Abstract: A programmable thermostat that automatically learns the users' schedule is contemplated. The programmable thermostat has a Learning Engine which monitors the users' real-time interaction with the thermostat over a course of a week during an initial learning period, and automatically generates a weekday and weekend schedule based on the users' actions. Once the thermostat has determined the users' schedule for the first week of use, the programmable thermostat will continue to monitor the users' actions during a continuing learning period and may alter the schedule as a result of change of usage. In one or more embodiments, the programmable thermostat is configured to make “predictive adjustments” to the set-point by considering the historical seasonal temperature variations, current outdoor temperature, and building thermal efficiency for heating and cooling.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat having an indoor air quality sensor, where the programmable sensor is configured to control a building's air handling system, is disclosed. The programmable thermostat continuously monitors the air quality of the indoor environment and determines if the measurements of the indoor air quality has surpassed previously selected, user-specified air quality thresholds which indicates the presence of excessive indoor air contaminants. When excessive indoor air contaminants are detected, the programmable thermostat activates the building's air handling system to purify the indoor air quality. The air may be purified by one or more techniques such as by activating the ventilation to force indoor air through a filter, or by opening fresh air dampers to allow outdoor air to enter the indoor environment and dilute the air contaminants, or by activating other air purification devices such as UV light air purifiers or ionizers.

Abstract: The present sensor device, system and method provides tools for measuring, recording local environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and wirelessly transmitting the collected data to a server. The sensor device is configured to, under normal operation, maintain the connection between the wireless network interface controller and the wireless local network so that various commands and/or communications can be received, whether the sensor device is in a low power mode or in an active mode. The sensor device cycles between the low power mode and the active mode, and back to the low power mode. Where in each active mode cycle, the sensor device is configured to acquire a measurement from sensor for storage in local memory, and/or transmit historical data acquired to the server, and/or check for updates by connecting to the server. By normally remaining in a low power mode and only waking periodically to conduct a task, battery life is greatly extended.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the ambient temperature within a region or zone of a building are disclosed. A system comprises a thermostat, one or more sensors placed throughout an environment, a computing cloud, and a remote mobile or desktop device running a software application (“app”). An end user may interact with an app running on the mobile device or desktop. The app may display the current conditions in a house and allow the user to select specific temperature sensors located throughout the house which the user wants to monitor and control. This selection of one or more temperature sensors is communicated to the computing cloud, and the computing cloud sends commands to the thermostat to monitor the user's selected temperature sensors for controlling the heating and cooling of the house.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for controlling wirelessly controlled equipment, such as a ductless air conditioning system. A control module is provided comprising an optical source for generating an optical control signal. The control module enables a smartphone to control wirelessly controlled equipment of the type which is controlled by a remote-control device generating an optical signal. An electrical circuit generates electrical control signals to be coupled to the optical source, wherein the electrical circuit generates the electrical control signals depending on information received from a network connection. A wireless communications module communicates with the smartphone.

Abstract: A thermostat system comprises a thermostat located on the inside of the building, comprising (i) a screen display, (ii) a control input for receiving thermostat programming information, and (iii) interface circuitry for coupling to an environmental system comprising one or more items of equipment selected from the group heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. A doorbell is located on the outside of said building. Optionally a camera may be located proximate said doorbell.

Abstract: The present sensor device, system and method provides tools for measuring, recording local environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and wirelessly transmitting the collected data to a server. The sensor device is configured to, under normal operation, maintain the connection between the wireless network interface controller and the wireless local network so that various commands and/or communications can be received, whether the sensor device is in a low power mode or in an active mode. The sensor device cycles between the low power mode and the active mode, and back to the low power mode. Where in each active mode cycle, the sensor device is configured to acquire a measurement from sensor for storage in local memory, and/or transmit historical data acquired to the server, and/or check for updates by connecting to the server. By normally remaining in a low power mode and only waking periodically to conduct a task, battery life is greatly extended.

Abstract: The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling load operations on customer premises based on configuration. Such embodiments include storing output control configuration rules in a memory coupled to a load system controller. Further, such embodiments include receiving configuration instructions from at least one of a remote server and user interface. In addition, such embodiments include configuring the load system into one or more zones based on configuration instructions. Moreover, such embodiments include configuring each zone to be associated with one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Also, such embodiments include configuring each of the one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Further, such embodiments include configuring one or more output devices based on configuring the one or more zones, one or more input devices in each zone, the configuration instructions, and the output control configuration rules.

Abstract: The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling lighting and appliances on a customer premises based on configuration rules. Such embodiments include responsive to the receipt of at least one configuration instruction, one or more participant zone(s) is selected from a plurality of zones that designate predefined sections of at least one customer premise based upon the received configuration instruction and a plurality of stored output control configuration rules of the plurality of zones. For the selected participant zone(s), one or more output configuration is generated and outputted based upon the selected participant zone(s), the received configuration instruction, and the stored output control configuration rules of the selected participant zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an environment measurement monitoring and response system. The present invention provides a method, system and program for managing multiple environmental systems in retail store locations geographically remote from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an environment measurement monitoring and response system. The present invention provides a method, system and program for managing multiple environmental systems in retail store locations geographically remote from each other.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an intuitive algorithm embodiment. In said intuitive algorithm embodiment, a programmable thermostat that operates under control of a control program incorporating an intuitive algorithm. The intuitive algorithm allows a user to change the modes and setpoints of a programmable thermostat without need to refer to a display of currently effective operational modes, setpoints, or environmental sensor inputs. While a user may prefer to observe said display, the intuitive algorithm eliminates the need to do so.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices and methods for power sharing for a lower voltage programmable thermostat for operating a switch which operates at a substantially higher voltage. The present invention is preferably applied to two power line thermostat control of HVAC equipment. It is intended that the present invention be applicable to other such devices where power is stored by capacitance or in rechargeable batteries for use by lower voltage programmable thermostats while at the same time permitting sufficient current flow through a substantially higher power switch to operate directly or indirectly electrical power equipment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises means and methods for power sharing for a lower voltage programmable means for operating a switch which operates at a substantially higher voltage. The present invention is preferably applied to two power line thermostat control of HVAC equipment. Although a programmable thermostat is described in the specific description of the invention as the programmable means, it is intended that the present invention be applicable to other such devices where power is stored by capacitance or in rechargeable batteries for use by lower voltage programmable means while at the same time permitting sufficient current flow through a substantially higher power switch to operate directly or indirectly electrical power equipment.