Abstract: A distributed home automation system and method for control of devices located in rooms of a home that is divided into regions includes plural devices located in the rooms, with a first device located in a first room, and a second device located in a second room. The system includes a network of regional controllers in communication with each device and with each regional controller in the network. Each regional controller is configured to control only a preselected number of devices that is less than all of the devices. The system includes plural regional controllers configured to control less than all of the devices in all of the rooms. The network is also configured to allow the regional controllers automatically to configure or reconfigure each other, automatically and remotely.

Abstract: A distributed home automation system and method for control of devices located in rooms of a home that is divided into regions includes plural devices located in the rooms, with a first device located in a first room, and a second device located in a second room. The system includes a network of regional controllers in communication with each device and with each regional controller in the network. Each regional controller is configured to control only a preselected number of devices that is less than all of the devices. The system includes plural regional controllers configured to control less than all of the devices in all of the rooms. The network is also configured to allow the regional controllers automatically to configure or reconfigure each other. The network can also configured to allow for removal or addition of one or more regional controllers and, for the existing or added regional controllers to be configured or reconfigured automatically and remotely.

Abstract: A computer enabled communication system for drafting and sending messages without text between users is provided. The system allows a sending user to compose an image sentence from sequentially chosen images which is communicated over a network to a recipient computing device. A viewing of the composed image sentence by the second user communicates the message from the first user without text or words being required.

Abstract: A monitor and control circuit optimizes batteries' efficiency, monitors and provides for variable loads, and protects batteries from interacting negatively with each other. For example, the monitor and control circuit monitors the voltage and output of each of three AA-sized lithium batteries connected in parallel, connecting batteries to and disconnecting them from the load with a timed control function to maximize battery efficiency and safety.