公开(公告)号：US4829458A

公开(公告)日：1989-05-09

申请号：US70798

申请日：1987-07-07

Applicant: James Russo ,  Michael R. Levine ,  Victor Rigotti ,  Nicholas Skogler

Inventor： James Russo ,  Michael R. Levine ,  Victor Rigotti ,  Nicholas Skogler

IPC: G05D23/24

CPC classification number: G05D23/24 ,  Y10T307/766

Abstract: The present invention is a method for specifying a constant in a digital electronic system. This technique employs the ratio of resistances between a reference resistor and a constant specifying resistor. The time constant of the constant specifying resistor and a capacitor is measured by discharging the capacitor, charging the capacitor through the constant specifying resistor and counting the number of predetermined time intervals required for the voltage across the capacitor to reach a predetermined threshold voltage. A similar time constant measurement is made for the reference resistor and the capacitor. The same conditions are employed as far as possible during these two measurements to insure the only differences are in the value of the resistances. The externally specified constant is computed from the digital ratio of the time constant of the constant specifying resistor and the time constant of the reference resistor. This technique is particularly adapted for use in a microprocessor system having several tristate output lines.

Abstract translation: 本发明是一种在数字电子系统中指定常数的方法。 该技术采用参考电阻和恒定指定电阻之间的电阻比。 恒定指定电阻器和电容器的时间常数是通过放电电容器来测量的，通过常数指定电阻器对电容器充电并对电容器两端的电压所需的预定时间间隔的数量进行计数，以达到预定阈值电压。 对于参考电阻和电容器进行类似的时间常数测量。 在这两次测量期间，尽可能采用相同的条件，以确保电阻值的唯一差异在于。 外部规定的常数是根据常数指定电阻器的时间常数和参考电阻器的时间常数的数字比率来计算的。 该技术特别适用于具有若干三态输出线的微处理器系统。

公开(公告)号：US4829457A

公开(公告)日：1989-05-09

申请号：US5150

申请日：1987-01-20

Applicant: James T. Russo ,  Victor H. Rigotti ,  Michael R. Levine

Inventor： James T. Russo ,  Victor H. Rigotti ,  Michael R. Levine

IPC: H02H11/00 ,  H03K17/082

CPC classification number: H02H11/005 ,  H03K17/0824 ,  Y10S323/908 ,  Y10T307/76 ,  Y10T307/918 ,  Y10T307/951

Abstract: A control device for energization of a load employs a bidirection triggerable solid state switching device connected in series with an alternating current power source and the load. In order to prevent the passage of excessive, potentially destructive currents through the switch if the load is shorted out, the microprocessor which controls the energization of the switch senses the time required for the voltage across the switch to attain a predetermined value. If the load is shorted the potential difference across the switch increases and attains the predetermined value a shorter time after zero-crossing of the alternating current. When this occurs more than a predetermined number of consecutive times, the generation of triggering pulses for the solid state switch is inhibited for a predetermined time. In the preferred embodiment the control device is a thermostat for controlling a temperature modifying load such as a furnace or air conditioner.

Abstract translation: 用于给负载通电的控制装置采用与交流电源和负载串联连接的双向可触发固态开关装置。 为了防止在负载短路时通过开关过多的潜在的破坏性电流，控制开关通电的微处理器感测开关两端的电压达到预定值所需的时间。 如果负载短路，则在交流电过零之后，开关两端的电位差增加并达到预定值较短的时间。 当这超过预定数量的连续时间发生时，固态开关的触发脉冲的产生被抑制预定的时间。 在优选实施例中，控制装置是用于控制诸如炉子或空调的温度调节负载的恒温器。

公开(公告)号：US4751961A

公开(公告)日：1988-06-21

申请号：US931645

申请日：1986-11-17

Applicant: Michael R. Levine ,  James T. Russo ,  Victor H. Rigotti

Inventor： Michael R. Levine ,  James T. Russo ,  Victor H. Rigotti

IPC: G05D23/24 ,  F23N5/20

CPC classification number: G05D23/24 ,  G05D23/1904

Abstract: An electronic thermostat includes selectable multiple predetermined temperature programs of desired temperatures over a repetitive time cycle. A manually operable temperature program selector enables recall of a desired temperature for a particular time from a temperature program memory in accordance with the selected predetermined temperature program. This desired temperature is compared to the ambient temperature in order to generate control signals for a temperature modifying device. In the preferred embodiment, the multiple temperature programs each consist of digital signals indicative of either a normal temperature or a set-back temperature. A separate operator actuable set point device determines the normal temperature. When the normal temperature is indicated, the thermostat controls the temperature modifying load to restore the selected normal temperature. When the set-back temperature is indicated, the thermostat controls the temperature modifying load to restore a temperature which is a predetermined number of degrees offset from the selected normal temperature. The set-back temperature is lower in a heating mode and higher in a cooling mode enabling reduced energy consumption in the temperature modifying device. In the preferred embodiment, the number of degrees of the offset is selectable via an operator control.

