Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a match-based employment system and method of operation are provided. The match-based employment system collects a plurality of employer seeker and employee seeker profiles, bi-directionally matches the employer seeker and said employee seeker profiles and displays at least a portion of the results to an employer seeker or an employee seeker. The match-based employment system can also order the bi-directional matching results based on a bi-directional match score and display the bi-directional matching results according to the ordering. The match-based employment system can also perform the matching such that approximately 70% of a matching score depends upon the quality of the match between employee seeker desires and employment seeker attributes and approximately 30% of the matching score depends upon the quality of the match between employment seeker desires and employee seeker attributes.

Abstract: A thermostat system according to the invention includes: a central control device (typically a programmable thermostat with a processor having: a CPU, real time clock and a memory for storing a control program and data information), multiple rooms comprising a conditioned space, environmental control equipment, and multiple environmental sensors capable of sensing an environmental condition (such as temperature, humidity, or other condition). The sensors are associated with transmission means, which control transmission of sensor signals, and occupancy sensors. Each sensor measures a local environmental condition. Occupancy sensors comprise infrared or other motion sensors, light detection sensors, door opening sensors, and other such sensors that detect the presence of humans in a room of the conditioned space where its associated sensor is located. Space conditioning equipment is activated by comparison of a setpoint to a control value averaged from values of environmental conditions in occupied rooms.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for operating a backlighted dot matrix type LCD for displayed outputs from a programmable environmental control device, such as a programmable thermostat. The LCD is operated so that viewer elements of a displayed data item are non-opaque when a room where the LCD is located is darkened and the surrounding display elements are partially or completely opaque. Selected elements can also change from opaque to non-opaque to display an active condition.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat, with a touch screen liquid crystal display having the capability to change from a more complex first mode display to a simple mode display for users with adaptive, learning or visual impairments that limit their ability to use the relatively complicated user interfaces of prior art programmable thermostats.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas component sensor comprising novel electrolyte compositions. The electrolyte compositions in bulk, sintered or thin film embodiments are capable of forming with different-metal sensing and reference electrodes a highly stable gas oxide sensors. The novel electrolyte composition changes electrochemical reactions at the sensing and reference electrodes and the overall reaction of the electrodes and electrolyte. The novel electrolyte compositions have: (1) excellent chemical stability and thermal compatibility as to the electrodes and a preferred ceramic substrate, (2) excellent chemical stability with the environment as to the reference and sensing electrodes, which need not be sealed against the atmosphere to be sensed, (3) effective adherence to the substrate and electrode metals.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods using a wireless sensor for wirelessly transmitting a temperature signal to a programmable thermostat without intervening digital storage. A temperature circuit comprises a temperature sensor whose resistance changes with temperature and one or more reactive components. The temperature is inferred at the receiver from the time elapsed between reception of the various coded pulses that indicate activity within the transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a motion activated switch comprising a plurality of rollable or slideable means enclosed in a containment space, two contacts formed in a support floor of the containment space whereby the plurality of rollable or slideable means forms a reduced resistance electrical connection between the contacts by rolling or sliding into an appropriate location of the containment space. A plurality of the switches may share the same containment space and one or more of the contacts.

Abstract: A thermostat system includes a temperature sensor, an LCD for selectively displaying an alphanumeric message and a processor having a memory for storing program and data information. In one embodiment, the data includes a table storing key terms on a predetermined subject. A communications interface connects the processor and a remote correspondent which is a source of current information. Periodically, communications is established with the remote correspondent to read the current information and parse the current information against the stored key terms. If a match is found, the current information is further searched for a value associated with the matched key term in order to display an alphanumeric message which shows a first message component representative of the connotation of the matched key term and a second message component representative of the associated value.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat having a touch screen liquid crystal display in which the power consumption of each heating/cooling component and the energy costs in the locality are entered by a user in order that the thermostat's control program can, upon demand, calculate and display the heating/cooling costs accrued beginning with a user-specified starting date.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a toothbrush supporting brushing behavior reinforcement means. A simple motion sensing means is electrically connected to a brushing logic means, which determines generalized brushing action of a user preferably a child. After the logic requirements of motion sensing are complete, the logic means directs a digital output display means to output to a small LCD screen or speaker a visual and/or audible reward to the user, preferably in the form of an enjoyable game or congratulatory message. A grid of electrical contacts may be used to determine motion or direction when connected with logic means.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat having a touch screen liquid crystal display in which the power consumption of each heating/cooling component and the energy costs in the locality are entered by a user in order that the thermostat's control program can, upon demand, calculate and display the heating/cooling costs accrued beginning with a user-specified starting date.

