Abstract: A system including at least one computerized device with voice command capability processed remotely includes a low power processor, executing a loose algorithmic model to recognize a wake word prefix in a voice command, the loose model having a low false rejection rate but suffering a high false acceptance rate, and a second processor which can operate in at least a low power/low clock rate mode and a high power/high clock rate mode. When the first processor determines the presence of the wake word, it causes the second processor to switch to the high power/high clock rate mode and to execute a tight algorithmic model to verify the presence of the wake word. By using the two processors in this manner, the average overall power required by the computerized device is reduced, as is the amount of waste heat generated by the system.

Abstract: A smart light switch includes a housing, a light actuator, and a processor and memory. The processor is adapted to selectively turn an electrical load on and off in accordance with a programmed set of light activation rules stored in memory. The processor is operable to determine whether the smart light switch is in an On or Off state and create a historical record of the On or Off state of the smart light switch over time. A user is selectively able to place the smart light switch in a vacation mode. The processor suspends the programmed set of light activation rules, determines a probability that the smart light switch would have been turned on based upon the historical record, and probabilistically activates and deactivates the smart light switch for a period of time based upon the historical record while the smart light switch was not in vacation mode.

Abstract: A control device, such as a smart thermostat, employs solid state relays as switches to activate and deactivate systems controlled by the device. Current flows through at least some of the solid state relays are monitored to determine the bulk heating produced in the solid state relays, and their associated circuitry and printed circuit board traces, and this determined amount of bulk heat is added to other determined amounts of bulk heat and is used to compensate the reading provided by temperature sensors within the control device which have been affected by the bulk heat. Further, by measuring the current flow through the power buses to one or more of the solid state relays of the control device, potentially damaging over current conditions can be distinguished from permissible transient over-current conditions and the control device can deactivate any solid state relays which would be damaged while allowing solid state relays which are experiencing allowable transients to remain operating.

Abstract: A computerized device with voice command capability processed remotely includes a low power processor, executing a loose algorithmic model to recognize a wake word prefix in a voice command, the loose model having a low false rejection rate but suffering a high false acceptance rate, and a second processor which can operate in at least a low power/low clock rate mode and a high power/high clock rate mode. When the first processor determines the presence of the wake word, it causes the second processor to switch to the high power/high clock rate mode and to execute a tight algorithmic model to verify the presence of the wake word. By using the two processors in this manner, the average overall power required by the computerized device is reduced, as is the amount of waste heat generated by the system.

Abstract: Managing an entryway for a building includes a computer system accessing identity data providing unique biometric identifications and associated names for respective people. Roles are stored and associated with people. Rules are stored and configured to define roles or people and define conditions and actions. A certain rule includes presence of a person at an entryway and a person in at a different location than the entryway as a condition. A named person is identified by the computer system comparing identity data to biometric data received for a person at the entryway. The computer system performs a defined action for the certain rule responsive to determining that the certain rule defines a role associated with the identified, named person at the entryway and responsive to detecting by a sensor in the building that a person is present in the building at a different location than the entryway.

Abstract: A control device, such as a smart thermostat, employs solid state relays as switches to activate and deactivate systems controlled by the device. Current flows through at least some of the solid state relays are monitored to determine the bulk heating produced in the solid state relays, and their associated circuitry and printed circuit board traces, and this determined amount of bulk heat is added to other determined amounts of bulk heat and is used to compensate the reading provided by temperature sensors within the control device which have been affected by the bulk heat. Further, by measuring the current flow through the power buses to one or more of the solid state relays of the control device, potentially damaging over current conditions can be distinguished from permissible transient over-current conditions and the control device can deactivate any solid state relays which would be damaged while allowing solid state relays which are experiencing allowable transients to remain operating.

Abstract: A controller is provided for HVAC equipment. The controller receives a set of internal temperature values, and a set of external temperature values, the set of external temperature values representing at least one non-current temperature. The controller determines a predictive internal temperature value from the set of internal temperature values and a predictive external temperature value from the set of external temperature values. The controller receives an internal humidity value representing humidity within the premise, the controller further controls the HVAC equipment to modify the humidity within the premise when the received internal humidity value is different from a humidity set point; and the humidity set point is regulated by a humidity limit value, the humidity limit value being where condensation forms, the humidity limit value being calculated using the predictive internal temperature value and the predictive external temperature value.

Abstract: A controller is provided for operating HVAC equipment using an environmental control program. The controller has an environmental sensor operable to provide a measured temperature value to the environmental control program. The controller further runs a dynamic temperature control program that is operable to provide a dynamic correction factor to the environmental control program that dynamically compensates the measured temperature value for waste heat generated by power consumption within the controller.

Abstract: A controller is provided for HVAC equipment. The controller has a processor, memory, and a RF module for a home automation network, and is operable to regulate operation of the HVAC equipment based upon a scheduling program stored in memory. The scheduling program includes at least one usage periods and at least one set point associated with each usage period. The controller is also operable to regulate operation of remote electrical devices over the home automation network; and to create a device scheduling program for the remote electrical devices, the device scheduling program including at least one device period and an operational state associated with each device period.

Abstract: An energy management network is provided, comprising: at least one thermostat controller operable to control HVAC equipment on a premise, the at least one thermostat controller being installed by a installer; an environmental web service, operable to communicate with the at least one thermostat controller across a network and provide a registered user with remote portal access and control to the at least one thermostat controller; and wherein the environmental web service is operable to query the registered user through one of the remote portal access and the thermostat controller to rate the installation experience provided by the associated installer of their at least one thermostat controller, and receive installation experience data from the registered user.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating or updating a provisioning record for a subscriber on an energy management network. The method comprises installing a controller for HVAC equipment on a premise, the controller being adapted to communicate with an energy metering device already installed on the premise over a personal area network. The controller temporarily displays at least one controller identifier, the at least one controller identifier being associated with the premise. The at least one controller identifier is recorded on a mobile device equipped with identifier-sensing equipment. The mobile device transfers data which includes the at least one controller identifier from the mobile device to an energy management server, which creates or updates the provisioning record for the subscriber on the energy management network.

Abstract: A controller is provided for HVAC equipment. The controller has a processor, memory, and a RF module for a home automation network, and is operable to regulate operation of the HVAC equipment based upon a scheduling program stored in memory. The scheduling program includes at least one usage periods and at least one set point associated with each usage period. The controller is also operable to regulate operation of remote electrical devices over the home automation network; and to create a device scheduling program for the remote electrical devices, the device scheduling program including at least one device period and an operational state associated with each device period.

Abstract: A controller for operating HVAC equipment on a premise. The controller has a processor and memory, and is adapted to regulate operation of the HVAC equipment based upon a scheduling program stored in memory. The scheduling program includes usage periods and a set point associated with each usage period. The controller is adapted to receive time of use pricing; the controller is further adapted to present a graphical representation of the scheduling program period on a display, the graphical representation providing a scheduling grid and each usage period being shown as an area on the scheduling grid; the controller is operable to display a time of use pricing overlay over the graphical representation of the scheduling program; and the controller creates at least one new usage period based upon where the time of use pricing overlay bisects the at least one usage period being presented on the display.

Abstract: A controller is provided for operating HVAC equipment using an environmental control program. The controller has an environmental sensor operable to provide a measured temperature value to the environmental control program. The controller further runs a dynamic temperature control program that is operable to provide a dynamic correction factor to the environmental control program that dynamically compensates the measured temperature value for waste heat generated by power consumption within the controller.