DEVICES AND METHODS OF FUNCTION-BASED CONTROL IN AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
First Claim
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1. An automation system, comprising:
- at least one actuator;
at least one device selectively controlled by the actuator; and
at least one appliance operably coupled to the at least one device;
wherein the actuator is assigned at least one function, the actuator being configured such that when the actuator is actuated, the automation system determines if the appliance is related to the assigned function, and adjusts a supply of power to the device if the appliance is related to the assigned function.
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Abstract
The present disclosure is generally directed to automation systems and methods of use thereof to control devices. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems including function-based controls and methods of assigning function-based controls to allow a user to add, relocate, and/or remove a device without requiring the user to reprogram the system.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An automation system, comprising:
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at least one actuator; at least one device selectively controlled by the actuator; and at least one appliance operably coupled to the at least one device; wherein the actuator is assigned at least one function, the actuator being configured such that when the actuator is actuated, the automation system determines if the appliance is related to the assigned function, and adjusts a supply of power to the device if the appliance is related to the assigned function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 34)
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19. A method of controlling devices in an automation system, the method comprising:
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assigning at least one actuator of a plurality of actuators a function and a domain; connecting a first appliance to a first outlet in communication with at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators; determining if the first appliance is related to the assigned function and domain of each actuator in communication with the first outlet; and if the first appliance is related to the assigned function of at least one actuator in communication with the first outlet, controlling a supply of power to the first outlet with the related at least one actuator. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30)
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28. The method of claim 28, wherein the first appliance and the second appliance are included in the same domain.
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31. A method of controlling devices in an automation system, wherein the automation system comprises:
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a plurality of actuators, each actuator being selectively assigned at least one function and at least one domain; a plurality of outlets, each outlet being selectively assigned to at least one actuator; and a plurality of appliances, each appliance being connected to an outlet; the method comprising; disconnecting a first appliance from a first outlet; identifying an assignment of the first outlet to a first actuator; and disassociating the first outlet from the first actuator. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
determining if the first appliance is related to the assigned function and domain of each actuator; and if the first appliance is related to the assigned function at least one actuator, controlling a supply of power to the second outlet with the at least one actuator.
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Specification