Abstract: A system having a plurality of electronic devices, at least one of the plurality of electronic devices having one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors, collects usage information of one or more of the plurality of electronic devices for a plurality of known users within a premise. The system then identifies, for a first user, a usage pattern of the one or more electronic devices based on the collected usage information, and determines a correlation factor of the usage pattern. Based on the determined correlation factor of the usage pattern for the first user, the system generates, for the first user, an operational profile with which to operate the one or more electronic devices, and operates the one or more electronic devices in accordance with the operational profile for the first user.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first processor; a first commissioning element to communicate with external devices using wireless communication and a first memory storing programs for commissioning a target device onto a communication network. The communication network has configuration data including a network identifier and a network key. The programs provide a user interface for commissioning the target device. The target device includes a second processor, a second wireless radio, and a second commissioning element to receive the network configuration data. The target device decodes the network configuration data to commission the target device onto the communication network. The electronic device sends the network configuration data to the target device and receives confirmation that the target device has successfully connected to the communication network. The electronic device displays the success in a user interface.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first processor; a first commissioning element to communicate with external devices using wireless communication and a first memory storing programs for commissioning a target device onto a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN has configuration data including a WLAN identifier and a network key. The programs provide a user interface for commissioning the target device. The target device includes a second processor, a second wireless radio, and a second commissioning element to receive the WLAN configuration data. The target device decodes the WLAN configuration data to commission the target device onto the WLAN. The electronic device sends the WLAN configuration data to the target device and receives confirmation that the target device has successfully connected to the WLAN. The electronic device displays the success in a user interface.

Abstract: Coupling a first and second nodes, and a monitor node together within a facility via network; via the monitor node, broadcasting whether a non-system device consumes a resource; via the first node, transmitting data and status via the network for generation of schedules, and operating a first device within an acceptable operating margin to maintain a first environment by cycling on and off according to the schedules; and via a network operations center external to the facility, generating the schedules to control peak demand of the resource, where one or more run times start prior to when otherwise required to maintain local environments, and coordinating run times for the first device and a second device, where coordination is based on a global schedule, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first environment, and an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second environment, and data broadcast by the monitor node.

Abstract: Coupling first and second nodes together within a facility via a network; via the first node, transmitting data and status via the network for generation of schedules, and operating a first device within an acceptable operating margin to maintain a first environment by cycling on and off according to the schedules; and via a network operations center disposed external to the facility, generating the schedules to control peak demand of a resource, where one or more run times start prior to when otherwise required to maintain corresponding local environments, and coordinating run times for the first device and a second device, where coordination is based on a global schedule, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first environment, and an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second environment, a first device activation schedule and a second device activation schedule directing the first and second devices to cycle on and off.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first node and a network operations center (NOC). The first node is within the facility and is coupled to a second node via a demand coordination network. The first node has a node processor coupled to a first device, and transmits data and status via the network for generation of schedules, and operates the first device within an acceptable operating margin to maintain a first environment by cycling on and off according to the schedules. The NOC generates the schedules to control the peak demand of the resource, where one or more run times start prior to when otherwise required to maintain corresponding local environments. The NOC coordinates run times for the first device and a second device, where coordination is based on a global schedule, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first environment, and an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second environment.

Abstract: An apparatus providing for virtual use of one or more virtualized smart home devices. The apparatus includes a simulation app download element and a web host. The simulation app download element is disposed in a cloud-based file server, and is configured to download a simulation app to a smart phone that is collocated with a computer, upon which the one or more virtualized smart home devices are simulated. The web host is disposed in the cloud-based file server, and is configured to provide content to the computer to simulate the one or more virtualized smart home devices and, responsive to control commands transmitted via the simulation app, is configured to transmit corresponding control commands to the computer that change simulated states of the one or more virtualized smart home devices such that a user experiences control of the one or more virtualized smart home devices.

Abstract: A two-way optical communication apparatus includes a transmit element, a receive element and a transceive processor. The transmit and receive elements are coupled to a light pipe, and configured to transmit a first optical signal and receive a second optical signal, respectively. The transceive processor is configured to direct the transmit element to suspend transmitting the first optical signal during reception periods, and direct the receive element to sample for the second optical signal during sampling intervals within the reception periods. Each reception period lasts for a respective duration of time, and occurs in the first optical signal at a respective duty cycle. The receive element is configured to sense an ambient light level of the surrounding environment during the reception periods, and the transceive processor is configured to adjust the durations of time and the duty cycles of the reception periods according to the sensed ambient light level.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first processor; a first commissioning element to communicate with external devices using wireless communication and a first memory storing programs for commissioning a target device onto a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN has configuration data including a WLAN identifier and a network key. The programs provide a user interface for commissioning the target device. The target device includes a second processor, a second wireless radio, and a second commissioning element to receive the WLAN configuration data. The target device decodes the WLAN configuration data to commission the target device onto the WLAN. The electronic device sends the WLAN configuration data to the target device and receives confirmation that the target device has successfully connected to the WLAN. The electronic device displays the success in a user interface.

Abstract: An application is provided on a smart wireless device for commissioning a target device disposed in proximity to the smart wireless device onto a wireless local area network (WLAN). The application is configured to display a user interface, format and communicate one or more WLAN configuration packets that convey WLAN configuration data associated with the WLAN according to a predetermined format, and receive information indicating that the target device has successfully entered the WLAN. The application is also configured to after the smart wireless device enters the WLAN, communicate device configuration data to the target device. The device configuration data include smart wireless device information that identifies the smart wireless device for facilitating communication between the smart wireless device and the target device over the WLAN.

