Automation system and method for the programming thereof

• US 6,640,141 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2002
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Bell Telephone Company (AT&T, Inc.), Indiana Bell Telephone Company Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.), Michigan Bell Telephone Company (AT&T, Inc.), The Ohio Bell Telephone Company (AT&T, Inc.), Wisconsin Bell Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ameritech Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, Raymond W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US10/140,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20030033028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 700/12-15, 700/18, 700/19, 700/83, 700/85, 700/86, 700/87, 700/276, 700/277, 700/264, 340/286.01, 340/286.11, 340/286.14
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0473 with hook-like parts gripping, e.g. by expanding, behind the flanges of a profile
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0486 forming an abutting connection of at least one tube
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0265 the criterion being a learning criterion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21066 Disconnect data line from module before, reconnect after configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25413 Interrupt, event, state change triggered
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2829 involving user profiles according to which the execution of a home appliance functionality is automatically triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

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.

Claims

1. A method of programming an appliance, the method comprising:

at a programmable controller, detecting a trigger event originated at a programmable device associated with the appliance and communicated to the programmable controller;

at the programmable controller, detecting a message originated at the programmable device;

storing a program at the programmable controller in response to the trigger event and the message; and

in response to a subsequent trigger event, communicating the stored program from the programmable controller to the programmable device for controlling the appliance.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

entering a training mode at the programmable controller;

monitoring a communication link between the programmable device and the programmable controller;

recording the detected trigger event;

recording the message; and

exiting the training mode.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

entering a training mode at the programmable controller;

monitoring a communication link between the programmable device and the programmable controller;

identifying from the trigger event an identifier associated with the programmable device;

recording the detected trigger event and the identifier;

identifying in the message an address associated with the programmable device; and

exiting the training mode.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

exiting a training mode at the programmable controller;

monitoring a communication link between the programmable device and the programmable controller; and

in response to the subsequent trigger event, retrieving from storage the stored program based on the stored program'"'"'s association with the subsequent trigger event.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

at the programmable controller, receiving one or more messages from the programmable device; and

based on the one or more messages, creating the program for storage.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

identifying program steps in the one or more messages;

combining the program steps to create the program; and

in response to the subsequent trigger event, retrieving the stored program including the program steps.

7. In a system including a programmable controller and at least one programmable device in communication with the programmable controller over a communication link, a method of programming an appliance, the method comprising:

at the programmable controller, detecting a trigger event originated at a programmable device associated with the appliance and broadcast on the communication link;

at the programmable controller, detecting a broadcast message originated at the programmable device and broadcast on the communication link;

storing a program at the programmable controller in response to the trigger event and the broadcast message; and

in response to a subsequent trigger event, broadcasting the stored program on the communication link from the programmable controller for reception by the programmable device for controlling the appliance.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

entering a training mode prior to receiving the trigger event; and

after receiving one or more broadcast messages originated at the programmable device, exiting the training mode to await receipt of the subsequent trigger event.

9. A programmable controller for a home automation system, the programmable controller comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with one or more remote programmable devices; and

a processor configured to control the programmable controller, the programmable controller configured to receive one or more messages communicated to the transceiver from a programmable device and create a program for operation of the programmable device using the one or more messages, the programmable controller further configured to communicate the program to the programmable device in response to a subsequently received trigger signal.

10. The programmable controller of claim 9 further comprising a training mode actuator, the programmable controller configured to enter a training mode in response to actuation of the training mode actuator, the programmable controller further configured to detect a trigger communication received by the transceiver and initiate creation of the program.

11. A control method in an automation system, the control method comprising creating an appliance control program using operational signals defining operations of an operating appliance and communicated in messages from the operating appliance, and subsequently communicating the program to the appliance in response to a received trigger signal to control the appliance.