Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for restricting access to a control unit in an environmental system based on a lock level. The control unit (e.g., a thermostat) is configured with a selected lock level, where each lock level is mapped to an associated set of features. A user is able to access any of the features from the associated set of features without entering a security sequence. Also, a feature parameter may be restricted in accordance with the activated lock level. The control unit may be reconfigured with a different lock level by an administrator only when a security sequence is entered. Also, features may be mapped by an administrator to a set of features when the control unit is operating in the locked state. When the control unit is operating in the unlocked state, all supported features can be accessed by a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and systems for adjusting a communication channel between a control unit and a remote sensor. A system may include a control unit that controls an environmental unit and a remote sensor that provides data about an environmental factor as measured at the remote sensor. The remote sensor transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal that conveys the data to control unit through a directional antenna. The RF signal is received by the control unit through an omnidirectional antenna, and a signal strength parameter is determined from the received RF signal. A signal strength indication unit provides an indication from the signal strength parameter as a user adjusts the position of the directional antenna. With embodiments of the invention, a signal strength module generates an audio signal in accordance with an audio characteristic, which is indicative of the signal strength of the received RF signal.

Abstract: An image adjusting device for adjusting brightness of an image signal is disclosed. The image adjusting device comprises a converting module and a processing module. The converting module is configured to convert an input image to an image signal. The processing module is coupled to the converting module and configured to adjust the image signal to generate an output signal according to a predetermined method, and the processing module further comprises a determining module, an adjusting module and a compensating module. The determining determines the brightness of the image signal to generate a determining signal. The adjusting module generates an adjusting signal according to the determining signal and a predetermined adjusting value. The compensating module adjusts the image signal to generate the output signal according to the adjusting signal.

Abstract: The present invention controls a room temperature by controlling an environmental control unit. A total span about a setpoint temperature is adjusted in accordance with a previous total span and a multiplicative factor. The multiplicative factor is periodically updated from a desired cycle time and a previous cycle time. The room temperature may also be controlled by adjusting a duty cycle for controlling an environmental control unit. The duty cycle is adjusted based on an error associated with a previous control cycle and an attenuation factor. A new control cycle may be started by cutting the previous control cycle or a current control cycle may be extended if a predetermined condition is detected. The control mode is selected based on environmental characteristics and room characteristics. The control mode may include a span control mode and a duty cycle control mode that is selected from the cycle rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses that support the transfer of data from a thermostat unit to a controller unit to control a variable speed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The duty cycle of a signal (that is sent from a thermostat unit to a controller unit) is adjusted in accordance with a temperature difference between the ambient temperature of an environmentally controlled space and a set temperature. The controller unit measures the duty cycle to determine the temperature difference and adjusts the speed of a blower motor or compressor in accordance with the temperature difference. The signal is switched on and off, in which the AC waveform is conducted and blocked by the thermostat unit and received by the controller unit. The controller unit measures the duty cycle of the received signal, determines the temperature from the duty cycle, and adjusts the speed from a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A microphone battery case is disposed in the hand grip of the microphone and is provided with a battery slot for receiving removably a battery mount on which a plurality of batteries are mounted. The battery slot is provided with a slide rail and a spring. The battery case is provided with two elastic clamp pieces, each having a hook. The battery mount is provided with two hanging frames, and a projection. The battery mount is received in the battery slot such that the projection of the battery mount is guided by the slide rail of the battery slot, and that the spring is compressed by the battery mount, and further that the hanging frames of the battery mount are caught by the hooks of the elastic pieces of the battery case.

Abstract: A microphone mounting structure comprises two lugs extending from the microphone main body, a receiving seat extending from a microphone mount, and a fastening member formed of a threaded rod, a sleeve, a press knob, a fastening bolt, and a spring fitted over the fastening bolt. The threaded rod is actuated by the press knob via the sleeve to force the two lugs of the microphone main body to press against the receiving seat of the microphone mount, so as to, locate the microphone securely in place on the microphone mount. The disengagement of the threaded rod with the press knob is brought about by the spring.

Abstract: A microphone housing comprises a head screen and a head base for mounting a microphone on one end of a hand grip in conjunction with the head screen. The head base is provided in the outer edge with a plurality of elastic clamp pieces, each having a retaining projection. The head screen is provided in the inner edge with a retaining slot. The microphone is mounted on the head base which is detachably retained in the head screen such that the retaining projections of the elastic clamp pieces of the head base are retained in the retaining slot of the head screen. The head screen is detachably fastened with one end of the hand grip.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled electronic thermostat system and method that detects the status of a thermostat output relay to determine if the relay has been set to a state as requested by the microprocessor and, if not, providing a boosted or increased voltage to the output relay in an attempt to correct the relay setting. Preferably, the system determines if the output relay is correctly turned off as requested by the microprocessor, and, if it is not, a first boosted voltage value is provided to the output relay in an attempt to turn the relay off. If this fails, a second higher boosted voltage value is provided to turn the output relay off. This continues periodically until an off condition is detected.

Abstract: An electronic programmable thermostat having a program set made up of a plurality of program start times and program temperature values for a daily time period which can be automatically vacated upon initiation by the thermostat user. The user may initiate a temporary reset of the program time/temperature values whereby a microprocessor sets a new temperature value corresponding to a comfort temperature value obtained from one of the program temperature values. Preferably, the system automatically sets a temperature value equal to the highest temperature value of the program set temperatures, when in a heating mode, or the lowest temperature value when in a cooling mode. The system maintains such reset values until the beginning of one of the program start times depending upon when the reset feature was selected by the user.