Abstract: An adaptive load control system and method are provided. A rolling table is utilized to collect duty cycle information of an electrical appliance during defined time periods. The oldest entry in the rolling table is utilized to populate a history table containing historic duty cycle information for weekly time periods. When a load control event is received at the load controller a historic duty cycle profile and predicted duty cycle profile are determined. Using a received reduction factor from the load control event a restricted duty cycle profile is generated using the historic and predicted duty cycle profiles and applied to the electrical appliance during the load control event time period.

Abstract: A method and system for intelligent demand response by a load controller device connected to a load is provided. Demand response events generated by utilities can generate energy conservation however they can provide demand subpeaks during the event and can impact user comfort. In order to improve the energy profile and user comfort one or more event parameters from the DR event are generated. One or more temperature setpoints of the load controller device are modified to provide smooth setpoint transition between temperature setpoints using the generated one or more event parameters to shape electricity demand of the load to reduce an expected demand subpeak during the DR event. The modified one or more temperature setpoints can be applied at an associated time to control the load.

Abstract: A method and system for intelligent demand response by a load controller device connected to a load is provided. Demand response events generated by utilities can generate energy conservation however they can provide demand subpeaks during the event and can impact user comfort. In order to improve the energy profile and user comfort one or more event parameters from the DR event are generated. One or more temperature setpoints of the load controller device are modified to provide smooth setpoint transition between temperature setpoints using the generated one or more event parameters to shape electricity demand of the load to reduce an expected demand subpeak during the DR event. The modified one or more temperature setpoints can be applied at an associated time to control the load.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch is provided that allows a thermostat to use full wave rectification for power while still communicating control information to the auxiliary switch over a multiplexed ground-control line to control associated equipment.

Abstract: A method for hold management in an environmental controller is provided. The controller controls heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to environmental parameters defined by a user. The controller can follow a program schedule or operate in a schedule-free mode; however various hold events can be defined that override the schedule or schedule-free operation. The hold events can define target parameters to be maintained during the hold event. Multiple hold events can be defined where a priority of the hold events can be utilized to determine which hold event should be implemented, without cancelling the lower hold events.

Abstract: A load control switch with an infra-red receiver to enable consumer Opt-out of load control events is provided. Load control switches are utilized by utilities to control power demand during peak periods by disconnecting remotely consumer loads. By using any infra-red remote control a consumer can Opt-out of a load control event by signalling to the load control switch that the load control event is to be masked therefore not disconnecting the electrical load from the electrical supply.

Abstract: An auxiliary switch is provided that allows a thermostat to use full wave rectification for power while still communicating control information to the auxiliary switch over a multiplexed ground-control line to control associated equipment.

Abstract: A thermostat system is provided that comprises a base thermostat for providing basic thermostat control and a portable information display (PID) unit, or dockable display, that provides an improved user interface. The PID unit can be docked to the base thermostat by being releasably mounted on top of a front portion of the base thermostat. The base thermostat provides control of an environmental control system, allowing the regulation of the temperature in a building. The PID unit may be used when it is mounted to the base thermostat or un-mounted from the base thermostat. The PID unit provides an improved user interface and experience over the base thermostat.

Abstract: A ground wire adaptor for operatively connecting a low-voltage control unit (e.g. a thermostat) requiring a three-wire connection to a three-wire system-under-control (e.g. a HVAC system) using a two-wire conductor. A ground terminal and an output control signal of the control unit are interconnected such that the output control signal, in the form of a half-wave rectified signal, is superimposed on the ground. The ground wire adaptor detects the half-wave rectified signal superimposed on the ground connection and generates a control output signal to be provided to the system-under-control responsive to the presence of the half-wave rectified signal (i.e. the control signal from the control unit). In another aspect of the invention the ground wire adaptor can be used to connect an ‘N’ function control unit to an ‘N’ function system-under-control using a two-wire conductor.

Abstract: A solid state switch that employs a controller driven input and MOSFET power switching devices is disclosed. The controller can test for a short-circuit on the load side of the MOSFET power switching devices before putting the switch in a sustained conductive state.

Abstract: A ground wire adaptor for operatively connecting a low-voltage control unit (e.g. a thermostat) requiring a three-wire connection to a three-wire system-under-control (e.g. a HVAC system) using a two-wire conductor. A ground terminal and an output control signal of the control unit are interconnected such that the output control signal, in the form of a half-wave rectified signal, is superimposed on the ground. The ground wire adaptor detects the half-wave rectified signal superimposed on the ground connection and generates a control output signal to be provided to the system-under-control responsive to the presence of the half-wave rectified signal (i.e. the control signal from the control unit). In another aspect of the invention the ground wire adaptor can be used to connect an ‘N’ function control unit to an ‘N’ function system-under-control using a two-wire conductor.

Abstract: A method for increasing the resolution of analog to digital conversion made by a microcontroller. A resistive-capacitive network is connected between an input/output port of the microcontroller and a sense voltage to be converted. The sense voltage is measured (i.e. converted) using the port in input mode to obtain a nominal voltage. The port is then switched to output mode and driven high (or alternatively low) for a period of time to modify the sense voltage by an amount equal to a desired fractional resolution step size. The port is switched back to input mode and the modified voltage is measured. The steps of driving the port in output mode and measuring the modified voltage can be repeated with the modification to the sense voltage increasing in successively larger multiples of the desired fractional resolution step size. In one embodiment of the method, the successive measurements can be summed to give the converted original sense voltage expressed in fractional resolution step size.

Abstract: A solid state switch that employs a controller driven input and MOSFET power switching devices is disclosed. The controller can test for a short-circuit on the load side of the MOSFET power switching devices before putting the switch in a sustained conductive state.

Abstract: A method for programming and a user interface for a programmable environmental control wherein a user assigns names (e.g. “Morning”, or “Unoccupied”, or “Evening”) to sets of parameters such as, for example, pairs of temperature set-points. When establishing the programming schedule, the user picks the name associated with the sets of parameters (e.g. a pair of set-points, one for heating and another for cooling) to be assigned to a given time period.

Abstract: A method for increasing the resolution of analog to digital conversion made by a microcontroller. A resistive-capacitive network is connected between an input/output port of the microcontroller and a sense voltage to be converted. The sense voltage is measured (i.e. converted) using the port in input mode to obtain a nominal voltage. The port is then switched to output mode and driven high (or alternatively low) for a period of time to modify the sense voltage by an amount equal to a desired fractional resolution step size. The port is switched back to input mode and the modified voltage is measured. The steps of driving the port in output mode and measuring the modified voltage can be repeated with the modification to the sense voltage increasing in successively larger multiples of the desired fractional resolution step size. In one embodiment of the method, the successive measurements can be summed to give the converted original sense voltage expressed in fractional resolution step size.