Abstract: An HVAC controller may be controlled in response to a natural language message that is not recognizable by the HVAC controller as a command, where the natural language message is translated into a command recognizable by the HVAC controller. Voice recognition software may be used to create a natural language text based message from a recorded voice message, where the natural language text based message is translated into the command recognizable by the HVAC controller. In response to the command, the HVAC controller may perform an action and/or respond with a natural language text based message. Where the HVAC controller responds to the natural language text based message, the HVAC controller may send a natural language text based message back to the user. In some cases, a user may communicate with the thermostat via an on-line social network.

Abstract: Devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for adaptive beam forming are described herein. One or more embodiments include a method for adaptive beam forming, comprising: receiving a voice command at a number of microphones, determining an instruction based on the received voice command, calculating a confidence level of the determined instruction, determining feedback based on the confidence level of the determined instruction, and altering a beam of the number of microphones based on the feedback.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be controlled in response to a natural language audio message that is not recognizable by the HVAC controller as a command, where the natural language audio message is translated into a command recognizable by the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller may be a thermostat including a housing that houses a temperature sensor, a microphone, and a controller. The controller may identify a trigger phrase in an audio stream provided by the microphone. In response to identifying the trigger phrase, the controller initiates processing of the audio stream to identify a command following the trigger phrase and to generate a command understandable by the thermostat that instructs the controller to perform the identified command. The controller then executes the generated command understandable by the thermostat. A user may communicate with the thermostat via the microphone of the thermostat and/or a remote device having a microphone.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be controlled in response to a natural language audio message that is not recognizable by the HVAC controller as a command, where the natural language audio message is translated into a command recognizable by the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller may be a thermostat and may include a housing that at least partially houses a control module, a microphone, a speaker, a display, and a voice recognition module. The voice recognition module recognizes a predetermined audible trigger from a recorded voice message or streamed voice message, and in response, provide one or more audio clips via the speaker and/or video clips via the display to assist users in operating the thermostat. A user may communicate with the thermostat via the thermostat and/or a remote device.

Abstract: A voice controlled room automation system that includes a speaker device situated in a guest room, a hotel automation controller operatively coupled to one or more components in the guest room, and a web service operatively coupled to the speaker device and the hotel automation controller. The web service is configured to receiving voice commands from the speaker device, process the voice command using speech recognition, interpret the voice command to determine a corresponding command for the hotel automation controller, and transmit the corresponding command to the hotel automation controller. The hotel automation controller is configured to receive the corresponding command from the web service, and to carry out the corresponding command by interacting with one or more of the components in the room. In some cases, the hotel automation controller may be configured to initiate an announcement or query on the speaker device via the web service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved location accuracy are provided. For example, some systems can include a location engine, and a plurality of location anchors. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of location anchors can transmit or receive signals to or from an object for determining an angular orientation of the object with respect to the plurality of location anchors, and based on the angular orientation, the location engine can estimate a location of the object. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of location anchors can transmit first signals to the location engine, the location engine can receive a second signal from an object, based on the first signals and the second signal, the location engine can determine a differential pressure between the plurality of location anchors and the object, and based on the differential pressure, the location engine can estimate an altitude of the object.

Abstract: A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may help a contractor pro-actively identify possible issues with its customer's building control systems, and only then schedule maintenance as required. In some cases, based on the analysis of information obtained from the building control systems over time, the system may output indications of abnormalities in the operation of the building control systems from which information may be received.

Abstract: A wireless location-based gas detection system and method includes a gas detector for wirelessly detecting location information associated with a hazardous gas event. The gas detector includes one or more remote gas sensors that monitor for the occurrence of a gas event and wirelessly communicates information with respect to the location of the event in association with time information to a server or location manager. A wireless communication device in association with one or more location anchor points periodically and under event conditions, transmits the location information and the gas concentration level. A location engine calculates an estimated location of the gas detector based on information received from the wireless communication device and provides the location data to the location manager. The location manager records the gas concentration level, the estimated location, and the time information and stores this information within a database.

