US6385495B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automation system and method for the programming thereof
Assignee: Michigan Bell Telephone Co
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Filing: 2000-06-22
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Granted: 2002-05-07
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Expires: 2020-06-22
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond W. Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:00
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B13/00; G05B13/02; G05B13/0265; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0426; H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2823; H04L12/2827; H04L12/2829; F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/044; F16B7/0446; F16B7/0473; F16B7/048; F16B7/0486; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/21; G05B2219/21066; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25413; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2642; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445; H04L2012/2847; H04L2012/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An automation system comprising: at least one programmable device operable in conjunction with an associated appliance to detect a state of the appliance; and a programmable controller in communication with the programmable device and configured to receive a trigger signal and an indication of a change of the state of the appliance for programming response of the automation system to subsequent occurrences of the trigger signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An automation system comprising: at least one programmable device operable in conjunction with an associated appliance to detect a state of the appliance; and a programmable controller in communication with the programmable device and configured to receive a trigger signal and an indication of a change of the state of the appliance for programming response of the automation system to subsequent occurrences of the trigger signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The automation system of claim 1 further comprising: a communication link coupling the at least one programmable device and the programmable controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The automation system of claim 2 wherein the communication link comprises electric power lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automation system of claim 1 wherein the programmable controller comprises a user accessible control for actuating a training mode of the programmable controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automation system of claim 1 further comprising: a switch coupled to the programmable controller, the switch being actuable to produce the trigger signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The automation system of claim 1 further comprising: an environmental sensor coupled to the program controller and configured to produce the trigger signal in response to an environmental condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The automation system of claim 6 wherein the environmental sensor comprises a motion detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The automation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one programmable device comprises: a programmable outlet including a socket, the programmable outlet configured to selectively provide electric power to an associated appliance plugged into the socket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The automation system of claim 1 wherein the programmable controller comprises: a transceiver; a processor coupled to the transceiver; memory coupled to the processor; and a user accessible control coupled to the processor for selecting a training mode of the programmable controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A programmable home automation system comprising: one or more programmable devices, each programmable device associated with an appliance and including means for detecting a state of the associated appliance, means for producing a trigger signal, and means for producing an appliance state signal; communication means coupled with each programmable device for communicating data; and a programmable controller coupled with the communication means and including means for placing the programmable controller in a training mode, means for identifying the trigger signal, and means for detecting the appliance state signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A programmable home automation system comprising: one or more programmable devices, each programmable device associated with an appliance and including means for detecting a state of the associated appliance, means for producing a trigger signal, and means for producing an appliance state signal; communication means coupled with each programmable device for communicating data; and a programmable controller coupled with the communication means and including means for placing the programmable controller in a training mode, means for identifying the trigger signal, and means for detecting the appliance state signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The programmable home automation system of claim 10 wherein each programmable device comprises: memory; and a processor operable in response to data and instructions stored in the memory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The programmable home automation system of claim 10 wherein the programmable controller comprises: memory; and a processor operable in response to data and instructions stored in the memory.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The programmable home automation system of claim 10 wherein the means for placing the programmable controller in the training mode comprises a manually actuatable switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The programmable home automation system of claim 10 wherein each programmable device comprises: device communication means for two way data communication with the communication means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The programmable automation system of claim 14 wherein the device communication means comprises a transceiver circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The programmable home automation system of claim 14 wherein the programmable controller comprises: controller communication means for two way data communication with the device communication means of each programmable device via the communication means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The programmable automation system of claim 16 wherein the controller communication means comprises a transceiver circuit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-05-06 | 2005-11-05 | 2006-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-06 | 2009-11-05 | 2010-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-06 | 2013-11-05 | 2014-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |