2395 results about "Residence" patented technology

The invention is an audio-video communication and answering system that synergistically improves communication between an exterior and an interior of a business or residence and a remote location, enables messages to be stored and accessed from both locally and remotely, and enables viewing, listening, and recording from a remote location. The system's properties make it particularly suitable as a sophisticated door answering-messaging system. The system has a DVMS module on the exterior. The DVMS module has a proximity sensor, a video camera, a microphone, a speaker, an RF transmitter, and an RF receiver. The system also has a computerized controller with a graphic user interface DVMS database application. The computerized controller is in communication with a public switching telephone network, and an RF switching device. The RF switching device enables communication between the DVMS module and the computerized controller. The RF switching device can be in communication with other RF devices, such as a cell phone, PDA, or computer.

Batch, or “offline”, blocking takes a set of records and generates sets (or blocks, hence the name blocking) of potentially matching records for the entire set. The blocks of potential matches are then passed to a matching process to evaluate which records match. Applications include but are not limited to individual matching such as student identification, householding, business matching, supply chain matching, financial matching, news or text matching, and other applications.

A system and method for compensating users for responding to advertisements in an interactive manner poses questions for users and dynamically generates further questions in response to users' answers to previous questions. A user sets up an account on a remote computer that is then credited each time a user has completed the series of questions and answers relating to an advertisement. In setting up the account, the remote computer obtains demographic information from the user, such as the user's name, age, gender, place of residence and occupation. The remote computer can generate the questions not only in response to answers to previous questions but also in response to the demographic information. The remote computer provides the advertisers with the users' answers or with statistical information computed in response to the answers and the user demographics.

A programmable system for monitoring electricity consumption by a residence or business, including:(a) a Measuring Transmitting Unit integrated in a main circuit breaker or utility meter in the residence or business; comprising: (1) a means of receiving AC analog signals, converting the AC analog signals to DC analog signals, summing the DC analog signals, and outputting the information; (2) a microcontroller; (3) a power line carrier transmission interface controller; and (4) a power supply for powering the Measuring Transmitting Unit; and(b) a programmable Receiving Display Unit, comprising: (1) a power supply for powering the Receiving Display Unit; (2) a power plug; (3) a power line carrier transmission interface controller; (4) a data decoder; (5) a microcontroller; (6) memory associated with the microcontroller; (7) a visual display; and (8) a mechanism for inputting to the Receiving Display Unit; andwherein the Measuring Transmitting Unit translates current to digitally encoded signals, and transmits the signals over existing power circuits in the residence or business; and the Receiving Display Unit receives the signals, decodes them, and translates them for viewing. A method for monitoring electricity consumption by a residence or business is also included.

A disaster alert system and disaster alert devices for use in the system. Each disaster alert device includes a radio receiver, and a processor programmed to monitor radio transmissions from one or more central stations for disaster alerts directed to the location of the disaster alert device. Each alert device also includes an audio unit to alert personnel located at the site of the device to the precise nature of the disaster. The disaster alert devices are pre-programmed with information identifying the precise use location of the warning device. This use location information includes latitude and longitude of the use location and may also include other location information such as street address and zip code. Warnings are broadcast from central stations identifying with latitude and longitude information specific at-risk regions to which the warnings are directed which could be, for example, nationwide, statewide, countywide, or to much smaller regions, such as several houses on a single street or even a single residence. Each disaster alert device is preferably programmed to ignore all warnings directed to at-risk regions that do not include the latitude and longitude of the use location of the device.

A surveillance system configured for communicating with video cameras and other devices connected over a power-line communication network, such as within a residence, or alternatively a commercial building. The system may be manufactured and installed at low cost without the need to route individual cables to each surveillance video camera or device. Bandwidth within the power-line communication network is preferably dynamically allocated to device streams by a server in response to predetermined and event-driven priorities. By way of example, remote communication is supported for allowing remote access to surveillance data and control of the surveillance system. The system may be implemented as a standalone unit or integrated within existing forms of electronics equipment, such as consumer electronics equipment including a television set, a set-top box, or other forms of video-enabled equipment that is adapted for performing power-line network communication.

