Patents by Inventor James Hollister

James Hollister 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).

  • Patent number: 9838255
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a mobile energy management system and method includes controlling at least one network device at a site using the proximity detection of a mobile device which may be based upon the detection of a plurality of zones. Various features may be presented on a graphical user interface of the mobile device including a proximity control feature for enabling and disabling proximity detection, a set location setting for associating the current location of the mobile device with the location of the site, a set travel distance feature enabling the user to enter a travel distance within the graphical user interface, and a map which may present the location of the site, the current location of the mobile device, and the plurality of zones. The network device may be a thermostat associated with the site or other energy consuming appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20170344044
    Abstract: A wireless thermostat includes a display configured to present an operating condition of the wireless thermostat and an adjustment selector to allow for manual adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a communication module configured to communicate with at least one mobile device and allow for remote adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a sensor for detecting a presence in proximity to the thermostat of at least one user and generating a presence signal in response to the detected user presence. The wireless thermostat includes a processor configured to implement changes in the operating condition in response to the manual adjustment at the selector and the remote adjustment at the mobile device. The processor also communicates with the sensor to receive the presence signal and transition the display between an awake state and a sleep state in response to the presence signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin R. IMES, James HOLLISTER
  • Patent number: 9800463
    Abstract: A system includes a network device installed at a site, the network device including an operating condition configured to be altered by an input initiated external to the site. The system also includes at least one multi-user configurable geographical boundary capable of being established about the site to alter the operating condition in response to a location based information of a user relative to the site and the geographical boundary. A method of managing a site includes detecting a network device installed at a site, the network device having an operating condition configured to be altered by an input initiated external to the site. The method also includes enabling configuration of at least one multi-user configurable geographical boundary capable of being established about the site to alter the operating condition in response to a location based information of a user relative to the site and the geographical boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John F. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 9766645
    Abstract: A wireless thermostat includes a display configured to present an operating condition of the wireless thermostat and an adjustment selector to allow for manual adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a communication module configured to communicate with at least one mobile device and allow for remote adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a sensor for detecting a presence in proximity to the thermostat of at least one user and generating a presence signal in response to the detected user presence. The wireless thermostat includes a processor configured to implement changes in the operating condition in response to the manual adjustment at the selector and the remote adjustment at the mobile device. The processor also communicates with the sensor to receive the presence signal and transition the display between an awake state and a sleep state in response to the presence signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 9716530
    Abstract: A system includes a network device that is disposed at a site and configured to communicate with a wireless network. A controller is disposed at the site and is in communication with the wireless network, and a passive device is disposed at the site and includes a unique identifier disposed thereon. The system further includes a mobile device associated with the site and which includes a communication chip. The communication chip is configured to read the unique identifier when the mobile device is placed in close proximity to the passive device, and a mobile application disposed on the mobile device is configured to transmit the unique identifier to the controller for use in controlling the network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Publication number: 20170185120
    Abstract: A demand response system includes a mobile application of a mobile device that is configured to initiate altering an operating condition of a network device disposed at a site using location based services. A demand response application interface module is configured to enable access between a utility company and the network device to communicate energy management information therebetween. The network device is configured to be remotely altered by each of the demand response application interface module and the mobile application separately based on the location based services and the energy management information. A method of managing a demand response system includes detecting a user being disposed away from a site, detecting energy management information from a utility company associated with the site, and initiating a reduction in energy use at the site in response to the relative location of the user and the energy management information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 9618946
    Abstract: A method includes presenting a set location setting within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device, and then detecting a selection of the set-location setting. The method proceeds by detecting at least one on-site network in communication with the mobile device in response to the selection of the set location setting, identifying a network name associated with the at least one on-site network, and associating the network name of the on-site network with an on-site zone of a site associated with the mobile device. The method then proceeds by altering an operating condition of a network device located at the site in response to a location of the mobile device relative to the on-site zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John F. Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20160342169
    Abstract: A method of managing energy use at a site includes opening a session with a first remote server and then communicating with the at least one remote server at a periodic interval. The method proceeds by determining whether energy management information is located at the at least one remote server and then receiving the energy management information at a controller located at the site. The method then includes processing the energy management information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Publication number: 20160258647
    Abstract: A temperature controlling apparatus includes a display configured to present an operating condition of the apparatus, and a communication module configured to communicate with at least one mobile device associated with the apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor in communication with a proximity detection module configured to determine a location of the at least one mobile device relative to the apparatus based on data received and initiate implementation of a home mode or an away mode of the apparatus in response to the determined location of the mobile device. The processor configured to initiate implementation of the away mode of the apparatus in response to a manual input received from a graphical user interface of the at least one mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John F. Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20160238272
    Abstract: A wireless thermostat includes a display configured to present an operating condition of the wireless thermostat and an adjustment selector to allow for manual adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a communication module configured to communicate with at least one mobile device and allow for remote adjustment of the operating condition. The wireless thermostat includes a sensor for detecting a presence in proximity to the thermostat of at least one user and generating a presence signal in response to the detected user presence. The wireless thermostat includes a processor configured to implement changes in the operating condition in response to the manual adjustment at the selector and the remote adjustment at the mobile device. The processor also communicates with the sensor to receive the presence signal and transition the display between an awake state and a sleep state in response to the presence signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 9405310
