Patent US6912429B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6912429B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Home automation system and method
Assignee: Home Director Inc
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Filing: 2000-10-19
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Granted: 2005-06-28
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Expires: 2020-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A home automation system and method for automatic control of controlled devices throughout a home. A unique architecture of occupancy sensors includes entry/exit sensors for detecting movement through doorways that separate rooms in the home, room motion sensors for detecting room occupancy, spot sensors to detect occupancy of specific locations within the rooms, and house status sensors to detect the status of certain parameters of the home. A central controller communicates with the sensors and controlled objects over a communications network, where the sensors and controlled objects can be added to the system in a ‘plug and play’ manner. The central controller controls the controlled objects in response to the entry/exit sensors, room motion sensors, spot sensors and the house status sensors. This control is accomplished by assigning each room to one of a plurality of room occupancy states, and to one of a plurality of room modes for creating desired room atmospheres using the controlled objects, which both dictate how the controlled objects are controlled by the central controller. The room modes travel from room to room as the occupant moves throughout the home, and multiple occupants can be using different room modes as they move about the home. The controlled objects also have controlled object states, which are used by the central controller to control the controlled objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Brent Bilger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:06
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/008; H; H05; H05B; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/105; H05B47/115; H05B47/175; H05B47/196; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00; Y02B20/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
341 words
A home automation system for a home having a plurality of rooms, the system comprising: a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms; a plurality of room motion sensors for placement in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein; a controller for assigning each of the rooms to a first room state in response to detected occupancy in the room by one of the room motion sensors and to a second room state when occupancy in the room is not detected by the room motion sensors; an input device located in one of the rooms and connected to the controller for selecting one of a plurality of room modes that define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects, wherein the controller assigns to the one room a room mode selected by a first occupant using the input device, and wherein as the first occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the selected room mode; a second input device located in a second one of the rooms and connected to the controller for selecting one of the plurality of room modes, wherein the controller assigns to the second one room a room mode selected by a second occupant using the second input device, and wherein as the second occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the room mode selected by the second occupant; and the controller controls the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the first and second room states is assigned to the room, and in response to which of the plurality of room modes is assigned to the room; wherein the controller defines a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes, and wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller assigns the room to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
341 words
A home automation system for a home having a plurality of rooms, the system comprising: a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms; a plurality of room motion sensors for placement in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein; a controller for assigning each of the rooms to a first room state in response to detected occupancy in the room by one of the room motion sensors and to a second room state when occupancy in the room is not detected by the room motion sensors; an input device located in one of the rooms and connected to the controller for selecting one of a plurality of room modes that define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects, wherein the controller assigns to the one room a room mode selected by a first occupant using the input device, and wherein as the first occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the selected room mode; a second input device located in a second one of the rooms and connected to the controller for selecting one of the plurality of room modes, wherein the controller assigns to the second one room a room mode selected by a second occupant using the second input device, and wherein as the second occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the room mode selected by the second occupant; and the controller controls the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the first and second room states is assigned to the room, and in response to which of the plurality of room modes is assigned to the room; wherein the controller defines a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes, and wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller assigns the room to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The home automation system of claim 1 , wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller assigns the room to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the selected rooms modes and the priority hierarchy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The home automation system of claim 1 , wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller assigns the room to one of the selected room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The home automation system of claim 1 , wherein the controller changes the assignment of the one room from the room mode selected by the first occupant to another of the plurality of room modes in response to the second occupant entering a room adjacent to the one room.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
242 words
A home automation system for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, wherein each doorway is associated with rooms adjoining thereto, the system comprising: a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms; a plurality of room motion sensors for placement in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein; a plurality of entry/exit sensors for placement at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough; and a controller for assigning each of the rooms to one of a plurality of room states, wherein for each of the rooms the controller: assigns the room to a first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors, changes the assignment from the first room state to a second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room, and changes the assignment from the first room state to a third room state in response to an expiration of the first room state, wherein the first room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; wherein any of the controlled objects in each of the rooms are activated by the controller while the room is assigned to one of the first and second room states, and are deactivated by the controller while the room is assigned to the third room state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
242 words
A home automation system for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, wherein each doorway is associated with rooms adjoining thereto, the system comprising: a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms; a plurality of room motion sensors for placement in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein; a plurality of entry/exit sensors for placement at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough; and a controller for assigning each of the rooms to one of a plurality of room states, wherein for each of the rooms the controller: assigns the room to a first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors, changes the assignment from the first room state to a second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room, and changes the assignment from the first room state to a third room state in response to an expiration of the first room state, wherein the first room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; wherein any of the controlled objects in each of the rooms are activated by the controller while the room is assigned to one of the first and second room states, and are deactivated by the controller while the room is assigned to the third room state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The home automation system of claim 5 , further comprising: at least one spot sensor for placement in one of the rooms to detect occupancy by a person in a specific location within the one room, wherein for the one room the controller: changes the assignment from the second room state to the first room state in response to detected occupancy in the specific location, and changes the assignment from the third room state to the first room state in response to detected occupancy in the specific location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
The home automation system of claim 5 , wherein for each of the rooms the controller: changes the assignment from the second room state to the third room state in response to an expiration of the second room state, wherein the second room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; changes the assignment from the third room state to the second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room; and changes the assignment from the third room state to the first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The home automation system of claim 7 , wherein for each of the rooms the controller: changes the assignment from the second room state to the first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The home automation system of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined time for one of the room states differs from the predetermined time for another one of the room states.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
The home automation system of claim 8 , wherein for each of the rooms the controller: changes the assignment from the third room state to a fourth room state in response to an expiration of the third room state, wherein the third room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor and no entry/exit sensor detects movement through any doorway associated with the room for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; and changes the assignment from the fourth room state to the second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room; wherein any of the controlled objects in each of the rooms are deactivated by the controller while the room is assigned to the fourth room state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
275 words
The home automation system of claim 8 , further comprising: a plurality of input devices located in the rooms and connected to the controller for entering one of plurality of room modes selected by occupants in the rooms, the plurality of room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects, wherein for each of the rooms the controller assigns the room to a room mode selected by one of the occupants using the input device in the room, and wherein as the one occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the selected room mode; for each of the rooms the controller: controls the controlled objects in the room in response to which of the plurality of room modes are assigned to the room, the controller assigns the room to a room mode that was last assigned to the room in response to the change of assignment from the third room state to the first room state resulting from detected movement in the room by any of the room motion sensors, the controller assigns the room to a room mode that was last assigned to the room in response to the change of assignment from the third room state to the second room state resulting from detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room, and the controller assigns the room to a room mode that was last assigned to the room in response to the change of assignment from the second room state to the first room state resulting from detected movement in the room by any of the room motion sensors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
The home automation system of claim 10 , further comprising: an input device located in each of the rooms and connected to the controller, wherein for each of the rooms the controller: changes the assignment from the first room state to a fifth room state in response to an activation of the input device; and changes the assignment from the fifth room state to the fourth room state in response to an expiration of the fifth room state, wherein the fifth room state expires after a predetermined time period has passed; wherein any of the controlled objects in each of the rooms are deactivated by the controller while the room is assigned to the fifth room state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
155 words
The home automation system of claim 10 , wherein upon an initial startup of the controller, the controller assigns all the rooms to a sixth room state, and thereafter for each of the rooms the controller: changes the assignment from the sixth room state to the fourth room state in response to an expiration of the sixth room state, wherein the sixth room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor and no entry/exit sensor detects movement through any doorway associated with the room for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; changes the assignment from the sixth room state to the first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors; and changes the assignment from the sixth room state to the second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The home automation system of claim 12 , wherein any of the room motion sensors in each of the rooms are deactivated by the controller while the room is assigned to the fifth room state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
134 words
The home automation system of claim 5 , further comprising: a plurality of input devices located in the rooms and connected to the controller for entering one of a plurality of room modes selected by occupants in the rooms, the plurality of room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects, wherein for each of the rooms the controller: assigns the room to a room mode selected by one of the occupants using the input device in the room, wherein as the one occupant travels into and triggers the room motion sensors or the entry/exit sensors for other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the selected room mode, and controls the controlled objects in the room in response to which of the plurality of room modes are assigned to the room.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The home automation system of claim 15 , wherein for any one room entered into by another of the occupants while already occupied by the one occupant, the controller maintains the assignment of the any one room with the room mode selected by the one occupant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
236 words
A home automation system for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, wherein each doorway is associated with any rooms adjoining thereto, the system comprising: a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms; a plurality of room motion sensors for placement in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein; a plurality of entry/exit sensors for placement at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough; a controller for assigning each of the rooms to one of a plurality of room states in response to movement detected by an associated entry/exit sensor and occupancy detected in the room by one of the room motion sensors, and for assigning the home to one of a plurality of home modes; a plurality of input devices for placement in the rooms and connection to the controller, and for entering one of a plurality of room modes selected by a first occupant in one of the rooms using one of the input devices, wherein the room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects and the controller assigns the one room to the selected room mode; and the controller controls the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the plurality of room states and plurality of room modes are assigned to the room and in response to which of the plurality of home modes is assigned to the home.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
236 words
A home automation system for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, wherein each doorway is associated with any rooms adjoining thereto, the system comprising: a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms; a plurality of room motion sensors for placement in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein; a plurality of entry/exit sensors for placement at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough; a controller for assigning each of the rooms to one of a plurality of room states in response to movement detected by an associated entry/exit sensor and occupancy detected in the room by one of the room motion sensors, and for assigning the home to one of a plurality of home modes; a plurality of input devices for placement in the rooms and connection to the controller, and for entering one of a plurality of room modes selected by a first occupant in one of the rooms using one of the input devices, wherein the room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects and the controller assigns the one room to the selected room mode; and the controller controls the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the plurality of room states and plurality of room modes are assigned to the room and in response to which of the plurality of home modes is assigned to the home.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The home automation system of claim 17 , wherein the input devices also are for entering the one home mode by the first occupant for the assignment thereof to the home.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The home automation system of claim 17 , further comprising: a status sensor for determining a parameter of the home, wherein the controller assigns the home to the one home mode in response to the home parameter determined by the status sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The home automation system of claim 17 , wherein the controller assigns to another one of the rooms a room mode selected by a second occupant using one of the input devices, and wherein the controller assigns the another room to the room mode selected by the second occupant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
The home automation system of claim 20 , wherein as the first occupant travels into and triggers one of the motion sensors and entry/exit sensors associated with other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the room mode selected by the first occupant, and wherein as the second occupant travels into and triggers one of the motion sensors and entry/exit sensors associated with other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the room mode selected by the second occupant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
The home automation system of claim 20 , wherein the controller changes the assignment of the one room from the room mode selected by the first occupant to another of the plurality of room modes in response to the second occupant entering a room adjacent to the one room.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
127 words
The home automation system of claim 20 , further comprising: a first ID card for the first occupant to carry; a second ID card for the second occupant to carry; and each of the rooms including a receiver for detecting the presence of the first and second ID cards therein; wherein the controller assigns any of the rooms occupied by the first occupant to the room mode selected by the first occupant in response to the detection of the presence of the first ID card in the room, and wherein the controller assigns any of the rooms occupied by the second occupant to the room mode selected by the second occupant in response to the detection of the presence of the second ID card in the room.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The home automation system of claim 21 , wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller maintains the assignment of the any one room with the room mode selected by the first occupant.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
58 words
The home automation system of claim 21 , wherein the controller defines a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes, and wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller assigns the room to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
63 words
The home automation system of claim 21 , wherein the controller defines a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes, and wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller assigns the room to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the selected rooms modes and the priority hierarchy.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
The home automation system of claim 21 , wherein the controller defines a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes, and/wherein for any one room entered into by the second occupant while already occupied by the first occupant, the controller assigns the room to one of the selected room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
The home automation system of claim 17 , wherein one of the plurality of room modes, when selected and assigned to a room, deactivates the control by the controller of the controlled objects in the room.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
69 words
The home automation system of claim 17 , further comprising: at least one status sensor for determining a parameter of the home, wherein the controller assigns at least one of the controlled objects to a controlled object state in response to the home parameter determined by the status sensor; and wherein the controller further controls the at least one controlled object in response to the assigned controlled object state.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
66 words
The home automation system of claim 17 , further comprising: at least one spot sensor for placement in one of the rooms to detect occupancy by a person in a specific location within the one room, wherein the controller further controls at least one of the controlled objects in the one room in response to detected occupancy in the specific location by the one spot sensor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
69 words
The home automation system of claim 17 , further comprising: an ID card for the first occupant to carry; and each of the rooms including a receiver for detecting the presence of the ID card therein; wherein the controller assigns any of the rooms occupied by the first occupant to the selected room mode in response to the detection of the presence of the ID card in the room.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
302 words
A method of home automation for a home having a plurality of rooms and a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms, the method comprising: detecting occupancy of the rooms by a person using room motion sensors; assigning each of the rooms to a first room state in response to detected occupancy in the room by one of the room motion sensors and to a second room state when occupancy in the room is not detected by the room motion sensors; selecting one of a plurality of room modes in response to an input by a first occupant occupying one of the rooms, the room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects; assigning the one room to the selected room mode; assigning other rooms to the selected room mode as the first occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in these other rooms; controlling the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the first and second room states is assigned to the room, and in response to which of the plurality of room modes is assigned to the room; selecting one of the plurality of room modes in response to an input by a second occupant occupying another one of the rooms; assigning another one room to the room mode selected in response to the input by the second occupant; and assigning other rooms to the room mode selected in response to the input by the second occupant as the second occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in these other rooms; establishing a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes; and assigning any room in which the second occupant enters while already occupied by the first occupant to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
302 words
A method of home automation for a home having a plurality of rooms and a plurality of controlled objects for placement in rooms, the method comprising: detecting occupancy of the rooms by a person using room motion sensors; assigning each of the rooms to a first room state in response to detected occupancy in the room by one of the room motion sensors and to a second room state when occupancy in the room is not detected by the room motion sensors; selecting one of a plurality of room modes in response to an input by a first occupant occupying one of the rooms, the room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects; assigning the one room to the selected room mode; assigning other rooms to the selected room mode as the first occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in these other rooms; controlling the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the first and second room states is assigned to the room, and in response to which of the plurality of room modes is assigned to the room; selecting one of the plurality of room modes in response to an input by a second occupant occupying another one of the rooms; assigning another one room to the room mode selected in response to the input by the second occupant; and assigning other rooms to the room mode selected in response to the input by the second occupant as the second occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in these other rooms; establishing a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes; and assigning any room in which the second occupant enters while already occupied by the first occupant to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the assigning of the any room in which the second occupant enters while already occupied by the first occupant to one of the plurality of room modes is based upon the selected room modes and the priority hierarchy.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the assigning of the any room in which the second occupant enters while already occupied by the first occupant includes assigning the any room to one of the selected room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 32 , further comprising changing the assignment of the one room from the room mode selected in response to the input by the first occupant to another of the plurality of room modes in response to the second occupant entering a room adjacent to the one room.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of home automation for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, a plurality of controlled objects placed in the rooms, a plurality of room motion sensors placed in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein, and a plurality of entry/exit sensors placed at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough, each doorway is associated with rooms adjoining thereto, wherein for each of the plurality of rooms the method comprising: assigning the room to a first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors; changing the assignment from the first room state to a second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room; changing the assignment from the first room state to a third room state in response to an expiration of the first room state, wherein the first room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; activating any of the controlled objects in any of the rooms assigned to one of the first and second room states; and deactivating any of the controlled objects in any of the rooms assigned to the third room state.