Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080218307 | ANTICIPATORY UTILITY CONTROL DEVICE - The present invention is directed to a system and method which a utility control device is designed to anticipate the needs of user's and to conform to those anticipated needs. In one embodiment, the device senses the presence of a particular user and conforms its operation to operate in accordance with a pre-established user profile. The device can anticipate the user by directly sensing the user, such as by weight biometrics, size, voice recognition, electronic key tag, and the like or by time or location. The pre-established profile can, for example, be user programmed or can be based on previous actions taken by the user under the came conditions. In another embodiment, the user carries, in addition to his/her identity profile, the user's preferences in accessible electronic form to allow the utility control device to assemble a customized response without requiring a pre-established user profile. The accessible electronic form can include: a key fob, electronic bracelet or any other electronically available formation of relevant data that can be applicable to generate a custom response. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218319 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LINKING UTILITY CONTROL DEVICES - Utility control devices can, without the necessity for a common controller, be linked together to perform operations, control and/or messaging in unison. In one embodiment, all of the devices that are selected to perform a function based on the operation of a selected one of the devices are tagged and the selected controlling device (called herein the master device) then teaches the other devices to follow the lead of the master device for at least one operation. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218338 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREMISES MONITORING USING WEIGHT DETECTION - The present invention is directed to systems and methods which monitor weights applied within a protected premises and, based on detected weight pressure patterns, serve to control operational aspects of the premises. In one embodiment, the pressure monitoring system is used in conjunction with a security system to resolve ambiguities in detected breach conditions. In one embodiment the pressure monitoring system learns and remembers how the premises is used. When a possible trouble condition is detected the system compares a detected pressure against known normal, known abnormal, and unexpected pressures to determine the action to be taken at that time. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218372 | LIGHT SWITCH USED AS A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - The present invention is directed to systems and methods which permit a light switch or other control device to operate as a communications device as well as a switch. The light switch or other control device is mounted or otherwise attached to a wail and is capable of operating alternatively in, or in coordination with, at least two separate modes. The first mode is typically a power control mode and the second mode is a communications mode. In the power control mode the light switch can operate singularly or call communicate through a remote controller with a light or electrical outlet to turn on/off the light or outlet. In the communications mode the user speaks into the switch and receives responses at the switch. The transmission of this device communication is handled internal to the switch or by the remote controller. | 09-11-2008 |
20080219029 | PLUG AND PLAY UTILITY CONTROL MODULES - A utility control device, such as a light socket, a switch or a plug socket, is designed with universal terminals so that when plugged into a pre-wired utility box (box socket), the terminals will make the proper electrical connections with the premises wiring. In one embodiment, a “shell” is inserted into a common utility box. The shell would then be wired to the building wiring on the “back-side” of the shell and when the shell is installed within the utility box the wiring is sandwiched inside the box and behind the shell and therefore not easily seen. A standard socket is positioned within the shell and provides a quick no-wiring required connection to the mating terminals on the actual device, for example a light-switch, or plug, or thermostat, or any other device normally installed and wired as a permanent fixture. Systems and methods are disclosed for arranging the premises power grid such that any device type can be “plugged” into the shells that are pre-wired inside the utility box. In one embodiment, the grid is constructed exactly as it has always been with each box pre-established for a particular type of control but with a plug/play adapter. In another embodiment, the grid is universally wired and each device instructs the system as to its type and as to its intended use. In operation, such a universal plan would allow a device, for example, to “announce” what light, or set of lights, it will control. The system can handle power wiring as well as control wiring. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221714 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REPORTING - A plurality of devices are interconnected via a utility and distributed throughout a premises with each device operable for being temporarily configured to provide a service as well as information desired by a user. In one embodiment, the service is selected from the list of: light switch, power outlet, thermostat and the information is selected from the list of: environmental condition, power consumption, power grid conditions, Internet access, announcements. If desired, one or more devices can be configured from time to time in anticipation of the user's needs at that time. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222272 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUBSTITUTING DATA IN RESPONSES TO MULTIMEDIA INQUIRIES - The present invention is directed to using a gateway, through which a user uses a communication device such as a computer to access a network, to strip data from communications to the user from the network. The present invention also adds new data to the communication to the user from the network based on the demographics of the user. The demographics of the user may be accessed by or stored on the gateway thus avoiding the security issues of having said demographics being on the network. | 09-11-2008 |
20080247400 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY IN THE DELIVERY OF MEDIA WITHIN A NETWORK - The present invention is directed to providing a system and method for using pre-established sub-networks within a larger network to improve the efficiency of transmitting media. Specifically, the current invention eliminates the need to re transmit a particular medium from its source to a sub-network. In using pre-established sub-networks, the present invention avoids the capital outlay that would be necessary to set up an infrastructure for new sub-networks. | 10-09-2008 |
20090027196 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREMISES MONITORING AND CONTROL USING SELF-LEARNING DETECTION DEVICES - The present invention is directed to systems and methods in which monitors track their respective parameters. Based on the learned activity, the monitors control operational aspects of the premises. The monitors thus learn and remember how the premises is used. When a possible trouble condition is detected, the system compares a detected parameter against parameters expected at that day and time in order to determine the action to be taken. In one embodiment the system learns and remembers the cyclical repetition and frequency of parameters, for example, of someone with a cane or limp, or a small person with a short gait as compared to a tall person with a longer stride. | 01-29-2009 |
20090101386 | Size unconstrained faceplate display for use with infrastructure device - The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows a display to have a dimension significantly greater than the actual dimension of the matching utility box or traditional utility box device faceplate. Thus, by making the size of the faceplate independent from the size of the matching utility box or traditional utility box faceplate, larger displays are possible which allows for larger size lettering and pictures and also allows for increased electronics within the display itself. In one embodiment, faceplate displays having double, triple or even quad-gang size can be positioned over a single-gang utility box thereby increasing the space for electronics as well as increasing the amount of (or size of) displayable material. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102654 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM - A surveillance system can be designed to take advantage of the disruption of the electromagnetic propagation (EMP) of the radio waves as they propagate through a spatial volume from a transmitter to a receiver. This disruption is well-known in the RF field and is usually removed from becoming a problem in any bidirectional transmission by a variety of sophisticated techniques. Advantage is taken of the fact that the presence and/or movement of objects within the range of the transmission has some effect on the resultant reception. Thus, the disruption of the EMP between two points can be used to provide surveillance information over a wide area. In one embodiment, radios are used that can detect and adapt to changes in the EMP medium and thus are able to adapt to changing circumstances in real-time. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102679 | Infrastructure device with removable face plate for remote operation - The present invention is directed to a utility device faceplate that allows a user to change its orientation with respect to the user. In one embodiment, the orientation is a swivel up, down or from side to side so as to present the front surface of the faceplate substantially perpendicular to the user regardless of the orientation of the device or the wall that contains the utility box it is mounted within. In another embodiment, the faceplate can be removed and viewed and/or operated from a location remote from the physical location of the utility device to which it pertains. In one embodiment, the faceplate anticipates the user's position and adjusts itself to accommodate the user. | 04-23-2009 |
20090135006 | INFRASTRUCTURE DEVICE WITH MODULAR REMOTE SENSORS - The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows a user to mount a utility function monitoring element in a location where the monitoring element can detect a desired stimulus, even when the mounting location is remote from an access point to the premises infrastructure wiring. In one embodiment, the monitoring element is registered with a control device mounted within a particular utility box. In such a situation, the monitoring element communicates with the utility box control device either wirelessly or via the premises electrical wiring. | 05-28-2009 |
20090137163 | INFRASTRUCTURE DEVICE WITH MODULAR REPLACEABLE SENSORS - The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows a user to renew, expand, or reduce a utility device by changing, adding, or subtracting only the module that needs to be renewed, added, or removed as opposed to replacing the entire device. In one embodiment, the device is constructed in modular format such that the user need only replace the module portion of the device that has expired (or been used) instead of being required to replace the entire device. | 05-28-2009 |
20090235515 | Plug and Play Utility Control Modules - A utility control device, such as a light socket, a switch or a plug socket, is designed with universal terminals so that when plugged into a pre-wired utility box (box socket), the terminals will make the proper electrical connections with the premises wiring. Systems and methods are disclosed for arranging the premises power grid such that any device type can be “plugged” into the shells that are pre-wired inside the utility box. | 09-24-2009 |
20090274064 | LIGHT SWITCH AS A WIRELESS HUB - The current invention is directed to using utility outlets as wireless hubs within a premise so as to avoid the use of stand-alone wireless access points. Using utility outlets as wireless hubs requires the use of less cables and enhances security of wireless communication in a premises. | 11-05-2009 |
20090274087 | UTILITY OUTLETS AS REMOTE CONTROL REPEATERS - The current invention is directed to using utility outlets as remote control repeaters. Using utility outlets as remote control repeaters extends the coverage distance of the remote controller. Additionally, using the utility outlets as repeaters avoids interferences such as walls in premises. | 11-05-2009 |