Abstract: An improved inflatable bladder for use as a zone climate control system valve to controllably permit and prevent airflow through a vent of a forced air HVAC system. The bladder is secured by a rigid strap which may be coupled to the vent near the vent opening. The bladder is coupled to its pressure/vacuum air tube by a pin which is inserted through the air tube and the bladder nipple to which it mates. The bladder may have a donut shape for use with a vent which is located directly on a trunk which also has downstream vents or ducts which are not part of the same zone as the vent controlled by the bladder.

Abstract: A zone climate control system and method of its operation. A zone can be a single room. A method for determining which zones' vents are to be closed, and which are to be opened, in performing heating or cooling, circulation to heat or cool a zone by mixing its air with air from another zone, circulation to reduce excessive conditioning of a zone by mixing its air with air from another zone, or circulation to maintain air quality. Airflow, thermal capacity, heating or cooling requirements, and other parameters are developed for each zone by measurement and/or derivation. Plenum pressure is predicted and managed.

Abstract: A pressure and vacuum valve manifold system such as may be used, for example, to actuate pneumatic bladders controlling airflow in a forced air HVAC system to provide zone climate control. The valves are individually operable to connect a respective individual bladder to pressure or to vacuum. Two manifolds can be mated and commonly fed pressure and vacuum. The two manifolds can be of identical construction. One manifold chamber from each can be connected into a single large pressure manifold, and another manifold chamber from each can be connected into a single large vacuum manifold. Such connections can be made with fittings which also serve as pressure and vacuum relief valves, respectively. The valve plungers are arranged in a grid, enabling a simple X-Y two-motor servo system to actuate all the valves, one at a time.

Abstract: A low cost and easy to install zone climate control system for retrofit to an existing forced air HVAC system, that provides independent minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and room-by-room climate control, including easy to use methods for specifying temperature schedules and providing local temperature control, and providing detailed energy use information so occupants can make informed cost versus comfort decisions.

Abstract: A low cost and easy to install zone climate control system for retrofit to an existing forced air HVAC system, that provides independent minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and room-by-room climate control, including easy to use methods for specify temperature schedules and providing local temperature control, and providing detailed energy use information so occupants can make informed cost versus comfort decisions.

Abstract: A zone climate control system and method of its operation. A zone can be a single room. A method for determining which zones' vents are to be closed, and which are to be opened, in performing heating or cooling, circulation to heat or cool a zone by mixing its air with air from another zone, circulation to reduce excessive conditioning of a zone by mixing its air with air from another zone, or circulation to maintain air quality. Airflow, thermal capacity, heating or cooling requirements, and other parameters are developed for each zone by measurement and/or derivation. Plenum pressure is predicted and managed.

Abstract: A phone line interface device for home automation systems that is compatible with other home telephone devices and enables a variety of service methods provided by a service provider call center. The services include telephone customer support to answer questions and program the system, remote control of the system by telephone, and remote control, information access, and programming using the Internet.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a pull string to a tube or cable for pulling the tube or cable through a duct. When an obstructing edge stops progress, the connector converts additional pull string tension into a rotation force that enables the connector header to pivot on the obstructing edge until it slips and passes by the obstructing edge.

Abstract: A low cost and easy to install zone climate control system for retrofit to existing residential forced air HVAC system that provides independent minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and room-by-room climate control, including easy to use methods for specify temperature schedules and providing local temperature control, and providing detailed energy use information of so occupants can make informed cost versus comfort decisions.

Abstract: A pressure and vacuum valve manifold system such as may be used, for example, to actuate pneumatic bladders controlling airflow in a forced air HVAC system to provide zone climate control. The valves are individually operable to connect a respective individual bladder to pressure or to vacuum. Two manifolds can be mated and commonly fed pressure and vacuum. The two manifolds can be of identical construction. One manifold chamber from each can be connected into a single large pressure manifold, and another manifold chamber from each can be connected into a single large vacuum manifold. Such connections can be made with fittings which also serve as pressure and vacuum relief valves, respectively. The valve plungers are arranged in a grid, enabling a simple X-Y two-motor servo system to actuate all the valves, one at a time.

Abstract: An improved inflatable bladder for use as a zone climate control system valve to controllably permit and prevent airflow through a vent of a forced air HVAC system. The bladder is secured by a rigid strap which may be coupled to the vent near the vent opening. The bladder is coupled to its pressure/vacuum air tube by a pin which is inserted through the air tube and the bladder nipple to which it mates. The bladder may have a donut shape for use with a vent which is located directly on a trunk which also has downstream vents or ducts which are not part of the same zone as the vent controlled by the bladder.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a pull string to a tube or cable for pulling the tube or cable through a duct. When an obstructing edge stops progress, the connector converts additional pull string tension into a rotation force that enables the connector header to pivot on the obstructing edge until it slips and passes by the obstructing edge.

Abstract: Multibit digital signals, being telephone call signal samples from different simultaneous call connections and coded in an ordered coding system, are stored in different locations of a first buffer store. The respective signals are coupled through a stored program controlled switching processor to randomly selectable locations of a second buffer store for transmission to corresponding respective different call destinations. A register is provided in the switching processor for temporarily storing each signal as it is coupled through the processor. Also included in the processor is the capability for additional selectable processing of those coupled signals en route.