Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a control device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a registration information message is received by a bridge device from an unregistered remote network device using a first communication protocol. Identification information within the registration information message is stored in a record in a memory. A second registration information message is transmitted to the control device using the second communication protocol, the second registration information message comprising at least some of the identification information. In response, an acknowledgement message is received from the control device, the acknowledgement message comprising an identification code. When subsequent messages are received from the remote network device, the bridge associates these messages with the identification code, then re-transmits the messages to the control device using the identification code.

Abstract: A security method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a security method comprises storing one or more data points representing an alarm condition in a memory, generating an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, comparing the electronic signal to the data points, and detecting an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal substantially matches the data points.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for communicating with a battery-powered electronic device having a wireless receiver, wherein the receiver is power-cycled once every predetermined time period. In one embodiment, the method comprises, determining a power cycle time of the battery-powered electronic device, the power cycle time comprising a time period over which the battery-powered electronic device completes a cycle of operating in a dormant state of operation and operating in an active mode of operation, defining a transmission time duration equal to or greater than the power cycle time, storing the transmission time duration in a memory, and transmitting a signal intended for the battery-powered electronic device, the signal lasting for at least the transmission time duration.

Abstract: A method for improving the responsiveness of a client application by providing that application with a local database which is a replicated subset of a database held on a remote server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing energy system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays an energy status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to place energy-consuming devices in a conservation mode of operation.

Abstract: A reloading system for modifying an existing discharge assembly such that it operates with a magazine containing multiple rounds of at least one projectile. The system joins with the discharge assembly without permanently altering the discharge assembly. A magazine joins with a receiver on the discharge assembly. A magazine well secures the magazine to the receiver. A magazine adapter connects the magazine to the receiver. A ramp guides the projectiles from the magazine into a barrel. A magazine spring presses the projectiles against rear feed lips for extraction into the barrel. A projectile pickup extracts the projectile from the magazine and moves it to the barrel for discharge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a control device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a registration information message is received by a bridge device from an unregistered remote network device using a first communication protocol. Identification information within the registration information message is stored in a record in a memory. A second registration information message is transmitted to the control device using the second communication protocol, the second registration information message comprising at least some of the identification information. In response, an acknowledgement message is received from the control device, the acknowledgement message comprising an identification code. When subsequent messages are received by the bridge device addressed to the remote network device using the identification code, the bridge re-transmits these messages to the remote network device, addressing it using at least some of the identification information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method conducted by a movable barrier gateway device is disclosed for controlling a movable barrier, comprising receiving, by a communication interface, a remote command from a remote control device to move the movable barrier, the remote command sent over a network, delaying transmission of a signal to a movable barrier controller to move the movable barrier, by a processor, for a predetermined time period after the remote command is received, detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period by a barrier movement detector, and ignoring the remote command by the processor in response to detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute are described. In one embodiment, a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute comprises a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, a cover secured to the housing that allows at least some light from the light source to pass, a light control circuit, coupled to the light source and disposed within the housing, for detecting a state change of a switch and for providing a control signal for varying an attribute of the light fixture, and the switch, coupled to the light control circuit and disposed within the housing, comprising contacts that are opened and closed in response to a non-mechanical stimulus external to the housing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method conducted by a movable barrier gateway device is disclosed for controlling a movable barrier, comprising receiving, by a communication interface, a remote command from a remote control device to move the movable barrier, the remote command sent over a network, delaying transmission of a signal to a movable barrier controller to move the movable barrier, by a processor, for a predetermined time period after the remote command is received, detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period by a barrier movement detector, and ignoring the remote command by the processor in response to detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method conducted by a movable barrier gateway device is disclosed for controlling a movable barrier, comprising receiving, by a communication interface, a remote command from a remote control device to move the movable barrier, the remote command sent over a network, delaying transmission of a signal to a movable barrier controller to move the movable barrier, by a processor, for a predetermined time period after the remote command is received, detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period by a barrier movement detector, and ignoring the remote command by the processor in response to detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for communicating with a battery-powered electronic device having a wireless receiver, wherein the receiver is power-cycled once every predetermined time period. In one embodiment, the method comprises, determining a power cycle time of the battery-powered electronic device, the power cycle time comprising a time period over which the battery-powered electronic device completes a cycle of operating in a dormant state of operation and operating in an active mode of operation, defining a transmission time duration equal to or greater than the power cycle time, storing the transmission time duration in a memory, and transmitting a signal intended for the battery-powered electronic device, the signal lasting for at least the transmission time duration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute are described. In one embodiment, a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute comprises a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, a cover secured to the housing that allows at least some light from the light source to pass, a light control circuit, coupled to the light source and disposed within the housing, for detecting a state change of a switch and for providing a control signal for varying an attribute of the light fixture, and the switch, coupled to the light control circuit and disposed within the housing, comprising contacts that are opened and closed in response to a non-mechanical stimulus external to the housing.

Abstract: A reloading system for modifying an existing discharge assembly such that it operates with a magazine containing multiple rounds of at least one projectile. The system joins with the discharge assembly without permanently altering the discharge assembly. Additionally, the system is configured to be quickly and easily attached and removed from the discharge assembly. A magazine joins with a receiver on the discharge assembly. A magazine well secures the magazine to the receiver. A magazine adapter connects the magazine to the receiver. A ramp guides the projectiles from the magazine into a barrel. A magazine spring presses the projectiles against rear feed lips for extraction into the barrel. A projectile pickup extracts the projectile from the magazine and moves it to the barrel for discharge.

Abstract: An electronic device lacking an internal power supply comprises electronic circuitry, an external power adapter having an input connector for receiving AC power from a conventional AC power outlet and for providing a low-voltage output signal to an output connector, and a first port electronically coupled to the electronic circuitry for receiving the low-voltage output signal from the output connector of the power adapter and for providing the low-voltage output signal to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A security apparatus is described for determining a condition of a door or window. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a sensor for measuring an attribute that varies as a first door or window condition is achieved and as a second door or window condition is achieved, and for generating signals indicative of the attribute, and a processor coupled to the sensor for determining the first door or window condition and the second door or window condition based on the signals from the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a network control device. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a network identification code stored within the remote network device and determining if the network identification code comprises a default network identification code. If the network identification code comprises a default network identification code, transmitting a message indicative of a request to join an existing network and determining whether a first response to the transmitted message was received. If a first response to the transmitted message was received, determining a second network identification code from the first response, and assigning the second network identification code to the remote network device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing energy system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays an energy status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to place energy-consuming devices in a conservation mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending messages from a first network device to a second network device is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises constructing a data packet, the data packet comprising a House Code field for identifying a house code relating to the first and second network devices, the house code for identifying an address common to the first network device and the second network device. The data packet further comprises a Long/Short field for indicating whether the data packet is a long data packet or a short data packet and a Command field comprising a command, the command for instructing the second network device to perform an action. The data packet further comprises a Data field comprising information for use by the second network device to execute the action associated with the command, and an Error Check field comprising error checking information. The data packet is then modulated and transmitting over one or more communication channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing security device and system status information. A status indication device may be mounted near an entry door for determining when an individual is about to leave an area. When the status indication device determines that an individual is about to leave an area, it displays a simplified security status to the individual, so that the individual can decide whether to arm the security system, or close and/or lock any doors and windows that may be open.