Abstract: A system for use in issuing commands to a plurality of appliances each of a specific one of a plurality of different appliance types includes a smart device adapted to transmit command communications and a plurality of low-energy consuming controllers each adapted to transmit a command to a one of the plurality of appliances of a specific one of the plurality of different appliance types in response to receipt of a command communication originating from the smart device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for gesture-based selections of devices. A method may include receiving, by at least one processor of a first device, an input associated with causing a second device to perform an action. The method may include identifying motion data associated with the first device. The method may include determining, based on the motion data, a gesture associated with the first device. The method may include receiving an indicator from the second device and determining, based on the indicator, that the gesture is associated with selecting the second device to perform the action. The method may include sending a command to the second device, the command associated with causing the second device to perform the action.

Abstract: A power management method according is provided with a step A of sending a control message from a power management server to a local control apparatus and a step B of performing, on the basis of source identification information that identifies a source of the control message, by the local control apparatus, control based on the control message. The source identification information is associated with a use type that identifies use of the control message.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for enhanced remote control of diverse appliances or devices with support for “legacy” devices as well as providing enhanced functionality. In some implementations, the remote control may utilize a multi-device communications scheme and partner with a computing device, such as a smartphone or other such device, to provide added functionality, including network functionality.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a handheld wireless remote control in communication with a cellular network infrastructure that is adapted to transmit adjustable bed control signals to an adjustable bed controller via one of a standard wireless connection, RF, Bluetooth or WiFi in response to the user input. The remote control can receive, on the touch screen, feedback from the adjustable bed controller indicating the success of the control signal.

Abstract: Inductive charging of multiple devices includes prioritizing one or more of the devices for receiving a power charge via a wireless charging device according to one or more power charging parameters. A selected amount of the power charge may be provided to the one or more prioritized devices, via the wireless charging device, according to the one or more power charging parameters.

Abstract: A wireless thermostat includes a display configured to present an operating condition of the wireless thermostat and an adjustment selector to allow for manual adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a communication module configured to communicate with at least one mobile device and allow for remote adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a sensor for detecting a presence in proximity to the thermostat of at least one user and generating a presence signal in response to the detected user presence. The wireless thermostat includes a processor configured to implement changes in the operating condition in response to the manual adjustment at the selector and the remote adjustment at the mobile device. The processor also communicates with the sensor to receive the presence signal and transition the display between an awake state and a sleep state in response to the presence signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring, identifying, and selecting a desired display device of one or more display devices for multimedia output are provided. In one embodiment, a spatial orientation, display device identifier, and one or more connectivity identifiers are associated with each of one or more display devices. The associated data for each of the one or more display devices is stored in as configuration data in a configuration database for subsequent use in selecting a desired display device.

Abstract: Technologies for individualized building automation include a building automation application server, a building controller, and several mobile computing devices. Each mobile computing device generates individualized sensor data based on the time and location of the mobile computing device and sensor data indicative of a building system control parameter. The sensor data may include temperature data, humidity data, or other environmental data, and may be received by the mobile computing device from one or more external sensors. The building automation application server receives the individualized sensor data from the mobile computing devices and generates a building system configuration based on the individualized sensor data. The building automation application server may optimize the building system configuration for cost, efficiency, or user comfort based on the individualized sensor data.

Abstract: Discussed herein is a system for detecting an operating condition of a clothes washing machine or a clothes drying machine, which can include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor, the MEMS sensor being physically attached to the clothes washing or drying machine and a computerized controller, such as a home automation controller, can be in communication with the MEMS sensor. The computerized controller can receive signals from the MEMS sensor that indicate the state of the clothes washing or drying machine. After receiving signals indicating the state of the clothes washing or drying machine, the computerized controller can use the signals to determine the operating condition of the clothes washing or drying machine and send a notification to a user device about the clothes washing or drying machine including the operating condition of the clothes washing or drying machine.

Abstract: An approach is provided for attributing energy usage to individual occupants in an area, such as a building or office space. The approach receives current locations of occupants from sensors deployed in the area being monitored. Identifiers corresponding to various occupants are determined, such as by tracking the occupants' mobile telephone location, biometrics such as facial recognition, or other device-enabled means of identifying people. Energy consumption values corresponding to energy consuming devices are received and device locations are identified. The approach further attributes the amount of energy consumed by each of the occupants, with the energy attribution being based on the occupants' current locations and the device locations.