Abstract translation: 电子恒温器包括在重复时间周期内所需温度的可选择的多个预定温度程序。 可手动操作的温度程序选择器使得能够根据所选择的预定温度程序从温度程序存储器调用特定时间的期望温度。 将所需温度与环境温度进行比较，以产生用于温度修正装置的控制信号。 在优选实施例中，多个温度程序各自包括指示正常温度或回退温度的数字信号。 单独的操作者致动设定点装置确定正常温度。 当指示常温时，恒温器控制温度修正负载以恢复所选择的常温。 当指示回退温度时，恒温器控制温度修正负载以恢复与所选择的常温偏置的预定数量的温度。 回热温度在加热模式下较低，而在冷却模式下更高，从而能够降低温度调节装置的能量消耗。 在优选实施例中，通过操作员控制来选择偏移度的数量。

公开(公告)号：US4635708A

公开(公告)日：1987-01-13

申请号：US602221

申请日：1984-04-19

Applicant: Michael R. Levine

Inventor： Michael R. Levine

IPC: G05D23/19 ,  F23N5/20

CPC classification number: G05D23/1904

Abstract: A programmable electronic thermostat for use in a building having a furnace and an air conditioning system adapted to generate energizing signals for the furnace and the air conditioner. An operator programs the thermostat with a series of desired temperatures over a repetitive heating or cooling cycle. During the winter, relatively high temperatures will typically be programmed during the period when the building is occupied and relatively low temperatures during unoccupied periods. The thermostat includes a clock that interrogates the program to generate the desired temperature for the present time which is compared to the measured temperature within the building to generate control signals for the furnace. In order to energize the air conditioning system during occasional periods of occurrence of high temperature, a control temperature is derived for the air conditioner. The derived control temperature is either a first, relatively low control temperature if the heating program indicates that the building is generally occupied during that time, or a second, relatively higher control temperature if the program indicates that the building is unoccupied. If one of either the furnace or air conditioner has been energized within a predetermined time period, the control temperature is not changed and the other of the furnace or air conditioner will not be energized. Under complementary circumstances, if the thermostat is programmed to control the air conditioner, control temperatures to control the furnace are selected depending whether the building is generally occupied or unoccupied.

Abstract translation: 一种用于建筑物中的可编程电子恒温器，其具有炉和适于产生用于炉和空调器的激励信号的空调系统。 操作员可以通过重复的加热或冷却循环对恒温器进行一系列所需温度的程序。 在冬季，通常在建筑物占用期间和空闲时段内相对较低的温度期间将编程较高的温度。 恒温器包括询问程序以产生当前时间的期望温度的时钟，其与建筑物内的测量温度进行比较以产生用于炉的控制信号。 为了在偶然的高温发生期间对空调系统通电，空调器的控制温度得以实现。 如果加热程序指示建筑物在该时间内通常占用，则导出的控制温度是第一个相对较低的控制温度，或者如果程序指示建筑物未被占用，则为第二个相对较高的控制温度。 如果炉子或空调器中的一个在预定时间段内被通电，则控制温度不改变，并且炉子或空调器中的另一个将不被通电。 在互补的情况下，如果恒温器被编程为控制空调，则根据建筑物是否被占用或空闲占用来选择控制炉的控制温度。

公开(公告)号：US4595139A

公开(公告)日：1986-06-17

申请号：US670166

申请日：1984-11-13

Applicant: Michael R. Levine

Inventor： Michael R. Levine

IPC: F24C15/00 ,  F24F11/00 ,  B01F3/02

CPC classification number: F24C15/003 ,  F24F11/0009 ,  F24F11/0012 ,  F24F11/0015 ,  F24F2011/0013

Abstract: A control system for an electrically energized humidifier used with a hot-air furnace including an electric time-delay circuit and control means for manually adjusting the time delay. Each time the thermostat for the system energizes the furnace the humidifier is energized for the predetermined time delay or until the furnace is de-energized, whichever occurs first. The time delay is manually adjusted so that it is longer than the energization cycle of the furnace in warm weather and shorter than the energization cycle of the furnace in cold weather. It is also manually adjusted so that in cold weather at the maximum energization cycle, the humifidier does not produce condensation within the building. The relative humidity of the conditioned air thus decreases proportionately to increases in the atmospheric temperature.

