Control4 Corporation

Amx Corporation

W Eric Smith

William B West

Aaron L Myer

Stephen C Coffin

James R Gist

A system is provided for remote control of electronic devices. An automation controller can be used to control electronic devices via a network. A communication port for the automation controller is used to provide control signals for at least one electronic device via the network. An analog receiver module receives analog video signals from analog sources. A digital display module can receive a digital control interface from the automation controller. The digital control interface can include automation graphical interface controls. A display module, coupled to the automation controller, is used to composite the digital control interface received from the digital display module into a composite image with analog video signals.

Automation Control of Electronic Devices

A system and method for sending a response message over a wired communication channel in an automation network is disclosed. The method includes the operation of defining a radio frequency (RF) network between a central controller and a plurality of automation devices. A control signal is transmitted from the central controller to at least one of the plurality of automation devices over the RF network. A response message is sent from at least one of the plurality of automation devices to the central controller using a wired network.

System and method for using a wired network to send response messages in an automation system

A system and method are provided for controlling access to local electronic devices in an automation network while maintaining failover capability. The method can include the operation of setting a state of a networked device to an online state. Another operation is sending a communication from the networked device to a controller requesting permission to change state of the networked device. The networked device may wait a predetermined amount of time to receive permission to change state. The state of the network device can change without permission from the controller after the predetermined amount of time has passed.

System and method for controlling access to local services without losing failover capibilty

A media component is provided for controlling home automation signals. The media component can include a housing containing management circuitry. A plurality of communication ports can also be included for the media component. The communication ports may be coupled to the housing. In addition, a plurality of light units is provided. The light units are lit in order to guide a user to take a pre-determined action with respect to the communication ports.

System and method for a light based configuration guide for electronic ports

A method and apparatus for controlling devices on a network, such as household devices on a home automation network is presented. The present invention provides an extended addressing option and an extended packet size option. The present invention further provides packet order control, partial packet support, and multiple bit priority control. The present invention also provides a central controller that avoids the maintenance requirements of a distributed control system. The central controller may be coupled to a computer, allowing the computer to program the central controller and to act as a redundant controller in case the central controller fails or is otherwise unable to effectively control the network. The central controller may communicate with devices and other equipment over a variety of types of networks, including EIA-485 balanced cabling and ethernet networks, as well as other types of networks. The invention provides an automatic wiring testing feature that gives an indication if a node is properly wired to the controller. The invention further provides an identification mode that allows identification of devices and binding of physical devices to their corresponding representations used by the controller.

Growing community of inventors

Lindon, UT, United States of America

W Eric Smith