{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9661488","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9661488","title":"Methods and apparatus for identifying and categorizing distributed devices","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-10-16T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-05-23T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G08C","G06K","H04L","H04L","H04W","H04W","G08C","H04Q"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"Systems for identifying and categorizing distributed devices, e.g., lighting fixtures and thermostats, is disclosed. In an embodiment, a user (200) sends a low power discovery message to devices (201) using a portable programming tool (100). The devices (201) within range respond with identification information. The portable programming tool (100) organizes the responses by proximity and sends a “flash” message to the device with the closest perceived proximity. That device responds with a visual or audible signal (202), allowing the user (200) to determine whether that device is the one intended for selection. If so, the user initiates a store routine in which identification information, including category information, is stored in one or more locations, such as, the selected device (201), the portable programming tool (100), and/or a central or local controller (1100). The identification and categorization can, for example, be used to automate load shedding and to reduce energy consumption."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Methods and apparatus for identifying and categorizing distributed devices","description":"Systems for identifying and categorizing distributed devices, e.g., lighting fixtures and thermostats, is disclosed. In an embodiment, a user (200) sends a low power discovery message to devices (201)","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9661488","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9661488","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Methods and apparatus for identifying and categorizing distributed devices\" (US-9661488). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9661488","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9661488","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9661488","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T06:44:26.810Z"}