Abstract: An Internet of Things device is herein disclosed. The Internet of Things device comprises a communications module having circuitry to communicatively connect to a computer network, a memory operable to store data, a processor coupled to the memory and the communications module and operable to execute instructions stored in the memory, and an activity module, including at least one of a sensor and a control device. The activity module operates under control of the processor to perform a designated activity with at least one of the sensor and the control device. The activity module further communicates on the computer network via the communications module. The processor curtails a volume of communication of the communications module on the computer network if a measured value of a system parameter exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: An Internet of Things device is herein disclosed. The Internet of Things device comprises a communication module operable to connect to a network, a memory storing a device fingerprint having a plurality of predetermined system parameters, a processor coupled to the memory and operable to execute instructions stored in the memory, and an activity module, including at least one of a sensor and a control device, the activity module under control of the processor, to perform a predetermined operation with at least one of the sensor and the control device. The activity module communicates on the network via the communications module. The processor measures system parameters during performance of the predetermined operation, compares measured system parameters to predetermined system parameters of the device fingerprint, and disables the communications module, the processor, or the activity module responsive to the measured system parameters being out of compliance with the predetermined system parameters.

Abstract: A method of operating an Internet of Things device is described. In the method, an electrical power is supplied to electrical circuitry in the Internet of Things device. The Internet of Things device is communicatively coupled to a computer network using circuitry of a transceiver and a communications module of the Internet of Things device. A detecting circuit is operated to indirectly monitor a level of activity of the communications module. If the level of activity of the communications module is determined to exceed a threshold value, a volume of communications between the Internet of Things device and the computer network is curtailed.

Abstract: An Internet of Things device is herein disclosed. The Internet of Things device comprises a communication module operable to connect to a network, a memory storing a device fingerprint having a plurality of predetermined system parameters, a processor coupled to the memory and operable to execute instructions stored in the memory, and an activity module, including at least one of a sensor and a control device, the activity module under control of the processor, to perform a predetermined operation with at least one of the sensor and the control device. The activity module communicates on the network via the communications module. The processor measures system parameters during performance of the predetermined operation, compares measured system parameters to predetermined system parameters of the device fingerprint, and disables the communications module, the processor, or the activity module responsive to the measured system parameters being out of compliance with the predetermined system parameters.

Abstract: A method of operating an Internet of Things device is described. In the method, an electrical power is supplied to electrical circuitry in the Internet of Things device. The Internet of Things device is communicatively coupled to a computer network using circuitry of a transceiver and a communications module of the Internet of Things device. A detecting circuit is operated to indirectly monitor a level of activity of the communications module. If the level of activity of the communications module is determined to exceed a threshold value, a volume of communications between the Internet of Things device and the computer network is curtailed.

Abstract: A method of operating an Internet of Things device is disclosed. In the method, electrical power is provided to electrical circuitry in the Internet of Things device. The Internet of Things device is communicately coupled to a network using a communications module having one or more transceiver. An activity module of the Internet of Things device is activated to perform a predetermined operation, wherein activating the activity module includes determining compliance of a plurality of measured system parameters against a plurality of system parameters of a device fingerprint stored within a non-transitory memory of the Internet of Things device during performance of the predetermined operation, and disabling the Internet of Things device due to at least two of the measured system parameters being out of compliance with predetermined system parameters.

Abstract: An Internet of Things device is herein disclosed. The Internet of Things device comprises a communications module having circuitry to communicatively connect to a computer network, a memory operable to store data, a processor coupled to the memory and the communications module and operable to execute instructions stored in the memory, and an activity module, including at least one of a sensor and a control device. The activity module operates under control of the processor to perform a designated activity with at least one of the sensor and the control device. The activity module further communicates on the computer network via the communications module. The processor curtails a volume of communication of the communications module on the computer network if a measured value of a system parameter exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: The reduction of multicast traffic collisions is facilitated. A device that is associated with a multicast group receives a multicast message requesting re-transmission of an acknowledgment message from the device. The multicast message includes information identifying the device within the multicast group of devices. In response to the device being determined to be identified by the information, the acknowledgement message can be re-transmitted after a defined transmit delay period after receipt of the multicast message. The defined transmit delay period can be based on the number of devices in the multicast group, based on the number of previous re-transmissions by the device and/or based on the number of devices for which re-transmission is requested.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes presenting a media content item at a communication device coupled to a network, and analyzing the media content item to determine a current desired cache size and to predict a future desired cache size for presentation of the media content item; the desired cache size varies during the presentation in accordance with properties of the media content item. The method further includes adjusting a cache of the communication device in accordance with the analyzing. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The reduction of multicast traffic collisions is facilitated. A device that is associated with a multicast group receives a multicast message requesting re-transmission of an acknowledgment message from the device. The multicast message includes information identifying the device within the multicast group of devices. In response to the device being determined to be identified by the information, the acknowledgement message can be re-transmitted after a defined transmit delay period after receipt of the multicast message. The defined transmit delay period can be based on the number of devices in the multicast group, based on the number of previous re-transmissions by the device and/or based on the number of devices for which re-transmission is requested.

Abstract: The reduction of multicast traffic collisions is facilitated. A device that is associated with a multicast group receives a multicast message requesting re-transmission of an acknowledgment message from the device. The multicast message includes information identifying the device within the multicast group of devices. In response to the device being determined to be identified by the information, the acknowledgement message can be re-transmitted after a defined transmit delay period after receipt of the multicast message. The defined transmit delay period can be based on the number of devices in the multicast group, based on the number of previous re-transmissions by the device and/or based on the number of devices for which re-transmission is requested.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes presenting a media content item at a communication device coupled to a network, and analyzing the media content item to determine a current desired cache size and to predict a future desired cache size for presentation of the media content item; the desired cache size varies during the presentation in accordance with properties of the media content item. The method further includes adjusting a cache of the communication device in accordance with the analyzing. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A distance between a host communication device and a mobile target communication device at multiple times over a time period based on a received signal emitted by the mobile target communication device. An amount of time that the distance between the host communication device and the mobile target communication device is within a distance threshold is also determined. A determination is further made whether the amount of time the distance between the host communication device and the mobile target communication device is within the distance threshold is less than a predetermined amount of time. If the amount of time that the distance between the host communication device and the mobile target communication device is within the distance threshold is less than the predetermined amount of time, transmission of a notification to a third party is initiated via a gateway.

Abstract: A distance between a host communication device and a mobile target communication device at multiple times over a time period based on a received signal emitted by the mobile target communication device. An amount of time that the distance between the host communication device and the mobile target communication device is within a distance threshold is also determined. A determination is further made whether the amount of time the distance between the host communication device and the mobile target communication device is within the distance threshold is less than a predetermined amount of time. If the amount of time that the distance between the host communication device and the mobile target communication device is within the distance threshold is less than the predetermined amount of time, transmission of a notification to a third party is initiated via a gateway.

Abstract: The reduction of multicast traffic collisions is facilitated. A device that is associated with a multicast group receives a multicast message requesting re-transmission of an acknowledgment message from the device. The multicast message includes information identifying the device within the multicast group of devices. In response to the device being determined to be identified by the information, the acknowledgement message can be re-transmitted after a defined transmit delay period after receipt of the multicast message. The defined transmit delay period can be based on the number of devices in the multicast group, based on the number of previous re-transmissions by the device and/or based on the number of devices for which re-transmission is requested.