Abstract: Provided is a remote control terminal apparatus including a controller that brings the remote control terminal apparatus into a state in which remote control on a remote control target apparatus is possible when a distance between the remote control terminal apparatus and the remote control target apparatus is less than a threshold value, and a notification unit that notifies other terminal apparatuses that the remote control is possible when the remote control is possible.

Abstract: A first control apparatus receives a device control log of a second control apparatus, and stores a shared log that results from adding the received device control log of the second control apparatus to a device control log of the first control apparatus. Upon acquiring a control request from a user to control the device, the first control apparatus determines based on the shared log whether the device is ready for control. If the device is determined to be ready, the first control apparatus transmits to the device a control command responsive to the acquired control request.

Abstract: System and method include luminaires, control switches, occupancy detectors, and photocells connected to central control module for setting up, testing, commissioning and maintaining the system. Memory card interface and associated memory card provided for loading, saving and/or transferring configuration, update firmware, and log system operation data, which can be automatically recognized to perform appropriate actions. System and method provide switching between different mutually exclusive lighting modes where lighting of each mode is sequenced such that second lighting mode is initiated before first mode is terminated, resulting in continuity of lighting in controlled area.

Abstract: A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus according to an example embodiment includes: a first communication unit configured to communicate with a server; a second communication unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus; a display unit configured to display a message received from the server through the first communication unit; and a controlling unit configured to control the second communication unit so as to transmit a signal turning-on the external apparatus to the external apparatus, in response to a user command responding to the displayed message being received.

Abstract: A wireless thermostat includes a display configured to present an operating condition of the wireless thermostat and an adjustment selector to allow for manual adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a communication module configured to communicate with at least one mobile device and allow for remote adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a sensor for detecting a presence in proximity to the thermostat of at least one user and generating a presence signal in response to the detected user presence. The wireless thermostat includes a processor configured to implement changes in the operating condition in response to the manual adjustment at the selector and the remote adjustment at the mobile device. The processor also communicates with the sensor to receive the presence signal and transition the display between an awake state and a sleep state in response to the presence signal.

Abstract: A control system for wirelessly switching lamps over short distances includes a mobile device, a lamp control switch and a controlled lamp. A user holds the mobile device to approach or depart from the lamp control switch and continuously transmit a wireless signal according to a communication protocol. The lamp control switch receives the wireless signal according to the communication protocol and turns on or off a corresponding controlled lamp according to signal intensity of the wireless signal. The control system is operated when users travel among different environments. When users get close to the lamp control switch, the lamp control switch drives the controlled lamp to turn on or off, and when users depart from the lamp control switch, the lamp control switch automatically turns off the controlled lamp, thereby ensuring operational convenience, energy conservation and carbon reduction.

Abstract: An alarm informing device is provided. The alarm informing device receives detection information from one or more sensors and informs an alarm to a user when either one of failure in the one or more sensors and error in the reception of the information from the one or more sensors occurs. The alarm informing device includes a time synchronizing module configured to synchronize an internal clock of the alarm informing device with an internal clock of another alarm informing device, an alarm sound output timing control module configured to control a timing of outputting an alarm sound when the alarm is issued, based on the internal clock of the alarm informing device, and a sound outputter configured to output the alarm sound at the timing controlled by the alarm sound output timing control module.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network. In an embodiment, the network includes a first zone and a second zone. The first zone has a first demand unit and a first subnet controller configured to control an operation of the first demand unit via a data bus. The second zone has a second demand unit and a second subnet controller configured to control an operation of the second demand unit via the data bus. The second subnet controller is further configured to communicate with the first subnet controller via the data bus.

