Patent · US Expired

Providing distributed scene programming of a home automation and control system

US7099723B2 · kind B2 · utility

41Cited by
27References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 22, 2005
Grant dateAug 29, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 22, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L12/2823
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a simple user interface for programming scenes and multi-way groups in a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in the home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing the simple programming interface. Through the control logic, each device maintains its status in a system-wide programming mode and retains knowledge of its inclusion or exclusion in the current scene or multi-way group being programmed. When any device in the system receives indications that affect the system programming mode, such as a press on one of the buttons on the devices, the device broadcasts a notification message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The message maintains the integrity of the system programming mode. Each device knows when a scene or multi-way group being programmed is finally captured and the programming of a new scene or multi-way group has started.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.