Patents Assigned to Allure Energy, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8600564
    Abstract: A method of managing a site includes monitoring an activation of a proximity detection function of a plurality of sites, with each site having a first zone as a home zone and a second zone having a boundary that is away from the first zone. The method proceeds by displaying an indicator within a web-based GUI enabling each user of each site to activate and deactivate use of the proximity detection function. Each site can include multiple users associated with each respective site. The method proceeds by detecting the multiple users as being home or away using the proximity detection function and then altering an operating condition of a network device located at at least one of the plurality of sites in response to a last user of the multiple users leaving the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John F. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8571518
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of managing a site in a mobile environment, which includes detecting an availability of a thermostat wherein the thermostat has an operating condition; detecting a location of a mobile device associated with the site; providing a proximity control selector within a user interface of the mobile device to manage a proximity detection module disposed on the thermostat, wherein the proximity control selector has an enabled setting of the proximity detection module and a disabled setting of the proximity detection module; enabling the proximity detection module in response to the enabled setting of the proximity control selector to allow for the modification of the operating condition of the thermostat based on the detected location of the mobile device relative to the site; and disabling the proximity detection module in response to the disabled setting of the proximity control selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 8509954
    Abstract: A system and method migrating virtualized environments is disclosed. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a home energy management system and method includes a database configured to store site report data received from a plurality of residential sites using a wireless home energy network at each site. Each residential site includes a thermostat accessible to the wireless home energy network. A processor is operably coupled to the database and configured to access the site report data and detect a current temperature set-point of the thermostat at a first residential site; detect a first seasonal profile of the thermostat; detect a current operating mode of a HVAC system operably coupled to the thermostat; and determine a thermostat schedule of the thermostat using the first seasonal profile and the current operating mode of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 8504180
    Abstract: A method includes presenting a set location setting capable of being selected by a user within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device. The method proceeds by detecting on-site location information of the mobile device in response to a selection of the set location setting and detecting at least one on-site 802.11 based network in communication with the mobile device in response to a selection of the set location setting. The method proceeds by identifying an on-site IP address associated with the at least one on-site 802.11 based network, and then associating both the on-site location information and the on-site IP address with an on-site zone of a site associated with the mobile device. The method proceeds by altering an operating condition of a network device located at the site in response to a location of the mobile device relative to the on-site zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8498749
    Abstract: A method of managing energy use of a network device located at a site with a mobile device is provided. The method proceeds by determining a plurality of zones about the site and detecting a current location of the mobile device relative to the plurality of zones. The method continues by altering the operating condition of the network device in response to detecting the mobile device changing zones. A graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed within the display screen of the mobile device. A map presenting the site location, the plurality of zones disposed about the site location, and the current location of the mobile device is displayed within the GUI along with a distance selector including selectable distance values. The method further includes automatically scaling the plurality of zones and the map in response to changing the selectable distance value using the distance selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 8473109
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a controller configured to detect a current operating window associated with a network device disposed at a site, detect a location of a mobile device associated with a site and alter the current operating window of the network device in response to the detected location. Correspondingly, a method includes detecting a current operating window associated with a network device disposed at a site, detecting a location of a mobile device associated with the site and altering the current operating window of the network device in response to the detected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 8457797
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system and method includes a network device disposed at a first site, wherein the network device is capable of being altered, and a network device disposed at a second site, wherein the network device is also capable of being altered. A proximity detection module is configured to initiate altering an operating condition of each of the network devices in response to a proximity detection of a location reporting device associated with each of the sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 8442695
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a processor operable to manage energy use at a site wherein the processor is configured to detect a user interaction with the apparatus and create a personalized schedule automatically in response to the user interaction. The apparatus can also include a first profile accessible to the processor, wherein the first profile includes a first personalized schedule, and a second profile accessible to the processor, wherein the second profile is different from the first profile and includes a second personalized schedule. In addition, the processor can be configured to determine when to use the first profile or the second profile, initiate an outgoing message using the first or second personalized schedule, and update the first or second profile in response to a user interaction with an interface of the apparatus during use of the first or second personalized schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 8428782
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system and method includes a location reporting device identified with a site and a proximity detection module configured to alter an operating condition of the site in response to a location of the location reporting device. The proximity detection module is further configured to detect the location of the location reporting device at a modifiable detection interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Imes
  • Patent number: 8412382
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a zone based energy management system includes controlling at least one network device at a site using the proximity detection of a mobile device which may be based upon the detection of a plurality of zones. The network device may be a thermostat associated with the HVAC system of the site or other energy consuming appliances. Each of the zones may be associated with a corresponding temperature set-point of the thermostat or other energy consuming device where the temperature set point corresponding to a zone may be different from the temperature set points corresponding with each of the other zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8396604
    Abstract: A method of managing energy use of a network device located at a site with a mobile device is provided. The method proceeds by determining a plurality of zones about the site and detecting a current location of the mobile device relative to the plurality of zones. The method continues by altering the operating condition of the network device in response to detecting the mobile device changing zones. A graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed within the display screen of the mobile device. A map presenting the site location, the plurality of zones disposed about the site location, and the current location of the mobile device is displayed within the GUI along with a distance selector including selectable distance values. The method further includes automatically scaling the plurality of zones and the map in response to changing the selectable distance value using the distance selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8396602
