Automation and theater control system
First Claim
1. A control apparatus comprising:
- an integrated controller having an antenna, an IR receiver, at least one IR output and a current sensing outlet;
the antenna configured to send RF control signals to at least a first station, the first station connected to at least a first electrical device;
the IR receiver configured to receive IR control signals from a remote;
the at least one IR output configured to pass the IR signals received by the IR receiver to at least a second electrical device;
the current sensing outlet configured to sense when an attached third electrical device is drawing current;
wherein the first electrical device is controlled by RF control signals sent by the antenna to the first station, and the second electrical device is controlled by IR signals sent by the at least one IR output;
wherein the integrated controller is programmed to send a RF control signal to the first station upon sensing a change of state of the third electrical device attached to the current sensing outlet;
wherein the first station includes a first dimmer means and the first electrical device is a first light; and
wherein upon sensing that power to the third electrical device attached to the current sensing outlet has been turned on, the integrated controller is programmed to send a RF control signal to the first station to dim the first light.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated controller for complete automation with the ability to control electrical devices through both RF transmission and IR transmissions. In one illustrative embodiment, the integrated controller comprises an antenna for two-way communication with stations located throughout a structure. Each station may control the power supply to an attached electrical device. The buttons on the station may control any electrical device on the system through RF transmission with the integrated controller. The integrated controller also may comprise an IR receiver and at least one IR output. The IR receiver may receive signals from a remote and pass them through to a device, such as a device used in a home theater system, with a built in IR receiver via the IR output. In this manner, the integrated controller is capable of providing complete in home automation.
486 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A control apparatus comprising:
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an integrated controller having an antenna, an IR receiver, at least one IR output and a current sensing outlet; the antenna configured to send RF control signals to at least a first station, the first station connected to at least a first electrical device; the IR receiver configured to receive IR control signals from a remote; the at least one IR output configured to pass the IR signals received by the IR receiver to at least a second electrical device; the current sensing outlet configured to sense when an attached third electrical device is drawing current; wherein the first electrical device is controlled by RF control signals sent by the antenna to the first station, and the second electrical device is controlled by IR signals sent by the at least one IR output; wherein the integrated controller is programmed to send a RF control signal to the first station upon sensing a change of state of the third electrical device attached to the current sensing outlet; wherein the first station includes a first dimmer means and the first electrical device is a first light; and wherein upon sensing that power to the third electrical device attached to the current sensing outlet has been turned on, the integrated controller is programmed to send a RF control signal to the first station to dim the first light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A control system comprising:
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an integrated controller, said integrated controller having an antenna configured to receive and send RF transmissions, said integrated controller further including a current sensing outlet, a bus outlet, an IR receiver and an IR output, said IR output in communication with at least a first electrical device; at least a first station in communication with the antenna, the first station controlling power from a power supply to at least a second electrical device connected to the first station, the first station having an antenna to send and receive RF transmissions; a remote for sending IR signals to the IR receiver, said IR signals passing from the IR receiver to at least the first electrical device; the current sensing outlet configured to sense when an attached third electrical device is drawing current; the bus outlet connected to a second station, the bus outlet configured to send a control signal to the second station, the second station connected to a fourth electrical device; wherein the second electrical device connected to the first station is controlled by RF control signals sent from the integrated controller and the first electrical device is controlled by IR control signals sent by the IR output; wherein the first station includes a first dimmer means and the second electrical device is a first light; wherein the second station includes a first controller for a first electric motor; and wherein upon sensing that power to the third electrical device attached to the current sensing outlet has been turned on, the integrated controller is programmed to;
(i) send a RF control signal to the first station to dim the first light, and (ii) send a control signal via the bus outlet to the second station to activate the first electric motor to open or close a shade or blind. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A control apparatus comprising;
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an integrated controller having an IR receiver;
at least one IR output;
a current sensing outlet; and
a bus outlet;a remote for sending IR signals to the IR receiver, the IR signals passing from the IR receiver to at least a first electrical device in communication with the at least one IR output; the current sensing outlet configured to sense when an attached second electrical device is drawing current; the bus outlet connected to a first station, the bus outlet configured to send a control signal to the first station, the first station connected to a third electrical device; wherein the first electrical device is controlled by IR control signal sent by the at least one IR output; wherein the first station includes a first dimmer means and the third electrical device is a light; and wherein upon sensing that power to the second electrical device attached to the current sensing outlet has been turned on, the integrated controller is programmed to send a control signal via the bus outlet to the first station to dim the light.
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26. A control apparatus comprising:
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an integrated controller, the integrated controller having an antenna configured to receive and send RF transmissions, the integrated controller further including a current sensing outlet, a bus outlet, a low voltage relay, an IR receiver and an IR output, the IR output in communication with at least a first electrical device; at least a first station in communication with the antenna, the first station connected to at least a second electrical device; a remote for sending IR signals to the IR receiver, said IR signals passing from the IR receiver to at least the first electrical device; the current sensing outlet configured to sense when an attached third electrical device is drawing current; the bus outlet connected to a second station, the bus outlet configured to send a control signal to the second station, the second station connected to a fourth electrical device; the low voltage relay configured to send a control signal to a third station connected to a fifth electrical device; wherein the second electrical device connected to the first station is controlled by RF control signals sent from the integrated controller and the first electrical device is controlled by IR control signals sent by the at least one IR output; wherein the first station includes a first dimmer means and the second electrical device is a first light; wherein the second station includes a second dimmer means and the fourth electrical device is a second light; wherein the third station includes a controller for an electric motor; wherein upon sensing that power to the third electrical device attached to the current sensing outlet has been turned on, the integrated controller is programmed to;
(i) send a RF control signal to the first station to dim the first light, (ii) send a control signal via the bus outlet to the second station to dim the second light, and (iii) send a control signal via the low voltage relay to the third station to activate the electric motor to open or close a shade or blind. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification