Abstract: A particular smart hazard detector may itself function as a guide during a process of installation of the same at an installation location. Additionally, the installation location of the particular smart hazard detector may play a central role in how various settings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjusted over time.

Abstract: This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security/smart home objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security/smart home objectives.

Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a circular body having a large central display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated an pressed inward by a user so as to receive user input in a simple elegant fashion. Different colors can be displayed to the user to indicate currently active HVAC functions, and different shades of colors can be displayed to a user to indicate an estimated amount of time and/or energy for reaching a target temperature. The thermostat is wall mountable and is made up of a head unit removeably mounted to a backplate. A locking mechanism can be provided so as to increase security against unauthorized removal of the head unit. The backplate can be adapted to be mounted on a wall so as to be level, for example by including a bubble level on the backplate. One or more vents are preferably located on the sides of the body, such as in a gap beneath the translatably mounted ring, and/or in a gap between the head unit and the backplate.

Abstract: Various arrangements for guiding installation of a monitoring device are presented. The monitoring device may receive, during installation of the monitoring device at a particular location at a structure, an input command to instantiate operation. The monitoring device, in response to receiving the input command to instantiate operation, may implement a test sequence to determine the particular location of the monitoring device prevents the monitoring device from operating within specification. The monitoring device may, based on the test sequence, output a notification that the particular location of the monitoring device prevents the monitoring device from operating within specification.

Abstract: A thermostat and related methods is provided for controlling an HVAC system having one or two separate transformers for supplying power to the HVAC system. The thermostat includes isolation circuitry housed within the thermostat to safely connect to the HVAC control wires and power wire(s) whether the HVAC system has one or two separate transformers without the use of removable jumpers or manual rewiring. The thermostat can include a processor that sends DC signals for turning on and turning off each of the HVAC functions, and an isolator adapted to electrically isolate the processor from the control wires and power wire(s). The isolator can include a transformer, such as a low cost Ethernet transformer. The circuitry can include one or more field effect transistors adapted and arranged so as to open or close an electrical connections between the control and power wires, thereby turning on or off the associated HVAC function.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality.

Abstract: This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security/smart home objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security/smart home objectives.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a multi-sensing hazard detector for detecting potential dangers may include a back plate and a front casing that is coupled with the back plate to define a housing. A circuit board and a plurality of components may be positioned within the housing. The circuit board may be communicatively coupled with the components. The components may include, among other components, an alarm device, an occupancy sensor, and a smoke chamber. The alarm device may be activatable upon the detection of a potential hazard to warn an occupant of a potential danger, the occupancy sensor may be configured to detect the presence and/or movement of objects external to the hazard detector, and the smoke chamber may be configured to detect the presence of smoke to cause a triggering of the alarm device. The housing may comprise a volume of less than 1024 cubic centimeters.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing defining a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and a second alignment guide positioned on the second side of the housing. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir out of the exit port includes a main interface gear. A portion of the main interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing at a second side of the housing above the second alignment guide. A connector on the first side of the housing has a forward facing opening positioned above the first alignment guide. Electrical contacts are positioned within the connector and are accessible through the forward facing opening.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for managing demand-response programs and events. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat acquires various information about the residence, such as a thermal retention characteristic of the residence, a capacity of an HVAC associated with the residence to cool or heat the residence, a likelihood of the residence being occupied, a forecasted weather, a real-time weather, and a real-time occupancy. Such information is used to manage the energy consumption of the structure during a demand-response event.

Abstract: Arrangements for configuring a thermostat for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are presented. A thermostat may receive information indicative of the HVAC system comprising an air conditioner and information indicative of the HVAC system comprising a multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may modify configuration information of the thermostat based on the information indicative of the air conditioner and the information indicative of the multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may then control the HVAC system in accordance with the modified configuration information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently controlling energy-consuming systems, such as heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, an electronic device used to control an HVAC system may encourage a user to select energy-efficient temperature setpoints. Based on the selected temperature setpoints, the electronic device may generate or modify a schedule of temperature setpoints to control the HVAC system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using multi-criteria state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The multi-criteria state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on sensor data values, hush events, and transition conditions. The transition conditions can define how a state machine transitions from one state to another. The hazard detection system can use a dual processor arrangement to execute the multi-criteria state machines according to various embodiments. The dual processor arrangement can enable the hazard detection system to manage the alarming and pre-alarming states in a manner that promotes minimal power usage while simultaneously promoting reliability in hazard detection and alarming functionality.

Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a body having a central electronic display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated and pressed inwardly to provide user input in a simple and elegant fashion. The thermostat can be used to graphically display a two-dimensional setpoint plot area that includes a number of setpoint symbols each being positioned according to the time of day and temperature associated with the setpoint. The user can initiate the “birth” of a new setpoint, which includes presenting an animated sequence in which a new setpoint symbol is moved to a position on the plot area associated with the time of day and temperature for the new setpoint.

Abstract: An image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first electrical connector mounted on a frame of the image forming device. The first electrical connector is movable between a home position retracted against the frame and an operative position of the first electrical connector. A replaceable unit is removably installable in the image forming device along a direction of insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device. The replaceable unit includes a second electrical connector that is matable with the first electrical connector. The replaceable unit includes a guide on an exterior of the replaceable unit. Insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device along the direction of insertion causes the guide to move the first electrical connector from the home position to the operative position of the first electrical connector aligned with the second electrical connector of the replaceable unit.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by a thermostat are provided. Input can be received from a user via a thermostat, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting. On a real-time basis, the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted can be compared against a feedback criterion designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user. The circumstance can be indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system. Upon a real-time determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, visual feedback can be caused to be presented to the user in real-time. The real-time feedback can include a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for interactively and graphically displaying performance information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. The information is made on a remote display device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other computer, and includes a graphical daily summary each of several days. In response to a user selection of a day, detailed performance information is graphically displayed that can include an indication of HVAC activity on a timeline, the number of hours of HVAC activity, as well as one or more symbols on a timeline indicating setpoint changes, and when a setpoint was changed due to non-occupancy.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors for receiving a plurality of HVAC control wires corresponding to an HVAC system. The thermostat also includes a thermostat processing and control circuit operative to at least partially control the operation of the HVAC system and a powering circuit coupled to the HVAC wire connectors and configured to provide an electrical load power to the thermostat processing and control circuit. The thermostat includes circuitry and methods for maximizing efficiency of energy harvested from the HVAC system connected to the thermostat, and depending on which system is connected to the thermostat, different power schemes can be implemented in order to obtain power from the HVAC system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a hazard detector may include a back plate and a front casing coupled to the back plate to define a housing having an interior region and an opening through which air flows into the interior region. A circuit board may be coupled to the back plate and have a plurality of components mounted thereon. A smoke chamber may be mid-mounted on the circuit board, mid-mounting being characterized in the smoke chamber extending through a hole formed in the circuit board such that a top surface of the smoke chamber is positioned above a top surface of the circuit board and a bottom surface of the smoke chamber is positioned below a bottom surface of the circuit board, whereby an interior region of the smoke chamber is accessible to smoke from both the top and bottom surfaces of the circuit board.