Abstract: A thermostat system includes a temperature sensor, an LCD for selectively displaying an alphanumeric message and a processor having a memory for storing program and data information. In one embodiment, the data includes a table storing key terms on a predetermined subject. A communications interface connects the processor and a remote correspondent which is a source of current information. Periodically, communications is established with the remote correspondent to read the current information and parse the current information against the stored key terms. If a match is found, the current information is further searched for a value associated with the matched key term in order to display an alphanumeric message which shows a first message component representative of the connotation of the matched key term and a second message component representative of the associated value.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a motion activated switch comprising a plurality of rollable or slideable means enclosed in a containment space, two contacts formed in a support floor of the containment space whereby the plurality of rollable or slideable means means forms a reduced resistance electrical connection between the contacts by rolling or sliding into an appropriate location of the containment space. A plurality of the switches may share the same containment space and one or more of the contacts.

Abstract: The present invention is a system of at least a mobile wireless device and multiple communications paths from it to a target device, where the communications paths are through wireless intervening transmitters whose physical locations are used to determine a preferred path. A preferred system is one operating with a most direct physical path between the mobile device and the target device among the available communications paths.

Abstract: The present invention is a system of at least one cordless telephone, a home base station and at least one non-home base station. A roaming cordless telephone out of range of its home base station will use a non-home base station to direct digital mode signals to its home base station. The home base station will convert the digital mode signals to analog signals and communicate them with the telephone network. Only a single direct line connection is needed for the home base station, as the digital mode signals and the analog signals communications do not interfere with each other. The user may potentially avoid long distance charges by using the non-home base station as a conduit while using the home base station as the telephone network site for long distance charge accrual. Further, the necessity for using a cellular telephone with the consequent charges is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses an apparatus for organizing magnetic objects such as paper clips 14 and needles accessible within a workstation area 20 without being within the motor path of the work being performed, such as sewing machine needles being magnetically held to an accessible portion of a sewing machine 22 without being within the normal path of hand 28 movement. The apparatus is comprised of a pliable planar magnetic layer 32 having an optional top adhesive layer and bottom adhesive layers 26 whereby the magnetic apparatus can be selectively positioned or repositioned on any vertical, horizontal or curved magnetic and/or non-magnetic surface 12. A protective element 24 or hook and loop material covers the bottom adhesive layer 26 and a top layer 30 may be provided having an indicia 18 thereon, such as the company logo. A raised border 34 may also be provided around the periphery of the present invention 10.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas component sensor comprising novel electrolyte compositions. The electrolyte compositions in bulk, sintered or thin film embodiments are capable of forming with different-metal sensing and reference electrodes a highly stable gas oxide sensors. The novel electrolyte composition changes electrochemical reactions at the sensing and reference electrodes and the overall reaction of the electrodes and electrolyte. The novel electrolyte compositions have: (1) excellent chemical stability and thermal compatibility as to the electrodes and a preferred ceramic substrate, (2) excellent chemical stability with the environment as to the reference and sensing electrodes, which need not be sealed against the atmosphere to be sensed, (3) effective adherence to the substrate and electrode metals. An improvement is disclosed where a correction of calculated gas concentration is made by comparison of measured voltages of two gas sensors.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a toothbrush supporting brushing behavior reinforcement means. A simple motion sensing means is electrically connected to a brushing logic means, which determines generalized brushing action of a user preferably a child. After the logic requirements of motion sensing are complete, the logic means directs a digital output display means to output to a small LCD screen or speaker a visual and/or audible reward to the user, preferably in the form of an enjoyable game or congratulatory message.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas component sensor comprising novel electrolyte compositions. The electrolyte compositions in bulk, sintered or thin film embodiments are capable of forming with different-metal sensing and reference electrodes a highly stable gas oxide sensors. The novel electrolyte composition changes electrochemical reactions at the sensing and reference electrodes and the overall reaction of the electrodes and electrolyte. The novel electrolyte compositions have: (1) excellent chemical stability and thermal compatibility as to the electrodes and a preferred ceramic substrate, (2) excellent chemical stability with the environment as to the reference and sensing electrodes, which need not be sealed against the atmosphere to be sensed, (3) effective adherence to the substrate and electrode metals.