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an energy management system and method includes managing energy use of a site comprising the steps of: acquiring a network device data from a network device joined to a wireless energy network; translating the network data into device report data comprised of at least one Java based object; detecting an interval to generate a site report of the wireless energy network; translating the device report data into site report data comprised of XML formatted data; and generating the site report including the site report data at the interval. A wireless energy network communication device is configured to communicate with a wireless energy network and a processor is operably coupled to the wireless energy communication device and configured to perform the steps of managing energy use of the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Publication number: 20130054863
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a resource management platform, system and method of communicating resource management information for smart energy and media resources is provided. A resource management platform can include an interface configured to communicate media management information and energy management information. The resource management platform also includes a processor configured to detect an incoming communication to alter an operating condition in response to receiving the media management information or the energy management information. The processor can further be configured to initiate an output of media content in response to detecting media management information, and initiate altering an operating status of a device in response to detecting the energy management information. The processor can also initiate storing at least a portion of the media content and the energy management information within a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Cottell, Jarod Addison, Xiyin Yao, Colby White
  • Publication number: 20130054758
    Abstract: A system for managing a customer engagement portal associated with a site includes a media manager associated with the site and at least one network device associated with the site. The network device and the media manager are in communication to wirelessly transfer streams of media. The network device is configured to output streams of media. The site also has a mobile device associated therewith that is configured to initiate a change in an operating condition of the at least one network device for a location remote from the site. The network device is configured to output the streams of media simultaneously with the operating condition of the network deceive being changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, Jarod Addison
  • Publication number: 20120324119
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a provisioning system for a network includes a first device associated with a site. The first device includes an RFID reader associated therewith. The system also includes a second device including a device identifier associated therewith. The device identifier includes information about the second device to assist in joining it to the network. The RFID reader is configured to read the device identifier on the second device to obtain information about the second device. Based on the information about the second device it can then be joined to the network by the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8174381
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an energy management apparatus for a mobile energy management system and method includes detecting an availability of at least one network device at a site, displaying a proximity control selector within a graphical user interface of a mobile device associated with the site that can be toggled to enable and disable proximity detection using the mobile device, detecting a distance of the mobile device relative to the site in response to enabling proximity detection on the mobile device, and initiating a change to the operating condition of the network device in response to detecting a change in the distance of the mobile device relative to the site and the setting of the proximity control selector. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the network device may be a thermostat associated with the HVAC system of the site or other energy consuming appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Publication number: 20120064923
    Abstract: A method of managing energy use of a network device located at a site with a mobile device is provided. The method proceeds by determining a plurality of zones about the site and detecting a current location of the mobile device relative to the plurality of zones. The method continues by altering the operating condition of the network device in response to detecting the mobile device changing zones. A graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed within the display screen of the mobile device. A map presenting the site location, the plurality of zones disposed about the site location, and the current location of the mobile device is displayed within the GUI along with a distance selector including selectable distance values. The method further includes automatically scaling the plurality of zones and the map in response to changing the selectable distance value using the distance selector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20120046859
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a mobile energy management system includes controlling at least one network device at a site using the proximity detection of a mobile device based upon the detection of a plurality of zones. Various features may be presented on a graphical user interface of the mobile device including a map which may present the location of the site, the current location of the mobile device, and the plurality of zones. The graphical user interface may further include a zone size setting presenting selectable distance values enabling the user to set the distance between the site and the boundary of each zone. In response to the selection of a distance value, the mobile device may automatically scale the map to simultaneously present the boundary of each zone and the current location of the mobile device within the display screen of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: KEVIN R. IMES, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8108076
    Abstract: A system and method migrating virtualized environments is disclosed. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a home energy management system and method includes a database configured to store site report data received from a plurality of residential sites using a wireless home energy network at each site. Each residential site includes a thermostat accessible to the wireless home energy network. A processor is operably coupled to the database and configured to access the site report data and detect a current temperature set-point of the thermostat at a first residential site; detect a first seasonal profile of the thermostat; detect a current operating mode of a HVAC system operably coupled to the thermostat; and determine a thermostat schedule of the thermostat using the first seasonal profile and the current operating mode of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 8099195
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for an energy management system includes a controller having an application interface configured to use at least a portion of an incoming message communicated using a home energy network at a residential site. The incoming message includes at least a portion of a first user energy management schedule, and the controller is capable of altering use of a resource in response to the first user energy management schedule. A first communication interface is operably coupled to the application interface and configured to communicate with a first network operably associated with the home energy network; and a second communication interface is operably coupled to the application interface and configured to communicate with a second network operably associated with the home energy network, wherein the second network is different than the first network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister