Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) device is deployed with embedded software. A debug client device stores an end-to-end encryption key that corresponds to an end-to-end encryption key stored on the IoT device. The debug client encrypts a debug instruction using the end-to-end encryption key and encrypts additional data using a point-to-point encryption key. The encrypted debug instruction and the encrypted additional data are sent to a debug server over a network. The debug server decrypts the additional data and identifies the IoT device from among multiple IoT devices. The debug server generates a message to the IoT device including the encrypted debug instruction, encrypts the message, and transmits the message to the IoT device. The IoT device decrypts the message using a first decryption key associated with the debug server, retrieves the encrypted message payload, and decrypts the message payload using the stored end-to-end encryption key.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) device is deployed with embedded software. A debug client device stores an end-to-end encryption key that corresponds to an end-to-end encryption key stored on the IoT device. The debug client encrypts a debug instruction using the end-to-end encryption key and encrypts additional data using a point-to-point encryption key. The encrypted debug instruction and the encrypted additional data are sent to a debug server over a network. The debug server decrypts the additional data and identifies the IoT device from among multiple IoT devices. The debug server generates a message to the IoT device including the encrypted debug instruction, encrypts the message, and transmits the message to the IoT device. The IoT device decrypts the message using a first decryption key associated with the debug server, retrieves the encrypted message payload, and decrypts the message payload using the stored end-to-end encryption key.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) device is deployed with embedded software that may comprise multiple components. After deployment, updated versions of one or more components of the embedded software may become available. The IoT device maintains a manifest of the installed components. Periodically, the IoT device requests an updated copy of the manifest from an upgrade server. The installed manifest and the updated manifest are compared to determine if updated versions of any components are available. If so, the IoT device requests only the components to be updated. Prior to beginning the copying of the upgraded components, an upgrade flag is set. The IoT device then begins copying the received components into memory, replaces the manifest with the updated manifest, and clears the upgrade flag.

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) system and method of interfacing arbitrary non-network connected devices to wireless computer networks. The invention provides a configurable wireless communications module, in either fixed or removable formats, with wireless (e.g. WiFi) network connectivity. The invention uses at least one internal processor, which is configured to operate as a sandbox or virtual machine manner to isolate the code used to operate the arbitrary non-network connected device from the code used to operate the communications module.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) device is deployed with embedded software that may comprise multiple components. After deployment, updated versions of one or more components of the embedded software may become available. The IoT device maintains a manifest of the installed components. Periodically, the IoT device requests an updated copy of the manifest from an upgrade server. The installed manifest and the updated manifest are compared to determine if updated versions of any components are available. If so, the IoT device requests only the components to be updated. Prior to beginning the copying of the upgraded components, an upgrade flag is set. The IoT device then begins copying the received components into memory, replaces the manifest with the updated manifest, and clears the upgrade flag.

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) system and method of interfacing arbitrary non-network connected devices to wireless computer networks. The invention provides a configurable wireless communications module, in either fixed or removable formats, with wireless (e.g. WiFi) network connectivity. The invention uses at least one internal processor, which is configured to operate as a sandbox or virtual machine manner to isolate the code used to operate the arbitrary non-network connected device from the code used to operate the communications module.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) device is deployed with embedded software that may comprise multiple components. After deployment, updated versions of one or more components of the embedded software may become available. The IoT device maintains a manifest of the installed components. Periodically, the IoT device requests an updated copy of the manifest from an upgrade server. The installed manifest and the updated manifest are compared to determine if updated versions of any components are available. If so, the IoT device requests only the components to be updated. Prior to beginning the copying of the upgraded components, an upgrade flag is set. The IoT device then begins copying the received components into memory, replaces the manifest with the updated manifest, and clears the upgrade flag.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) device is deployed with embedded software. A debug client device stores an end-to-end encryption key that corresponds to an end-to-end encryption key stored on the IoT device. The debug client encrypts a debug instruction using the end-to-end encryption key and encrypts additional data using a point-to-point encryption key. The encrypted debug instruction and the encrypted additional data are sent to a debug server over a network. The debug server decrypts the additional data and identifies the IoT device from among multiple IoT devices. The debug server generates a message to the IoT device including the encrypted debug instruction, encrypts the message, and transmits the message to the IoT device. The IoT device decrypts the message using a first decryption key associated with the debug server, retrieves the encrypted message payload, and decrypts the message payload using the stored end-to-end encryption key.

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) system and method of interfacing arbitrary non-network connected devices to wireless computer networks. The invention provides a configurable wireless communications module, in either fixed or removable formats, with wireless (e.g. WiFi) network connectivity. The invention uses at least one internal processor, which is configured to operate as a sandbox or virtual machine manner to isolate the code used to operate the arbitrary non-network connected device from the code used to operate the communications module.

Abstract: An Internet of Things (IoT) device is deployed with embedded software that may comprise multiple components. After deployment, updated versions of one or more components of the embedded software may become available. The IoT device maintains a manifest of the installed components. Periodically, the IoT device requests an updated copy of the manifest from an upgrade server. The installed manifest and the updated manifest are compared to determine if updated versions of any components are available. If so, the IoT device requests only the components to be updated. Prior to beginning the copying of the upgraded components, an upgrade flag is set. The IoT device then begins copying the received components into memory, replaces the manifest with the updated manifest, and clears the upgrade flag.

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) system and method of interfacing arbitrary non-network connected devices to wireless computer networks. The invention provides a configurable wireless communications module, in either fixed or removable formats, with wireless (e.g. WiFi) network connectivity. The invention uses at least one internal processor, which is configured to operate as a sandbox or virtual machine manner to isolate the code used to operate the arbitrary non-network connected device from the code used to operate the communications module.

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) system and method of interfacing arbitrary non-network connected devices to wireless computer networks. The invention provides a configurable wireless communications module, in either fixed or removable formats, with wireless (e.g. WiFi) network connectivity. The invention uses at least one internal processor, which is configured to operate as a sandbox or virtual machine manner to isolate the code used to operate the arbitrary non-network connected device from the code used to operate the communications module.

Abstract: Mobile devices such as cellular telephones are provided that communicate with wireless networks. Cellular telephone network equipment may communicate with a cellular telephone over a data connection. The cellular telephone may have an internet protocol (IP) address that allows data to be provided to the cellular telephone over the data connection. To conserve resources and release unused IP addresses, the cellular telephone network equipment may deactivate inactive data connections after a period of inactivity. A baseband processor within a mobile device may periodically send User Datagram Protocol (UDP) keep-alive packets over the data connection to ensure that the data connection remains active. The keep-alive packets may be directed to a packet sink server or may be associated with a black hole route. An applications processor in the telephone may remain in sleep mode during keep-alive packet transmission to conserve power.

Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of an energy-storage device of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system. The thermostat further comprises powering circuitry configured to: extract electrical power from one or more HVAC control wires in a manner that does not require a “common” wire; supply electrical power for thermostat operation; recharge the energy-storage device (if needed) using any surplus extracted power; and discharge the energy-storage device to assist in supplying electrical power for thermostat operation during intervals in which the extracted power alone is insufficient for thermostat operation.

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) system and method of interfacing arbitrary non-network connected devices to wireless computer networks. The invention provides a configurable wireless communications module, in either fixed or removable formats, with wireless (e.g. WiFi) network connectivity. The invention uses at least one internal processor, which is configured to operate as a sandbox or virtual machine manner to isolate the code used to operate the arbitrary non-network connected device from the code used to operate the communications module.

Abstract: A circuit includes a monitoring circuit that monitors a voltage and a switching circuit. Closing the switching circuit causes an external AC load to receive power from an external AC source. The circuit further includes a control circuit that opens the switching circuit for a time interval, where the time interval begins after the voltage is below a lower threshold. The control circuit also ends the time interval after the voltage exceeds an upper threshold, where the time interval is short enough that the operation of the AC load is not affected during the time interval. The circuit also includes a power harvesting circuit that harvests power from the external AC source to raise the voltage during the time interval.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system in an enclosure may include a passive infrared sensor, an active infrared sensor, and an electronic display having a first mode and a second mode. The thermostat may also include one or more processors programmed to change a setpoint temperature of the thermostat to an energy-saving temperature upon detection of a non-occupancy condition for the enclosure. The processor(s) may detect the non-occupancy condition based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor. The processor(s) may also be programmed to change the electronic display from the first mode to the second mode upon detection of a person approaching the thermostat. The processor(s) may detect a person approaching the thermostat based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor.

Abstract: Mobile devices such as cellular telephones are provided that communicate with wireless networks. Cellular telephone network equipment may communicate with a cellular telephone over a data connection. The cellular telephone may have an internet protocol (IP) address that allows data to be provided to the cellular telephone over the data connection. To conserve resources and release unused IP addresses, the cellular telephone network equipment may deactivate inactive data connections after a period of inactivity. A baseband processor within a mobile device may periodically send User Datagram Protocol (UDP) keep-alive packets over the data connection to ensure that the data connection remains active. The keep-alive packets may be directed to a packet sink server or may be associated with a black hole route. An applications processor in the telephone may remain in sleep mode during keep-alive packet transmission to conserve power.

Abstract: Mobile devices such as cellular telephones are provided that communicate with wireless networks. Cellular telephone network equipment may communicate with a cellular telephone over a data connection. The cellular telephone may have an internet protocol (IP) address that allows data to be provided to the cellular telephone over the data connection. To conserve resources and release unused IP addresses, the cellular telephone network equipment may deactivate inactive data connections after a period of inactivity. A baseband processor within a mobile device may periodically send User Datagram Protocol (UDP) keep-alive packets over the data connection to ensure that the data connection remains active. The keep-alive packets may be directed to a packet sink server or may be associated with a black hole route. An applications processor in the telephone may remain in sleep mode during keep-alive packet transmission to conserve power.

Abstract: A thermostat is described that includes a rechargeable battery, a graphical user interface and a wireless network communication capabilities. During installation, in cases where the rechargeable battery is below a first threshold, the installation procedure is limited so as to avoid energy intensive installation steps which may not be supported by the low battery level. An example of an installation step that is avoided due to low battery level is set up of wireless communication. According to some embodiments, if the battery level is very low during initial installation, the installation process is halted while the battery is charged. An indication such as a flashing LED may be displayed so as to indicate to the user that the battery is being charged.