Masco Corporation

Enocean Gmbh

Liberty Hardware Manufacturing Corp.

Jeffrey Iott

Jian Xu

Thomas Alan Barnett

John Gerard Finch

Donald K Cohen

Mohamad A Khalil

James R Disser

James Allen Buslepp

An example control arrangement includes a power supply, a first load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply, and a second load operative to receive power when coupled to the power supply. A receiver is programmable to couple the first load, the second load, or both to the power supply in response to a wireless signal. A switch includes a wireless transmitter portion powered by a self-energizing portion. A wireless transmitter portion communicates the wireless signal to the receiver in response to an actuation of the switch.

Wireless scene arrangement

A direct current power system according to one non-limiting embodiment includes a direct current power source operable to distribute a direct current voltage throughout at least one structure, and at least one controller operable to selectively couple a direct current load to the direct current voltage in response to a wireless signal from an energy-harvesting switch.

DC distribution system

A bulb detection circuit is associated with a dimmer circuit for a lighting system. The bulb detection circuit is operable to detect whether an incandescent or a fluorescent bulb is received in an electric light socket. The socket may be hardwired to the circuit, or could be plugged into an electrical outlet. The bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of measuring the resistance by looking at an RC circuit time constant. Further, the bulb detection circuit may utilize a separately inventive method of identifying a short circuit by again looking at the RC circuit time constant.

Bulb type detector for dimmer circuit and inventive resistance and short circuit detection

An automatic faucet system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor includes an emitter constructed and arranged to emit light having a first polarization toward an object. The sensor further includes a detector configured to detect light reflected from the object having a second polarization that is different from the first polarization. The controller is operatively coupled to the detector. The controller is configured to supply water to a faucet, or other water supply, upon sensing by the detector the light having the second polarization. By sensing in such a manner, the level of false positive readings in the system is reduced. The detector is further configured to determine the location of the object so that the faucet is only activated when the object is in close proximity to the faucet.

Automatic faucet with polarization sensor

A booster-enhanced power supply for a valve control circuit is disclosed. An inductor repeatedly stores energy from a power source, then discharges it through a diode into a capacitor due to the cycling on and off of a switch. The charged capacitor is used as the power source for changing the state of the valve. The charge stored on the capacitor(s) at any given moment is preferably monitored, and the charging cycle is preferably controlled to optimize the use of the boosting circuit for a given application. The boosted power source can provide a consistent output even when the power source provides an consistent power output even when the power source provides an inconsistent power input.

Growing community of inventors

Monroe, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey Iott