Patent ID: 7996516
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for automatic device configuration based on inherited configuration data comprising: accessing configuration data stored at a junction box in electronic communication with a first device, the junction box being separate from the first device, wherein the junction box is a box with one open side mounted within a wall or a ceiling, and wherein the first device is inserted into the junction box, wherein the configuration data includes a default zone of interest assignment for the first device, wherein the first device is assigned to the default zone of interest based on the configuration data, the zone of interest comprising a portion of a network, and wherein the portion of the network is less than the entire network; identifying devices only within the zone of interest and not outside the zone of interest, wherein the identifying occurs by scanning the zone of interest or accessing a database; determining whether the first device is compatible with any of the identified devices; and configuring, in an automated manner, the first device to interact with at least one of the devices within a set of compatible devices in the zone of interest, wherein a master node that communicates with the junction box and the first device, the master node comprising a device identification component, a compatibility component and a configuration component, wherein the device identification component identifies the devices within the network and informs the first device of devices that have been identified, wherein the compatibility determination component determines whether the first device is compatible with any of the identified devices, and wherein the configuration component configures the first device to interact with one or more of the compatible devices.