Abstract: A system of controlling one or more building automation devices. The system may incorporate communicating over a first network with one or more network connected devices. An access point for the first network may be utilized to facilitate communication among the network connected devices. One or more of the network connected devices may be a low power device that has a first mode and a second mode. The low power device may expend less energy in one of the first mode and the second than in the other of the first mode and the second mode. The system may allow network devices connected to the first network to receive details about the low power device while the low power device is operating with the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a programmable thermostat are described herein. One or more system embodiments include a programmable thermostat having a first management profile; a data acquisition subsystem; and a data analysis subsystem. The data acquisition subsystem is configured to receive thermostat data from the programmable thermostat, and the data analysis subsystem is configured to receive the thermostat data from the data acquisition subsystem, and determine a second management profile for the programmable thermostat based, at least in part, on the thermostat data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a programmable thermostat are described herein. One or more system embodiments include a programmable thermostat having a first management profile; a data acquisition subsystem; and a data analysis subsystem. The data acquisition subsystem is configured to receive thermostat data from the programmable thermostat, and the data analysis subsystem is configured to receive the thermostat data from the data acquisition subsystem, and determine a second management profile for the programmable thermostat based, at least in part, on the thermostat data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved location accuracy are provided. For example, some systems can include a location engine, and a plurality of location anchors. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of location anchors can transmit or receive signals to or from an object for determining an angular orientation of the object with respect to the plurality of location anchors, and based on the angular orientation, the location engine can estimate a location of the object. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of location anchors can transmit first signals to the location engine, the location engine can receive a second signal from an object, based on the first signals and the second signal, the location engine can determine a differential pressure between the plurality of location anchors and the object, and based on the differential pressure, the location engine can estimate an altitude of the object.

Abstract: A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and method of accuracy mapping in a location tracking system are provided. Methods include identifying a position of at least one location anchor on a site rendering, determining, for a plurality of positions on the site rendering, an estimated error value of location accuracy as a function of position on the site rendering, generating an overlay rendering of the estimated error values of location accuracy for the plurality of position on the site rendering, and the site rendering with the overlay rendering therewith.

Abstract: An HVAC control system, wherein a building temperature is controlled to a comfort temperature set point when users are inside the geofence and is allowed to deviate from the comfort temperature set point when all users are outside of the geofence. The amount that the building temperature is allowed to deviate from the comfort temperature set point may be in accordance with how long the users have remained outside of the geofence.

Abstract: A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.

Abstract: A GPS capability of a mobile device may be turned on in order to ascertain an updated current location and then be turned off. Position relative to the geofence may be determined based on the updated current location and a time to fence value that provides an estimate of how soon an individual carrying the mobile device could cross the geofence may be calculated. The GPS capability may be kept turned off for a delay time period that is based at least in part on the calculated time to fence value. After the delay time period, the GPS capability of the mobile device may be turned back on and the cycle of turning on the GPS, ascertaining an updated current location and turning off the GPS may continue. An indication of the position of the mobile device relative to the geofence may be transmitted.

Abstract: Devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for adaptive beam forming are described herein. One or more embodiments include a method for adaptive beam forming, comprising: receiving a voice command at a number of microphones, determining an instruction based on the received voice command, calculating a confidence level of the determined instruction, determining feedback based on the confidence level of the determined instruction, and altering a beam of the number of microphones based on the feedback.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved location accuracy are provided. For example, some systems can include a location engine, and a plurality of location anchors. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of location anchors can transmit or receive signals to or from an object for determining an angular orientation of the object with respect to the plurality of location anchors, and based on the angular orientation, the location engine can estimate a location of the object. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of location anchors can transmit first signals to the location engine, the location engine can receive a second signal from an object, based on the first signals and the second signal, the location engine can determine a differential pressure between the plurality of location anchors and the object, and based on the differential pressure, the location engine can estimate an altitude of the object.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for implementing a BIM-aware location based application on a mobile device. Implementing a BIM-aware location based application on a mobile device can include displaying a floor plan of a building on the mobile device. Implementing a BIM-aware location based application on a mobile device can also include implementing a number of BIM equipment representations throughout the floor plan of the building on the mobile device. Implementing a BIM-aware location based application on a mobile device can also include providing real-time status information for the number of BIM equipment representations on the mobile device. Furthermore, implementing a BIM-aware location based application on a mobile device can include updating the floor plan with the implanted number of BIM equipment representations and real-time status information based on a determined location of the mobile device.