Method and system of programming at least one appliance to change state upon the occurrence of a trigger event

• US 7,406,353 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2007
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): Decady, Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, SUNRAY
• Application Number:
  US11/786,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20070204264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 700 18- 21, 710/8, 710/64
• 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 for programming an automation system which includes at least one programmable device, a programmable controller and a communication link, the method comprising:

(a) programming the automation system, including

at the programmable controller, sensing occurrence of a trigger event occurring in the automation system;

recording information about the trigger event in the programmable controller;

at the programmable controller, recording a detected broadcast message in the programmable controller; and

terminating programming;

(b) operating the automation system, including

sensing the occurrence of a trigger event;

recalling a program stored in the programmable controller;

broadcasting on the communication link a message including the program;

if other programmable controllers are in communication with the communication link, sensing the broadcast message at the other programmable controllers;

at another programmable controller, determining if the broadcast message has instructions for the other programmable device, and, if so, receiving the instructions at the other programmable device;

if the broadcast message does not have instructions for the other programmable device, ignoring the broadcast message.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing the programmable controller in a training mode.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein placing the programmable controller in a training mode comprises manually depressing a button on the programmable controller.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein terminating programming comprises manually depressing the button on the programmable controller.