Abstract: A visual display system for use with a digital thermostat is provided. The visual display system provides an adjustable display resolution for the temperature readout provided thereon. This adjustable display resolution may be changed as desired by a user via a resolution adjustment menu. The display resolution may be adjusted to display the temperature information in tenths of degrees, half degrees, whole degrees, etc. as desired by a user. Such a display system accommodates different display resolution requirements of different original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers who may desire different displayed resolutions without having to manufacture and stock different models.

Abstract: A thermostat that can display information in multiple different orientations is provided. The thermostat includes a housing, a display, and an input device. As the housing is mounted in a particular orientation, the thermostat changes the orientation of the information for properly displaying same to a user. This is accomplished by sensing the orientation of the housing in one embodiment, and through user selection of a desired orientation in another embodiment. A separate display and input device(s) are provided in one embodiment, and a combined touch screen display and input device is provided in another embodiment.

Abstract: Upon detection of a high carbon monoxide condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of combustion which could be the source of or may exacerbate the high carbon monoxide condition. This hazardous condition is detected by a detector and communicated to the intelligent thermostat by wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat then communicates with these appliances either via wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat may also operate a ventilation system to flush the environment with fresh air to minimize or eliminate the hazardous condition. External and internal temperature sensors allow coordinated operation of the ventilating and heating systems to flush the environment with fresh air without causing a freezing condition to exist within the environment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic turf system including a backing member having a plurality of monofilament ribbons—soft and stiff—projecting there from. A layer of particulate material lies above the backing member and among the monofilament ribbons wherein the soft monofilament ribbons facilitates the stabilization or trapping of the particulate material.

Abstract: An energy saving control for appliances via an intelligent thermostat is provided. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system, and provides coordinated control over the appliances. This control over the appliances is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the appliances. The appliances include occupancy sensors and transmit usage and occupancy information to the intelligent thermostat. The intelligent thermostat processes this information to determine the occupancy of the dwelling. The thermostat controls the HVAC system and the appliances according to the determined occupancy of the dwelling.

Abstract: A semantic database transaction monitor is provided that monitors database transactions by taking advantage of database replication technology. The invention receives one or more event streams of transaction data from one or more database replication software agents, originally from transaction logs, and then classifies each transaction, utilizing an inference engine populated with one or more source ontologies and a canonical ontology so that transaction metadata are normalized. The invention then can be utilized to create a data store across multiple databases for reporting and analysis. The invention can also be used to feed normalized database transactions to real-time graphics software for real-time reporting or alerting. Because the process obtains data from event streams, it does not significantly drain the resources of the databases and can provide virtually real-time monitoring. Moreover, it does not require recoding for updates to the databases, but only changes to the ontologies read at runtime.

Abstract: A user adjustable visual display system and method for a digital thermostat having a backlit user display screen and system operation indicators is provided. The system allows a user to programmatically vary the illumination intensity of the backlit user display screen and the operational indicators. The variance provided includes disabling of the backlight and operational indicators. The system utilizes a variable pulse width modulated (PWM) intensity control for the backlight and indicators. Alternatively, an adjustable current drive illumination control is used to control the backlight and indicators. The selection of the desired intensity is provided via a display settings menu accessed via the user display screen.

Abstract: A semantic database transaction monitor is provided that monitors database transactions by taking advantage of database replication technology. The invention receives one or more event streams of transaction data from one or more database replication software agents, originally from transaction logs, and then classifies each transaction, utilizing an inference engine populated with one or more source ontologies and a canonical ontology so that transaction metadata are normalized. The invention then can be utilized to create a data store across multiple databases for reporting and analysis. The invention can also be used to feed normalized database transactions to real-time graphics software for real-time reporting or alerting. Because the process obtains data from event streams, it does not significantly drain the resources of the databases and can provide virtually real-time monitoring. Moreover, it does not require recoding for updates to the databases, but only changes to the ontologies read at runtime.

Abstract: A visual display system and method for a digital thermostat having a user display screen to provide operational status information of the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat is provided. This visual display system utilizes animated icons to show operational status of the heating and/or cooling equipment. Static icons may also be used in one embodiment to indicate the current mode of the thermostat. Animated icons for the heating system, the cooling system, and fan operation are provided. The illusion of animation is provided by overwriting or replacing a displayed image with another image at a predetermined frequency. This predetermined frequency may be changed programmatically, and varied to provide different visual effects.

Abstract: A high temperature seal including an aerogel gasket disposed between two or more components of a high temperature fuel cell system.

Abstract: An integrated lighting control and threat detection system is provided. Once one of the threat detectors determines that a hazardous condition exists, it transmits a threat message to the lighting control system. The lighting control system then operates to turn on illumination within the dwelling to aid in an occupant's safe exiting from the dwelling. The lighting control system operates to illuminate all lights within a dwelling upon detection of a hazardous condition. Alternatively, the lighting control system operates to illuminate preselected paths of lighting as programmed by a user. Still further, coordinated illuminated control may be provided based upon the location of the detected hazardous condition and the fixed and portable lights within a dwelling. Both fixed and adaptive illumination control are provided as is a fail safe illumination of all lights within a dwelling should each of the pre-selected exit paths contain a hazardous condition.

Abstract: The graphic user interface of an HVAC thermostat displays the programming and status information for remote devices in communication with the thermostat, such as various home sensors and appliances. In an embodiment, the thermostat includes a touch screen display to present the user with a plurality of user interface screens. The monthly calendar interface screen includes a calendar graphic area comprising a matrix display of dates for a full month. The user selects a programming interval for which to enter the thermostat programming events from the calendar graphic area. The user interface includes a clock face interface screen for entry of thermostat programming events. The clock face screen includes a pair of clock face graphic areas for each daily thermostat programming event. The user interface also includes a screen for displaying the programming and status information for remote devices selected from a list of devices in communication with the thermostat.

Abstract: An electronic device with a slideable lens cover is provided. The electronic device includes a casing, a bracket and a lens cover. The casing has an opening. The bracket is mounted inside the casing and faces the opening. There is a track existing between the bracket and the casing. The lens cover is disposed between the casing and the bracket. The lens cover has a plurality of slideable components movably disposed on the track.

Abstract: Osmium, when combined with boron alone, or in combination with rhenium, ruthenium or iron, produces compounds that are ultra-hard and incompressible. These osmium diboride compounds are useful as a substitute to for other super or ultra-hard materials that are used in cutting tools and as abrasives. The osmium diboride compounds have the formula OsxM1-xB2 where M is rhenium, ruthenium or iron and x is from 0.01 to 1, except when x is not 1 and M is rhenium, x is from 0.01 to 0.3.

Abstract: An intelligent thermostat communicates with battery-powered threat detectors, such as smoke detectors, to allow remote quieting and coordination of a low battery warning detected by the threat detector. In one embodiment, the threat detector transmits a pre-warning signal to the thermostat indicating that a low battery condition is imminent. The thermostat uses this information to display a pre-warning to the consumer so that the consumer may better coordinate replacing of the battery at a convenient time. Once a low battery condition has been detected, the threat detector transmits a low battery warning signal to the thermostat. The thermostat then displays a warning message and an option for the consumer to quiet the chirping for a period of time from the thermostat. Preferably, the thermostat automatically quiets the chirping during quite times so as to not disturb the consumer.

Abstract: An apparatus having a housing and an opening is covered by a moveable panel, when the panel is in a first position, a first appliance, for example, a clock is presented. When the panel is in a second position, a second appliance, for example, a projector is presented.

Abstract: An appliance diagnostic display and interface system providing a centralized user interface for appliance diagnostic information and control of system self-tests is provided. This centralized user interface is provided via an intelligent thermostat that includes an LCD display. The intelligent thermostat interfaces, via wireless or wired communications, with the appliances installed in the home. The intelligent thermostat then generates and displays various user interface screens that allow particular appliances to be selected. Separate appliance specific screens are then generated that allow the user to access the diagnostic information in system test functionality provided by the individual appliance. Soft function keys provided on the intelligent thermostat allow multi-functional access to the features of the invention depending on which screen is currently being displayed.

Abstract: A method for projector cooling includes, upon projector start-up, detecting a device orientation and then initiating a device component cooling routine according to the detected orientation.

Abstract: Upon detection of a flammable gas condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of ignition which could be the source of or may ignite the flammable gas. This hazardous condition is detected by a flammable gas detector and is communicated to the intelligent thermostat by wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat then communicates with these appliances either via wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat may also provide a visual warning user interface screen to inform the occupant of the hazardous condition, and may signal smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning. Alternatively, the flammable gas detector may signal the smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning directly.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of opposing fuel cell stacks. Each of the fuel stacks has a plurality of fuel cells in which each fuel cell has an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The fuel cell assembly further includes a spacing member disposed between the fuel cell stacks thereby defining a fluidic cavity.