    Abstract: An energy management system includes a controller disposed at a site. The controller is in communication with a gateway with the gateway being capable of establishing a broadband connection with a first communication network. The gateway is configured to communicate with at least one remote server for receiving energy management information located at the at least one remote server. The controller is configured to initiate communication with the at least one remote server at a first periodic interval to request receipt of the energy management information over the first communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Allure Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Patent number: 9360874
    Abstract: A method of managing at least one network device at a site includes providing a web-based control selector to manage a detection module to control the at least one network device at the site. The method includes enabling the detection module in response to an enabled setting of the web-based control selector, and initiating a change in an operating condition of the at least one network device at the site in response to the enabled detection module and based on a detected presence of a user at the site. The method proceeds by disabling the detection module in response to the disabled web-based control selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John F. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 9209652
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a mobile energy management system includes controlling at least one network device at a site using the proximity detection of a mobile device based upon the detection of a plurality of zones. Various features may be presented on a graphical user interface of the mobile device including a map which may present the location of the site, the current location of the mobile device, and the plurality of zones. The graphical user interface may further include a zone size setting presenting selectable distance values enabling the user to set the distance between the site and the boundary of each zone. In response to the selection of a distance value, the mobile device may automatically scale the map to simultaneously present the boundary of each zone and the current location of the mobile device within the display screen of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Frederick Cottrell
  • Patent number: 9164524
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of managing a site in a mobile environment, which includes detecting an availability of a thermostat wherein the thermostat has an operating condition; detecting a location of a mobile device associated with the site; providing a proximity control selector within a user interface of the mobile device to manage a proximity detection module disposed on the thermostat, wherein the proximity control selector has an enabled setting of the proximity detection module and a disabled setting of the proximity detection module; enabling the proximity detection module in response to the enabled setting of the proximity control selector to allow for the modification of the operating condition of the thermostat based on the detected location of the mobile device relative to the site; and disabling the proximity detection module in response to the disabled setting of the proximity control selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Publication number: 20150204563
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing including an LCD screen capable of displaying settings information and an energy savings settings icon, and a processor configured to detect multiple inputs with the housing including settings information provided by a user in response to an interaction with the housing. The processor is further configured to initiate a suggestion of a setting resulting in a display of the energy savings settings icon, and process the multiple inputs and determine a schedule and determine whether to display the energy savings settings icon based on the determined schedule. A wireless communication module is configured to access a hosted web service and a mobile device, each of which receive multiple inputs such that the settings information can be provided remotely. The multiple inputs include detecting a presence in proximity to the housing over a period of time and providing a presence status to determine the settings information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Publication number: 20150195100
    Abstract: A home management system includes a first network device and a second network device in wireless communication with said first network device. The home management system also includes at least one zone. At least one sensor is disposed in the zone. The sensor is in wireless communication with the first network device to detect the presence of the first network device in the zone. Additionally, the sensor is in wireless communication with the second network device to control the second network device in response to instructions from the first network device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20150195099
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system, device and apparatus for coordinating environments using networked devises and remote sensory based information is provided. The system can include an intelligent remote sensor configured to communicate sensory-based information to a network device and a mobile device. The system also includes an environment coordinator configured to communicate with the intelligent remote sensor to initiate coordinating operating conditions of the network device at a site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Allure Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20150025697
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a system includes a controller disposed at a site which includes a communication device capable of initiating an 802.11 based network to communicate with a mobile device. The controller is configured to detect the mobile device establishing or losing a 802.11 based connection to the 802.11 based network, alter an operating condition at the site in response to detecting the mobile device establishing the 802.11 based connection, alter an operating condition at the site in response to detecting the mobile device losing the 802.11 based connection, and receive a control setting from one of the mobile device or a server disposed remotely from the site to alter the operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister
  • Publication number: 20150026316
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a provisioning system for a network includes a first device associated with a site. The first device includes a communication chip associated therewith. The system also includes a second device including a device identifier associated therewith. The communication chip is configured to read the device identifier on the second device to obtain information about the second device. The device identifier of the second device is transmitted to a cloud server. Information about the second device is received at the first device from the cloud server based on the device identifier. Based on the information from the cloud server about the second device it can then be joined to the network by the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20150019736
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a resource management platform, system and method of communicating resource management information for smart energy and media resources is provided. A resource management platform can include an interface configured to communicate media management information and energy management information. The resource management platform also includes a processor configured to detect an incoming communication to alter an operating condition in response to receiving the media management information or the energy management information. The processor can further be configured to initiate an output of media content in response to detecting media management information, and initiate altering an operating status of a device in response to detecting the energy management information. The processor can also initiate storing at least a portion of the media content and the energy management information within a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: ALLURE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Imes, James Hollister, John Cottell, Jarod Addison, Xiyin Yao, Colby White