A home network system includes a home server for controlling a network in a residence and a portal serve for managing the home server. The portal server is connected to the home server over the Internet, and the home server controls operations of one or more electric appliances connected to the network. The home server communicates data with the portal server to perform automatic upgrade of software installed on the home server. This automatic upgrade allows the home server to maintain the latest version of the software installed on the home server without requiring an annoying manual operation, thereby improving user convenience and increasing system stability.

An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence. The broadband communication channel delivers particular digital content related to the oven through the gateway server for distribution within the residence, including distribution to the programmable controller of the oven in order to facilitate cooking operations utilizing the oven.

Systems for connecting telecommunications infrastructure lines to telephones, handsets, computers, telecopy machines and other end user interfaces or consumer electronics devices in a residence or business. Systems according to the present invention include Network Control Units which form the center of a star topology and which communicate via RF link with Wireless Access Units and handsets. Wireless Access Units feature an interface, such as, for example, a standard telephone jack, for accommodating a telephone, a fax machine, a compute modem or other device. Computers or other devices may also be accommodated by Wireless Access Units having other physical and virtual interfaces, including, for instance, serial ports or network interfaces. The Wireless Access Units may also be digital to accommodate ISDN or any other digital standard. Wireless control / monitoring accessories may also be employed to communicate with the Network Control Unit and provide additional functionality such as entrance monitoring, baby monitoring, HVAC control and other services. Personal Communication Links provide wireless handset and speakerphone services. The Personal Communication Links include independent talk / listen paths from the unit to the Network Control Unit. In addition, each Personal Communication Link includes circuitry for automatically adjusting from high-volume / high-microphone sensitivity for speakerphone operation to low-volume / low-microphone sensitivity for conventional handset operation.

A multi-unit automated space management and communication system for use in association with a structure having a plurality of units. The system includes circuitry that monitors various utility related aspects of each of the plurality of units. The system further includes an automated subsystem disposed in each one of the plurality of units. This subsystem includes at least one appliance, at least one communication medium means, at least one interface means for connecting the at least one appliance apparatus into a signal exchanging relationship with the at least one communication medium means, at least one communication source, operably connected to the at least one communication medium means. The system further includes an external communication interface linking the automated subsystem to the monitoring means in a signal-exchanging relationship. The system still further includes data storage circuits.

Environmental characteristics of habitable environments (e.g., hotel or motel rooms, spas, resorts, cruise boat cabins, offices, hospitals and / or homes, apartments or residences) are controlled to eliminate, reduce or ameliorate adverse or harmful aspects and introduce, increase or enhance beneficial aspects in order to improve a “wellness” or sense of “wellbeing” provided via the environments. Control of intensity and wavelength distribution of passive and active Illumination addresses various issues, symptoms or syndromes, for instance to maintain a circadian rhythm or cycle, adjust for “jet lag” or season affective disorder, etc. Air quality and attributes are controlled. Scent(s) may be dispersed. Noise is reduced and sounds (e.g., masking, music, natural) may be provided. Environmental and biometric feedback is provided. Experimentation and machine learning are used to improve health outcomes and wellness standards.

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.

A system and method for scheduling, and reminding people receiving care (PRC) about upcoming events uses a remote computer-based interface that allows a Caregiver at a remote location to schedule the events for the PRC. The PRC has in their residence (or other location) a device that prompts the PRC, by an audio and / or video prompt, so as to “nudge” the PRC, asking whether they intend to participate in a pre-scheduled event. A man-machine interface, such as a two input keypad containing one button labeled “yes” and another button labeled “no”, the remote Caregiver is able to monitor the responses of the electronic “nudges” offered by the system to the PRC. In turn, the device used by the remote Caregiver accumulates the responses and creates a history of the level of activity the person has indicated in which they wish to participate.