Venstar, Inc.

Other

Dushane; Steven D.

Steven D Dushane

Grant E Bohm

Mustafa Oransel

Kenneth K Anderson

Howard Rosen

John L Staples

Craig Godwin

Irving H Zaroff

Stephen Tudhope

Robert A Dushane

Dennis L Dushane

Richard Russo

Wayne Simoni

John Staples

Systems and methods for controlling the ambient temperature within a region or zone of a building are disclosed. A system comprises a thermostat, one or more sensors placed throughout an environment, a computing cloud, and a remote mobile or desktop device running a software application ('app'). An end user may interact with an app running on the mobile device or desktop. The app may display the current conditions in a house and allow the user to select specific temperature sensors located throughout the house which the user wants to monitor and control. This selection of one or more temperature sensors is communicated to the computing cloud, and the computing cloud sends commands to the thermostat to monitor the user's selected temperature sensors for controlling the heating and cooling of the house.

Easy control to sensor select for HVAC systems

The present sensor device, system and method provides tools for measuring, recording local environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, and wirelessly transmitting the collected data to a server. The sensor device is configured to, under normal operation, maintain the connection between the wireless network interface controller and the wireless local network so that various commands and/or communications can be received, whether the sensor device is in a low power mode or in an active mode. The sensor device cycles between the low power mode and the active mode, and back to the low power mode. Where in each active mode cycle, the sensor device is configured to acquire a measurement from sensor for storage in local memory, and/or transmit historical data acquired to the server, and/or check for updates by connecting to the server. By normally remaining in a low power mode and only waking periodically to conduct a task, battery life is greatly extended.

Power saving remote sensor system and methods

An apparatus, method and computer program product for controlling wirelessly controlled equipment, such as a ductless air conditioning system. A control module is provided comprising an optical source for generating an optical control signal. The control module enables a smartphone to control wirelessly controlled equipment of the type which is controlled by a remote-control device generating an optical signal. An electrical circuit generates electrical control signals to be coupled to the optical source, wherein the electrical circuit generates the electrical control signals depending on information received from a network connection. A wireless communications module communicates with the smartphone. A mobile application stored in a memory of the smartphone communicates user selections from the smartphone over the network connection to the apparatus to implement transmission of electrical control signals to the control module to cause the control module to cause the optical source to generate the optical control signals to control the operation of the wirelessly controlled equipment.

Networked thermostat control for ductless HVAC

The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling load operations on customer premises based on configuration. Such embodiments include storing output control configuration rules in a memory coupled to a load system controller. Further, such embodiments include receiving configuration instructions from at least one of a remote server and user interface. In addition, such embodiments include configuring the load system into one or more zones based on configuration instructions. Moreover, such embodiments include configuring each zone to be associated with one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Also, such embodiments include configuring each of the one or more input devices based on configuration instructions. Further, such embodiments include configuring one or more output devices based on configuring the one or more zones, one or more input devices in each zone, the configuration instructions, and the output control configuration rules.

Systems, devices and methods of controlling lighting and appliances on a customer premises based on configuration rules

The pending disclosure describes embodiments of systems, devices and methods of controlling lighting and appliances on a customer premises based on configuration rules. Such embodiments include responsive to the receipt of at least one configuration instruction, one or more participant zone(s) is selected from a plurality of zones that designate predefined sections of at least one customer premise based upon the received configuration instruction and a plurality of stored output control configuration rules of the plurality of zones. For the selected participant zone(s), one or more output configuration is generated and outputted based upon the selected participant zone(s), the received configuration instruction, and the stored output control configuration rules of the selected participant zone.

Systems, devices and methods for remotely controlling loads in response to configuration rules and networked accessories

The present invention comprises a system of labels located on wrapping and containers for individual food items. Each label contains an alphanumeric and/or graphic design that instantly brings to mind of restaurant personnel and to an unsophisticated customer (i.e., someone with no knowledge of the English language, children, or adults with limited education) the food item to be wrapped with the wrapping or container. In a preferred embodiment, a graphic device occupies a majority of the surface of the label, where the graphic device is a drawing or photograph of the food item to be wrapped or contained. For instance, a label for a double cheeseburger would include a picture with the food item disassembled sufficiently so that a viewer could instantly appreciate the presence of two hamburger patties and two slices of cheese with the typical bun in the presence of the wrapper in the background. In a preferred embodiment, all the labels comprise such a disassembled food product picture or drawing in the clear presence of the wrapper or box in which it is contained.

