Abstract: A system for optimizing network bandwidth based on subscription rates from a plurality of requestors is disclosed as including a provider that provides provider data. The system also includes a first requestor that has requested the provider data at a first subscription rate and a second requestor that has requested the provider data at a second subscription rate. The second subscription rate is higher than the first subscription rate. The system further includes a plurality of intervening access nodes. Each intervening access node includes request information specifying any provider data being sent through the intervening access node and a corresponding subscription rate. The plurality of intervening access nodes are configured to decrease the rate to an adjacent node when a requestor decreases a requestor subscription rate such that all the rates along a common transmit path from the provider to an end requestor are optimized to maximize available bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for routing electronic messages for communications between computer systems may include the steps of examining a plurality of interest data sets, each having a interest value that indicates specific data that is of interest, creating a filter tree from the plurality of interest data sets where each filter of the filter tree accurately describes child filters in such a way that messages may be properly passed to any terminal filters of the tree which have an interest value that describes the messages, examining the messages, comparing the messages to the root filter of the filter tree to determine if the messages should pass the root filter, and, as long as the messages passes a current filter, comparing the messages with the child filters of the current filter in order to effectively pass the messages to any terminal filters of the tree having an interest value that describes the messages.

Abstract: A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data. The curtailment module also includes a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification. A code generator is stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs.

Abstract: A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network. The adapter includes a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device. The adapter also includes communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network. In addition, the adapter includes a processor and memory. The memory is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network. The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port.

Abstract: An embedded device configured to provide an audio status output is disclosed. The embedded device includes a processor, an input button in electronic communication with the processor and a speaker in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio output. Memory is used for storing data. An audio output generator is stored in the memory and operates to generate the audio status output. The audio generator receives a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of the input button. The generator then operates to convert the status data to audio output data through use of an audio generation table. The audio output data includes multiple distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that correspond to individual data elements of the status data. The audio output data is provided to the speaker such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated.

Abstract: A file system for a collection of data files on a microcontroller-based device, the microcontroller-based device including an arithmetic/logic unit, read/write memory, and program memory, and the file system comprising a data table stored in the program memory and a document table of contents stored on a host computer. The data table is a set of data files, and the document table of contents includes length and offset information for each data file. A method is also described for creating and managing a file system for a collection of data files on a microcontroller-based device, wherein the microcontroller-based device includes an arithmetic/logic unit, read/write memory, and program memory, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a data table for storage in the program memory and providing a document table of contents for storage on a host computer.

Abstract: An autonomous local area distributed network provides a peer-to-peer network to connect nodes and devices using low cost and low bandwidth communication techniques, thus allowing the network to share node resources and distribute programming tasks across the different nodes. Home appliances and devices such as refrigerators, televisions, light switches, light fixtures, garage door openers, stereos, and the like may be configured as nodes on the peer-to-peer network. Operational programs, referred to as “sequences,” may be distributed across nodes in a network to enable the maximum utilization of available node resources.

Abstract: A service provider for embedded devices is disclosed for controlling, monitoring and/or updating embedded devices. The service provider includes a computer having communications hardware for communicating over a computer network. The computer also includes a storage device and a processor. The service provider further includes a database of embedded device information that contains information relating to a number of embedded devices. An embedded device communications module is used by the service provider to communicate with a number of embedded devices. The service provider further includes a computer network communications module for communicating with computers via the computer network. In addition, the service provider has a database interface module for accessing the information in the embedded device information database.

Abstract: A distributed object for use in a networked computer system including a host computer and a remote computer, where the remote computer is in electronic communication with a device, is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a first member component implemented and stored on the host computer, and a second member component implemented and stored on the host computer. The second member component is in electronic communication with the remote computer, and the second member component functions to access data on the remote computer. The distributed object may be part of an object hierarchy. The object hierarchy includes a base class having member data and functions common to a set of remote computers, where the base class is implemented and stored on the host computer. The object hierarchy may also include a first subclass derived from the base class. The first subclass may be implemented and stored on the host computer.

Abstract: A web server is disclosed for facilitating communications with an embedded device through a gateway. The web server includes a plurality of web pages for downloading by web clients. The web pages are usable by the web clients. The web server includes an HTTP server for serving the web pages to the web clients. A user interface component is also included. The user interface component is downloadable by a web client and usable by the web client to present a user interface element that relates to an embedded device. The user interface element is capable of causing communication with the embedded device. A gateway communications module is also included for communicating with the gateway. The gateway is in electronic communication with the embedded device and is programmed to communicate with the embedded device. The user interface element initiates instructions included in the gateway communications module to communicate with the embedded device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for preparing program code for a first computer, wherein the systems and methods are implemented on a second computer. The systems include a relocating module that is adapted to relocate program code by modifying locations in the program code identified by location data. The modifications made by the relocating module are based on a memory address. The systems operate on program code for the first computer, where the program code is stored on the second computer. The relocating module is provided the memory address that identifies a memory location in the first computer. The memory address is suitable as a basis for modifying the program code. The relocating module is also provided with location data that identifies locations in the program code to be adjusted based on the memory address.

Abstract: An architecture is disclosed for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices from a client application. The architecture includes gateway software and server software. The gateway software includes device communications software for sending and receiving device messages to and from the one or more embedded devices and gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to other software. The server software includes user interface software that is downloadable by the client application for use to communicate with the server software. The server software also includes serving software for responding to requests received from the client application through the user interface software. The server software also includes gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to the gateway software.

Abstract: A distributed object for use in a networked computer system including a host computer and a remote computer, where the remote computer is in electronic communication with a device, is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a first member component implemented and stored on the host computer, and a second member component implemented and stored on the host computer. The second member component is in electronic communication with the remote computer, and the second member component functions to access data on the remote computer. The distributed object may be part of an object hierarchy. The object hierarchy includes a base class having member data and functions common to a set of remote computers, where the base class is implemented and stored on the host computer. The object hierarchy may also include a first subclass derived from the base class. The first subclass may be implemented and stored on the host computer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a networked computer system that includes a host computer and a remote computer being used to access a device. The system includes a communications module for transferring data to and from a communications port of the host computer. The system also includes a data interface module for accessing an interface definition from a storage device in electronic communication with the host computer. Accessing the interface definition is accomplished through use of an interface definition identifier. A device access controller is also utilized in the system for communicating with the remote computer via the communications module. The device access controller obtains the interface definition identifier from computer program code loaded on the remote computer. In addition, the device access controller accesses the storage device through the data interface module to obtain the interface definition and uses the interface definition identifier to obtain the interface definition.

Abstract: A file system for a collection of data files on a microcontroller-based device, the microcontroller-based device including an arithmetic/logic unit, read/write memory, and program memory, and the file system comprising a data table stored in the program memory and a document table of contents stored on a host computer. The data table is a set of data files, and the document table of contents includes length and offset information for each data file. A method is also described for creating and managing a file system for a collection of data files on a microcontroller-based device, wherein the microcontroller-based device includes an arithmetic/logic unit, read/write memory, and program memory, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a data table for storage in the program memory and providing a document table of contents for storage on a host computer.

Abstract: A method for exchange of information between a requesting communication unit and a responding communication unit through an intervening communication unit. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a request for a predetermined information element to the responding communication unit using a first format, intercepting the request for the predetermined information element, searching resources local to the intervening communication unit for the requested predetermined information element, and transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit.