Method and apparatus for providing distributed scene programming of a home automation and control system
First Claim
1. A programmable device including a simplified programming interface suitable for inclusion in a scene creating automation and control system comprising programmable devices for controlling the operational status of a product or appliance, said programmable device comprising:
- (a) a plurality of manually actuatable input elements; and
(b) a controller for controlling the operational status of a product or appliance, said controller having a plurality of modes of operation entered by the selective actuation of said manually actuatable input elements or the receipt of messages generated by other programmable devices in response to the selective actuation of the manually actuatable input elements of said other devices, said plurality of modes of operation including;
(i) a programming mode for controlling the storage of the operational status of said product or appliance controlled by said programmable device; and
(ii) a normal mode for retrieving the stored operational status of the product or appliance controlled by said programmable device in response to the receipt of a scene launch command and adjusting the operational status of said product or appliance in accordance with said stored operational status.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing a simple user interface for programming scenes and multi-way groups in a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in the home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing the simple programming interface. Through the control logic, each device maintains its status in a system-wide programming mode and retains knowledge of its inclusion or exclusion in the current scene or multi-way group being programmed. When any device in the system receives indications that affect the system programming mode, such as a press on one of the buttons on the devices, the device broadcasts a notification message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The message maintains the integrity of the system programming mode. Each device knows when a scene or multi-way group being programmed is finally captured and the programming of a new scene or multi-way group has started.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A programmable device including a simplified programming interface suitable for inclusion in a scene creating automation and control system comprising programmable devices for controlling the operational status of a product or appliance, said programmable device comprising:
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(a) a plurality of manually actuatable input elements; and
(b) a controller for controlling the operational status of a product or appliance, said controller having a plurality of modes of operation entered by the selective actuation of said manually actuatable input elements or the receipt of messages generated by other programmable devices in response to the selective actuation of the manually actuatable input elements of said other devices, said plurality of modes of operation including;
(i) a programming mode for controlling the storage of the operational status of said product or appliance controlled by said programmable device; and
(ii) a normal mode for retrieving the stored operational status of the product or appliance controlled by said programmable device in response to the receipt of a scene launch command and adjusting the operational status of said product or appliance in accordance with said stored operational status. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A simplified method for programming a programmable device included in an automation and control system comprising programmable devices for controlling the operation of a product or appliance to create scenes, each of said programmable devices including a plurality of actuatable input elements, said method comprising:
in response to the selective actuation of said plurality of actuatable input elements or the receipt of messages generated by other programmable devices in response to the selective actuation of said plurality of actuatable input elements of said other programmable devices placing said programmable device in one of a plurality of modes of operation, said plurality of modes of operation including;
(a) a programming mode for controlling the storage of the operational status of said product or appliance controlled by said programmable device; and
(b) a normal mode for retrieving the stored operation status of the product or appliance controlled by said programmable device in response to the receipt of a scene launch command and adjusting the operational status of said product or appliance in accordance with said stored operational status. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification