441 results about "Home automation" patented technology

A power distribution system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) configured for single/multi-gang wallplate installation to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under switched control and/or local/remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within a home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

A single platform for controller functionality for each of security, monitoring and automation, as well as providing a capacity to function as a bidirectional Internet gateway, is provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide such functionality by virtue of a configurable architecture that enables a user to adapt the system for the user's specific needs. Embodiments of the present invention further provide for remote access to the configurable controller, thereby providing for remote monitoring of the state of a dwelling and for remote control of home automation.

A system for reducing utility consumption of at least one subsystem of a facility is disclosed. A utility meter is coupled to the subsystem for monitoring utility consumption of the subsystem and provides data corresponding to the measured energy consumption. A controller in communication with the subsystem and the energy meter is configured to control the operation of the subsystem by employing an operating protocol with the protocol dependent on the data received from the utility meter. The system measures the reduction in utility consumption and generates a credit based on the measured reduction.

An integrated controller for complete automation with the ability to control electrical devices through both RF transmission and IR transmissions. In one illustrative embodiment, the integrated controller comprises an antenna for two-way communication with stations located throughout a structure. Each station may control the power supply to an attached electrical device. The buttons on the station may control any electrical device on the system through RF transmission with the integrated controller. The integrated controller also may comprise an IR receiver and at least one IR output. The IR receiver may receive signals from a remote and pass them through to a device, such as a device used in a home theater system, with a built in IR receiver via the IR output. In this manner, the integrated controller is capable of providing complete in home automation.

A single platform for controller functionality for each of security, monitoring and automation, as well as providing a capacity to function as a bidirectional Internet gateway, is provided. Embodiments of the present invention provide such functionality by virtue of a configurable architecture that enables a user to adapt the system for the user's specific needs. Embodiments of the present invention further provide for remote access to the configurable controller, thereby providing for remote monitoring of the state of a dwelling and for remote control of home automation. Embodiments of the present invention further provide for reporting to a provider those sensors and other hardware used by the configurable architecture, enabling the provider to track inventory of such items.

An automation network includes automation network devices connected to the network and a system layer interface that interfaces with a transport layer and an application layer of the home automation network. The system layer interface includes command libraries configured to upgrade a remote network device. The automation network queries the network devices to determine if there are lost network devices or newly added network devices. The automation network may update a new remote device with scene information related to any lost network devices.

A power control system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under control of local or remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within a home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Methods and systems are described for providing a graphical user interface suitable for viewing and modifying home automation, home security, and/or energy management devices. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface may include a scene selection list displaying multiple selectable items representing various scenes. In certain instances, control and monitoring of one or more devices may at least be accessed through a transitory user interface element such as, for example, a drawer control, a pullable view, or the like. Multiple device states may be set in accordance with a scene definition associated with a selectable list item in a scene selection list displayed in the transitory user interface element. The contents of the scene selection, in certain embodiments, may be determined in part based on a detected application context, user context, or both.

A telephone device such as a speaker phone or message recording device is remotely controlled either as a standalone device or as part of a security system. The telephone device can be controlled by a key fob or other user-operated transmitter that a user actuates to answer a call by speaker phone, end a call, place a call, or control functions of the message recording device such as playing back messages. The key fob transmits a wireless signal that is received and processed by a security system. In response, the security system controls the telephone device. The key fob may control security functions as well. In another approach, the key fob may control the telephone device directly without intervention of a security system. Or, the key fob may control the telephone device via a home automation network.

A multimedia control system presents program schedule information to a user in a visually and intellectually-intuitive manner. The multimedia control system can be used to display programming information, control multimedia devices, control home automation devices, etc. In one embodiment, a control screen used to display programming information is configured as a touch screen to allow the user to select programming, control multimedia devices, or perform other functions by touching the screen. In one embodiment, the system uses a consistent, user-selectable, intuitive user interface. In one embodiment, programming information is dynamically updated to provide the user with current programming information, such as, for example, sports scores, commercial breaks, news stories, documentary contents, etc.

Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory, machine-readable media that facilitate personalized home automation control based at least in part on individualized protocol. First sensor data may be received, and may be indicative of an identified individual that is sensed by a set of sensors. A particularized pattern of activity of individual may be determined. Second sensor data may be indicative of an unidentified individual. Identification rules specified by a stored protocol record may include criteria for identifying sensed individuals. The second sensor data and/or identification information from another data source may be analyzed to identify the unidentified individual. A home automation rule may be determined based on the particularized pattern, which rule may include an anticipation of an operational setting of a home automation device. The home automation device may be instructed based on the determined home automation rule.

Provided is a sensing system for use in conjunction with a home automation network controlling an environmental variable in a home, the system including a transmitter adapted to be used with an absorbent article having a sensor, wherein the transmitter is adapted to communicate with the sensor and directly with the home automation network. Also provided is a physiological event notification system including an absorbent article including a physiological event sensor; a home automation network controlling an environmental variable in a home; and a transmitter associable with the absorbent article and in signal communication with the physiological event sensor and with the home automation network.

An exercise environment controller is integrated into an exercise device and being usable to adjust one or more environmental parameters relative to an exercise device environment. The integrated exercise environment controller includes an input interface that receives environmental inputs from a user of the exercise device, an environment sensor that detects current environment parameters of the exercise device's environment, and a communication module connected to the input interface and the environment sensor that communicates a control command to a home automation device that regulates climate for at least the exercise device environment.

A method of constituting a home automation network comprises bidirectional elements such as actuators (A1, A2, A3), at least unidirectional control elements (C1, C2, C3, S1) and bidirectional control elements (C60, C70, C800). It consists in lastingly functionally linking up at least two elements. The process is characterized in that the lasting functional linkup brings about at least one transfer from a bidirectional element to another bidirectional element of at least one information creating a hierarchical relationship between these two elements.

Tokenized commands originating in an infrared (IR) remote control are sent over a home automation network using low-cost radio-frequency (RF) and/or powerline (PL) communications to enables operation of distant IR-controllable devices not within view of the IR beam from the remote control, as well as operation of other devices that are not IR-controllable. Using IR or RF, the remote control sends only a few bytes of tokenized information designating the specific function to be controlled. An IR or RF receiver optionally retransmits the tokens over another network, such as the powerline. “IR Blaster” devices receive the tokens via RF or another network, and apply them to an IR engine that generates an IR pulse stream identical to that of the original remote control. Non-IR devices receive the tokens via RF or another network and interpret them as specific control commands.