Abstract translation: 一种电加热器的控制系统，其与包括电时延电路的热风炉一起使用，以及用于手动调节时间延迟的控制装置。 每当系统的恒温器为炉激活时，加湿器通电预定的时间延迟或直到炉被断电，以先到者为准。 手动调整时间延迟，使其在寒冷的天气下比炉的通电周期长，并且比在寒冷天气下的炉的通电周期短。 也可以手动调节，使得在最高通电周期的寒冷天气下，嗡嗡声器不会在建筑物内产生冷凝。 因此，调节空气的相对湿度随着大气温度的升高而成比例地减小。

公开(公告)号：US4410132A

公开(公告)日：1983-10-18

申请号：US414185

申请日：1982-09-02

Applicant: Michael R. Levine

Inventor： Michael R. Levine

IPC: G05D23/20 ,  F24D5/10 ,  F23N5/20

CPC classification number: G05D23/20 ,  G05D23/1909 ,  G05D23/1917

Abstract: An electric thermostat operative to be connected to a furnace or other temperature modifying apparatus to control its state of operation includes means for generating a desired temperature set-point signal and means for measuring ambient temperature at the thermostat. When the ambient temperature falls sufficiently below this set-point, the furnace is energized until the ambient temperature rises to a stored temperature level, also below the set-point. The system then monitors the peak ambient temperature reached during the following temperature overshoot resulting from the inertia of the furnace. The temperature differential between this limiting temperature obtained and the set-point is then added to the stored temperature value if the system did not obtain the set point temperature or substracted from the stored temperature value if the system exceeded the set-point value. The system also stores a second predetermined temperature value below the set point to establish a "dead zone" and similar control is exercised over the temperature at which the energizing signal for the furnace is initiated so that the system adaptively maintains a temperature range exactly limited by the dead zone independent of environmental temperature changes.

Abstract translation: 可操作地连接到炉或其他温度调节装置以控制其操作状态的电恒温器包括用于产生期望的温度设定点信号的装置和用于测量恒温器的环境温度的装置。 当环境温度足够低于该设定点时，炉子被通电，直到环境温度上升到储存的温度水平，也低于设定值。 然后，系统监测由于炉的惯性而导致的以下温度过冲期间达到的峰值环境温度。 如果系统没有获得设定点温度或者如果系统超过设定值，则从存储的温度值减去，则所获得的极限温度和设定值之间的温度差值被加到存储的温度值。 系统还存储低于设定点的第二预定温度值以建立“死区”，并且在启动炉的激励信号的温度下进行类似的控制，使得系统自适应地维持由 死区独立于环境温度变化。

公开(公告)号：US4117469A

公开(公告)日：1978-09-26

申请号：US752566

申请日：1976-12-20

Applicant: Michael R. Levine

Inventor： Michael R. Levine

IPC: G09G5/22 ,  G06F3/14

CPC classification number: G09G5/222

Abstract: A computer terminal employs a CRT display, a micro-processor, and a random access memory which both stores character codes for information to be displayed on the CRT screen and serves as working storage for the processor. To generate a line of text across the display the processor loads a memory address counter with the address of a memory location containing the code for the first character of the line. The counter is incremented in timed relation to the generation of the display and sequentially outputs consecutive memory addresses in which the consecutive character codes forming the line are stored. During the generation of the line the activity of the processor is inhibited. Following generation of the line the processor regains access to the RAM and tends to I/O duties or modifies the display memory contents until it passes control of the RAM back to the address counter for generation of another line of display.

