Method and system for synchronization and remote control of controlling units

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling devices, including controller and actuators are disclosed. Actuators may be devices where remote control of the device or devices is convenient, such as lights, window shades, fans and similar items. In one method, a user sends a command to a controller and to an actuator. The controller also sends a proxy update to a second controller that is also in communication with the actuator. The proxy controller, also in contact with the actuator, now has knowledge of the state or position of the actuator and is in a better position if the proxy controller is asked to assume control of the actuator. In another method, an actuator or controller may also receive a trigger setup, asking the actuator to tell the controller when an action occurs, but not to take action until receiving a further command from the controller.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling an actuator, the method comprising:
 sending a command from a controller to an actuator;   sending a message from the controller to a second controller informing the second controller of the command, wherein the controller and the second controller store a state of the actuator as a result of the actuator executing the command;   sending a second command from the second controller to the actuator; and   sending a message from the second controller to the controller informing the controller of the second command, wherein the controller and the second controller store the state of the actuator as a result of the actuator executing the second command.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of actuators, of which at least one actuator is selected from the group consisting of a lamp, a fan, an air conditioner and a shade. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending the command to at least one additional actuator or at least one additional controller. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending an acknowledgement message from the second controller to the controller acknowledging receipt of the command by the second controller. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a switch action at the actuator;   sending a message from the actuator to at least one of the controller and the second controller requesting an action command based on the switch action received at the actuator; and   (i) executing the action command received by the actuator if an action command is received from the at least one of the controller and second controller within a period of time, or   (ii) executing a predetermined command by the actuator if an action command is not received within the period of time.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the period of time is 5 seconds or less. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the command includes a trigger for at least one of the second controller and the actuator to execute an action after occurrence of an event or passage of a period of time. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 experiencing a failure of power at one or more of the controller and the actuator before occurrence of the event or passage of the period of time;   restoring power to one or more of the controller and the actuator;   restoring trigger state information from non-volatile memory; and   sending an indication to the controller when the event or the passage of time Occurs.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising sending an alert message to the controller from the actuator or the second controller that the event has occurred or the period of time has elapsed and requesting instructions from the controller. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein one of the controller and the second controller sends a command to the actuator to change a state or a position of the actuator, and the one of the controller or the second controller sends a second message informing the other of the second controller and the controller of the changed state or position of the actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising
 receiving an indication at the controller that the event has occurred or the period of time has elapsed;   waiting 5 seconds or less at the actuator for a second confirmation message from the controller or the second controller that the event has occurred; and   clearing the trigger when no confirmation message is received within 5 seconds or less.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising
 storing the command in a memory of the actuator and the second controller, wherein the command includes a setting or a position for the actuator;   sending a new command to the actuator, the new command with a second setting or position for the actuator, and informing the second controller of the new command;   sending an alert message from the actuator or the second controller that the event has occurred or the period of time has elapsed; and   executing the new command for the setting or the position of the actuator.   
     
     
         13 . A method for controlling an actuator, the method comprising:
 sending a trigger setup command from a controller to at least one actuator of a plurality of actuators;   receiving an indication of an occurrence of a trigger at the at least one actuator;   sending a confirmation message of the occurrence of the trigger to the controller; and   sending a trigger command to the at least one actuator in response to the occurrence of the trigger.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one actuator is selected from the group consisting of a home control device, a pump, an audio-visual device, a security device, a temperature control device, an environmental device, a lighting device, a healthcare device and a user interface device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising sending a confirmation message of receipt of the trigger command to the controller by the at least one actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the trigger is a switch action. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the trigger is an event or a passage of a period of time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising sending a first command to each actuator of the plurality of actuators before the step of sending the trigger setup command. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising sending the first command from the controller to a proxy controller in operable communication with the controller and the plurality of actuators. 
     
     
         20 . A method for controlling an actuator, the method comprising;
 sending a trigger setup command from a controller to at least one actuator of a plurality of actuators;   receiving an indication of an occurrence of a trigger at the at least one actuator;   sending a message from the actuator to the controller requesting a trigger command from the controller;   failing to receive the command from the controller within a period of time; and   executing a predetermined command by the actuator after the period of time.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the trigger is initiated by a switch action. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the period of time is 5 seconds or less. 
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling an actuator, the method comprising:
 sending a command from a controller to an actuator;   sending a confirmation message from the actuator to the controller confirming receipt of the command;   receiving a switch action at the actuator;   sending a message to the controller requesting a command from the controller;   failing to receive the command from the controller within a period of time; and   executing a predetermined command by the actuator after the period of time.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of actuators, of which at least one actuator is selected from the group consisting of a lamp, a fan, an air conditioner and a shade. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the period of time is 5 seconds or less. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising sending the command to at least one additional actuator or at least one additional controller. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one additional controller is in communication with the actuator and the at least one additional actuator, and wherein the step of sending the message to the controller requesting the command comprises sending the message to controller and the additional controller requesting the command.