Patents by Inventor Blaine M. Smith
Blaine M. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20150355658Abstract: An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: TIM SIMON, INC.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
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Patent number: 9141182Abstract: An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
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Publication number: 20130297959Abstract: An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
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Patent number: 8505831Abstract: An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
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Patent number: 8387891Abstract: A programmable thermostat time/temperature display has a continuous loop timeline with a plurality of temperature transition points along the timeline to define a plurality of timeline segments. Temperature and time IDs are displayable on the display and are associated with at least some of the timeline segments and temperature transition points. A thermostat can be programmed by touching a position on a touchscreen associated with a temperature transition point on a continuous loop timeline on the touchscreen. The touching step may be carried out by moving the first temperature transition point from a first position along the timeline to a second position along the timeline so to change the first timeline segment. An updated time ID may be selected for the first temperature transition point.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Matthew T. Fisher, Blaine M. Smith
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Patent number: 8306669Abstract: A thermostat-controlled heater/cooler is used to condition air in a temperature-controlled region. A target temperature is obtained and compared to the temperature of the region to determine if heating/cooling is required. If yes, then outside air is directed into the region without operating heater/cooler and updated temperatures of the region are measured. The directing and measuring are continued until (1) the measured temperature equals the target temperature, at which time control returns to the obtaining a target temperature step, or (2) the updated measured temperature differs from the target temperature by a chosen amount, and in some examples, if the updated temperature does not reach the target temperature within a chosen length of time, or the target temperature changes, or the program segment ends, at which time directing outside air into the temperature-controlled region is stopped and the heater/cooler is operated under control of the thermostat.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
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Patent number: 7802618Abstract: A thermostat may be placed in a heating mode when the sensed temperature is less than the lowest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a first amount and may be placed in a cooling mode when the sensed temperature is greater than the highest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a second amount. The presence or absence of a user may be monitored. If the thermostat is in a user absent mode, a cool setback amount may be added to the cooling target temperature and a heat setback amount may be subtracted from the heating target temperature to arrive at setback cooling and setback heating target temperatures, respectively. The thermostat may comprise a touch-sensitive screen having various display areas.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
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Patent number: 7769494Abstract: A method automatically adjusts the amount of water supplied by a water timer having a user interface and a controller programmed to provide control signals for controlling water flow control devices. The time of day on a base day is chosen, and a base ambient temperature and a base ambient humidity are sensed. Base ambient temperature and humidity signals are provided to the controller. The current ambient temperature and humidity are subsequently sensed and corresponding signals are provided to the controller on at least one day following the base day at a time corresponding to the chosen time of day. Control signals are modified, thereby modifying watering amounts, according to the base and current ambient temperature and humidity signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Matthew T. Fisher, Blaine M. Smith
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Publication number: 20080185451Abstract: An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
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Patent number: 7302642Abstract: A thermostat is programmable by entering input through a large-format touch-screen display. The touch-screen display displays different sets of icons depending on the mode the thermostat is in. A set of icons is displayed in one mode that allows the user to put the thermostat in a temporary operating mode. Another set of icons is displayed when programming the thermostat. Displaying several sets of icons at once allows a user to quickly and intuitively operate the thermostat, which in turn facilitates using energy-saving functions of the thermostat.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Blaine M. Smith, Timothy M. Simon
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Publication number: 20070230962Abstract: In one example first and second remotely communicating devices (RCDs) are physically mated and handshake information is transferred to allow the first RCD to recognize signals from the second RCD. The RCDs are physically separated and signals from the second RCD are recognized by the first RCD. In some examples the physically mating step is carried out using magnetic materials. In some examples the handshake information is transferred wirelessly. In another example an actuator device is physically mated with a first RCD causing the first RCD to enter a first device recognition state for a first period of time. The actuator device is physically separated from the first RCD. A second RCD is mated with an actuator device within the first period of time causing the second RCD to enter a second device recognition state to permit handshake information to be remotely transferred between the RCDs thereby enabling the first RCD to recognize signals from the second RCD.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Matthew T. Fisher, Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith
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Patent number: 6886754Abstract: A thermostat is operable from battery, common-wire (“C-wire”), or furnace relay power. The thermostat includes a power source selector, such as a jumper wire, that is set when the thermostat is installed in a heating system. In a gas millivolt heating system, the thermostat operates off of battery power. In heating systems having a C-wire, a diode bridge converter converts alternating-current voltage to direct-current voltage to provide operating power to the thermostat. In heating systems without a C-wire and having sufficient furnace relay current, a triac converter in series with the furnace relay provides voltage spikes to the diode bridge converter to provide operating power to the thermostat when the furnace is on, and the diode bridge converts AC to DC voltage when the furnace is not on. The thermostat can also be used in cooling systems and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Thus, the thermostat can be used in a wide variety of applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Blaine M. Smith, Timothy M. Simon