Customer order and billables confirmation method

The present invention provides an environment measurement monitoring and response system. The present invention provides a method, system and program for managing multiple environmental systems in retail store locations geographically remote from each other.

Environment, lighting and security control system

The present invention comprises an intuitive algorithm embodiment. In said intuitive algorithm embodiment, a programmable thermostat that operates under control of a control program incorporating an intuitive algorithm. The intuitive algorithm allows a user to change the modes and setpoints of a programmable thermostat without need to refer to a display of currently effective operational modes, setpoints, or environmental sensor inputs. While a user may prefer to observe said display, the intuitive algorithm eliminates the need to do so.

Programmable thermostat with wireless programming module lacking visible indicators

A system for monitoring and modifying the quality and temperature of air within a conditioned space includes a blower unit, a damper unit for selectively admitting outside air into the conditioned space, a temperature moderating unit and a control unit. The control unit includes a thermostat and conventional temperature control apparatus for selectively activating the temperature moderating unit to maintain the desired temperature in the conditioned space. The control unit also incorporates CO concentration measuring and control apparatus which includes a small CO sensor. The CO sensor includes a cathode, an anode and a solid electrolyte disposed intermediate and electrically in contact with each of the cathode and the anode to effect a primary electrical cell. A heater and a heater thermostat serve to maintain the temperature of the cell at about 250&deg; C. The cathode and anode materials and the chemical composition of the electrolyte are further selected such that the voltage generated across the heated cell varies in accordance with the CO concentration. CO concentration modifying apparatus is responsive to sensing a first predetermined CO concentration for turning on the blower unit and to sensing a second, higher, predetermined CO concentration for actuating the damper unit to admit outside air.

Thermostat incorporating thin film carbon dioxide sensor and environmental control system

A wireless programmable digital thermostat system includes multiple transmitter units and at least one receiver/controller unit. Each of the transmitter units is adapted to received programming inputs from users and to generate and transmit input signals over a wireless medium. The receiver unit is adapted to receive the input signals and to generate control signals in response to the input signals from only one of the transmitter units at a time. The receiver/controller unit receives and processes the input signals and is adapted to be programmable in response to the input signals according to a basic programming mode, and economy programming mode and an advanced programming mode.

Wireless programmable digital thermostat system

A retrofittable heating and air conditioning system for a single family dwelling including a heater and air conditioning furnace system connected to individual zones of a building by a series of output ducts. Each opening of a duct to an individual zone may have a unique, fully sealing, controllable output register assembly. Also, in each zone is a thermostat for sensing the zone temperature and for providing a means for the user to control the temperature of that zone. The system further includes a master controller with such temperature controlling features as a universal zone controller, individual zone controllers, and a timer. Finally, the system includes a central controller for controlling the register assemblies and the air conditioning, heating, and fan with respect to instructions set by the individual zone registers and the master controller.

Dwelling heating and air conditioning system

Transmitter for circuit energization checking system

Receiver for checking the energized state of a circuit

A circuit tester includes a light-weight portable transmitter and receiver, with the transmitter being provided with several interchangeable plugs for the testing of power circuits of different voltage. The plugs are alternately firmly electrically and mechanically coupled to apply power to the transmitter, which does not need a battery. The transmitter transmission circuitry operates on a relatively low voltage such as 9 volts, and the transmitter input circuitry operates without switching circuits to reduce the applied power to this operating level. The transmitter only weighs 21/2 or 3 ounces and the receiver only weighs 7 or 8 ounces. Unique modulation or interruption of the transmitter operates audio and/or visual signalling elements in the receiver.

Growing community of inventors

Granada Hills, CA, United States of America

Steven D Dushane