Patent ID: 7865252

Claim:
An automation system comprising: a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility; and, an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for control of the performance of the function by each device based on at least one of day, time of day, presence of at least one person within an area in the facility, environmental conditions outside the facility, solar impact within the area, administrator settings including set points, limits, and ranges, and user input consistent with the administrator settings, wherein at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices is configured to enable communication between the automation controller and at least one secondary device by communicating with the automation controller via signals in at least a first signal protocol used for the plurality of peripheral devices, translating signals by at least one of mapping the first signal protocol into a second signal protocol and receiving the signals in the second signal protocol embedded in the first signal protocol, and communicating with the at least one secondary device via the signals in the second signal protocol.