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Patent number: 6856243Abstract: A pest deterrent device attracts the attention of a pest with ultrasonic noise and then produces a series of flashes to drive off the pest. In one embodiment, the device continuously produces ultrasound, changing the ultrasound when a pest is detected. In another embodiment, the device does not produce ultrasound until a pest is detected. In a further embodiment, the flash charging circuit is used to modulate the ultrasound while the flash is operated. In a particular embodiment, four ultrasonic speakers are arranged in a series-parallel configuration with a total capacitance of about 0.2 micro-Farads achieve 120 dB of sound output with a supply voltage of about 12-18 V.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Blaine M. Smith, Timothy M. Simon
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Publication number: 20040245352Abstract: A thermostat is programmable by entering input through a large-format touch-screen display. The touch-screen display displays different sets of icons depending on the mode the thermostat is in. A set of icons is displayed in one mode that allows the user to put the thermostat in a temporary operating mode. Another set of icons is displayed when programming the thermostat. Displaying several sets of icons at once allows a user to quickly and intuitively operate the thermostat, which in turn facilitates using energy-saving functions of the thermostat.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Tim Simon, Inc., a corporation of the State of CaliforniaInventor: Blaine M. Smith
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Publication number: 20040245349Abstract: A thermostat is operable from battery, common-wire (“C-wire”), or furnace relay power. The thermostat includes a power source selector, such as a jumper wire, that is set when the thermostat is installed in a heating system. In a gas millivolt heating system, the thermostat operates off of battery power. In heating systems having a C-wire, a diode bridge converter converts alternating-current voltage to direct-current voltage to provide operating power to the thermostat. In heating systems without a C-wire and having sufficient furnace relay current, a triac converter in series with the furnace relay provides voltage spikes to the diode bridge converter to provide operating power to the thermostat when the furnace is on, and the diode bridge converts AC to DC voltage when the furnace is not on. The thermostat can also be used in cooling systems and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Thus, the thermostat can be used in a wide variety of applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Tim Simon, Inc., a corporation of the State of CaliforniaInventor: Blaine M. Smith
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Publication number: 20040169585Abstract: A pest deterrent device attracts the attention of a pest with ultrasonic noise and then produces a series of flashes to drive off the pest. In one embodiment, the device continuously produces ultrasound, changing the ultrasound when a pest is detected. In another embodiment, the device does not produce ultrasound until a pest is detected. In a further embodiment, the flash charging circuit is used to modulate the ultrasound while the flash is operated. In a particular embodiment, four ultrasonic speakers are arranged in a series-parallel configuration with a total capacitance of about 0.2 micro-Farads achieve 120 dB of sound output with a supply voltage of about 12-18 V.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Blaine M. Smith, Timothy M. Simon
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Patent number: 6784623Abstract: A direct-current dimmer switch with low noise. A direct-current switch is turned on relatively slowly to avoid noise generation. Input capacitance of the direct-current switch device works in conjunction with a switch input series resistor to avoid a sharp turn-on characteristic. A set-point is compared against a voltage ramp to generate a pulse provided to the switch input. Essentially the full voltage is supplied to the load during the pulse. In one embodiment, a field-effect transistor with a low series resistance is used as the direct-current switching device. The ramp is generated by an integrator that is turned off at zero crossings of the alternating input line voltage to re-set the integrator. In a further embodiment a detector, such as a passive infra-red detector, is used to turn on the dimmer switch at a pre-set level.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventor: Blaine M. Smith
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Patent number: 6710705Abstract: A pest deterrent device attracts the attention of a pest with ultrasonic noise and then produces a series of flashes to drive off the pest. In one embodiment, the device continuously produces ultrasound, changing the ultrasound when a pest is detected. In another embodiment, the device does not produce ultrasound until a pest is detected. In a further embodiment, the flash charging circuit is used to modulate the ultrasound while the flash is operated. In a particular embodiment, four ultrasonic speakers are arranged in a series-parallel configuration with a total capacitance of about 0.2 micro-Farads achieve 120 dB of sound output with a supply voltage of about 12-18 V.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Blaine M. Smith, Timothy M. Simon
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Publication number: 20030057864Abstract: A direct-current dimmer switch with low noise. A direct-current switch is turned on relatively slowly to avoid noise generation. Input capacitance of the direct-current switch device works in conjunction with a switch input series resistor to avoid a sharp turn-on characteristic. A set-point is compared against a voltage ramp to generate a pulse provided to the switch input. Essentially the full voltage is supplied to the load during the pulse. In one embodiment, a field-effect transistor with a low series resistance is used as the direct-current switching device. The ramp is generated by an integrator that is turned off at zero crossings of the alternating input line voltage to re-set the integrator. In a further embodiment a detector, such as a passive infra-red detector, is used to turn on the dimmer switch at a pre-set level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: TIM SIMON, INC.Inventor: Blaine M. Smith
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Patent number: 6507775Abstract: An irrigation timer (2) includes a controller (8) coupleable to a power source (16), user inputs (12) coupled to the controller, controller output terminals (18) coupleable to an irrigation valve actuator (20) and an internal day-of-week and time-of-day clock. The controller may be pre-programmed with a predetermined, known initialization day-of-week and start time-of-day setting so that upon actuation, the clock automatically begins running at that setting, such as Sunday, 6:00 PM. The user inputs may have a single, preset function so that no user input is a multifunction input to help make programming essentially intuitive.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1999Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Tim Simon, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith