Patent ID: 7657338

Claim:
An automation system, comprising: a control unit; a sensor or an actuator external to the control unit; a cable connected to the sensor or actuator for sense and/or control signaling between the control unit and the sensor or actuator, wherein the cable is external to both the control unit and to the sensor or actuator; a connector on a distal end of the cable relative to the sensor or actuator, wherein the connector is a plug or socket connector for connecting the cable to the control unit; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip physically attached to the connector; the RFID chip containing characteristic curve data of the sensor or actuator; an RFID chip reader connected to the control unit, wherein the RFID chip reader reads the characteristic curve data of the RFID chip; and wherein a module in the control unit automatically adapts to the sensor or actuator by obtaining the characteristic curve data from the RFID chip via the RFID chip reader when the connector is plugged into a terminal of the control unit; wherein the RFID chip contains the characteristic curve data in encrypted form to authenticate that an original component is present.