Upgradeable automation devices, systems, architectures, and methods
First Claim
1. An automation system comprising:
- a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility; and
,an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for control of the performance of the function by each device based on at least one of day, time of day, presence of at least one person within an area in the facility, environmental conditions outside the facility, solar impact within the area, administrator settings including set points, limits, and ranges, and user input consistent with the administrator settings,wherein at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices is configured to enable communication between the automation controller and at least one secondary device by communicating with the automation controller via signals in at least a first signal protocol used for the plurality of peripheral devices, translating signals by at least one of mapping the first signal protocol into a second signal protocol and receiving the signals in the second signal protocol embedded in the first signal protocol, and communicating with the at least one secondary device via the signals in the second signal protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-level automation control architecture, methods, and systems are disclosed, which provide enhanced scalability, functionality, and cost effectiveness for energy, access, and control. The systems include various combinations of automation controllers, remote controllers and peripheral devices that are used to provide monitoring and control functionality over the various systems in a structure, such as HVAC, water, lighting, etc. In various embodiments, the automation controller and various peripheral devices are implemented to provide an integrated energy management system for the structure. The system allows the user to manage energy based on the day, time, the presence of people, and the availability of natural lighting and heating, as well as prioritize and participate in demand-response program. The system can be implemented using a remote controller and expanded through the addition of automation controllers, remote controllers, and peripheral devices to enable the system to be tailored to specific user requirements.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An automation system comprising:
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a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility; and
,an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for control of the performance of the function by each device based on at least one of day, time of day, presence of at least one person within an area in the facility, environmental conditions outside the facility, solar impact within the area, administrator settings including set points, limits, and ranges, and user input consistent with the administrator settings, wherein at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices is configured to enable communication between the automation controller and at least one secondary device by communicating with the automation controller via signals in at least a first signal protocol used for the plurality of peripheral devices, translating signals by at least one of mapping the first signal protocol into a second signal protocol and receiving the signals in the second signal protocol embedded in the first signal protocol, and communicating with the at least one secondary device via the signals in the second signal protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An automation system comprising:
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a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility; an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for control of the performance of the function by each device based on at least one of day, time of day, presence of at least one person within an area in the facility, environmental conditions outside the facility, solar impact within the area, administrator settings including set points, limits, and ranges, and user input consistent with the administrator settings, and wherein the system is configured to have different settings for at least one of the peripheral devices in the area depending upon whether a person is not present in the facility, present in the facility and not in the area and present in the facility and in the area, and the system calculates a time the person is not in the area and adjusts a time interval for transitioning from settings for present to not present in the area.
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15. A method of automating functions comprising:
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configuring a plurality of peripheral devices to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility; providing settings via an automation controller for an area within the facility depending the day, time of day, the presence of a person in the facility in the area, and the presence of a person in the facility and not in the area; controlling the function of the peripheral devices to account for at least one of environmental conditions outside the facility and solar impact in the area to maintain the area according to the settings corresponding to the day, time of day, the presence of a person in the facility in the area, and the presence of a person in the facility and not in the area; calculating a time the person is not in the area; and
,adjusting a time interval for transitioning from settings for present to not present in the area based on the calculation of the time the person is not in the area. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification