Abstract: A furniture motion control system for controlling movement of one or more movable parts of a furniture member includes a panel including one or more buttons; an actuator configured to control movement of the one or more movable parts of the furniture member; an electric motor configured to drive the actuator; and control circuitry configured to control the electric motor, wherein the control circuitry is configured to, in response to detecting that a first button, from among the one or more buttons, has been pressed, select between controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move automatically and controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move manually, based on a length of time the first button is held.

Abstract: A furniture motion control system for controlling movement of one or more movable parts of a furniture member includes a panel including one or more buttons; an actuator configured to control movement of the one or more movable parts of the furniture member; an electric motor configured to drive the actuator; and control circuitry configured to control the electric motor, wherein the control circuitry is configured to, in response to detecting that a first button, from among the one or more buttons, has been pressed, select between controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move automatically and controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move manually, based on a length of time the first button is held.

Abstract: A control system for a piece of furniture includes a control panel configured to receive input from a user, a control module configured to control actuators coupled to movable components of the piece of furniture, and a battery system. The control module is configured to, in response to the input from the user indicating an intent to return the movable components to respective home positions, perform a homing sequence. The homing sequence includes selecting a first actuator according to a specified order, determining a home location for the selected actuator, and beginning to drive the selected actuator toward the home location. The homing sequence includes repeatedly selecting a next actuator according to the specified order and repeating the determining and the beginning. The homing sequence includes determining whether mains electricity is present and, if not, pausing the repeatedly selecting until less than a threshold number of actuators are in motion.

Abstract: A control system for a piece of furniture includes a control panel configured to receive input from a user, a control module configured to control actuators coupled to movable components of the piece of furniture, and a battery system. The control module is configured to, in response to the input from the user indicating an intent to return the movable components to respective home positions, perform a homing sequence. The homing sequence includes selecting a first actuator according to a specified order, determining a home location for the selected actuator, and beginning to drive the selected actuator toward the home location. The homing sequence includes repeatedly selecting a next actuator according to the specified order and repeating the determining and the beginning. The homing sequence includes determining whether mains electricity is present and, if not, pausing the repeatedly selecting until less than a threshold number of actuators are in motion.

Abstract: A flame sense circuit and method utilizing only a single pin of a microcontroller is provided. A flame sense circuit is used to vary the charge on a capacitor from a logic high indicating no flame to a logic low when a flame is detected. The microcontroller changes the state of the pin coupled to this circuitry from a high impedance input to detect when the capacitor is discharged indicating the presence of flame, to a logic high output to recharge the flame sense capacitor. Once this charging has been accomplished, the microcontroller again changes the status of the pin to a high impedance input and verifies that the capacitor has been charged. This pin is monitored to verify that the flame sense capacitor is again discharged to indicate the continued presence of flame. This process is repeated to ensure flame continues to be present during a combustion event.

Abstract: A flame sense circuit and method utilizing only a single pin of a microcontroller is provided. A flame sense circuit is used to vary the charge on a capacitor from a logic high indicating no flame to a logic low when a flame is detected. The microcontroller changes the state of the pin coupled to this circuitry from a high impedance input to detect when the capacitor is discharged indicating the presence of flame, to a logic high output to recharge the flame sense capacitor. Once this charging has been accomplished, the microcontroller again changes the status of the pin to a high impedance input and verifies that the capacitor has been charged. This pin is monitored to verify that the flame sense capacitor is again discharged to indicate the continued presence of flame. This process is repeated to ensure flame continues to be present during a combustion event.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat is provided with multiple program options respecting particular days per week and particular periods in each day for which the temperature setpoint is discretely programmable. The user may select from among four program options. The first option allows the user to select the number of programmable periods per day and to enter the temperature setpoint for each selected period separately for each day of the week. The second option allows the user to select the number of programmable periods per day and the temperature setpoint for each selected period for the days Monday through Friday separately from the days Saturday and Sunday. Further, Saturday and Sunday are also separately programmable. The third option is the same as the second option, except that the program settings for Saturday and Sunday are the same. The fourth option corresponds to each day of the week having the same program settings.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for monitoring operation of a heating and/or cooling system. The apparatus includes a programmed first processor for processing data relating to selected system operating conditions and for transmitting coded data signals indicative thereof, and a portable display module having an electrical conduit for electrically connecting the module to the first processor to provide one-way electrical communication therebetween. The module further includes a programmed second processor for processing the data signals transmitted by the first processor and a display device which is controlled by the second processor to provide a human readable indication of selected system operating conditions, including the current mode of operation of the system and any detected failure conditions. The first processor includes a memory for storing past system failure conditions. The apparatus includes a memory operable switch for inputting a signal to the first processor.

Abstract: A combination water heating and space heating apparatus includes a water heating unit and a space heating unit releasably coupled with the water heating unit. The water heating unit has a water storage tank and a helically wound tubular heat exchanger inside the tank for exhausting products of combustion from a combustion chamber located in a top part of the tank and for transferring heat from the products of combustion to the surrounding water. The space heating unit is an air handler with an hydronic heat exchanger coil and a blower for blowing air over the coil. Hot water is supplied from the tank to the coil and is returned to the tank by means of a water circulation pump located in the space heating unit. Air blown over the coil is heated by the hot water flowing over the coil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method useful in temperature control system for a predetermined area that employs a user friendly electronic thermostat that can be programmed intuitively and which is impossible to incorrectly program. Further, the electronic thermostat needs no periodic maintenance checks because it employs a super capacitor to supply electrical energy to memory if power is temporarily lost. A large display means is responsive to the operator's programming as the programming is being performed, in addition to other times.

Abstract: An electronic control for regulating the operation of a two-speed motor in a heat transfer system such as a heat pump or air conditioner. The control receives high and low demand signals from a thermostat and a motor unit operates at high and low speeds in response to, respectively, high and low speed signals. The control includes an initial timer, high and low speed operators, and a speed change delay. The initial timer detects the occurrence of a demand signal from the thermostat, counts a predetermined period of time, and responsively issues an initial timing completion signal. The high and low speed operators detect the timing completion signal as well as either a high or low thermostat demand signal. One of the operators then responsively issues either a high or low speed signal to the motor unit. The motor unit accordingly operates at a high or low speed. The speed change delay detects the change in a thermostat demand signal from a high to a low state or a low to a high state.

Abstract: An ignition control system for a direct ignition gas appliance, such as a furnace. A main gas valve, spark generator, flame sensor, and purge blower are all interconnected to a single controller. The controller issues a purge signal to the blower for a first predetermined period. Thereafter, for a second predetermined period, the controller issues an interconnect signal to allow the main gas valve to open and an ignition signal to cause the ignition source to ignite the gas flowing into the appliance from the valve. If the controller thereafter fails to receive a signal from the flame sensor, the attempt at ignition was unsuccessful. After a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts at ignition, the controller issues a lockout signal to the valve. Moreover, the controller includes redundant circuits for detecting malfunctions within itself and responsively closing the main gas valve.