# US 8,649,886 B2 · Method and system of programming at least one appliance to change state upon the occurrence of a trigger event > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,649,886 B2 - Document ID: US8649886B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/544,805 - Filed: 2012-07-09 - Published: 2013-03-14 - Granted: 2014-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 1996-11-06 - Assignees: Ameritech Services, Inc. - Applicants: Raymond W. Bennett - Inventors: Raymond W. Bennett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8649886B2 ## 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 A method for programming a programmable controller for an environment, the method comprising: receiving a trigger signal at a processor of the programmable controller, wherein the trigger signal is associated with a trigger event at a trigger device, wherein the trigger device comprises a sensor for sensing the trigger event, while the programmable controller is in a training mode, the trigger device being in data communication with the programmable controller, wherein the trigger signal is for causing a programmable device to change to a desired state, wherein the programmable device comprises a programmable thermostat; receiving a message and a unique address at the processor of the programmable controller from the programmable device, wherein the programmable device is in the environment and is in the desired state for the environment, wherein the message indicates that the programmable device is in the desired state and the unique address is for the programmable device; and subsequently, exiting the training mode at the processor of the programmable controller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: at the programmable controller, monitoring for the trigger signal while the programmable controller is not in the training mode; detecting the trigger signal; and in response to the detecting of the trigger signal, broadcasting a control signal for reception by the programmable device to change the programmable device to the desired state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the message that the programmable device is in the desired state is broadcasted by the programmable device as an instruction which will later be rebroadcasted as the control signal to the programmable device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is generated by changing a state of a switch coupled to the programmable controller, the switch having at least two states. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger signal is generated by detecting an environment change by the sensor coupled to the programmable controller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the detecting the environmental change comprises detecting a motion by the sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the detecting the environmental change comprises detecting an alarm condition from a security system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each of the receiving the trigger signal and the message comprises a radio frequency communication. ### Claim 9 A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a programmable controller, cause the processor to perform operations for programming a programmable controller for an environment, the operations comprising: receiving a trigger signal at the programmable controller, wherein the trigger signal is associated with a trigger event at a trigger device, wherein the trigger device comprises a sensor for sensing the trigger event, while the programmable controller is in a training mode, the trigger device being in data communication with the programmable controller, wherein the trigger signal is for causing a programmable device to change to a desired state, wherein the programmable device comprises a programmable thermostat; receiving a message and a unique address at the programmable controller from the programmable device, wherein the programmable device is in the environment and is in the desired state for the environment, wherein the message indicates that the programmable device is in the desired state and the unique address is for the programmable device; and subsequently, exiting the training mode at the programmable controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, further comprising: at the programmable controller, monitoring for the trigger signal while the programmable controller is not in the training mode; detecting the trigger signal; and in response to the detecting of the trigger signal, broadcasting a control signal for reception by the programmable device to change the programmable device to the desired state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the message that the programmable device is in the desired state is broadcasted by the programmable device as an instruction which will later be rebroadcasted as the control signal to the programmable device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the trigger signal is generated by changing a state of a switch coupled to the programmable controller, the switch having at least two states. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the trigger signal is generated by detecting an environment change by the sensor coupled to the programmable controller. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the detecting the environmental change comprises detecting a motion by the sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the detecting the environmental change comprises detecting an alarm condition from a security system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein each of the receiving the trigger signal and the message comprises a radio frequency communication. ### Claim 17 A programmable controller for use in an environment, comprising: a processor; and a computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving a trigger signal at the programmable controller, wherein the trigger signal is associated with a trigger event at a trigger device, wherein the trigger device comprises a sensor for sensing the trigger event, while the programmable controller is in a training mode, the trigger device being in data communication with the programmable controller, wherein the trigger signal is for causing a programmable device to change to a desired state, wherein the programmable device comprises a programmable thermostat; receiving a message and a unique address at the programmable controller from the programmable device, wherein the programmable device is in the environment and is in the desired state for the environment, wherein the message indicates that the programmable device is in the desired state and the unique address is for the programmable device; and subsequently, exiting the training mode at the programmable controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The programmable controller of claim 17, further comprising: at the programmable controller, monitoring for the trigger signal while the programmable controller is not in the training mode; detecting the trigger signal; and in response to the detecting of the trigger signal, broadcasting a control signal for reception by the programmable device to change the programmable device to the desired state. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The programmable controller of claim 18, wherein the message that the programmable device is in the desired state is broadcasted by the programmable device as an instruction which will later be rebroadcasted as the control signal to the programmable device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The programmable controller of claim 17, wherein the trigger signal is generated by changing a state of a switch coupled to the programmable controller, the switch having at least two states.