Nick Ashworth

A load-managing electricity service (LMES) system for managing and controlling electricity-consuming loads supplied by a common distribution transformer. The LMES system includes: a communicative distribution transformer (CDT) sensor that includes a transceiver, a sensing circuit and a processor configured to determine whether a power load of the transformer exceeds an upper threshold. The LMES system also includes a load-control device (LCD) configured to communicate with the CDT sensor, and… Show more

A load-managing electricity service (LMES) system for managing and controlling electricity-consuming loads supplied by a common distribution transformer. The LMES system includes: a communicative distribution transformer (CDT) sensor that includes a transceiver, a sensing circuit and a processor configured to determine whether a power load of the transformer exceeds an upper threshold. The LMES system also includes a load-control device (LCD) configured to communicate with the CDT sensor, and to selectively decrease or increase the power load of the distribution transformer by managing the electricity-consuming leads at consumer premises.
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An apparatus and method are provided for visually displaying the present room temperature of a space, through the use of a thermostatic controller adapted for receiving a temperature input indicative of a temperature in a space, and having a housing that includes an illuminated portion thereof emitting a light having a characteristic of the light that changes as a function of the temperature in the space. In various forms of the invention characteristics of the light, such as the color or the… Show more

An apparatus and method are provided for visually displaying the present room temperature of a space, through the use of a thermostatic controller adapted for receiving a temperature input indicative of a temperature in a space, and having a housing that includes an illuminated portion thereof emitting a light having a characteristic of the light that changes as a function of the temperature in the space. In various forms of the invention characteristics of the light, such as the color or the intensity of the light, are changed as a function of the temperature in the space, to provide a visual indication indicative of the present room temperature of the space. The characteristic of the light may be changed as a function of the present room temperature, or as the difference between the present room temperature and a desired room temperature, or for other purposes.
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A thermostatic controller apparatus includes a housing having a front face thereof defining a decorative surface of the housing and adapted for optional attachment of a decorative faceplate covering the decorative surface of the housing. A plurality of decorative faceplates are provided, each having a distinctive visual appearance and adapted for optional attachment to the housing in such a manner that at least one selected faceplate of the plurality of decorative faceplates substantially… Show more

A thermostatic controller apparatus includes a housing having a front face thereof defining a decorative surface of the housing and adapted for optional attachment of a decorative faceplate covering the decorative surface of the housing. A plurality of decorative faceplates are provided, each having a distinctive visual appearance and adapted for optional attachment to the housing in such a manner that at least one selected faceplate of the plurality of decorative faceplates substantially covers the decorative surface of the housing when the selected decorative faceplate is attached to the housing. The selected decorative faceplate may have a visual appearance that differs from the visual appearance of the decorative surface of the housing, and may also include an aperture that is aligned with an aperture in the housing when the selected decorative faceplate is attached to the housing.
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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… Show more

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.
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The thermostat includes a housing having at least a portion thereof illuminated by a light that changes color via a manual input. The light illuminates the display for easy readability while the variable color of the light allows a user to match the appearance of the thermostat to best complement the surrounding décor. User input elements provide for the manual adjustment of one or more characteristics of the light, such as visible color of the light. The light source comprises at least one LED… Show more

The thermostat includes a housing having at least a portion thereof illuminated by a light that changes color via a manual input. The light illuminates the display for easy readability while the variable color of the light allows a user to match the appearance of the thermostat to best complement the surrounding décor. User input elements provide for the manual adjustment of one or more characteristics of the light, such as visible color of the light. The light source comprises at least one LED for displaying a plurality of colors. In this case, to change the color of the light illuminating the translucent portion of the housing or backlighting the display, electronics within the thermostat control the drive signals to the LED in order to operate the LED to provide the desired color. The invention also contemplates filtering the light and manually adjusting the filtering to provide the desired aesthetics. Show less

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… Show more

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. Show less

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… Show more

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.

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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… Show more

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.

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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… Show more

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. Show less

An indoor air quality system for a structure is provided. The indoor air quality system includes a ventilation system and a corona discharge apparatus. The ventilation system directs air through the structure. The corona discharge apparatus is positioned within the ventilation system and is operable to filter the air and to move the air through the ventilation system.

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… Show more

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.

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A ventilation system for a building is provided. The ventilation system includes a pair of passages between the interior and exterior of the building and at least one corona discharge apparatus for drawing fluid through the passages. The ventilation system may also include an energy recovery ventilator for transferring energy, humidity or the combination of energy and humidity between the fluid flowing through the two passages. Variable flow rates through the passages are provided by varying… Show more

A ventilation system for a building is provided. The ventilation system includes a pair of passages between the interior and exterior of the building and at least one corona discharge apparatus for drawing fluid through the passages. The ventilation system may also include an energy recovery ventilator for transferring energy, humidity or the combination of energy and humidity between the fluid flowing through the two passages. Variable flow rates through the passages are provided by varying the voltage to the corona discharge apparatus. In addition, the corona discharge apparatuses may filter the air flowing through the passages. Show less

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… Show more

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. Show less

Upon detection of a flammable gas condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of ignition which could be the source of or may ignite the flammable gas. This hazardous condition is detected by a flammable gas detector and is 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… Show more

Upon detection of a flammable gas condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of ignition which could be the source of or may ignite the flammable gas. This hazardous condition is detected by a flammable gas detector and is 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 provide a visual warning user interface screen to inform the occupant of the hazardous condition, and may signal smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning. Alternatively, the flammable gas detector may signal the smoke detectors in the dwelling to sound an audible flammable gas warning directly. Show less

An intelligent thermostat communicates with threat detectors to allow periodic remote testing of the detector. The real-time clock and calendar functions of the thermostat allow the consumer to program the day, time, and frequency of the testing. The thermostat then communicates a test control signal to each of the detectors to initiate the self-test. The communication may be wired or wireless. During testing the thermostat displays a detector test screen. Upon completion of the self-test, the… Show more

An intelligent thermostat communicates with threat detectors to allow periodic remote testing of the detector. The real-time clock and calendar functions of the thermostat allow the consumer to program the day, time, and frequency of the testing. The thermostat then communicates a test control signal to each of the detectors to initiate the self-test. The communication may be wired or wireless. During testing the thermostat displays a detector test screen. Upon completion of the self-test, the thermostat displays a test results screen for user confirmation. This results screen will indicate that the test passed or failed along with any diagnostic information provided by the detector. The thermostat also provides a test initiation screen from which the consumer may initiate a detector self-test manually. Loss of communications with a detector is also communicated to the user, as is the location of the detector that first identified a threat.

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A field programmable or configurable thermostat for an HVAC system is provided. The configurable thermostat allows field programmability of service contact information, including name and contact telephone number information for the installer or service person. The system reminders and service intervals may be provided based upon calendar time or run time, and may be adjusted to particular periods by the service person in the field. Soft keys whose function is described on various changing… Show more

A field programmable or configurable thermostat for an HVAC system is provided. The configurable thermostat allows field programmability of service contact information, including name and contact telephone number information for the installer or service person. The system reminders and service intervals may be provided based upon calendar time or run time, and may be adjusted to particular periods by the service person in the field. Soft keys whose function is described on various changing menus allow service person to navigate through the various display and information entry screens. Scrolling or selection keys are used in one embodiment to vary the information on appropriate screens. Alternate embodiments utilize touch screens, alphanumeric keypads, etc., for the entry and editing of such information. Show less