Patent ID: 6980080

Claim:
An automation system for controlling and monitoring a plurality of devices using controllers, the automation system comprising: a plurality of devices, each comprising: a receiver for receiving signals, a transmitter for transmitting signals, a first memory holding a device identifier identifying the device, a processor for controlling the reception and transmission of signals, and means for providing an output to, or receiving an input from, an appliance connected to the device in response to a received signal, a first controller comprising: a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting signals, a radio frequency receiver for receiving signals, a first memory comprising an organized data structure holding device identifiers of devices controlled by the first controller and routing data relating to, for each device controlled by the first controller, other devices which can receive and process signals transmitted by the device, a second memory holding a controller identifier identifying the first controller, and a processor for controlling the reception and transmission of signals and being adapted to store and read device identifiers in the first memory, the processor comprising means for generating a signal addressed to one or more devices and comprising instructions related to the operation of the appliance connected to the device, a second controller comprising: a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting signals, a radio frequency receiver for receiving signals, a first memory comprising an organized data structure, corresponding to the organized data structure of the first memory of the first controller, for holding at least device identifiers of devices controlled by the second controller, a second memory for holding a controller identifier identifying the second controller, and a processor for administering the reception and transmission of signals and being adapted to store and read at least device identifiers in the first memory, the processor comprising means for generating a signal addressed to one or more devices and comprising instructions related to the operation of the appliance connected to the device, wherein the processor the first controller further comprises means for generating one or more signals comprising device identifiers and routing data from organized data structure of the first memory of the first controller, and wherein the processor of the second controller has a first, normal mode of operation in which it is adapted to transmit signals to, and receive signals from, devices controlled by the second controller, and a second mode of operation in which it is adapted to receive said one or more signals from the first controller and store said device identifiers and routing data correspondingly in the organized data structure of the first memory the second controller.