Systems, devices, and methods for dynamically assigning functions to an actuator

• US 9,110,450 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Edge Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Green Edge Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Alberth, William P. Jr., Chau, Seang Yong, Hartsfield, David K., Rice, William, Steele, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKKI, MUNEAR T
• Application Number:
  US13/830,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20140266600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 887 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.83, 340/10.3, 340/12.32, 340/286.02, 382/118
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 Classification, e.g. identification

Abstract

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for dynamically adjusting functions of an automation system. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling one or more energy-consuming devices in a structure such as a residential, commercial, or industrial building. One embodiment include determining an identity of a person and/or the direction the person is traveling, and then changing a function of an actuator based on the determination(s).

Claims

1. A method of assigning a function to an actuator of an automation system of a structure, the actuator controlling delivery of electrical energy to a first electrical outlet configured to operably couple to or decouple from a first electrical device, the automation system including at least one sensor, the method comprising:

obtaining information relating to a user that has actuated the actuator; and

changing the function of the actuator based on the obtained information, wherein, if the first electrical device is decoupled from the first electrical outlet and coupled to a second electrical outlet different from the first electrical outlet, the automation system is configured to reconfigure control of the actuator to control delivery of electrical energy to the second electrical outlet instead of the first electrical outlet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information obtained includes identifying characteristics of the user that has actuated the actuator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a camera, and the information includes an image of the user'"'"'s face.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the information obtained includes information relating to clothing worn by the user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining information relating to a time of day.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the information obtained includes a direction of travel of the user.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining whether additional users are located within the structure.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining information relating to weather outside the structure.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a display, wherein the display is configured to show the user at least two functions capable of being assigned to the actuator, wherein at least one of the functions is determined by the obtained information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein assignment of a function to an actuator is preprogrammed into the automation system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a signal from a device carried by the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal includes identifying characteristics of the user.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining information includes detecting signals emitted by a mobile device carried by the user.

14. A method of changing a function of an actuator of an automation system of a structure, the method comprising:

assigning a first function to the actuator, wherein the actuator includes an electrical switch and the function includes controlling delivery of electrical energy to a first electrical device of the structure, wherein activating the actuator a first time interrupts delivery of electrical energy to the first electrical device, wherein activating the actuator a second time re-enables delivery of electrical energy to the first electrical device, and wherein the first electrical device includes at least one light emitting device coupled to a first electrical outlet controlled by the actuator;

obtaining information relating to one or more users associated with the structure; and

assigning a second function to the actuator based on the obtained information, wherein the second function includes controlling delivery of electrical energy to a second electrical device of the structure,

wherein, if the at least one light emitting device is decoupled from the first electrical outlet and coupled to a second electrical outlet different from the first electrical outlet, the automation system is configured to reconfigure the actuator to continue controlling the light emitting device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the automation system includes at least one sensor.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the information obtained includes identifying characteristics of a user that has actuated the actuator.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor includes a camera, and the information includes an image of the user'"'"'s face.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the information obtained includes information relating to clothing worn by a user.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising obtaining information relating to a time of day.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the information obtained includes a direction of travel of the user within the structure.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising obtaining information relating to weather outside the structure.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the actuator includes a display, wherein the display is configured to show the user at least two functions capable of being assigned to the actuator, wherein least one of the functions is determined by the obtained information.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a signal from a device carried by the user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the signal includes identifying characteristics of the user.