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of home automation for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, a plurality of controlled objects placed in the rooms, a plurality of room motion sensors placed in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein, and a plurality of entry/exit sensors placed at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough, each doorway is associated with rooms adjoining thereto, wherein for each of the plurality of rooms the method comprising: assigning the room to a first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors; changing the assignment from the first room state to a second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room; changing the assignment from the first room state to a third room state in response to an expiration of the first room state, wherein the first room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; activating any of the controlled objects in any of the rooms assigned to one of the first and second room states; and deactivating any of the controlled objects in any of the rooms assigned to the third room state.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the home further includes at least one spot sensor for placement in one of the rooms to detect occupancy by a person in a specific location within the one room, the method further comprising: detecting occupancy in the specific location using the spot sensor; changing the assignment from the second room state to the first room state in response to the detected occupancy in the specific location; and changing the assignment from the third room state to the first room state in response to the detected occupancy in the specific location.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
122 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein for each of the rooms the method further comprising: changing the assignment from the second room state to the third room state in response to an expiration of the second room state, wherein the second room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; changing the assignment from the third room state to the second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room; and changing the assignment from the third room state to the first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein for each of the rooms the method further comprising: changing the assignment from the second room state to the first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the predetermined time for one of the room states differs from the predetermined time for another one of the room states.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
126 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein for each of the rooms the method further comprises: changing the assignment from the third room state to a fourth room state in response to an expiration of the third room state, wherein the third room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor and no entry/exit sensor detects movement through any doorway associated with the room for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; changing the assignment from the fourth room state to the second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room; deactivating any of the controlled objects in any one room while the one room is assigned to the fourth room state.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
253 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the home includes a plurality of input devices located in the rooms for entering one of plurality of room modes selected by occupants in the rooms, the plurality of room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects, for each of the rooms the method further comprises: assigning the room to a room mode selected by one of the occupants using the input device in the room; assigning other rooms to the selected room mode as the occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in the other rooms; controlling the controlled objects in the room in response to which of the plurality of room modes are assigned to the room; assigning the room to a room mode that was last assigned to the room in response to the change in assignment from the third room state to the first room state resulting from detected movement in the room by any of the room motion sensors; assigning the room to a room mode that was last assigned to the room in response to the change of assignment from the third room state to the second room state resulting from detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room; and assigning the room to a room mode that was last assigned to the room in response to the change of assignment from the second room state to the first room state resulting from detected movement in the room by any of the room motion sensors.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein each of the rooms includes an input device, wherein for each of the rooms the method further comprises changing the assignment from the first room state to a fifth room state in response to an activation of the input device in the room; changing the assignment from the fifth room state to the fourth room state in response to an expiration of the fifth room state, wherein the fifth room state expires after a predetermined time period has passed; and deactivating any of the controlled objects in any of the rooms assigned to the fifth room state.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
152 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein for each of the rooms the method further comprises: assigning all the rooms to a sixth room state before any of the assigning and changing steps; changing the assignment from the sixth room state to the fourth room state in response to an expiration of the sixth room state, wherein the sixth room state expires when no occupancy is detected in the room by any room motion sensor and no entry/exit sensor detects movement through any doorway associated with the room for a time period exceeding a predetermined time; changing the assignment from the sixth room state to the first room state in response to any detected occupancy in the room by any of the room motion sensors; and changing the assignment from the sixth room state to the second room state in response to detected movement by any entry/exit sensor associated with the room.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 43 , further comprising: deactivating any of the room motion sensors in any of the rooms assigned to the fifth room state.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
139 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the home includes a plurality of input devices located in the rooms for entering one of a plurality of room modes selected by occupants in the rooms, the plurality of room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects, for each of the rooms the method further comprising: assigning the room to a room mode selected by one of the occupants using the input device in the room, wherein as the one occupant travels into and triggers the room motion sensors or the entry/exit sensors for other rooms, the controller assigns these other rooms to the selected room mode, wherein the activating and deactivating of the controlled objects includes controlling the controlled objects in the room in response to which of the plurality of room modes are assigned to the room.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 46 , further comprising: maintaining the assignment of any one room with the room mode selected in response to the one occupant when a second occupant enters the any one room while already occupied by the one occupant.