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 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: 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: 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: A thermostat system comprises a thermostat located on the inside of the building, comprising (i) a screen display, (ii) a control input for receiving thermostat programming information, and (iii) interface circuitry for coupling to an environmental system comprising one or more items of equipment selected from the group heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. A doorbell is located on the outside of said building. Optionally a camera may be located proximate said doorbell.

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: A thermostat system comprises a thermostat located on the inside of the building, comprising (i) a screen display, (ii) a control input for receiving thermostat programming information, and (iii) interface circuitry for coupling to an environmental system comprising one or more items of equipment selected from the group heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. A doorbell is located on the outside of said building. Optionally a camera may be located proximate said doorbell.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a thermostat comprising a thermostat housing adapted to be secured to a mounting surface, an adjustable thermostat device contained within the thermostat housing, user and secure adjustment controls, a cover member movably mounted with respect to thermostat housing, a movement restraining member dimensioned and configured to lock the cover member and prevent its movement from a locked position to an unlocked position, and a lock comprising a movable locking member.

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 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 present invention comprises a system of labels located on wrapping and containers for individual food items. Each label contains an alphanumeric and/or graphic design that instantly brings to mind of restaurant personnel and to an unsophisticated customer (i.e., someone with no knowledge of the English language, children, or adults with limited education) the food item to be wrapped with the wrapping or container. In a preferred embodiment, a graphic device occupies a majority of the surface of the label, where the graphic device is a drawing or photograph of the food item to be wrapped or contained. For instance, a label for a double cheeseburger would include a picture with the food item disassembled sufficiently so that a viewer could instantly appreciate the presence of two hamburger patties and two slices of cheese with the typical bun in the presence of the wrapper in the background.

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.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an intuitive algorithm embodiment. In said intuitive algorithm embodiment, a programmable thermostat that operates under control of a control program incorporating an intuitive algorithm. The intuitive algorithm allows a user to change the modes and setpoints of a programmable thermostat without need to refer to a display of currently effective operational modes, setpoints, or environmental sensor inputs. While a user may prefer to observe said display, the intuitive algorithm eliminates the need to do so.

Abstract: A versatile dual band satellite system includes a main conductive mounting plate member with a central opening of a predetermined size, and a KU band pick-up unit mounted in the plate to face a satellite antenna. A dielectric funnel support is mounted on the side of the mounting plate toward the antenna, and includes a central opening of the same size as that in the mounting plate, for receiving a C-band pick-up unit. The system includes appropriate microwave chokes and microwave impedance-matching structure, to improve the rejection of spurious or off-axis signals, and to maximize signal strength at the input of both the KU band and the C-band units. With the mounting openings in the main mounting member and in the dielectric funnel support being identical, full interchangeability of parts is practical, and an initial installation may include the C-band unit mounted in the mounting plate to face the antenna.