Abstract: A film interactive touchpad for control of home systems. A touchscreen defined by a glass panel and polyester film defines active areas responsive to contact. Multiple, customizable and interchangeable templates correspond with multiple levels of functionality and define input and control buttons corresponding to active areas of the touchpad. A display such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) provides interactive, color feedback. The touchscreen has a hinged connection to the touchpad and is pivotable to an open position to permit insertion and removal of the overlay templates, and is surrounded by a trim ring dam to prevent moisture intrusion. A light sensor is provided for detecting the ambient light level and adjusting the intensity of a backlight for faceplates of any color.

Abstract: An example embodiment is directed to use in a facility benefiting from the distribution of audio throughout different facility zones (“audio zones”), with each audio zone receiving an audio signal from a remotely-located audio distribution controller. For controlling audio at a user-controlled speaker load located in one of the audio zones, a circuit arrangement includes isolation circuit, speaker load circuit, user-input device and an audio control unit. The isolation circuit generates a transformed audio signal by provide an impedance-matched termination and by permitting one of a number of impedance-matching circuits to be set wherein each impedance-matching circuit provides a different amount of electrical power to the speaker load. The speaker load circuit delivers, in response to the transformed audio signal, audible signals in the audio zone.

Abstract: A film interactive touchpad for control of home systems. A touchscreen defined by a glass panel and polyester film defines active areas responsive to contact. Multiple, customizable and interchangeable templates correspond with multiple levels of functionality and define input and control buttons corresponding to active areas of the touchpad. A display such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) provides interactive, color feedback. The touchscreen has a hinged connection to the touchpad and is pivotable to an open position to permit insertion and removal of the overlay templates, and is surrounded by a trim ring dam to prevent moisture intrusion. A light sensor is provided for detecting the ambient light level and adjusting the intensity of a backlight for faceplates of any color.

Abstract: A signal-repeating device control arrangement facilitates user control of various types of media equipment in a facility. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the different types of user-controllable media equipment are located with respective user-interface units in various zones of the facility to provide user-selectable interaction for the user. The signal-repeating device control arrangement includes a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a user's remote control, a data-routing circuit for communication with packet-communicating devices such as over an Ethernet, and an emulation circuit for providing an interface to manufacturer-specific equipment for control of other devices types and/or user input devices.

Abstract: A signal distribution and communication arrangement includes an electronic processor-based master control unit which controls the broadcast of different types of signals through speakers located in various zones. The system includes a telephone interfaced with a door speaker controller to allow communication between the telephone and a door speaker. A page may now be broadcast over selected speakers and zones selectively muted to allow private communication when the page is answered. Also included is a doorbell interface circuit that responds to a doorbell source. The doorbell source may be activated by any one of a plurality of doorbell switches. An additional aspect of the present invention includes grouping zones together so that all source selection works concurrently, and each subzone in the group retains independent volume control, bass and treble. Further, a new sub-set of zone programming allows the installer to label a zone as any alpha-numeric seven-digit name.

Abstract: A signal distribution and communication arrangement includes an electronic processor-based master control unit which controls the broadcast of different types of signals through speakers located in various zones. The system includes a telephone interfaced with a door speaker controller to allow communication between the telephone and a door speaker. A page may be broadcast over the speakers and subsequently muted to allow private communication when the page is answered. Also included is a doorbell interface circuit that responds to a doorbell source. The doorbell source may be activated by any one of a plurality of doorbell switches.

Abstract: A signal distribution and communication arrangement includes a main control unit remotely located and electrically coupled to a volume control panel. The volume control panel is located near a speaker, and the main control unit sends substantially continuous audio signals or an interrupting audio signal to the volume control panel for playing via the speaker. These signals can be sent on the same conductor or separate conductors. When the interrupting audio signal is present, a voltage or current source provides a level from the main control unit to the volume control panel to indicate that a volume override circuit should be engaged. Upon engagement of the volume override circuit, the interrupting audio signal is passed through to the speaker at a prescribed signal level, regardless of the volume control setting on the volume control panel.