Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for automatically disarming a security system. For example, a method for automatically disarming a security system is described, comprising determining, by a personal communication device, when a person is in proximity to the person's home or business and, in response to determining that the person is in proximity to the person's home or business, transmitting a disarm command by the personal communication device to a security controller for the security controller to disarm the security system.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for monitoring a barrier. The barrier sensor refrains from transmitting an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been placed into an open position and that a human being is inside the premises in proximity to the human detection device. Further, the barrier sensor transmits an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been moved from the open position and that a human being is not inside the premises in proximity to the barrier.

Abstract: A smart thermostat for controlling the ambient air temperature in a first area when the smart thermostat is located in a second area. One or more desired setpoint temperatures are changed automatically by the smart thermostat based on one or more setpoint modification factors, such as the time of day, current season, location, orientation and present and future weather conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server. Status and acknowledgement messages are transmitted from the security system controller to the auxiliary device, whereupon they are provided to and displayed by a television in the form of a security dashboard.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described to selectively monitor a portion of a premises by a security system. A security system may contain a central security monitoring device in communication with a plurality of security sensors, and central security monitoring device may receive a command to actively monitor a first portion of a premises monitored by the security system, and in response to receiving the command, cause one or more security alerts to occur when an alarm signal is received from a security sensor located in the first portion of the premises, while ignoring alarm signals received from security sensors located in other portions of the premises.

Abstract: Various ways to control the ambient temperature of a room in a structure are described. In one embodiment, a method for intelligently controlling an ambient room temperature in a structure is described, comprising receiving a future outdoor temperature forecast related to a geographic area where the structure is located, and altering a temperature profile for controlling the ambient room temperature based on the future outdoor temperature forecast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server. Status and acknowledgement messages are transmitted from the security system controller to the auxiliary device, whereupon they are provided to and displayed by a television in the form of a security dashboard.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described to selectively monitor a portion of a premises by a security system. A security system may contain a central security monitoring device in communication with a plurality of security sensors, and central security monitoring device may receive a command to actively monitor a first portion of a premises monitored by the security system, and in response to receiving the command, cause one or more security alerts to occur when an alarm signal is received from a security sensor located in the first portion of the premises, while ignoring alarm signals received from security sensors located in other portions of the premises.

Abstract: Various ways to control the ambient temperature of a room in a structure are described. In one embodiment, a method for intelligently controlling an ambient room temperature in a structure is described, comprising receiving a future outdoor temperature forecast related to a geographic area where the structure is located, and altering a temperature profile for controlling the ambient room temperature based on the future outdoor temperature forecast.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for monitoring a barrier. The barrier sensor refrains from transmitting an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been placed into an open position and that a human being is inside the premises in proximity to the human detection device. Further, the barrier sensor transmits an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been moved from the open position and that a human being is not inside the premises in proximity to the barrier.

Abstract: A kit and method for extracting nucleic acids from complex samples. The kit includes: (i) a lysis buffer having a concentration of SDS ranging from about 1% to about 25%; (ii) a buffer having a concentration of a potassium salt of ranging from about 0.1 M to about 5.0 M; (iii) a buffer having a concentration of a zinc and/or copper salt of ranging from about 0.5 M to about 5.0 M; (iv) a filter having a pore diameter ranging from about 1 ?m to about 10 ?m; and optionally, a member selected from one or more syringe(s), one or more reaction tube(s), an instruction guide, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for monitoring a barrier. The barrier sensor refrains from transmitting an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been placed into an open position and that a human being is inside the premises in proximity to the human detection device. Further, the barrier sensor transmits an alarm signal to a receiver when the barrier sensor determines that the barrier has been moved from the open position and that a human being is not inside the premises in proximity to the barrier.

Abstract: A smart thermostat for controlling the ambient air temperature in a first area when the smart thermostat is located in a second area. One or more desired setpoint temperatures are changed automatically by the smart thermostat based on one or more setpoint modification factors, such as the time of day, current season, location, orientation and present and future weather conditions.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described to selectively monitor a portion of a premises by a security system. A security system may contain a central security monitoring device in communication with a plurality of security sensors, and central security monitoring device may receive a command to actively monitor a first portion of a premises monitored by the security system, and in response to receiving the command, cause one or more security alerts to occur when an alarm signal is received from a security sensor located in the first portion of the premises, while ignoring alarm signals received from security sensors located in other portions of the premises.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for automatically disarming a security system. For example, a method for automatically disarming a security system is described, comprising determining, by a personal communication device, when a person is in proximity to the person's home or business and, in response to determining that the person is in proximity to the person's home or business, transmitting a disarm command by the personal communication device to a security controller for the security controller to disarm the security system.

Abstract: A smart thermostat for controlling the ambient air temperature in a first area when the smart thermostat is located in a second area. One or more desired setpoint temperatures are changed automatically by the smart thermostat based on one or more setpoint modification factors, such as the time of day, current season, location, orientation and present and future weather conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for automatically disarming a security system. For example, a method for automatically disarming a security system is described, comprising determining, by a personal communication device, when a person is in proximity to the person's home or business and, in response to determining that the person is in proximity to the person's home or business, transmitting a disarm command by the personal communication device to a security controller for the security controller to disarm the security system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described to selectively monitor a portion of a premises by a security system. A security system may contain a central security monitoring device in communication with a plurality of security sensors, and central security monitoring device may receive a command to actively monitor a first portion of a premises monitored by the security system, and in response to receiving the command, cause one or more security alerts to occur when an alarm signal is received from a security sensor located in the first portion of the premises, while ignoring alarm signals received from security sensors located in other portions of the premises.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for interacting with a security system using a television remote control. Commands sent by the remote control are received by an auxiliary interface device, which then provides the commands to a security system controller either directly, via a local-area network, or via a wide-area network and server.

Abstract: The present description relates to processes, water-based wood treatment solutions and kits for treating wood substrates so as to obtain colored (or altered) wood substrates, where mineral compounds that impart the color or other desirable characteristic(s) to the wood substrates are formed in the colored or altered wood substrates. The mineral compounds formed comprise the products of a chemical reaction which occurs between the wood substrate, a metal salt, and an oxygen source.