Abstract: A lighting monitor/control system for remote billboards uses a cellular network to provide utility power and light status information to a central controller, which in response provides control signals to individual remote billboard lighting controllers for setting operating parameters such as multiple on/off times, lighting power adjustments for individual billboards, and custom lighting schedules based upon geographic and environmental considerations. Battery back-up is provided in the event of utility power outage with automatic reversion to utility power when restored. Immediate notification of failure of utility power or of individual lamp or ballast failure is provided by SMS messaging formatted so as to minimize the number of messages and reduce communications costs. The monitor/control system is also adapted for use in remote power monitoring applications to automatically switch to standby power (generator) in the absence of primary power and to return to primary power when restored.

Abstract: An energy conservation system is provided to lower energy consumption in an unoccupied room. A master controller provides control of power consumption to an occupant of a room through an occupant action to create an occupied mode and otherwise be in an unoccupied mode. A thermostat is controlled by the master controller. A master radio frequency transceiver is located within the master controller and a second radio frequency transceiver remote from the master radio frequency transceiver is provided. The second radio frequency transceiver is coupled to an electrical switching circuit responsive to a radio frequency signal received from the master radio frequency transceiver. A controlled power device is coupled to the electrical switching circuit such that an energy input to the device is controlled by the master controller in the unoccupied mode.

Abstract: An A/B RF automatic-set-up redundant sensing switch that monitors the relative differences in signal strength of the A and B paths and processes it according to a predetermined logic setting with no manual adjustment. When one of the paths is determined not to match the logic setting, it will switch to the other.

Abstract: A lighting monitor/control system for remote billboards uses a cellular network to provide utility power and light status information to a central controller, which in response provides control signals to individual remote billboard lighting controllers for setting operating parameters such as multiple on/off times, lighting power adjustments for individual billboards, and custom lighting schedules based upon geographic and environmental considerations. Battery back-up is provided in the event of utility power outage with automatic reversion to utility power when restored. Immediate notification of failure of utility power or of individual lamp or ballast failure is provided by SMS messaging formatted so as to minimize the number of messages and reduce communications costs. The monitor/control system is also adapted for use in remote power monitoring applications to automatically switch to standby power (generator) in the absence of primary power and to return to primary power when restored.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting signals to control a utility service from a drive-by or walk-by control unit includes an electronically controlled shut-off valve in a supply line for the utility service. The shut-off valve has a solenoid that communicates electronically with a meter transceiver used by a metering device. A transmitter is included in the walk-by or drive-by control unit and sends a signal to the wireless transceiver to operate the solenoid to close the valve or to open the valve. After this action occurs, the meter transceiver will send an acknowledge signal to the control unit to confirm that the shut-off valve has been opened or closed.

Abstract: A load terminal for use in a remote controlled load management system includes a control unit for starting to count a delay time and sending to a central controller monitoring data indicating that an illumination load has been turned off while controlling a power supply ON/OFF unit to keep the power supply to the illumination load when a transmission signal including a control data instructing to turn off the illumination load is received by a transmission signal transceiver unit. The control unit restarts the count of the delay time when the transmission signal transceiver unit receives a transmission signal including a control data instructing to turn on the illumination load during the count of the delay time from the central controller.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling a set of power users, in particular household appliances, which users (U) are connected to a first communication network (RE) through appropriate interfacing means (N) for the exchange of information and/or instructions, where transmitter/receiver means (MC) connected to said first communication network (RE) are provided for establishing a communication channel to a second remote network (IN) and/or remote terminal (TC). According to the present invention, said transmitter/receiver means (MC) are associated to one of said electric users (LB) and share one of the interfacing means (N) associated to said user (LB).

Abstract: A cell site environmental control system includes multiple relays, each monitoring a specific device whose status may have an impact on the environmental condition at the cell site. The cell site environmental control system includes a microprocessor-based central control module that issues environmental control instructions upon receipt of monitoring signals from the monitoring relays. The monitoring signals are captured at a punch-down block that has connections to the monitoring relays and routed from the punch-down block to the central control module.

Abstract: In order to receive protection commands in a remote tripping device, one or more signals is or are received, protection commands and combinations of protection commands are coded by means of an individual signal or by means of a predetermined combination of signals, and each protection command is allocated a predetermined minimum safety and/or security value.

Abstract: A car wash controller for receiving input data from a plurality of remote input devices and for controlling the operation of multiple remote output electrical devices. The central controller is coupled to a series of input boards by a communication cable, such as a telephone cable, to receive input data from the input electrical devices. The input boards can be coupled to each other to reduce the amount of wiring within the car wash environment. The central controller is further connected to a series of output relay boards, each of which are connected to a supply of power. The central controller is connected to the output relay boards by a communication cable such that an output command can be sent to each relay board to supply electrical power to the output electrical devices. The relay boards can be coupled to each other to reduce the amount of wiring within the car wash environment.

Abstract: A security alarm system that may be selectively armed or disarmed when monitoring a protective premises is described which utilizes the position of an entry door to determine whether the security system should be armed or disarmed. The security system comprises (i) an entry door for permitting ingress to the protected premises from the outside of the entry door and egress from the protected premises from the inside of the door; (ii) means for selectively closing and opening the entry door; and (iii) a switch having a first state indicative of the entry door being in a closed position and a second state indicative of the entry door being in an open position wherein, when the switch is in its first state, the security system is armed and, when the switch is in its second state, the security system is disarmed.

Abstract: A controller area network (CAN) has a plurality of nodes connected to transmit and receive data over a serial data line using an interface circuit to connect the node to the data line. Each interface circuit includes an isolation element, typically a diode, to connect the interface circuit to the data line. An indicator element in the interface circuit is powered when the node is transmitting. The isolation element in each node prevents other nodes while transmitting, from powering the indicator element in its node.