Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses, computer media, and methods for controlling the speed and direction of a controlled device. An input device provides input information, which is converted into speed information and direction information. A controlled device, e.g., a variable speed motor, is then instructed to operate at a device speed and direction in accordance with the speed information and direction information. The remote device may include a circular input device through which a user draws strokes. The remote device instructs the controlled device to operate at a device speed and a direction in accordance with extracted characteristics of the entered stroke such as the speed of drawing the stroke and the direction of the stroke. The remote device then transmits a signal with speed and direction information to control the controlled device.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for providing security for a secured unit with a security code. The secured unit may be locked to prevent an unauthorized user from accessing the secured unit. In order to unlock the secured unit, a user enters a sequence of strokes through an input device, e.g., a circular input device. A security module extracts stroke information from the entered strokes and unlocks the secured unit when the extracted stroke information matches the security code. Stroke information may be indicative of the locations of the start and end points and the direction of each stroke. A security code is configured for a secured unit by a user entering a sequence of strokes through an input device. The security code is determined from stroke information. The stroke information may be verified by the user re-entering the sequence of strokes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for configuring an electrical device to a selected orientation. Direction information that is indicative of the orientation of the electrical device is provided by a directional detection switch. A processor selects a selected orientation from a plurality of permitted orientations by processing the direction information and instructs a display unit to operate in the selected orientation. Different adjacent contacts of a directional detection switch are activated corresponding to different orientation of the electrical device. A conductive ball may be positioned by gravity and consequently conducts an electrical current between two corresponding adjacent contacts based on the orientation of the electrical device. A display unit of an electrical device may include an output component or an input component that is configured based on the orientation of the electrical device.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for inputting character information from a circular input device. Character information is provided by a user drawing at least one input stroke on the circular input device. The circular input device is partitioned into a plurality of regions, where each region is associated with a numerical value. When an input stroke is detected, corresponding numerical values are obtained. A code is obtained from the sequence, and a character is extracted from the code. Also, character strokes may be obtained with at least one input stroke from a circular input device, where a character contains a plurality of character strokes. Different operational modes may be selected by a user pressing a predefined location of a circular input device so that a user may enter different languages, including English and Chinese.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses that support the transfer of data from a thermostat unit to a controller unit to control a variable speed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The duty cycle of a signal (that is sent from a thermostat unit to a controller unit) is adjusted in accordance with a temperature difference between the ambient temperature of an environmentally controlled space and a set temperature. The controller unit measures the duty cycle to determine the temperature difference and adjusts the speed of a blower motor or compressor in accordance with the temperature difference. The signal is switched on and off, in which the AC waveform is conducted and blocked by the thermostat unit and received by the controller unit. The controller unit measures the duty cycle of the received signal, determines the temperature from the duty cycle, and adjusts the speed from a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide apparatuses, methods, and systems that support measuring and conveying energy consumption by an electrical device. An apparatus includes an energy sensor that measures an incremental energy value consumed by an electrical device. Apparatus obtains the incremental energy value, accumulates an energy usage measurement in accordance with the incremental energy value, provides requested information about energy consumption of the electrical device in response to a request from a network controller, and adjusts the energy usage measurement in accordance with the requested information. The total energy consumption may be partitioned into at least one energy component, in which the at least one energy component corresponds to the energy consumption of the electrical device during an associated time interval. A network controller may use the energy consumption information to determine a new set temperature for a thermostat unit that instructs the device control logic.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alarm clock remote control system and a remote control system with an alarm clock system with alarm clock circuitry that includes: a microprocessor, coupled to the alarm clock activation circuitry, remote IR diode driving circuitry, an internal buzzer, an alarm, a display, and a plurality of input ports and output ports, for providing central control; the display, coupled to the microprocessor, for displaying at least one of: a current time and an alarm time; a speaker, coupled to the microprocessor, the AM/FM radio unit, the internal buzzer, and the alarm, for outputting selected audio; an AM/FM radio tuner, and clock setup circuitry, alarm setup and activation circuitry coupled to the microprocessor for setting the clock, setting the alarm, and activating at least one remote device; and a programmable universal infrared remote device control, coupled to the alarm clock circuitry, for remote programming at least one remote device, and having activation circuitry for activati

Abstract: Apparatus providing an alarm clock remote control system and a remote control system with an alarm clock system with alarm clock circuitry that includes: a microprocessor, coupled to the alarm clock activation circuitry, remote IR diode driving circuitry, an internal buzzer, an alarm, a display, and input and output ports, for providing central control; the display, coupled to the microprocessor, for displaying current time and alarm time; a speaker, coupled to the microprocessor, the AM/FM radio unit, the internal buzzer, and the alarm, for outputting selected audio; an AM/FM radio tuner, and clock setup circuitry, alarm setup and activation circuitry coupled to the microprocessor for setting the clock, setting the alarm, and activating at least one remote device; and a programmable universal infrared remote device control, coupled to the alarm clock circuitry, for remote programming a remote device, and having activation circuitry for activating the remote device.