Abstract: A system or arrangement of room control with a mobile device by a guest at a hotel, motel, or the like. When a reservation system assigns a guest to a room in, for instance a hotel, the reservation system may request a security certificate from a server that manages a control system in the room. The certificate may be transmitted to the guestroom control equipment and room reservation system. The certificate may be pushed to a mobile device of the guest. Also a key credential may be pushed to the mobile device for room access. The certificate may indicate the date/time period where the certificate is valid and functional aspects that the certificate can support relative to the room. When a guest goes to the room, the mobile device may link up with the control equipment in the room. Both entities having the same certificate can mutually authenticate each other.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for assessing performance of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are described herein. One method includes counting a number of interactions with an HVAC system associated with a multi-dwelling unit during a defined period of time, and assessing a performance of the HVAC system based on the number of interactions.

Abstract: A system or arrangement of room control with a mobile device by a guest at a hotel, motel, or the like. When a reservation system assigns a guest to a room in, for instance a hotel, the reservation system may request a security certificate from a server that manages a control system in the room. The certificate may be transmitted to the guestroom control equipment and room reservation system. The certificate may be pushed to a mobile device of the guest. Also a key credential may be pushed to the mobile device for room access. The certificate may indicate the date/time period where the certificate is valid and functional aspects that the certificate can support relative to the room. When a guest goes to the room, the mobile device may link up with the control equipment in the room. Both entities having the same certificate can mutually authenticate each other.

Abstract: An observed space having energy consuming devices with conservation mechanisms, algorithms, techniques, or applications. The devices having their conservation applications engaged may be a normal mode. When the conservation applications are disengaged, the devices may be in a reference mode. An amount of energy consumption by the devices in the normal mode may be compared with an amount of energy consumption by the devices in the reference mode to determine an energy conservation effectiveness of the devices in the observed space.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for synchronizing switching times of relays to a zero-crossing are described herein. One device includes a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive phase information of an alternating-current (AC) electric mains, determine, from the phase information, a zero-crossing of the phase of the AC electric mains, determine a reference time based on the zero-crossing for a number of relays corresponding to a number of relay controllers, and transmit the reference time to the number of relay controllers.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for synchronizing switching times of relays to a zero-crossing are described herein. One device includes a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive phase information of an alternating-current (AC) electric mains, determine, from the phase information, a zero-crossing of the phase of the AC electric mains, determine a reference time based on the zero-crossing for a number of relays corresponding to a number of relay controllers, and transmit the reference time to the number of relay controllers.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for assessing performance of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are described herein. One method includes counting a number of interactions with an HVAC system associated with a multi-dwelling unit during a defined period of time, and assessing a performance of the HVAC system based on the number of interactions.

Abstract: An observed space having energy consuming devices with conservation mechanisms, algorithms, techniques, or applications. The devices having their conservation applications engaged may be a normal mode. When the conservation applications are disengaged, the devices may be in a reference mode. An amount of energy consumption by the devices in the normal mode may be compared with an amount of energy consumption by the devices in the reference mode to determine an energy conservation effectiveness of the devices in the observed space.

Abstract: A system for automatically pausing a video program in response to detection of the occurrence of a audio communications event or triggering event. In response to an incoming phone call, message, web page, or other communications information, the system pauses the video program and displays an indication of the occurrence of the audio communications event. The system also buffers the video programming while paused, permitting a user to replay missed portions of the video programming. Alternatively, the system waits for a triggering event, which includes the user's access to the audio communications event, in order to pause the video program. The audio (voice) portion of a phone call or voice mail message is converted to text for display to a recipient of the call.

Abstract: The invention, electronic book security and copyright protection system, provides for secure distribution of electronic text and graphics to subscribers and secure storage. The method may be executed at a content provider's site, at an operations center, over a video distribution system or over a variety of alternative distribution systems, at a home subsystem, and at a billing and collection system. The content provider or operations center and/or other distribution points perform the functions of manipulation and secure storage of text data, security encryption and coding of text, cataloging of books, message center, and secure delivery functions. The home subsystem connects to a secure video distribution system or variety of alternative secure distribution systems, generates menus and stores text, and transacts through communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewer is used for secure viewing of the text.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used to target virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to viewing population information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. The virtual objects may be targeted based on information related to groups of subscribers. When a frame of a program includes a virtual object location, a default or an alternate virtual object is displayed. The virtual object location may change over space or time. The virtual object maybe interactive, and maybe used to link a subscriber to a remote location, such as an Internet web site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for communicating multiple live video feeds over the Internet. Users may be able to view a plurality of remote locations in real time. In one embodiment, text, graphics, and other video information supplement one or more video pictures to provide an educational and entertaining system. In accordance with the present invention, information is accessible to users who are viewing multiple video pictures. The information relates and describes what is being viewed. Users who have different types of equipment, with different data rates, are able to access and use the system of the present invention. In another embodiment, users may interactively communicate with a video lecturer by asking questions and receiving answers. The invention may be connected to, and in communication with, broadcast and/or cable television systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for communicating multiple live video feeds over the internet. Users may be able to view a plurality of remote locations in real time. In another embodiment of the invention, users are able to remotely control a video picture of a distant location. The remote control may be either actual control of a remote video camera or perceived remote control by the manipulation of audiovisual data streams. In one embodiment, text, graphics, and other video information supplement one or more video pictures to provide an educational and entertaining system. In accordance with the present invention, information is accessible to users who are viewing multiple video pictures. The information relates and describes what is being viewed. Users who have different types of equipment, with different data rates, are able to access and use the system of the present invention.