Abstract: The invention provides dimmable and color temperature-adjustable LED lamps in the LED illumination field, comprising: a ceiling disk; an LED light source assembly on the disk, comprising an LED board with double-color temperature lamp beads and a driver providing low-voltage power for the board; and a lampshade, wherein the driver comprises: a drive housing; and a driving circuit board comprising an input power line, a high-voltage input module, a wireless control module, a dimming module, a color temperature-adjusting module, a voltage-transformation module, a low-voltage output module and an output power line. The driver with dimming and color temperature-adjusting modules can select color temperature conversion and adjust light source brightness of each color temperature section.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to wireless sensor devices, and more particularly, to remote programming of wireless sensor devices. A wireless sensor device wirelessly may receive messages from a remotely located device to a wireless sensor device. The wireless sensor device may be programmed via the receive messages. In one example, a building controller may be programmed to wirelessly send one or more messages to a wireless sensor device in order to change the behavior of the wireless sensor device, even while the wireless sensor device and building controller are on-line and actively controlling a building control system. In some instances, a technician or installer may use a diagnostic or setup tool to send one or more messages to a wireless sensor device to change the behavior of the wireless sensor device. These are just some examples.

Abstract: A method of notifying a user of a status of an electronic appliance is presented. Examples of the electronic appliance may include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ovens, and clothes washers and dryers. In the method, an entertainment system device receives a message from the appliance via a communication link, wherein the message indicates the status of the appliance. In response to receiving the message, the device transmits a command to a second device of the entertainment system to select an input of the second device associated with the first device. The first device transmits data indicating the status over a media content interface to the selected input of the second device for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A life saving apparatus is presented. The apparatus activates an alarm and/or a notification when a person is in distress such as when a swimmer is drowning. In one embodiment, the alarm or notification may include an audio, a visual and/or combination thereof signal or indication that the person is in distress. The alarm or notification may be provided on a device held or attached to the person, at a base station in proximity to the person, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a locator provides an ability to identify the person in distress when that person is located in proximity to other persons so that aid can be given as quickly as possible.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a remotely controllable electrical socket. Such sockets may include an electrical conductor for receiving a plug of an electrical device. The plug may be associated with a tag for receiving identifying information that corresponds to the electrical device. Exemplary sockets may further include a tag reader for obtaining identifying information from the tag, a sensor for detecting if the plug is inserted in the outlet, and a communications interface for wirelessly sending information to a computing device regarding the identifying information and whether the plug is inserted in the outlet. The communications interface may also receive operational instructions from the computing device (e.g., to turn the power to the plug/electrical device ON or OFF).

Abstract: A device for controlling at least one electrical apparatus comprising a microprocessor wired to an RF transceiver, the microprocessor storing operating protocol commands as sent over a wireless network, the RF transceiver and microprocessor being configured in cooperation with software code residing in the microprocessor to receive and extract real-time data as sourced from a network time source of the wireless network and embedded in the network signal, and a clock circuit connected to the microprocessor and configured for storing the real-time data, whereby the device controls power to the electrical apparatus according to the operating protocol commands at real-time as obtained from the wireless network by which the operating protocol commands are sent and as kept by the clock circuit, thus eliminating the need for a separate GPS receiver in the device for receiving real-time data.

Abstract: A manual positioning device includes at least one receiver, a reference network, a first switch, and at least one second switch. The at least one second switch, together with the first switch, is configured to switch at least two different reference signal paths for determining reference signals on the reference network.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing an electrical load in a facility with a building automation system, includes first receiving information for a demand response event from an automated demand response server at an automated demand response client. After receipt of a new demand response event, the system determines a plurality of devices of the building automation system to be controlled during the demand response event. Next, the system prepares a schedule of control actions for the plurality of devices during the demand response event. The system then sends control messages to the building automation system to execute the control actions for the plurality of devices according to the schedule of control actions for the demand response event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a remotely controllable electrical socket. Such sockets may include an electrical conductor for receiving a plug of an electrical device. The plug may be associated with a tag for receiving identifying information that corresponds to the electrical device. Exemplary sockets may further include a tag reader for obtaining identifying information from the tag, a sensor for detecting if the plug is inserted in the outlet, and a communications interface for wirelessly sending information to a computing device regarding the identifying information and whether the plug is inserted in the outlet. The communications interface may also receive operational instructions from the computing device (e.g., to turn the power to the plug/electrical device ON or OFF).

