Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130211783 | ATTRIBUTING CAUSATION FOR ENERGY USAGE AND SETPOINT CHANGES WITH A NETWORK-CONNECTED THERMOSTAT - Systems and methods are described for attributing a primary causative agent for HVAC system usage being above or below an average, the HVAC system being controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. Systems and method are also described interactively and graphically displaying schedule information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a network-connected thermostat. The displayed information can include indications of the manner in which one or more setpoints was created or last modified. Historical HVAC performance information can also be displayed that can include details of certain energy-effecting events such as setpoint changes, adaptive recovery, as well as automatic and manually set non-occupancy modes. | 08-15-2013 |
20130218351 | INSTALLATION OF THERMOSTAT POWERED BY RECHARGEABLE BATTERY - A thermostat is described that includes a rechargeable battery, a graphical user interface and a wireless network communication capabilities. During installation, in cases where the rechargeable battery is below a first threshold, the installation procedure is limited so as to avoid energy intensive installation steps which may not be supported by the low battery level. An example of an installation step that is avoided due to low battery level is set up of wireless communication. According to some embodiments, if the battery level is very low during initial installation, the installation process is halted while the battery is charged. An indication such as a flashing LED may be displayed so as to indicate to the user that the battery is being charged. | 08-22-2013 |
20130226354 | ADJUSTING PROXIMITY THRESHOLDS FOR ACTIVATING A DEVICE USER INTERFACE - A thermostat includes a user interface that is configured to operate in at least two different modes including a first mode and a second mode. The user interface may require more power when operating in the first mode than in the second mode. The thermostat also includes a plurality of sensors, including at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of a user within a proximity of the thermostat. The thermostat additionally includes a first processing function that is configured to determine a proximity profile and to cause the user interface to be in the first mode one or more sensors provides responses that match the proximity profile. The proximity profile may be computed using a history of responses from the sensors that are likely to coincide with times where users intend to view the user interface. | 08-29-2013 |
20130345883 | Systems and Methods for a Graphical User Interface of a Controller for an Energy-Consuming System Having Spatially Related Discrete Display Elements - Devices and methods are provided for generating and/or displaying a graphical user interface used to control an energy-consuming system, such as a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system. Such an electronic device may include, for example, a processor that generates the graphical user interface and an electronic display that displays the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a menu formed from discrete display elements that, owing to the way in which the discrete display elements are shifted into and out of view on the screen, appear to be spatially related to one another. | 12-26-2013 |
20140084165 | SELECTABLE LENS BUTTON FOR A HAZARD DETECTOR AND METHOD THEREFOR - According to one embodiment, a hazard detector includes a front casing coupled with a back plate to define a housing having an interior region. The hazard detector also includes a passive infrared sensor device that is disposed within the interior region and that is positioned to face a room within which the hazard detector is positioned so as to detect objects within the room. The hazard detector additionally includes a Fresnel lensing component that is disposed on an exterior of the front casing and that is positioned in front of the passive infrared sensor device to direct infrared radiation onto the passive infrared sensor device. The Fresnel lensing component is configured to be inwardly pushable by a user to cause contact with a switch positioned therebehind so that input is provided to the hazard detector by the user. | 03-27-2014 |
20140266669 | DEVICES, METHODS, AND ASSOCIATED INFORMATION PROCESSING FOR SECURITY IN A SMART-SENSORED HOME - This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security objectives. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277769 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING DEMAND-RESPONSE PROGRAMS AND EVENTS - Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for managing demand-response programs and events. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat acquires various information about the residence, such as a thermal retention characteristic of the residence, a capacity of an HVAC associated with the residence to cool or heat the residence, a likelihood of the residence being occupied, a forecasted weather, a real-time weather, and a real-time occupancy. Such information is used to manage the energy consumption of the structure during a demand-response event. | 09-18-2014 |