Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the ambient temperature within a region or zone of a building are disclosed. A system comprises a thermostat, one or more sensors placed throughout an environment, a computing cloud, and a remote mobile or desktop device running a software application (“app”). An end user may interact with an app running on the mobile device or desktop. The app may display the current conditions in a house and allow the user to select specific temperature sensors located throughout the house which the user wants to monitor and control. This selection of one or more temperature sensors is communicated to the computing cloud, and the computing cloud sends commands to the thermostat to monitor the user's selected temperature sensors for controlling the heating and cooling of the house.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat that automatically learns the users' schedule is contemplated. The programmable thermostat has a Learning Engine which monitors the users' real-time interaction with the thermostat over a course of a week during an initial learning period, and automatically generates a weekday and weekend schedule based on the users' actions. Once the thermostat has determined the users' schedule for the first week of use, the programmable thermostat will continue to monitor the users' actions during a continuing learning period and may alter the schedule as a result of change of usage. In one or more embodiments, the programmable thermostat is configured to make “predictive adjustments” to the set-point by considering the historical seasonal temperature variations, current outdoor temperature, and building thermal efficiency for heating and cooling.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat having an indoor air quality sensor, where the programmable sensor is configured to control a building's air handling system, is disclosed. The programmable thermostat continuously monitors the air quality of the indoor environment and determines if the measurements of the indoor air quality has surpassed previously selected, user-specified air quality thresholds which indicates the presence of excessive indoor air contaminants. When excessive indoor air contaminants are detected, the programmable thermostat activates the building's air handling system to purify the indoor air quality. The air may be purified by one or more techniques such as by activating the ventilation to force indoor air through a filter, or by opening fresh air dampers to allow outdoor air to enter the indoor environment and dilute the air contaminants, or by activating other air purification devices such as UV light air purifiers or ionizers.

Abstract: The present sensor device, system and method provides tools for measuring, recording local environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and wirelessly transmitting the collected data to a server. The sensor device is configured to, under normal operation, maintain the connection between the wireless network interface controller and the wireless local network so that various commands and/or communications can be received, whether the sensor device is in a low power mode or in an active mode. The sensor device cycles between the low power mode and the active mode, and back to the low power mode. Where in each active mode cycle, the sensor device is configured to acquire a measurement from sensor for storage in local memory, and/or transmit historical data acquired to the server, and/or check for updates by connecting to the server. By normally remaining in a low power mode and only waking periodically to conduct a task, battery life is greatly extended.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the ambient temperature within a region or zone of a building are disclosed. A system comprises a thermostat, one or more sensors placed throughout an environment, a computing cloud, and a remote mobile or desktop device running a software application (“app”). An end user may interact with an app running on the mobile device or desktop. The app may display the current conditions in a house and allow the user to select specific temperature sensors located throughout the house which the user wants to monitor and control. This selection of one or more temperature sensors is communicated to the computing cloud, and the computing cloud sends commands to the thermostat to monitor the user's selected temperature sensors for controlling the heating and cooling of the house.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for controlling wirelessly controlled equipment, such as a ductless air conditioning system. A control module is provided comprising an optical source for generating an optical control signal. The control module enables a smartphone to control wirelessly controlled equipment of the type which is controlled by a remote-control device generating an optical signal. An electrical circuit generates electrical control signals to be coupled to the optical source, wherein the electrical circuit generates the electrical control signals depending on information received from a network connection. A wireless communications module communicates with the smartphone.

Abstract: The present sensor device, system and method provides tools for measuring, recording local environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and wirelessly transmitting the collected data to a server. The sensor device is configured to, under normal operation, maintain the connection between the wireless network interface controller and the wireless local network so that various commands and/or communications can be received, whether the sensor device is in a low power mode or in an active mode. The sensor device cycles between the low power mode and the active mode, and back to the low power mode. Where in each active mode cycle, the sensor device is configured to acquire a measurement from sensor for storage in local memory, and/or transmit historical data acquired to the server, and/or check for updates by connecting to the server. By normally remaining in a low power mode and only waking periodically to conduct a task, battery life is greatly extended.

Abstract: The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling load operations on customer premises based on configuration. Such embodiments include storing output control configuration rules in a memory coupled to a load system controller. Further, such embodiments include receiving configuration instructions from at least one of a remote server and user interface. In addition, such embodiments include configuring the load system into one or more zones based on configuration instructions. Moreover, such embodiments include configuring each zone to be associated with one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Also, such embodiments include configuring each of the one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Further, such embodiments include configuring one or more output devices based on configuring the one or more zones, one or more input devices in each zone, the configuration instructions, and the output control configuration rules.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for controlling wirelessly controlled equipment, such as a ductless air conditioning system. A control module is provided comprising an optical source for generating an optical control signal. The control module enables a smartphone to control wirelessly controlled equipment of the type which is controlled by a remote-control device generating an optical signal. An electrical circuit generates electrical control signals to be coupled to the optical source, wherein the electrical circuit generates the electrical control signals depending on information received from a network connection. A wireless communications module communicates with the smartphone.

Abstract: The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling lighting and appliances on a customer premises based on configuration rules. Such embodiments include responsive to the receipt of at least one configuration instruction, one or more participant zone(s) is selected from a plurality of zones that designate predefined sections of at least one customer premise based upon the received configuration instruction and a plurality of stored output control configuration rules of the plurality of zones. For the selected participant zone(s), one or more output configuration is generated and outputted based upon the selected participant zone(s), the received configuration instruction, and the stored output control configuration rules of the selected participant zone.

Abstract: The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling lighting and appliances on a customer premises based on configuration rules. Such embodiments include responsive to the receipt of at least one configuration instruction, one or more participant zone(s) is selected from a plurality of zones that designate predefined sections of at least one customer premise based upon the received configuration instruction and a plurality of stored output control configuration rules of the plurality of zones. For the selected participant zone(s), one or more output configuration is generated and outputted based upon the selected participant zone(s), the received configuration instruction, and the stored output control configuration rules of the selected participant zone.

Abstract: The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling load operations on customer premises based on configuration. Such embodiments include storing output control configuration rules in a memory coupled to a load system controller. Further, such embodiments include receiving configuration instructions from at least one of a remote server and user interface. In addition, such embodiments include configuring the load system into one or more zones based on configuration instructions. Moreover, such embodiments include configuring each zone to be associated with one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Also, such embodiments include configuring each of the one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Further, such embodiments include configuring one or more output devices based on configuring the one or more zones, one or more input devices in each zone, the configuration instructions, and the output control configuration rules.

Abstract: The programmable environmental comfort controller of the invention takes the form of a multi-functional, simple-to-use, programmable touch screen thermostat. This programmable touch screen thermostat simulates the image of a digital picture frame and may have customizable backgrounds, including the users' selected photos, and various preset themes. The controller, which is powered by a power source, will have a face plate, a touch screen, an interface, a home screen, a menu, one or more subscreens, and two or more set points. The controller may also have settings and preferences which a user may program to fit their desired settings as well as a programmable schedule. The controller will also have buttons which may be virtual buttons on a touch screen as well as virtual bars. The controller will blend aesthetically pleasing images, preferences, and settings with functionality and simplicity in use of a complex controller for HVAC systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides an environment measurement monitoring and response system. The present invention provides a method, system and program for managing multiple environmental systems in retail store locations geographically remote from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an environment measurement monitoring and response system. The present invention provides a method, system and program for managing multiple environmental systems in retail store locations geographically remote from each other.