Abstract: Presented is a backup power system for a building that selectively provides power to particular circuits according to a power distribution priority profile. Power is applied sequentially to each particular circuit depending on the measured current loads of the particular circuits to which power has already been applied.

Abstract: Presented is a backup power system for a building that selectively provides power to particular circuits according to a power distribution priority profile. Power is applied sequentially to each particular circuit depending on the measured current loads of the particular circuits to which power has already been applied.

Abstract: Presented is a system for controlling a roller shade. The system includes a flexible shade material having a lower end, a roller tube windingly receiving the flexible shade material, and a reversible motor for rotating the roller tube to move the lower end of the shade material between a first and second position. The system further includes an optical sensor for capturing an image frame of the shade material at a plurality of linear positions as the lower end of the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The system further includes a motor controller for controlling the reversible motor to move the lower end of the shade material from the first position to the second position using a variable linear velocity profile in response to position information obtained from the plurality of captured image frames.

Abstract: Presented is a method for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a flexible shade material. The method includes providing a motor that rotates the roller tube to move the flexible shade material between a first position and a second position. The method further includes capturing, with an optical sensor, an image frame at a plurality of linear positions along the flexible shade material as the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The method further includes controlling the reversible motor to move the flexible shade material from the first position to the second position in response to position information obtained from the captured image frames using a variable linear velocity profile so that the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position at a variable linear velocity.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield comprises a sheet of metal having slots along an edge of the sheet to form a plurality of resilient fingers. The single sheet is bent around first and second bends axes inwardly and approximately ninety degrees to form a top planar surface and first and second side walls. The single sheet of metal is sized and dimensioned to receive a connector in between the first and second side walls and top planar surface. The fingers are bent outward with a bend radius of approximately 0.020 inches with respect to a flat surface of the sidewalls and top planar surface. The fingers apply a biasing force against a surface of a faceplate. Each of the side walls includes an elongated leg, which is interconnected with a circuit board and each of the elongated legs extends beyond a bottom edge of each of the side walls.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield comprises a single sheet of metal having outer and inner peripheries. The outer periphery forms a plurality of outer deflectable fingers extending outward from a bent edge of the outer periphery for contacting a surface of a faceplate. The plurality of outer deflectable fingers is deflectable to allow for installation and removal of the faceplate. The inner periphery has an opening for receiving an HDMI connector and forming a plurality of inner deflectable fingers extending inwardly from a bent edge of the inner periphery. The plurality of inner deflectable fingers is deflectable to allow for insertion and removal of the HDMI connector.

Abstract: A gasket comprises a main portion having first and second ends, a parallel leg extending perpendicularly from each of the first and second ends, and a step portion extending perpendicularly from each of the other end of the legs. The main portion and leg form an opening that is sized and dimensioned to receive a shell of a connector. A layer of nickel plated metalized nylon fabric wrapped over polyurethane foam. One side of the layer bonds to the interior surfaces of the main portion and leg that form the opening and the other side of the layer is adapted to urge against the shell of the HDMI connector. A section of the layer extends beyond the widths of the main and legs. The section is adapted to urge against a faceplate to maintain an electrical-conductive path between the shell of the HDMI connector and the surface of the faceplate.

Abstract: Presented is a system for synchronizing movement of roller shades each from a first position to a common second position. The system includes a master controller, a plurality of optical assemblies each configured to obtain information related to the position of one of the roller shades, and a plurality of motor assemblies. Each of the motor assemblies is configured for receiving the position information from one of the plurality of optical assemblies, receiving a master shade movement time from the master controller, and moving one of the of roller shades from the first position to the common second position in response to the received position information so that the roller shade arrives at the common second position simultaneously with the other roller shades in a time equal to the master shade movement time.

