Binding methods and devices in a building automation system

1. An automation component configured for wireless communication within a building automation system, the automation component comprising:

a communication module comprising:

a communication port; and

a wireless communication component;

a processor in communication with the communication module; and

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor;

wherein the computer readable instructions are programmed to:

receive a component identifier via the communications port, wherein the component identifier is associated with another automation component and is provided by the other automation component via a portable device in direct communication with the automation component;

generate a binding request based on the received component identifier, wherein the binding request includes a handshake query identifying the other automation component;

communicate the binding request via the wireless communication component to the other automation component; and

establish, in response to the handshake query, a direct communication link to the other automation component.

2. The automation component of claim 1 , wherein the communication port is an infrared port.

3. The automation component of claim 2 , wherein the component identifier is provided via a universal remote.

4. The automation component of claim 3 , wherein the universal remote includes an infrared communicator compatible with the infrared port of the communication module.

5. The automation component of claim 1 , wherein the component identifier is a media access control address of a second automation component.

6. The automation component of claim 1 , wherein the communication port is a serial port.

7. The automation component of claim 6 further comprising a serial cable configured for communication via the serial port.

8. The automation component of claim 7 , wherein the serial cable includes a controller configured to establish a communication link between the communication module and the other automation component.

9. The automation component of claim 1 , wherein the communication port is a bar code device.

10. The automation component of claim 1 further comprising a bar code carried by a component housing wherein the bar code represents the component identifier.

11. A method for binding an automation component within a building automation system, the method comprising:

receiving a component identifier via a communication port, wherein the component identifier is associated with another automation component and is provided by the other automation component via a portable device in direct communication with the automation component;

generating a binding request based on the received component identifier, wherein the binding request includes a handshake query associated with the other automation component;

communicating the binding request via a wireless communication component to the other automation component, wherein the binding request is addressed to the received component identifier; and

establishing, in response to the handshake query, a direct communication link to the other automation component.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication port include an infrared port.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the infrared port is configured to receive the component identifier provided by a universal remote control.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the communication port include a serial port.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the serial port is configured to receive the component identifier provided by a serial cable.

16. An automation component configured for wireless communication within a structure having a building automation system, the automation component comprising:

a wireless communication component;

a processor in communication with the wireless communication component; and

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor;

wherein the computer readable instructions are programmed to:

receive a location signal;

receive a signal strength indicator;

determine a position within the structure as a function of the location signal and the signal strength indicator;

identify another automation component within a communication range without communicating with the other automation component;

communicate a binding request to the other automation component, wherein the binding request includes a handshake query associated with the other automation component; and

establish, in response to the handshake query, a direct communication link to the other automation component.

17. The automation component of claim 16 , wherein the location signal is a GPS-compatible signal.

18. The automation component of claim 16 , wherein the location signal is provided by a location node in communication with a GPS-compatible device.

19. An automation component configured for wireless communication within structure having a building automation system, the automation component comprising:

a wireless communication component;

a location communication component in communication with the wireless communication component, wherein the location communication component is configured to provide a location signal;

a signal strength indication component in communication with the wireless communication component, wherein the location communication component is configured to provide a signal strength indicator;

wherein the wireless communication component is configured to communicate a binding request including a handshake query to another automation component within a communication range of the location communication component, the other automation component being identifiable as within a communication range without communicating with the other automation component; and

wherein the wireless communication component is configured to establish a direct communication link to the other automation component in response to a reply received in connection with the handshake query.

20. The automation component of claim 19 , wherein the location communication component is a GPS-compatible component.

21. A method for binding an automation component within a building automation system, the method comprising:

receiving a location signal communicated by a location communication component;

receiving a signal strength indicator communicated by the location communication component;

determining a position as a function of the location signal and the signal strength indicator;

communicating a binding request including a handshake query to another automation component within a communication range associated with the position, the other automation component being identifiable as within the communication range without communicating with the other automation component; and

establishing, upon receipt of a handshake response to the handshake query, a direct communication link to the other automation component.

22. The automation component of claim 21 further comprising:

identifying the other automation component within the communication range; and

receiving a binding response communicated by the other automation component.

23. The automation component of claim 21 , wherein the location signal is provided by a location node in communication with a GPS-compatible device.

24. The automation component of claim 21 , wherein communicating the binding request to the other automation components includes broadcasting the binding request to a plurality of automation components within the communication range associated with the position.