Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a simple user interface for programming scenes and multi-way groups in a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in the home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing the simple programming interface. Through the control logic, each device maintains its status in a system-wide programming mode and retains knowledge of its inclusion or exclusion in the current scene or multi-way group being programmed. When any device in the system receives indications that affect the system programming mode, such as a press on one of the buttons on the devices, the device broadcasts a notification message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The message maintains the integrity of the system programming mode. Each device knows when a scene or multi-way group being programmed is finally captured and the programming of a new scene or multi-way group has started.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing distributed control of a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in a home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing distributed control. Through the control logic, each device maintains scene definitions describing the state of the device for each scene in which it participates. When any device in the system receives a request to launch a scene, such as a button press on one of the devices, the device broadcasts a scene state change message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The scene state change message identifies to each device that a particular scene that should be launched. Each device in the system receives the message and determines whether the device is a participant in the scene. If the device is a participant in the scene, the device adjusts its state according to a scene definition stored in the device associated with the scene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a simple user interface for programming scenes and multi-way groups in a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in the home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing the simple programming interface. Through the control logic, each device maintains its status in a system-wide programming mode and retains knowledge of its inclusion or exclusion in the current scene or multi-way group being programmed. When any device in the system receives indications that affect the system programming mode, such as a press on one of the buttons on the devices, the device broadcasts a notification message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The message maintains the integrity of the system programming mode. Each device knows when a scene or multi-way group being programmed is finally captured and the programming of a new scene or multi-way group has started.

Abstract: A method of dynamically selecting a role for a resource device employed in a scene automation and control system is provided. The method comprises providing an object in a resource device having a plurality of predetermined roles that are dynamically settable, said roles including a requester role and a subscriber role. The method also comprises automatically setting the role of the resource device in response to either the receipt of a setting message or the manual adjustment of the resource device. Preferably, each object has a plurality of instances, each of which is settable. Further, preferably, the capability of an object (instance) to take on a role is preset. In addition to subscriber and requester roles, preferably, objects (instances) also include administrator and active roles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing distributed control of a home automation system is provided. Each device participating in a home automation system is equipped with control logic for providing distributed control. Through the control logic, each device maintains scene definitions describing the state of the device for each scene in which it participates. When any device in the system receives a request to launch a scene, such as a button press on one of the devices, the device broadcasts a scene state change message to all devices within the home automation system. The scene state change message identifies to each device a particular scene that should be launched. Each device in the system receives the message and determines whether the device is a participant in the scene. If the device is a participant in the scene, the device adjusts its state according to a scene definition stored in the device associated with the scene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing distributed control of a home automation and control system is provided. Each device participating in a home automation and control system is equipped with control logic for providing distributed control. Through the control logic, each device maintains scene definitions describing the state of the device for each scene in which it participates. When any device in the system receives a request to launch a scene, such as a button press on one of the devices, the device broadcasts a scene state change message to all devices within the home automation and control system. The scene state change message identifies to each device that a particular scene that should be launched. Each device in the system receives the message and determines whether the device is a participant in the scene. If the device is a participant in the scene, the device adjusts its state according to a scene definition stored in the device associated with the scene.