Method and system of programming at least one appliance to change state upon the occurrence of a trigger event
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Abstract
An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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2. A method for automating an environment, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing a programmable controller in a training mode; generating a trigger signal at a trigger device while the programmable controller is in its training mode, the trigger device being in data communication with the programmable controller; receiving and storing the trigger signal at the programmable controller; after generation of the trigger signal and while the programmable controller is in its training mode, placing a programmable device in the environment in a desired state for the environment; at the programmable device, broadcasting a message that the programmable device is in the desired state; receiving and storing the message at the programmable controller; and subsequently, exiting the training mode at the programmable controller. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. The method of claim further comprising:
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at the programmable controller, monitoring for the trigger event while the programmable controller is not in its training mode; detecting the trigger event; and in response to detection of the trigger event, broadcasting a control signal for reception by the programmable device to change the desired state of the programmable device.
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Specification