Gas Research Institute

Diablo Research Corporation

Exphand, Inc.

Homestar International Inc.

Larry A Lincoln

Robert M Russ, Jr

Nir Merry

William W Bassett

Donald E Pezzolo

Thomas L Webster

Frank Robert Nemirofsky

James W Pfeiffer

Kent A Fritz

Robert A Wilk

James William Pfeiffer

Derek Bray

Charles A Glorioso

Nickolas G Vrionis

Roger Siao

Robert A Borgeson

Robert F Garry, Jr

Denis C Ruffo

John D Scheff

Nicholas Vrionis

Methods, apparatuses, and systems enabling an interactive information retrieval system that includes a user interface allowing users to graphically generate information queries for objects of interest found in various media, such as television, video, and print. The invention can allow users to designate objects of interest within a television or video display and receive information related to the objects of interest. The invention can also allow users to generate queries designating objects of interest within a graphical image using a GUI.

Interactively pausing the broadcast stream displayed, graphical generation of telestrator data queries designates the location of the object in the portion of the transmitted still image frame

Methods, apparatuses, and systems enabling an information exchange system allowing for the transmission of a message carrier containing at least one message code along with video and television data, as well as subsequent capture and decoding of the message carrier to identify the at least one message code. As discussed herein, implementations of the invention can be used in connection with an electronic commerce and data interchange system featuring a Universal Digital Assistant (UDA) that facilitates financial transactions and data interchange, as well as dissemination, management and exchange of commercial information (e.g., advertising, promotions, sales announcements, and the like) and personal information (e.g., address and other contact information, driver's license number, and memberships). The invention, in one implementation, provides an end-to-end e-commerce solution that can transform a mobile phone/PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) into a Universal Digital Assistant configured to receive data (e.g., advertising, promotions, and sales announcement information) based on message codes encoded into message carriers disseminated through advertising and content from analog and digital television broadcasts, television receivers, the Internet, wireless signals, radio broadcasts, satellite broadcasts, and print media.

Block-based encoding and decoding information transference system and method

Interactive generating query related to telestrator data designating at least a portion of the still image frame and data identifying a user is generated from the user designating a selected region on the display screen, transmitting the query to the remote information system

A user-responsive system has a controller and a plurality of remotes. Each remote typically has a corresponding sensor and/or actuator. Applications for this system include, but are not limited to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems, lighting systems, security systems, energy management systems, home automation systems, and home entertainment systems.

System and method for serial communication between a central unit and a

A fault-tolerant HVAC system capable of continued operation in the event of a thermostat malfunction. An HVAC controller controls the operation of an HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature signal output from the thermostat and indicative of air temperature of a conditioned space proximate the thermostat. The HVAC controller detects a thermostat malfunction and, in response thereto, instead controls the operation of the HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature sensor outputting a signal indicative of return air temperature from the conditioned space.

Fault-tolerant HVAC system

An indoor environmental conditioning system and a method for controlling the circulation of non-conditioned air. The system comprises a conditioning source, air distribution source and air distribution conduit. The air may be propelled at at least two different flow rates.

Indoor environmental conditioning system and method for controlling the

A fault-tolerant HVAC system for use in a single or multi-zoned system, capable of continued operation in the event of a thermostat, or other sensing device malfunction. An HVAC controller controls the operation of an HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature signal output from the thermostat and indicative of air temperature of a conditioned space proximate the thermostat. The HVAC controller detects a thermostat malfunction and, in response thereto, instead controls the operation of the HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature sensor outputting a signal indicative of return air temperature from the conditioned space.

An apparatus and method for preparing an indoor environmental conditioning system for spaces, for operation. The apparatus and method are advantageously configured for use with an indoor environmental conditioning system in which the spaces are provided with an indoor environmental conditioning input and an indoor environmental conditioning sensor, both operably connected to an indoor environmental conditioning source. Each space is further provided with means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source. The apparatus and method enable the indoor environmental conditioning system to be placed in an initial condition such that no space can receive, and no sensor report, indoor environmental conditioning. The indoor environmental conditioning inputs are actuated one at a time, and operably linked thereafter with the indoor environmental conditioning sensor which reports a change in environmental conditioning status.

Installation link-up procedure

A control system for a fluid-fuel burner, such as a furnace for an HVAC system. The furnace has a variable flow of fuel into the burner. In addition, the circulating air blower is also variable. The furnace heat exchanger plenum is maintained at a substantially constant temperature, as a means for providing substantially constant temperature air to the spaces to be heated.

Control methods and apparatus for gas-fired combustors

An arrangement for adjusting the intensity of an electrodeless discharge lamp is described. In one embodiment the high-frequency signal delivered to the induction coil is interrupted during a predetermined portion of a full duty cycle. This function is provided by a dimmer control unit which may be in an analog or digital form and may respond to a control signal provided by a potentiometer, a three-way lighting fixture or an addressable, remote controlled interface with data transmitted over the power lines or over a radio or infrared communication channel. In another embodiment the dimmer control unit alters the amplitude of the high-frequency signal supplied to the lamp's induction coil.

Dimmer for electrodeless discharge lamp

A price display system for a store includes spread spectrum radio broadcasting of UPC and price data from a transmitter in the store to a large number of receivers. Each receiver is connected to one or more LCD displays attached to the store shelves, and each receiver provides the relevant information to each of the connected displays. The displays and receivers are battery powered.

System for display of prices and related method

A tape measure 20 includes a display window 24 for presenting a digital presentation of the measurement being made. The tape measure 20 includes an encoder 74 which provides for a combined absolute scale 95 and relative scale 105 for determining the measurement. Perforations 62 in the tape 26 are mated with pins 60 extending from a capstan 58 in order to cause the encoder 74 to send signals to a microprocessor 76. The microprocessor 76 processes the signal and displays the measurement.

Growing community of inventors

Milpitas, CA, United States of America

Larry A Lincoln