 during the installation procedure, but that the nodes 52 can be operated at different frequencies after installation. further, the step of using the wireless installation tool 26 to program the nodes 52 is preferably carried out using a software software procedure that ensures that the address and preset data are only loaded within the node currently being programmed and not inadvertently within one or more of the nearby nodes. More particularly in the present preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nodes are programmed to automatically send a response acknowledgment address in response upon receipt of an address assignment command from the wireless installation tool 26 during the installation procedure. If the wireless installation tool 26 receives more than one address recognition response, then it is clear that at least one of the nodes of other currently programmed nodes has inadvertently received the address assignment command from the wireless installation tool. In this connection, the wireless installation tool 26 is programmed to automatically issue an address assignment cancellation command, to lower the RF power setting of the RF transmitter 70 of the wireless installation tool 26, and to then transmit the address assignment command to the power down setting, in response to receiving more than one response receiving more than one response acknowledgment. This software procedure iterated until only a single address response acknowledgment is received by the wireless installation tool 26, or until a failure occurs as low as possible RF power adjustment in the RF transmitter 70. Then, the adjustment RF power of the wireless installation tool 26 is iteratively decremented until it receives an address response acknowledgment from only the node currently being programmed. As an additional aspect of the software greeting procedure, the wireless insolation tool 26 is also preferably programmed to emit (transmit) an address assignment confirmation command after the wireless installation tool 26 receives an address recognition response from only the node that is currently being programmed. The node being currently programmed is preferably programmed to automatically store (adjust) the assigned address, and to automatically issue (transmit) an address adjustment confirmation response, in response to receiving the address assignment confirmation command from the installation tool Wireless 26. Various reconfirmations can be used if an iterative power reduction is required to avoid multiple nodes from the same address being assigned. A further reference concerning the integrity of the wireless programming procedure is the case in which there is no address recognition response by the wireless programming tool 26. Although the currently programmed node has currently received the address assignment command and issued the address recognition response. To minimize the possibility of such an occurrence, the RF power adjustment of the RF transmitter 58 of the controller node 56 of the node 52 being currently programmed (which preferably has an RF variable power setting) is set to a very high level, such that the RF receiver 72 of the wireless installation tool 26 will have a sensitivity to address recognition responses much greater than the sensitivity of the RF receivers 60 of the control nodes 56 of the nodes 52 for the address assignment commands - Established another Thus, the RF communication link between the RF receiver 72 of the wireless installation tool 26 and the RF transmitters 58 of the control nodes 56 of the nodes 52 is preferably much stronger than the RF communication link between the RF transmitter 70 of the RF transmitter 70. the wireless installation tool 26 and the RF receivers 60 of the control nodes 56 of the nodes 52. After the nodes 52 and the computer of building 54 are installed, the wireless network 50 is then initialized, to provide the building computer with nodal connectivity information what a network communication protocol requires to route data packets through the network 50 using the previously described technique of skipped packet. . The nodal connectivity information includes information for the nodes 52 in the network 50 enabled to communicate with each other. The building 54 computer formulates route tables based on the nodal connectivity information that meets during the network initialization process. The building computer 54 then uses these route tables to transfer data packets from the building 54 computer to a destination node and from a source node to the building 54 computer by skipping the node-to-node packets throughout. the route that is determined from the tables to make the most efficient route available at that time. An advanced automatic initialization scheme is itemized in the previous reference, co-pending application Serial No. U.S. 08/579650 dated December 27, 1995, in the name of George A Melnik. Feedback to the user (typically building operations personnel) the physical configuration of the wireless network 50 can be displayed on the computer monitor of building 54 for example by illustrating the physical location of each node in a floor plan of the building. In this connection, the links between the nodes 52 of the network 50 can be automatically taken out during the initialization routine, thereby providing a graphical representation of the wireless network 50 for diagnostic and operational purposes. In addition the quarter numbers collected during the installation process are preferably displayed in the floor plan for ease of reference. The present invention also comprises a method for installing one or more nodes in an existing network, in which a method is executed in essentially the same way as described above in connection with the original installation of the wireless network itself, being the exception is that instead of an entire network of nodes being installed, only one or more nodes are installed in a pre-existing wireless network. This process of installing one or more nodes in an existing wireless network is sometimes referred to as an "incremental installation". This process can be used when one or more "new" nodes are added to a nonexistent wireless network, or when one or more nodes are inadvertently "omitted" from a wireless network during the original initialization procedure. It will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the pertinent art that the use of the wireless installation tool provides significant advantages over previous techniques for installing a wireless network, including, but not limited to eliminating the need for connectors and wires to the nodes (except for connection to the power supply), providing an opportunity to test the operation of nodes prior to completing the installation of the network (and prior to executing the initialization routine of the network), and reduce the cost and time required to install the wireless network. Although the present invention has been described in detail above, it will be clearly understood that many variations and / or modifications of even basic taught inventive concepts that may appear to those skilled in the pertinent art will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as they are defined in the clauses.