Abstract: A control system, method and computer program are provided for communicating control information in a control system. The control system includes a master controller and a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices have a number of channels. Each channel has an identifying number and a plurality of channel states. The method includes at least initially directing one or more messages sent to and from each device to the master controller, sending a first type of control message from the master controller to respective devices, and sending a second type of control message and a third type of control message from the master controller to respective devices. A control message of the first type directs the respective device to place one of its channels in a specified channel state. A control message of the second type directs the respective device to set the level of a specified parameter to a certain value, and a control message of the third type comprises a character string of variable length.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for receiving analog and digital audio input via a single audio input connector. The method includes receiving an input signal from a single audio input connector, splitting the received input signal into a first input signal and a second input signal, filtering the first input signal to pass a digital signal, filtering the second input signal to pass an analog signal, digitizing the filtered analog signal, and multiplexing the filtered digital signal and the filtered digitized analog signal.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for generation of a controlled device Module are provided. Various components are provided to a Module designer for selection, and the designer defines the interface APIs specifying the component functionalities. The designer may specify custom commands or events for the Module including Commands, Properties, and Parameters, and custom components corresponding to the custom commands are generated. A self-describing capabilities component is then generated for each component, and a composite capabilities component may then be generated from the capabilities components of each of the components. The completed Module package is then produced by an integrated development environment station.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for configuring a controlled device in a control system are provided. A self-describing device Module associated with a controlled device provides capabilities of a controlled device both at runtime and before installation. The controlled device Module includes a capabilities component that, when queried, provides a description of the controlled device's capabilities both as a capabilities object that can be queried at runtime and in a self-describing capabilities file implemented in an XML format prior to operational configuration of the Module or controlled device. The Module is configured to generate its runtime capabilities object and self-describing capabilities file.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for the discovery and registration of controlled devices associated with self-describing Modules in a control system are provided. A controlled device associated with a self-describing module is coupled with a master controller on which the self-describing module is installed. A remote monitoring system is communicatively coupled with the master controller, and a remote monitoring system agent is installed on the master controller. The agent discovers a Module associated with the controlled device and queries the Module for a version thereof. The agent then evaluates whether the Module is self-describing. In the event the Module is self-describing, the agent requests a run-time capabilities object from the Module and registers the controlled device with the remote monitoring system according to the capabilities object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a device in a wall box is provided. The apparatus includes a base plate formed by a front portion and a plurality of side portions extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear portion, and a latching mechanism coupled to the base plate. The front portion is connected to the device. The base plate is configured to be at least partially inserted into the wall box. The latching mechanism includes a frictional engagement member configured to frictionally engage with the wall box upon insertion into the wall box.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for receiving analog and digital audio input via a single audio input connector. The method includes receiving an input signal from a single audio input connector, splitting the received input signal into a first input signal and a second input signal, filtering the first input signal to pass a digital signal, filtering the second input signal to pass an analog signal, digitizing the filtered analog signal, and multiplexing the filtered digital signal and the filtered digitized analog signal.

Abstract: An end device in a Zigbee network space is configured to roam between available Zigbee networks. When the end device determines that a quality of a current connection has fallen below a minimum threshold, the end device evaluates the network space for available networks. The end device stores a list of Zigbee networks that it is authorized to join and joins the most preferred Zigbee network, as determined by, for example, a signal strength or a stored network ranking.

Abstract: In a Zigbee network, reliable communications are provided by maintaining messages transmitted from a device in a message queue in the device. If no successful acknowledgement is received for a transmitted message, the message is re-transmitted when the message queue executes. Messages are deleted from the queue when the message is successfully transmitted or when a maximum number of re-tries has been exhausted.

Abstract: In order to minimize traffic on a Zigbee network, a gateway of the Zigbee network represents end devices in communications with peripheral networks. The gateway receives messages, such as status request messages, from the peripheral network intended for an end device on the Zigbee network. The Zigbee network generates a response message by retrieving stored data for the end device instead of communicating the received message to the end device.

Abstract: A controller, method and computer medium are provided for controlling communications between a control area network and a data network. The method includes receiving user input at a controller coupled to the control area network from a node coupled to the data network, receiving user input at the controller from a node coupled to the control area network, and instructing an internet appliance coupled to the control area network to perform a command based on at least one of the received user inputs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a device in a wall box is provided. The apparatus includes a base plate formed by a front portion and a plurality of side portions extending to the rear to define a substantially open rear portion, and a latching mechanism coupled to the base plate. The front portion is connected to the device. The base plate is configured to be at least partially inserted into the wall box. The latching mechanism includes a frictional engagement member configured to frictionally engage with the wall box upon insertion into the wall box.

Abstract: A system of multimedia display on a monitor screen includes at least one graphics source, a display file defining a page having a plurality of buttons, where each button has a set of properties including a specification of a graphics source. The system further includes a graphics controller operable to generate a pixel map, and a graphics arbitrator coupled to the graphics controller operable to select pixels between the pixel map and pixels from the at least one graphics source to be displayed for the page according to the display file.