Various embodiments include a device comprising: two connectors for powering the device; a controller to operate an HVAC system; a memory; a transponder controller and an antenna for near field communication; and a transponder memory storing a configuration version and an address list. Firmware in the transponder memory includes instructions for the controller to: connect to a handheld device; determine an address thereof; determine whether the address is on the list; if so: receive initial configuration data from the handheld device, and store it in the transponder memory. There is firmware in the device memory telling it to: connect to the transponder controller; read a device version; read the configuration version in the transponder memory; determine whether the configuration version is compatible with the device version; and if so, transfer the initial configuration data to the memory, and thereafter use the initial configuration data in operation of the system.

According to one configuration, a remote controller device wirelessly controls a remote media system. The remote controller device includes multiple selectable control buttons, multiple optical sources, and controller hardware. Each optical source individually back-illuminates a respective selectable control button of the multiple selectable buttons. The controller hardware selectively activates different groupings of the multiple optical sources depending upon a current operational mode of the remote media system. For example, a respective user of the remote controller device selects a particular button of the remote controller device corresponding to the first operational mode. The remote controller device, in turn, transmits a wireless signal to the remote media system to control the remote media system to the first operational mode. Rather than illuminating all buttons, the remote controller device then back-illuminates only a relevant group of multiple selectable control buttons applicable to the first operational mode.

A furnace a smart furnace monitoring system, comprising: a) a wireless communication module; and b) a control module in communication with the wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communication module is capable of sending one or more status information messages to one or more recipients via a network.

The present invention provides a method and a device for controlling electronic devices. The method includes the following steps. According to a triggering signal, a first control signal is generated for controlling a first electronic device to execute a first action. After that, based on whether the first electronic device executes the first action, a first feedback signal is generated. When the first feedback signal indicates that the first electronic device executes the first action, a second control signal is generated for controlling a second electronic device to execute a second action. Therefore, the method and the device of the present invention provide interaction and simultaneous control between the device and a plurality of electronic devices.

Devices and systems are provided for controlling electronic devices using a mobile remote control device. A mobile remote control device provides an interface to control a plurality of electronic devices. The mobile device has a unique identifier, and the electronic device transmits a presentation of a remote control to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device controls the electronic device by operating the “virtual” remote control displayed on the mobile device. The user may further define his or her custom remote control. The user may define batches of commands, or “macros” that transmit a specific series of commands to one or more electronic devices. Proximity and motion of a mobile device may be used as an input, such that the electronic devices are programmed to react in specific ways depending upon the position and movement of the user of the mobile device.

A battery management apparatus includes a processor configured to collect sensing data of a battery using a sensor, and infrared (IR) communicators located to face a neighboring battery management apparatus of the battery management apparatus. The processor is configured to transmit the collected sensing data to the neighboring battery management apparatus using one of the IR communicators.

A room device comprising two or more connectors (2a, 2b, 15) for providing building power to the room device (1); a device controller (3a) configured to operate a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system (4); a device memory (3b) in operative communication with the device controller (3a); wherein the device memory (3b) and the device controller (3a) require building power for standard operation; a transponder controller (5a) and an antenna (5c); a transponder memory (5b) being powerable by the transponder controller (5a); a device firmware stored in the device memory (3b), the device firmware including instructions causing the device controller (3a) upon providing building power to the room device (1) to: connect to the transponder controller (5a) such that the device controller (3a) is in operative communication with the transponder controller (5a); transfer the initial configuration data stored in the transponder memory (5b) to the device memory (3b).

Devices and systems are provided for controlling electronic devices using a mobile remote control device. A mobile remote control device provides an interface to control a plurality of electronic devices. The mobile device has a unique identifier, and the electronic device transmits a presentation of a remote control to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device controls the electronic device by operating the “virtual” remote control displayed on the mobile device. The user may further define his or her custom remote control. The user may define batches of commands, or “macros” that transmit a specific series of commands to one or more electronic devices. Proximity and motion of a mobile device may be used as an input, such that the electronic devices are programmed to react in specific ways depending upon the position and movement of the user of the mobile device.

A room device comprising two or more connectors (2a, 2b, 15) for providing building power to the room device (1); a device controller (3a) configured to operate a heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning system (4); a device memory (3b) in operative communication with the device controller (3a); wherein the device memory (3b) and the device controller (3a) require building power for standard operation; a transponder controller (5a) and an antenna (5c); a transponder memory (5b) being powerable by the transponder controller (5a); a device firmware stored in the device memory (3b), the device firmware including instructions causing the device controller (3a) upon providing building power to the room device (1) to: connect to the transponder controller (5a) such that the device controller (3a) is in operative communication with the transponder controller (5a); transfer the initial configuration data stored in the transponder memory (5b) to the device memory (3b).

Various embodiments include a device comprising: two connectors for powering the device; a controller to operate an HVAC system; a memory; a transponder controller and an antenna for near field communication; and a transponder memory storing a configuration version and an address list. Firmware in the transponder memory includes instructions for the controller to: connect to a handheld device; determine an address thereof; determine whether the address is on the list; if so: receive initial configuration data from the handheld device, and store it in the transponder memory. There is firmware in the device memory telling it to: connect to the transponder controller; read a device version; read the configuration version in the transponder memory; determine whether the configuration version is compatible with the device version; and if so, transfer the initial configuration data to the memory, and thereafter use the initial configuration data in operation of the system.