Abstract: Presented is a method for synchronizing movement of a plurality of roller shades each disposed at a first position to a common second position. The method includes obtaining information related to the position of each of the plurality of roller shades with a respective one of a plurality of optical assemblies, and moving each of the plurality of roller shades from the first position to the common second position in response to the respective obtained position information so that each of the plurality of roller shades arrives at the common second position at the same time.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor detects expected and unexpected occupancies in a monitored area with an expected occupancy schedule. The occupancy sensor includes a real time clock, a memory, a sensor element, a processor, indicator lights and a network interface. The occupancy sensor transmits an occupancy correction signal to a network if the actual occupancy of the monitored area does not match the expected occupancy state of the monitored area.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a method comprises displaying at least one preset parameter associated with a conference type. The conference type is associated with preset resources. The method further comprises accepting information defining the conference type, receiving preset information from the at least one displayed preset parameter, automatically determining a room by communicating with a scheduling server the availability of the preset resources based on the received preset information, and sending at least one command to control the associated preset resources in response to the start time and end time.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a method comprises displaying at least one preset parameter associated with a conference type. The conference type is associated with preset resources. The method further comprises accepting information defining the conference type, receiving preset information from the at least one displayed preset parameter, automatically determining a room by communicating with a scheduling server the availability of the preset resources based on the received preset information, and sending at least one command to control the associated preset resources in response to the start time and end time.

Abstract: A portable RF wireless device (41), such as a microphone, is provided with an infrared beacon in order to signal a connection request to a wireless communication access point (48) using a first IR code (401). In response to this first IR code, the wireless communication access point broadcasts an RF inquiry message (101) that is responded (102) to by the portable RF wireless device in order to establish an RF communication link. After the RF communication link is established, the portable RF wireless device conditionally transmits a second IR code to verify that it is still collocated in the local vicinity of the wireless communication access point, such as being in the same room.

Abstract: An impedance matched connection is provided between a load and a power source that outputs signals within a predetermined frequency range. A coaxial line has a predetermined characteristic impedance, an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and an insulator between the conductors. Each conductor has a first end electrically connectable to output terminals of the power source. A compensation circuit has an adjustable impedance, a first terminal electrically connected to a second end of the inner conductor and to a first terminal of the load, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second end of the outer conductor and to a second terminal of the load. The compensation circuit is adjustable to attain, for a pulse having a rise time/fall time faster than the rise/fall times associated with the predetermined range of frequencies, a combined impedance and load that is substantially equal to the characteristic impedance of the coaxial line.

Abstract: A mechanism for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame and has one end of the stored section fixed to the frame, with the other end extending from the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal. The mechanism further includes a solenoid that is activated locally or remotely by a switch.

Abstract: A system for storing multiple cord retractors comprises at least one cord retractor. Each retractor includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cable is stored in the frame and has one end of the stored section fixed to the frame, with the other end extending from the frame. The stored cable section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal. The system further includes a bracket and a pin.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a system comprises a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a portable device and the second end is connected to an A/V switcher. The A/V switcher is configured to monitor presence of an A/V signal in the cable and transmit data regarding said A/V signal presence. A cable clamp-on device is coupled to the cable and includes at least one indicator configured to display said A/V signal presence within the associated coupled cable, and a transceiver configured to receive the data, via a wireless link, the data regarding said A/V signal presence.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a cable clamp (100) comprises a first half member (110) and a second half member (115). Each of the half members comprises first and second mating surfaces (120, 125), and interior and exterior surfaces (130, 135). The half members are connected at the first mating surfaces thereof such that the half members form a passageway (140) for receiving a cable (145) therethrough. The clamp further comprises at least one actuator (150) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces, at least one indicator (155) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces, and a transceiver (160) configured to transmit data regarding the at least one actuator and to receive data regarding the indicator via a wireless link.

Abstract: Presented is a system for managing energy usage of a user. The system includes a database storing a preferred energy profile associated with the user and a minimum energy profile, an automation control system that controls at least one device associated with the user, a presence detecting apparatus for detecting when the user is present, and a system control computer. The system control computer instructs the automation control system to operate the one device according to the preferred energy profile associated with the user in response to the presence detecting apparatus detecting the presence of the user. The system control computer further instructs the automation control system to operate the one device according to the minimum energy profile in response to the presence detecting apparatus detecting the absence of the user.