Abstract: A user engagement system and methods for operating the same to display notification messages are provided herein. The user engagement system may include a camera assembly, an image monitor, and a controller configured to initiate a message-display operation based on a signal received from a user device. The camera assembly may be mounted in a fixed position and directed away from a cabinet of a cooking appliance. The image monitor may be directed away from the cabinet.

Abstract: A method of connecting a household appliance to a secure network using a remote interface device includes discovering the appliance by receiving a short-range broadcast from the appliance. The short-range broadcast includes a unique identifier and a model number. The method also includes establishing an encrypted short-range radio connection between the appliance and the remote user interface device. The method further includes receiving a network credential for the secure network and transmitting the network credential to the appliance via the encrypted short-range radio connection. The method then includes connecting the appliance to the secure network using the received network credential.

Abstract: A user engagement system and methods for use thereof in an augmented reality context are provided herein. The user engagement system may include a camera assembly, an image monitor, and a controller. The camera assembly may be directed at a cooking zone. The image monitor may be directed at an area forward from the cooking zone. The controller may be in operative communication with the camera assembly and the image monitor. The controller may be configured to initiate a directed cooking operation. The directed cooking operation may include receiving a video signal of the cooking zone from the camera assembly, presenting a real-time feed of the cooking zone at the image monitor, overlaying a dynamic figure onto the real-time feed of the cooking zone at the image monitor, and animating the dynamic figure over the real-time feed based on a selected recipe.

Abstract: A method of operating an appliance includes receiving a user credential. The method also includes receiving a unique identifier associated with the appliance via a short-range radio signal. The method further includes detecting that a distance between the appliance and a remote user interface device is less than a distance threshold based on a received signal strength indicator of the short-range radio signal. The method also includes activating the appliance with a predetermined customized operating parameter. The predetermined customized operating parameter is based on the unique identifier associated with the appliance and the user credential.

Abstract: A method of connecting a household appliance to a secure network using a remote interface device includes discovering the appliance by receiving a short-range broadcast from the appliance. The short-range broadcast includes a unique identifier and a model number. The method also includes establishing an encrypted short-range radio connection between the appliance and the remote user interface device. The method further includes receiving a network credential for the secure network and transmitting the network credential to the appliance via the encrypted short-range radio connection. The method then includes connecting the appliance to the secure network using the received network credential.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating appliance communication settings to compensate for temperature fluctuations are provided. In particular, an appliance that includes one or more data communication components that provide wireless communication functionality can monitor one or more characteristics describing data communication failures experienced by the one or more data communication components. When the monitored characteristics indicate that the appliance is experiencing an increased rate of communication failure, the appliance can log the temperature conditions at the data communication components. Periodically, the appliance can analyze the logged temperatures to identify one or more temperature ranges associated with increased communication failure. The appliance can then update one or more communication settings associated with such temperature ranges so as to compensate for anticipated temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced network identification are provided. One example method includes receiving, by a computing device, identification data for each of a plurality of networks. The identification data for each of the plurality of networks includes a service set identifier and a basic service set identifier. At least one of the plurality of networks is hosted by an appliance. The method includes comparing, by the computing device for each of the plurality of networks, the service set identifier to the basic service set identifier. The method includes determining, by the computing device for each of the plurality of networks, whether to attempt to connect to such network based at least in part on the comparison of the service set identifier to the basic service set identifier for such network.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates energy management systems and methodologies wherein control over local appliances is implemented to control stress on a local transformer to which a plurality of user locations may be connected. Some of the user locations are provided with home energy management (HEM) devices that control operation of certain appliance at their location based in part on constraints associated with the local transformer. The HEMs may negotiate among themselves how to meet the constraints of the local transformer and, in certain circumstances, take into consideration estimates of usage at user locations connected to the local transformer but that do not have their own HEM.

Abstract: A system for enabling a viewable personal area network (PAN) identification (ID) over an wireless network. The system includes a coordinator configured to assign a PAN ID to an available PAN, a device configured to transmit and/or receive data using 802.15.4 protocol or equivalent, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to receive a request from the device to scan for an available wireless network, receive the assigned PAN ID based on the request, determine whether the PAN ID is a viewable PAN ID, and provide the PAN ID based on the determination.

Abstract: A device configured in a unitary housing which includes a computing device with memory that stores energy information. A power supply and prongs attach to the power supply in the same unitary housing, wherein the prongs are configured to plug into a wall outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of an appliance and method utilize data keys to facilitate the exchange of data and information among devices as part of an energy management system. The data keys contain and/or encode information particular to the appliance. This information helps to distinguish data that originates from one appliance from data that originates from other appliances in the household. In one embodiment, the data keys are stored locally, either on devices (e.g., memory) incorporated into the appliance or on a communication device (e.g., a wireless radio) that can connect to the appliance to permit the exchange of inputs and outputs. Exemplary configuration of the appliance can sense the connection with the communication device and provide an input to the communication device to determine the data key that is associated with the appliance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced network identification are provided. One example method includes receiving, by a computing device, identification data for each of a plurality of networks. The identification data for each of the plurality of networks includes a service set identifier and a basic service set identifier. At least one of the plurality of networks is hosted by an appliance. The method includes comparing, by the computing device for each of the plurality of networks, the service set identifier to the basic service set identifier. The method includes determining, by the computing device for each of the plurality of networks, whether to attempt to connect to such network based at least in part on the comparison of the service set identifier to the basic service set identifier for such network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating appliance communication settings to compensate for temperature fluctuations are provided. In particular, an appliance that includes one or more data communication components that provide wireless communication functionality can monitor one or more characteristics describing data communication failures experienced by the one or more data communication components. When the monitored characteristics indicate that the appliance is experiencing an increased rate of communication failure, the appliance can log the temperature conditions at the data communication components. Periodically, the appliance can analyze the logged temperatures to identify one or more temperature ranges associated with increased communication failure. The appliance can then update one or more communication settings associated with such temperature ranges so as to compensate for anticipated temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling an appliance is provided comprising establishing settings on an appliance related to threshold variables, wherein the settings include the threshold variables for determining a reaction of the appliance in response to reaching one or more of the threshold variables. The method further comprises sending a signal from an associated utility to the appliance, wherein the appliance includes a controller in signal communication with the associated utility. The controller receives and processes a signal from the associated utility, and converts and compares the signal to the threshold variables. The method still further comprises changing the operating of the appliance from a first state of operation to a second state of operation, wherein in the second state of operation one or more power consuming functions of the appliance are based on the comparison of the signal to the threshold variables and, returning the appliance to the first state of operation.

Abstract: A method for aggregate load management includes determining whether a load capacity limit within a utility power network will be exceeded, selecting an aggregated demand reduction target to remain within capacity bounds if the load capacity limit is to be exceeded, selecting a demand reduction strategy, and sending a control signal that includes a randomized PWM level, based on the strategy, to a controller in a load component of the utility system based on the reduction target. A method for component load management includes receiving a control signal from a utility system based on a utility demand reduction strategy, converting the signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith, receiving an updated control signal based on utility system monitoring of an aggregate load of a component of the utility system, and converting the updated signal into randomized PWM control of the load component in accordance therewith.

Abstract: An energy data management control system is configured to allow a user to control operation of the data management among a plurality of modes.

Abstract: A system for managing energy consumption of a mesh network. The system includes a controller, a dynamic routing device configured to perform a functionality of either a routing device or a non-routing device, and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to identify a number of routing devices in the mesh network, determine a signal strength of each of the identified routing devices with respect to at least one of the controller and the dynamic processor, and determine whether the dynamic routing device will perform the functionality of a routing device or a non-routing device upon joining the mesh network based on the number of identified routing devices and the signal strength of each of the identified routing devices.

Abstract: A controller which receives a signal from an external associated energy utility indicative of a forthcoming rate increase period, and controls the rate of temperature change of a refrigerator from a user selected setpoint to a first targeted setpoint below the user selected setpoint. During the rate increase the controller establishes a second target setpoint above the user selected setpoint. After the rate increase period the controller reduces the temperature to the user selected setpoint at a constant rate defined by a number of degrees per minute.

Abstract: An energy management system and method for one or more appliances includes a controller for managing power consumption within a household. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of one or more energy parameters of an associated energy supplying utility, including at least a peak demand period or an off-peak demand period. The controller is configured to at least one of communicate to, control and operate one or more appliances in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The one or more appliances operate in the normal operating mode during the off-peak demand period and operate in the energy savings mode during the peak demand period. The controller is configured to control the return of the one or more appliances to the normal operating mode after the peak demand period is over to prevent an energy surge for the associated energy supplying utility.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for updating of schedules to a device controlled by an energy management system.