公开(公告)号：US10306844B1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-04

申请号：US15851955

申请日：2017-12-22

Applicant: Michael R. Levine

Inventor： Michael R. Levine

IPC: A01G25/16 ,  G05B19/042 ,  H04W52/02

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a networked irrigation system include a battery powered networked irrigation controller that communicates with a backend server. The backend server monitor rainfall at the location of the irrigation controllers via third party weather resources. General irrigation is set to commence once every several days, and when rain falls at the location of an irrigation controller, the watering schedule is shifted to ensure that watering does not occur more frequently than desired. The irrigation controller uses a cellular transceiver modem to communicate with the backend server, and since the irrigation controller is battery powered, the cellular transceiver modem is maintained in an off state until just prior to commencing a scheduled watering, when the irrigation controller contacts the backend server.

公开(公告)号：US10101753B1

公开(公告)日：2018-10-16

申请号：US15297298

申请日：2016-10-19

Applicant: Michael R. Levine

Inventor： Michael R. Levine ,  Luke Dickens

IPC: G05B15/00 ,  G05D7/06 ,  G05B15/02

Abstract: An auxiliary sprinkler controller is used to control sprinkling by selectively enabling or inhibiting operation of a legacy sprinkler controller. The legacy sprinkler controller provides electrical power to a particular zone of several zones during each of a plurality of durations, and multiple durations, “n,” are provided for each zone. As a result, each zone can be watered for any of 2n combinations of the durations for a desired total watering duration.

公开(公告)号：US5701383A

公开(公告)日：1997-12-23

申请号：US388345

申请日：1995-02-14

Applicant: James Russo ,  Michael R. Levine

Inventor： James Russo ,  Michael R. Levine

IPC: G11B19/02 ,  G11B27/034 ,  G11B27/10 ,  G11B27/11 ,  G11B27/28 ,  G11B27/34 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N5/907 ,  H04N5/937 ,  H04N9/79 ,  H04N9/804 ,  H04N5/76

CPC classification number: H04N5/937 ,  G11B19/02 ,  G11B27/034 ,  G11B27/105 ,  G11B27/11 ,  G11B27/28 ,  G11B27/34 ,  H04N5/445 ,  H04N9/8042 ,  G11B2220/20 ,  G11B2220/2525 ,  G11B2220/61 ,  G11B2220/65 ,  G11B2220/90 ,  G11B27/107 ,  H04N21/47 ,  H04N5/781 ,  H04N5/85 ,  H04N5/907 ,  H04N9/7921 ,  H04N9/8047

Abstract: A video time-shifting system characterized in having a continuous recording track accessed by separate, asychronous read and write facilities enables playback of a video program to commence from any point in the program while continuing to be recorded in real time, thus providing VCR-like program control features such as PAUSE/RESUME, REWIND, and FAST FORWARD. A memory is used to store information relating to various points in the program so that even upon receipt of multiple PAUSE commands, the system automatically keeps track of correct program re-entry. In the preferred embodiment, the storage means takes the form of a continuous recording track in a magnetic disk drive. To prevent discontinuities associated with the recording and reproducing of material representative of the video program, the system preferably incorporates a plurality of write heads, each associated with a different recording track, and the system automatically switches from one write head to another so as to effectively link the different recording tracks into a single, continuous recording track. Although program information may be stored in analog form, digital storage is used in the preferred embodiment along with data compression to increase recording capacity. The system preferably further includes a video display generator to output for viewing on the display device visual indicia relating to the program and, additionally, symbols relating to one or more points in the program and/or the time-shifted version thereof.

Abstract translation: 一种视频时移系统，其特征在于具有通过单独的非同步读和写功能访问的连续记录磁道，使视频节目能够从节目中的任何点开始，同时继续实时记录，从而提供类似VCR 程序控制功能，如PAUSE / RESUME，REWIND和FAST FORWARD。 存储器用于存储与程序中的各个点相关的信息，使得即使在接收到多个PAUSE命令时，系统也自动跟踪正确的程序重新输入。 在优选实施例中，存储装置在磁盘驱动器中采用连续记录轨迹的形式。 为了防止与表示视频节目的材料的记录和再现相关联的不连续性，系统优选地包括多个写入头，每个写头与不同的记录轨道相关联，并且系统自动地从一个写入头切换到另一个写头，以便有效地 将不同的录制轨道链接到单个连续的录制轨道。 虽然程序信息可以以模拟形式存储，但是在优选实施例中使用数字存储器连同数据压缩以增加记录容量。 该系统优选地还包括视频显示发生器，用于输出以在显示设备上观看与节目有关的视觉标记，另外还包括与节目中的一个或多个点和/或其时移版本有关的符号。