diff --git a/usr/lib/co2monitor/python/co2monitor/service.py b/usr/lib/co2monitor/python/co2monitor/service.py
index 4c4cdc3..e9e818e 100644
--- a/usr/lib/co2monitor/python/co2monitor/service.py
+++ b/usr/lib/co2monitor/python/co2monitor/service.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 from gi.repository import GLib
 
 from . import device
+from . import utils
 
 # define names
 CO2MONITOR_BUSNAME    = "de.nobodyinperson.co2monitor"
diff --git a/usr/lib/co2monitor/python/co2monitor/utils.py b/usr/lib/co2monitor/python/co2monitor/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6f6c43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/usr/lib/co2monitor/python/co2monitor/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import os
+import re
+
+# split a path into its components
+def splitpath(path):
+    res = []
+    # split the path
+    while True:
+        base, subject = os.path.split(path)
+        if path == base:
+            break
+        else:
+            if subject: res.append(subject) 
+        path = base
+    res.reverse()
+    return res
+
+
+# convert a device file path to a DBus object name last part
+def devicefile2objectname(devicefile):
+    p = [x.replace("-","--") for x in splitpath(devicefile)]
+    return "-".join(p)
+
+
+# # convert a DBus object name last part to a device file path
+# def objectname2devicefile(objectname):
+#     s = objectname.split("-")
+#     print("full split of -: {}".format(s))
+#     res = ["/"]
+#     c = False
+#     for e in s:
+#         print("element is '{}'".format(e))
+#         if e:
+#             if c:
+#                 print("appending element '{}' to last element of res {}".format(e,res[len(res)-1],res))
+#                 res[len(res)-1] = "{}{}".format(res[len(res)-1],e)
+#                 c = False
+#             else:
+#                 print("appending element '{}' to res {}".format(e,res))
+#                 res.append(e)
+#         else:
+#             print("appending a '-' to last element '{}' of res {}".format(res[len(res)-1],res))
+#             res[len(res)-1] = "{}-".format(res[len(res)-1])
+#             c = True
+#         print("---------------")
+#     return os.path.join(*res)