Abstract: A digital sub-network interface unit includes a primary digital lighting interface port to couple to a primary lighting network. An address of the digital sub-network interface unit on the primary lighting network is manually set at the digital sub-network interface unit. The digital sub-network interface unit also includes a secondary digital lighting interface port to couple to a secondary lighting network. The digital sub-network interface unit further includes a lighting sub-network processor. The lighting sub-network processor is configured to assign addresses to a plurality of secondary lighting fixtures, and to receive commands from a primary digital lighting controller in association with an address of the digital sub-network interface unit. The lighting sub-network processor is also configured to control a plurality of secondary lighting fixtures based on the commands received from the primary digital lighting controller.

Abstract: A system having a building control device with on-demand outside server functionality. It may have a building control device connected to a thin user interface client and/or a rich client user interface. The building control device may be connected to an external server from a computing cloud environment to extend the functionality, storage and processing, among other things, of the building control device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a remotely adjustable lighting system. The lighting system includes a luminaire including one or more solid-state light systems and a non-line-of-sight wireless transceiver. The output intensity of the solid-state light systems is adjustable. The non-line-of-sight transceiver in the luminaire can receive one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals transmitted by a transceiver in a general purpose handheld computing device. Instructions and data including configuration and output intensity adjustments may be communicated between the general purpose handheld computing device and the luminaire via one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals.

Abstract: An electrical gateway and a communication method of the electrical gateway are disclosed. The electrical gateway includes: an uplink communication module, a downlink communication module and a control unit; the uplink communication module is configured to communicate with an uplink network element; the downlink communication module is configured to communicate with a terminal device; and the control unit, connecting the uplink communication module and the downlink communication module, is configured to, when it is determined that downlink data sent by the uplink network element is obtaining terminal device information, transmit the terminal device information to the uplink communication module if the terminal device information is stored in the electrical gateway, and transmit the obtaining the terminal device information to the downlink communication module if the terminal device information is not stored in the electrical gateway. Therefore, data communication is achieved.

Abstract: A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response having a unique ID which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment. Because the controlling device can only be in one environment at a given time, and given the attenuation characteristics of the signal response from each signaling device, only one signal response will be received by the controlling device in each environment. Location definitions associated with the received unique ID may be used by programming in the controlling device to recall saved devices states, commands sets, macros, and even to dynamically generate commands based on the location information.

Abstract: A device for receiving a primary remote control signal and sending a secondary remote control signal where the primary remote control signal and the secondary remote control signal have the same signal-format, and where the secondary remote control signal comprises a secondary information value based upon a primary information value which is comprised by the primary remote control signal, is disclosed. The device is thus capable of eavesdropping on signals sent from a remote controller to a controllable device, and send secondary remote control signals which can be read by the controllable device.

Abstract: In a method for operating a household appliance, a portable operating unit is docked to a selected one of a plurality of household appliances. The selected household appliance is identified using the portable operating unit which is then configured to operate the selected household appliance only. The portable operating unit includes at least one docking element for docking to a docking station of the selected household appliance, an identification device for identifying the selected household appliance, and a configuration device for configuration of the operating unit for operating the selected household appliance only.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing a plurality of radiofrequency communication streams by way of an integrated circuit card, the streams originating from at least two terminals, and the card being connected to a device equipped with a radiofrequency communication interface which is suitable for the connection of a plurality of host terminals. The method includes monitoring the reception and/or transmission at and/or to the card of a first and second stream of data originating respectively from a first and second host terminal. The monitoring step includes a step of checking the availability of the card before the second stream of data is transmitted to the card. The invention also relates to the corresponding monitoring system and device.

Abstract: A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response having a unique ID which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment. Because the controlling device can only be in one environment at a given time, and given the attenuation characteristics of the signal response from each signaling device, only one signal response will be received by the controlling device in each environment. Location definitions associated with the received unique ID may be used by programming in the controlling device to recall saved devices states, commands sets, macros, and even to dynamically generate commands based on the location information.

Abstract: A system and method for using an universal remote control to access extended operational functions of a device. A consumer causes the universal remote control to transmit a code data value selected from the library to a target device while observing the effect of the transmitted code data value on the target device. When the target device responds in a manner desired by the consumer, the consumer may tag the code data value that caused the desired effect and assign the tagged code data value to a programmable key on the universal remote control.

Abstract: A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. After initiating a serial programming mode on the URC, a user may be instructed to operate a plurality of control elements of an original remote control (ORC) of the remote-controlled device in a predetermined sequence. As a result of operating the ORC control elements, a plurality of programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be received by the URC. Alternatively, the ORC may be requested to transmit a plurality of programming codes for the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device.

