Abl IP Holding LLC

Robertshaw Controls Company

Maple Chase Company

Ranco Inc. of Delaware

Ranco Incorporated of Deleware

Robert Burt

John Gilman Chapman, Jr

Nicholas Ashworth

Timothy E Wallaert

Phillip Ryan Wagner

Michael Jay Dorogi

Justin Charles Wilson

Christopher Scott Shelton

Rick Martin Kelly

Kevin Ernest Noesner

John Hesch, Jr

George N Catlin

Shawn L Pleasants

Tony Gray

Douglas Aldrich Stewart

Joseph P Rao

Edward R McCracken, Jr

An intelligent streetlight may include a modem capable of communicating on a mobile communications network. The intelligent streetlight may be communicate with a network operations center ('NOC') via the mobile communications network. In some aspects, the intelligent streetlight configures the modem to transmit on the mobile network based on multiple types of network provisioning data. For example, the modem may have a network configuration, such as a low-bandwidth mobile data plan, based on stored provisioning data. The modem may reconfigure the modem based on additional provisioning data for an additional network configuration, such as a high-bandwidth mobile data plan. In some cases, the additional provisioning data is requested by the streetlight from the NOC. In some cases, the NOC may provide the additional provisioning data to multiple intelligent streetlights, such that the multiple streetlights are each reconfigured in a short period of time.

Modifiable network operations in a streetlight control node

Aspects are provided for controlling outdoor lighting systems using a photocontrol interface that can be connected to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast. In some aspects, a dimming control node is electrically and communicatively coupled to a motion sensor via wired connections to a photocontrol interface. The dimming control node is also communicatively coupled to a luminaire ballast or driver. The dimming control node can provide power to the motion sensor. The dimming control node can also receive sensor data from the motion sensor via one of the wired connections. The dimming control node can determine a sensor output state of the motion sensor from the received sensor data, and can select a dim-level configuration corresponding to the determined sensor output state. The dimming control node can cause the luminaire ballast or driver to implement the selected dim-level configuration.

Outdoor lighting system controlled using motion sensor interface

Aspects are provided for controlling outdoor lighting systems using a photocontrol interface that can be connected to a motion sensor and a luminaire driver or ballast. In some aspects, a dimming control node is electrically and communicatively coupled to a motion sensor via wired connections to a photocontrol interface. The dimming control node is also communicatively coupled to a luminaire ballast or driver. The dimming control node receives sensor data from the motion sensor via one of the wired connections and provides power to the motion sensor via another one of the wired connections. The dimming control node can determine a sensor output state of the motion sensor from the received sensor data, and can select a dim-level configuration corresponding to the determined sensor output state. The dimming control node can configure the luminaire ballast or driver in accordance with the selected dim-level configuration.

Lighting control devices, network systems, and methodologies, including methods for providing closed-loop dimming control of such systems, are described. In some examples, disclosed methods and device configurations may include an intelligent photo control configured to accept target dimmed fixture wattage value commands from a user, and provide closed-loop control at the fixture to achieve that target wattage via real-time adjustment of the 0-10V dimming control signal sent to the LED driver. As such, the need for trial-and-error adjustments of the 0-10V analog control voltage, or derivation of dim voltage to fixture wattage response curves in order to achieve a desired fixture wattage level, may be reduced or eliminated.

Lighting control with integral dimming

Lighting fixture control systems and method are described including a control station configured to communicate with a plurality of remotely located fixture control devices that are associated with lighting fixtures. Individual fixture control devices may be configured to perform automatic activation operations, that include the fixture control device determining one or more of an identifier of the node, a GPS coordinate of the node, an operating Voltage of the node, a lamp Wattage of the lighting device, a lamp type of the lighting fixture, and a dimming capability of the lighting fixture. The fixture control device may be configured to send results of the automatic activation operation to the control station. The control station may be configured to store a file associated with the node, including the received results of the automatic activation operation.

Lighting control with automated activation process

Aspects provide photo-control receptacles having contact terminals via which control signals can be communicated. In one aspect, a photo-control receptacle is provided. The photo-control receptacle includes an interface having a neutral conductor and a line voltage conductor. Each of the neutral conductor and the line voltage conductor can form a first electrical connection for providing power to a photo-control via alternating current. The photo-control receptacle also includes one or more additional contact conductors adjacent to the interface. The one or more additional contact conductors can form a second electrical connection for providing control signals to the photo-control.

Integral dimming photo-control receptacle

The system of the present invention provides energy saving control for a water heater via an intelligent thermostat. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system as is conventional, and provides coordinated control over the water heater temperature set point. This control over the water heater is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the water heater. In one embodiment the communications are wireless, although wired and network bus communications may also be utilized. Enhanced and coordinated control is also provided so that different operational temperature cycles can be provided to coordinate with the intelligent thermostat's programmatic control of the HVAC system. Separate programmatic control of the water heater is also provided whereby different operational temperature modes may be commanded, e.g. Wake, Sleep, and Demand modes of operation.

System and method for reducing energy consumption by controlling a water heater and HVAC system via a thermostat and thermostat for use therewith

A thermostat that can display information in multiple different orientations is provided. The thermostat includes a housing, a display, and an input device. As the housing is mounted in a particular orientation, the thermostat changes the orientation of the information for properly displaying same to a user. This is accomplished by sensing the orientation of the housing in one embodiment, and through user selection of a desired orientation in another embodiment. A separate display and input device(s) are provided in one embodiment, and a combined touch screen display and input device is provided in another embodiment.

Rotatable thermostat

Upon detection of a high carbon monoxide condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of combustion which could be the source of or may exacerbate the high carbon monoxide condition. This hazardous condition is detected by a detector and communicated to the intelligent thermostat by wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat then communicates with these appliances either via wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat may also operate a ventilation system to flush the environment with fresh air to minimize or eliminate the hazardous condition. External and internal temperature sensors allow coordinated operation of the ventilating and heating systems to flush the environment with fresh air without causing a freezing condition to exist within the environment.

System and method for controlling ignition sources and ventilating systems during high carbon monoxide conditions

Thermostat

An energy saving control for appliances via an intelligent thermostat is provided. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system, and provides coordinated control over the appliances. This control over the appliances is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the appliances. The appliances include occupancy sensors and transmit usage and occupancy information to the intelligent thermostat. The intelligent thermostat processes this information to determine the occupancy of the dwelling. The thermostat controls the HVAC system and the appliances according to the determined occupancy of the dwelling.

System and method for controlling appliances and thermostat for use therewith

A visual display system and method for a digital thermostat having a user display screen to provide operational status information of the heating and/or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat is provided. This visual display system utilizes animated icons to show operational status of the heating and/or cooling equipment. Static icons may also be used in one embodiment to indicate the current mode of the thermostat. Animated icons for the heating system, the cooling system, and fan operation are provided. The illusion of animation is provided by overwriting or replacing a displayed image with another image at a predetermined frequency. This predetermined frequency may be changed programmatically, and varied to provide different visual effects.

Thermostat display system providing animated icons

An integrated lighting control and threat detection system is provided. Once one of the threat detectors determines that a hazardous condition exists, it transmits a threat message to the lighting control system. The lighting control system then operates to turn on illumination within the dwelling to aid in an occupant's safe exiting from the dwelling. The lighting control system operates to illuminate all lights within a dwelling upon detection of a hazardous condition. Alternatively, the lighting control system operates to illuminate preselected paths of lighting as programmed by a user. Still further, coordinated illuminated control may be provided based upon the location of the detected hazardous condition and the fixed and portable lights within a dwelling. Both fixed and adaptive illumination control are provided as is a fail safe illumination of all lights within a dwelling should each of the pre-selected exit paths contain a hazardous condition.

System and method for providing controlled illumination during detected hazardous conditions

An intelligent thermostat communicates with battery-powered threat detectors, such as smoke detectors, to allow remote quieting and coordination of a low battery warning detected by the threat detector. In one embodiment, the threat detector transmits a pre-warning signal to the thermostat indicating that a low battery condition is imminent. The thermostat uses this information to display a pre-warning to the consumer so that the consumer may better coordinate replacing of the battery at a convenient time. Once a low battery condition has been detected, the threat detector transmits a low battery warning signal to the thermostat. The thermostat then displays a warning message and an option for the consumer to quiet the chirping for a period of time from the thermostat. Preferably, the thermostat automatically quiets the chirping during quite times so as to not disturb the consumer.

System and method for remotely controlling low battery warnings for smoke detectors and the like

An appliance diagnostic display and interface system providing a centralized user interface for appliance diagnostic information and control of system self-tests is provided. This centralized user interface is provided via an intelligent thermostat that includes an LCD display. The intelligent thermostat interfaces, via wireless or wired communications, with the appliances installed in the home. The intelligent thermostat then generates and displays various user interface screens that allow particular appliances to be selected. Separate appliance specific screens are then generated that allow the user to access the diagnostic information in system test functionality provided by the individual appliance. Soft function keys provided on the intelligent thermostat allow multi-functional access to the features of the invention depending on which screen is currently being displayed.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Robert Burt