# US 6,385,495 B1 · Automation system and method for the programming thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,385,495 B1 - Document ID: US6385495B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/602,393 - Filed: 2000-06-22 - Granted: 2002-05-07 - Earliest claimed: 1996-11-06 - Assignees: Ameritech Services, Inc. - Inventors: Raymond W. Bennett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6385495B1 ## CPC - G05B 13/0265: {the criterion being a learning criterion} - G05B 19/042: using digital processors (G05B19/05 takes precedence) - G05B 19/0426: {Programming the control sequence} - H04L 12/2829: {involving user profiles according to which the execution of a home appliance functionality is automatically triggered} - F16B 7/0473: {with hook-like parts gripping, e.g. by expanding, behind the flanges of a profile} - F16B 7/0486: {forming an abutting connection of at least one tube} - G05B 2219/21066: Disconnect data line from module before, reconnect after configuration - G05B 2219/25413: Interrupt, event, state change triggered - G05B 2219/2642: Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house - G06F 9/445: Program loading or initiating (bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57) - H04L 2012/285: {Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators} - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 (depends on 1) The automation system of claim 1 further comprising: a communication link coupling the at least one programmable device and the programmable controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The automation system of claim 2 wherein the communication link comprises electric power lines. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) 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 5 (depends on 1) 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 6 (depends on 1) 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 7 (depends on 6) The automation system of claim 6 wherein the environmental sensor comprises a motion detector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) 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 9 (depends on 1) 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 10 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 11 (depends on 10) 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 12 (depends on 10) 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 13 (depends on 10) 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 14 (depends on 10) 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 15 (depends on 14) The programmable automation system of claim 14 wherein the device communication means comprises a transceiver circuit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) 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 17 (depends on 16) The programmable automation system of claim 16 wherein the controller communication means comprises a transceiver circuit.