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of home automation for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, a plurality of controlled objects placed in the rooms, a plurality of room motion sensors placed in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein, a plurality of entry/exit sensors placed at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough wherein each doorway is associated with any rooms adjoining thereto, and a plurality of input devices placed in the rooms, the method comprising: selecting one of a plurality of room modes in response to an input from one of the input devices by a first occupant occupying one of the rooms, the room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects; assigning the one room occupied by the first occupant to the selected room mode; assigning each of the rooms to one of a plurality of room states in response to movement detected by an entry/exit sensor associated with the room and occupancy detected in the room by one of the room motion sensors; assigning the home to one of a plurality of home modes; and controlling the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the plurality of room states, the plurality of room modes and the plurality of home modes are assigned to the room.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of home automation for a home having a plurality of rooms separated by doorways, a plurality of controlled objects placed in the rooms, a plurality of room motion sensors placed in the rooms to detect occupancy by a person therein, a plurality of entry/exit sensors placed at doorways to detect movement of a person therethrough wherein each doorway is associated with any rooms adjoining thereto, and a plurality of input devices placed in the rooms, the method comprising: selecting one of a plurality of room modes in response to an input from one of the input devices by a first occupant occupying one of the rooms, the room modes define room atmospheres created by the controlled objects; assigning the one room occupied by the first occupant to the selected room mode; assigning each of the rooms to one of a plurality of room states in response to movement detected by an entry/exit sensor associated with the room and occupancy detected in the room by one of the room motion sensors; assigning the home to one of a plurality of home modes; and controlling the controlled objects in each of the rooms in response to which of the plurality of room states, the plurality of room modes and the plurality of home modes are assigned to the room.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 48 , further comprising: selecting the one home mode in response to an input from one of the input devices.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the home further includes a status sensor, the method further comprising: determining a parameter of the home using the status sensor, wherein the assigning of the home to the home mode is performed in response to the home parameter determined by the status sensor.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 48 , further comprising: selecting one of the plurality of room modes in response to an input from one of the input devices by a second occupant occupying another one of the rooms; and assigning the another one room to the room mode selected in response to the input from the second occupant.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 51 , further comprising: assigning other rooms to the room mode selected in response to the input by the first occupant as the first occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in these other rooms, and to the room mode selected in response to the input by the second occupant as the second occupant travels into and triggers room motion sensors in these other rooms.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising: maintaining the assignment of any one room with the room mode selected in response to the input by the first occupant when the second occupant enters the any one room while already occupied by the first occupant.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising: establishing a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes; and assigning any room in which the second occupant enters while already occupied by the first occupant to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising: establishing a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes; and assigning any room in which the second occupant enters while already occupied by the first occupant to one of the plurality of room modes based upon the selected room modes and the priority hierarchy.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising: establishing a priority hierarchy for the plurality of room modes; and assigning any room in which the second occupant enters while already occupied by the first occupant to one of the selected room modes based upon the priority hierarchy.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising: changing the assignment of the one room from the room mode selected in response to the input by the first occupant to another of the plurality of room modes in response to the second occupant entering a room adjacent to the one room.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
121 words
The method of claim 52 , further comprising: sensing the presence of a first ID card carried by the first occupant in any of the rooms; sensing the presence of a second ID card carried by the second occupant in any of the rooms; assigning any one room occupied by the first occupant to the room mode selected in response to the input by the first occupant in response to the detected presence of the first ID card in the one room; and assigning any one room occupied by the second occupant to the room mode selected in response to the input by the second occupant in response to the detected presence of the second ID card in the one room.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 48 , further comprising: ceasing the control of the controlled objects in the one room in response to a particular room mode selected in response to a particular input by the first occupant.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 48 , further comprising: determining a parameter of the home; assigning at least one of the controlled objects to a controlled object state in response to the determined home parameter; and controlling the at least one controlled object in response to the assigned controlled object state.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 48 , wherein the home further includes at least one spot sensor for placement in one of the rooms to detect occupancy by a person in a specific location within the one room, the method further comprising: detecting occupancy in the specific location using the spot sensor; controlling at least one of the controlled objects in the one room in response to detected occupancy in the specific location by the one spot sensor.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 48 , further comprising: sensing the presence of an ID card carried by the first occupant in any of the rooms; and assigning any one room occupied by the first occupant to the room mode selected in response to the input by the first occupant in response to the detected presence of the ID card in the one room.
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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) | 2008-06-27 | 2008-12-27 | 2009-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-06-27 | 2012-12-27 | 2013-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-06-27 | 2016-12-27 | 2017-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |