A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.

Method, system, and computer program product for managing controlled residential or non-residential environments

The present invention relates to smart lighting devices bearing processors, and networks comprising smart lighting devices, capable of providing illumination, and detecting stimuli with sensors and/or sending signals. Sensors and emitters can, in some embodiments, be removed and added in a modular fashion. Smart lighting devices and smart lighting networks can be used for communication purposes, building automation, systems monitoring, and a variety of other functions.

Universal lighting network methods and systems

A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.

User interface for a remote control application

Control apparatus and method including a first control device, located at the vehicle or premises, for monitoring or detecting an event, which generates and/or transmits a first notification signal containing event information to a second control device located remote from the vehicle or premises. The second control device generates and/or transmits a second notification signal to a remote communication device for providing notification of the event occurrence. Control apparatus and method including a first control device, located at a vehicle or premises, which generates and/or transmits a first signal for activating, deactivating, enabling, or disabling, a vehicle or a premises system, equipment system, subsystem, device, component, appliance, a vehicle, or a premises, in response to a signal generated and/or transmitted from a remote second control device. The second control device is responsive to a third signal generated and/or transmitted by a remote third control device.

Control, monitoring and/or security apparatus and method

The present invention utilizes a gateway providing an open software interface to control in-home communications and to enable in-home devices of various divergent technologies to selectively access external communication features. An in-home communication network utilizes any one or more of several available in-home digital networking media to connect the gateway to device interfaces. The gateway comprises interfaces to a plurality of external communication networks, and one or more in-home communication media, a router coupled to the various interfaces and a controller. Each device specific accessing the in-home network connects to media through a device interface. There will be different interfaces for enabling access by different types of customer premises devices. Each device interface provides physical access to the media as well as functional interfacing, to enable operation with the particular type of customer premises device. All of the device specific interfaces implement a standard software referred to as a common application program interface (API) interface, to enable communication over the media and accessing of in-home and/or external communication services through the gateway.

Multi-service in-home network with an open interface

A multifunction sensor device (10) provides various transducer functions for performing temperature sensing, humidity sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, thermostat functions, switching functions, load switching and dimming functions, displaying actual and set temperature values, displaying time of day values apparatus for putting the device in an on/off or auto mode Key elements include mounting the diverse sensors or transducers within the same housing (14) that can be mounted to a wall in a flush manner, eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel in the device (10), thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor The device can transmit and receive real time data, relative data and actual discrete data in addition to switching and controlling loads locally or remotely

Network based multiple sensor and control device with temperature sensing and control

A method of adding a device to an existing or new electrical or electronic automation or multimedia network. The invention facilitates adding a device to the network that can communicate using various protocols such as LonWorks, CEBus, X-10, etc. over media such as AC power line, IR, RF, twisted pair, optical fiber, etc. The method is a mechanism for adding a device to a system that can be used by an ordinary user of network capable electrical devices. The method comprises the steps an installer would perform including the handshaking that needs to occur between devices to accomplish the binding process. A Functional Profile for LonWorks networks is given as an example. This includes a Home Device profile that employs an automated explicit type messaging for all devices intended for use in a home environment. The invention includes adding to the device an install button and a visual indicator for status such as an LED. Alternatively, existing buttons and LEDs on the device may be used for installed and binding purposes. Other methods of binding can be employed by the use of wired or wireless handheld tools, remote controls, etc. Other interfaces and user feedback can be used such as touch screen, personal computers, cellular phones, PDAs, etc which can offer simple ‘virtual’ binding by the press of an icon versus the physical button on the device. The binding can be performed locally or remotely such as via LAN, WAN, Internet, etc.

Method of adding a device to a network

An electrical control system including a plurality of electrical devices having the ability to communicate over a network as well as the ability to interface and work with non-protocol devices and signals that only send/receive an on/off digital signal or send/receive one of numerous analog signals. The electrical devices include sensors (448, 450), transceiver (92), switching devices (544), dimming devices (400) and controlling (90). The devices communicate with one another over a network that may be implemented using one or more different types of media such as twisted pair, power line carrier, coaxial, optical fiber, RF, infrared, etc. The system is particularly suited for lighting control applications within an office, building, room or home. The electrical devices that comprise the control system generally comprise one or more of the following five basic elements: (1) user interface, (2) actuator element, (3) power supply (432) and media connections, (4) communications media and protocol and (5) one or more sensor inputs (448, 450).

Network based electrical control system with distributed sensing and control

A system for sensing and maintaining the light level within an area. The invention comprises multiple lux sensor readers that function to measure the current light level within an area. One or more controllers are used to control the dimming level of each light source in accordance with the readings received from the plurality of lux sensors. The readings are averaged such that over time any extreme readings are averaged out. The light level of the plurality of light sources is adjusted in accordance with the averaged readings. This virtually eliminates areas in the room where the light is too dim or too bright and serves to average out any manufacturing and component tolerance differences between devices. In addition, the invention comprises the optional assignment of a weight factor to each reading or average to further provide the ability to give more importance to certain regions in the room over others thus further assisting in eliminating areas where the light is either too dim or too bright. The system includes control units, controllers, controls for window, skylight, light pipe and shading, HVAC controls, lighting loads and light sensors (lux readers) that are used to construct the lighting control system of the present invention. Readings from the one or more lux sensors are processed by one or more controllers and in response thereto, one or more commands are generated for directing the actions of controllers to which the lighting loads are attached.

Multiple sensor lux reader and averager

An apparatus for a method of inhibiting and overriding the normal operating mode of one or more input devices connected to a communications network (14). The present invention functions within an electrical network made up of a plurality of input devices wherein a group of input devices is capable of commanding an electrical control device (18) to apply and remove electrical power from an electrical load connected thereto. The input devices or nodes communicate with the electrical control device over a communications network. When one of the input devices is turned off, the normal operating mode of all the other input sensors (16) are inhibited. The electrical control device remains inhibited until the input devices are no longer in the off position. Thus, electrical power to the load (22) controlled by the electrical control device remains disconnected until all input devices are in the on position. Local and remote signaling, control and indication diagnostic and monitoring functions are also provided.

David P. Eckel

Papers

Network based multiple sensor and control device with temperature sensing and control

Method of adding a device to a network

Network based electrical control system with distributed sensing and control

Multiple sensor lux reader and averager

An apparatus for and method of inhibiting and overriding an electrical control device