APPLIANCE INTERFACE FOR EXCHANGING DATA

摘要

A device (50) for incorporation into a variety of consumer appliances for use in a home automation environment. The invention comprises an electronic hardware module having software resident on the module, providing an interface (70) between an appliance and other elements on a communications system employing the ''Consumer Electronics Bus'' protocol. The present invention interprets data messages sent to the appliance and signals the appliance in a preprogrammed manner. Also, the invention can be programmed to generate a specific data message for transmission to another appliance. The invention accommodates the various communication media, levels of electrical noise, and operating speeds allowed by the ''Consumer Electronics Bus'' protocol.