Abstract: A power control unit (100) and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller (20) and the power control unit (100). The power control unit (100) is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller (20) using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A power control device for controlling the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus or system. The power control device includes a microcontroller having an operating system with a firmware component that has at least one sandboxed software plug-in slot for accepting a communications protocol software plug-in to configure the microcontroller according to the communications protocol of the communications protocol software plug-in.

Abstract: A power control unit (100) and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller (20) and the power control unit (100). The power control unit (100) is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller (20) using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A power control unit (100) and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller (20) and the power control unit (100). The power control unit (100) is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller (20) using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A power control device for controlling the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus or system. The power control device includes a microcontroller having an operating system with a firmware component that has at least one sandboxed software plug-in slot for accepting a communications protocol software plug-in to configure the microcontroller according to the communications protocol of the communications protocol software plug-in.

Abstract: A power control device for controlling the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus or system. The power control device includes a microcontroller having an operating system with a firmware component that has at least one sandboxed software plug-in slot for accepting a communications protocol software plug-in to configure the microcontroller according to the communications protocol of the communications protocol software plug-in.

Abstract: A power control unit (100) and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller (20) and the power control unit (100). The power control unit (100) is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller (20) using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A power control unit (100) and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller (20) and the power control unit (100). The power control unit (100) is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller (20) using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A power control device for controlling the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus or system. The power control device includes a microcontroller having an operating system with a firmware component that has at least one sandboxed software plug-in slot for accepting a communications protocol software plug-in to configure the microcontroller according to the communications protocol of the communications protocol software plug-in.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay switching system for reducing electromagnetic or radio interference. The system includes an electromechanical relay with an energizeable coil and a microcontroller configured to synchronize energizing the coil relative to a voltage zero crossing time based on a relay contact close time and relay contact bounce time measured particularly for the relay.

Abstract: A power control unit and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a peer-to-peer wireless communications link between a controller and the power control unit. The communications link may be established using Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth communications technology.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay switching system for reducing electromagnetic or radio interference. The system includes an electromechanical relay with an energizeable coil and a microcontroller configured to synchronize energizing the coil relative to a voltage zero crossing time based on a relay contact close time and relay contact bounce time measured particularly for the relay.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing load across a portion of a power grid. The system (400) includes an access manager device (200) that forms part of a local power management network (600) and is configured for communication with a smartphone (10) and a smartmeter (300).

Abstract: A power control unit (100) and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller (20) and the power control unit (100). The power control unit (100) is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller (20) using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A system (100) and method for controlling a light in a residential or commercial location through a wireless communications link with a personal controller (10). The system includes a lighting module (300) and a system administrator (200) having a wireless communications module (202) operable for wireless communication with the personal controller and with the lighting module. The wireless communications module is configured to communicate with the personal controller using a peer-to-peer communications link, and configured to communicate with the lighting module using a communications link other than peer-to-peer.

Abstract: A device and method for remotely controlling the supply of electricity to a lighting element The device (200) includes a wireless communications module (202) configured for peer-to-peer communications and a microcontroller (208). The electrical supply is varied based on a command received through the wireless communications module that may include specifying one or more particular LEDs in order to generate a spectrum of different colors from the lighting element.

Abstract: A power control unit and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller and the power control unit. The power control unit is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A power control unit and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a peer-to-peer wireless communications link between a controller and the power control unit. The communications link may be established using Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth communications technology.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling a host apparatus (300) through a wireless link with a personal controller (10). The device includes a wireless communications module (202) configured to communicate with personal controller (10) via a peer-to-peer communications standard. The device connects to host apparatus (300) via a plug and receptacle interface (206) which includes power and signal pins. The device simulates an actuation signal using a reed relay (216) to cause host apparatus (300) to perform a function.

Abstract: A system for controlling a user's access to an electrical device (314). The system includes an interchangeable unit (200) operable for wireless communication with a mobile communications device (10), a power control unit (300) having a communications interface (302), and an external network processor configured to receive a verification request to verify that a user of the mobile communications device is authorized to access the interchangeable unit. The external network processor is configured to send to the mobile communications device an authorization confirmation after the user's access to the interchangeable unit is verified as being authorized.