Abstract: A system includes at least three accelerometers disposed in different locations of an area with a surface to capture respective vibration data corresponding to a command tapped onto the surface by a user and a processing system to receive the vibration data from each accelerometer, identify the command and a location of the user from the vibration data, and generate a control signal based on the command and the location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting at least one of a plurality of controllable devices (121-123), wherein each of the controllable devices (121-123) is adapted to transmit a distinguishable signal. The method comprising the steps of receiving (301) the signals from the plurality of controllable devices by means of a plurality of receiver modules comprised in a control device (110), wherein each receiver module separately detects a contribution of the signals; determining (302), using a correlation between the different signal contributions, a width and an angle of incidence for each of the signals; comparing (303-304) the width and the angle of incidence for each of the signals with a set of predetermined criteria; and selecting (305) at least one of the plurality of controllable devices best matching the set of predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A system for integrating gestures and sounds including: a gesture recognition unit that extracts gesture feature information corresponding to user commands from image information and acquires gesture recognition information from the gesture feature information; a background recognition unit acquiring background sound information using a predetermined background sound model from sound information; a sound recognition unit that extracts sound feature information corresponding to user commands from the sound information and extracts the sound feature information based on the the background sound information and acquires sound recognition information from the sound feature information; and an integration unit that generates integration information by integrating the gesture recognition information and the sound recognition information.

Abstract: A real-time management networking system for a manufacturing environment, e.g., chemical, assembly, automobile, electronic, petroleum. In a specific embodiment, the system has a spatial region, which is adapted for one or more manufacturing equipment devices. The one or more manufacturing equipment devices is associated with a manufacture of a product. In a specific embodiment, the manufacturing equipment is able to generate a high frequency noise, which causes interference with a conventional data signal, which is often unshielded. In a specific embodiment, the system has a power line gateway device provided within a desired region of the spatial region.

Abstract: A communication device includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a communication module, and a controller. The first receiver receives an operation signal from a remote controller. The second receiver receives a radio signal with a specific frequency. A power consumption of the second receiver is less than that of the first receiver. The communication module is capable of transmitting the operation signal to a first communication device. The controller controls power supply to the first receiver and the communication module and starts power supply to the first receiver and the communication module if the second receiver receives the radio signal. The communication module turns to a standby state if the first receiver does not receive the operation signal after start of power supply to the first receiver.

Abstract: A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.

Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method including receiving in an antenna of a smart device first wireless command and control data from a first electronic device. The antenna receives additional wireless command and control data from at least one second electronic device. The first wireless command and control data and the additional wireless command and control data are automatically received from the first electronic device and the at least one second electronic device without input to the smart device from a user. A universal interface is created in the smart device based on the first command and control data and the additional command and control data, wherein the first electronic device and the at least one second electronic device are controllable by the universal interface.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method including receiving in an antenna of a smart device first wireless command and control data from a first electronic device. The antenna receives additional wireless command and control data from at least one second electronic device. The first wireless command and control data and the additional wireless command and control data are automatically received from the first electronic device and the at least one second electronic device without input to the smart device from a user. A universal interface is created in the smart device based on the first command and control data and the additional command and control data, wherein the first electronic device and the at least one second electronic device are controllable by the universal interface.

Abstract: An agent apparatus to relay operation control information between at least one remote controller and at least one electrical apparatus, the agent apparatus includes a communication unit to receive operation control information, of the at least one electrical apparatus, transmitted from the remote controller and to transmit the operation control information to the at least one electrical apparatus, a controller to learn the received operation control information of the at least one of electrical apparatus to generate a macro and to control output of the generated macro, and a storage unit to store the operation control information of the at least one electrical apparatus and the generated macro.

Abstract: Remote control systems utilize touch-sensitive user-input devices and/or displays which may be integral with the touch-sensitive user-input devices. Gestures input into a touch-sensitive user-input device result in signals transmitted to one or more appliances for the purpose of controlling the one or more appliances. A display provides intuitive visual feedback regarding input into the remote control system, through a touch-sensitive user-input device and/or other user-input devices. The remote control systems may be configured and dynamically updated based on user activity in connection with the remote control systems.