Abstract: A two-way optical communication apparatus includes a transmit element, a receive element and a transceive processor. The transmit and receive elements are coupled to a light pipe, and configured to transmit a first optical signal and receive a second optical signal, respectively. The transceive processor is configured to direct the transmit element to suspend transmitting the first optical signal during reception periods, and direct the receive element to sample for the second optical signal during sampling intervals within the reception periods. Each reception period lasts for a respective duration of time, and occurs in the first optical signal at a respective duty cycle. The receive element is configured to sense an ambient light level of the surrounding environment during the reception periods, and the transceive processor is configured to adjust the durations of time and the duty cycles of the reception periods according to the sensed ambient light level.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for commissioning a target device onto a wireless local area network (WLAN). The apparatus includes a smart wireless device. The smart wireless device has commissioning logic and a transducer. The commissioning logic is configured to format and direct transmission of one or more WLAN configuration packets that convey WLAN configuration data. The transducer is coupled to the commissioning logic, and is configured to transmit the one or more WLAN configuration packets over the transmission path to the target device, wherein the transducer is an existing component of the smart wireless device.

Abstract: An application is provided on a smart wireless device for commissioning a target device disposed in proximity to the smart wireless device onto a wireless local area network (WLAN). The application is configured to display a user interface, format and communicate one or more WLAN configuration packets that convey WLAN configuration data associated with the WLAN according to a predetermined format, and receive information indicating that the target device has successfully entered the WLAN. The application is also configured to after the smart wireless device enters the WLAN, communicate device configuration data to the target device. The device configuration data include smart wireless device information that identifies the smart wireless device for facilitating communication between the smart wireless device and the target device over the WLAN.

Abstract: An two-way optical communication apparatus, including a transmit element, a receive element, and a transceive processor. The transmit element is coupled to a light pipe, and transmits a first signal. The receive element is coupled to the light pipe, and receives a second signal. The transceive processor directs the transmit element to pause and then resume transmitting the first signal during first intervals, and directs the receive element to sample for the second signal during one or more second intervals within each of the first intervals, where the each of the first intervals is less than a first value and the first intervals occur at a duty cycle no greater than a second value, and where the first and second values are controlled by the transceive processor such that a user perceives the first optical signal as having a constant state for a third interval.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling peak demand of a system of energy consuming devices, including a first control node coupled to a second control node via a demand coordination network. The first control node has a node processor and a global schedule module. The node processor is coupled to a first energy consuming device, and operates the first energy consuming device within an acceptable operating margin to maintain a first local environment by cycling on and off. The global schedule module is coupled to the first node processor, and coordinates run times for the first energy consuming device and a second energy consuming device, where the coordination is based on a replica copy of a global run time schedule disposed within the first and second control nodes, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first local environment, and an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second local environment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a monitor node and a first control node. The monitor node determines and broadcasts whether a non-system device is consuming an energy resource over a network. The first control node is coupled to the monitor node and a second control node via the network. The first control node has a node processor and a global schedule module. The node processor operates a first energy consuming device to maintain a first local environment. The global schedule module is coupled to the first node processor, and coordinates run times for the first energy consuming device and a second energy consuming device based on a replica copy of a global run time schedule disposed within the first and second control nodes, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first local environment, an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second local environment, and energy consumption data broadcast by the monitor node.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a network operations center and a first control node. The network operations center provides configuration data to the system of energy consuming devices. The first control node is coupled to the network operations center and a second control node via the network. The first control node has a node processor and a global schedule module. The node processor operates a first energy consuming device to maintain a first local environment. The global schedule module is coupled to the first node processor, and coordinates run times for the first energy consuming device and a second energy consuming device based on a replica copy of a global run time schedule disposed within the first and second control nodes, an adjusted first descriptor set characterizing the first local environment, an adjusted second descriptor set characterizing a second local environment, and the configuration data provided by the network operations center.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for commissioning a target device onto a wireless local area network (WLAN). The apparatus includes a smart wireless device. The smart wireless device has commissioning logic and a transducer. The commissioning logic is configured to format and direct transmission of one or more WLAN configuration packets that convey WLAN configuration data. The transducer is coupled to the commissioning logic, and is configured to transmit the one or more WLAN configuration packets over the transmission path to the target device, wherein the transducer is an existing component of the smart wireless device.

Abstract: An apparatus receiving and transporting real time resource usage data, including a plurality of narrowband receivers and a controller. The a plurality of narrowband receivers is deployed geographically within a grid, where each of the plurality of narrowband receivers is configured to receive transmissions from a least one of a plurality of transmitting devices, and where each of the plurality of transmitting devices transmits identical data on each of a plurality of frequency bands that are hopped according to a hopping sequence. The controller is coupled to the plurality of narrowband receivers, and is configured to control the plurality of narrowband receivers such that the each of the plurality of transmitting devices is identified, and is configured to control the plurality of receivers such that corresponding data from the each of the transmitting devices is received on at least one of the plurality of frequency bands.

Abstract: An apparatus receiving and transporting real time resource usage data, including a plurality of narrowband receivers and a controller. The a plurality of narrowband receivers is deployed geographically within a grid, where each of the plurality of narrowband receivers is configured to receive transmissions from a least one of a plurality of automated meter reading (AMR) meters, and where each of the plurality of AMR meters transmits identical data on each of a plurality of frequency bands that are hopped according to a hopping sequence. The controller is coupled to the plurality of narrowband receivers, and is configured to control the plurality of narrowband receivers such that the each of the plurality of AMR meters is identified, and is configured to control the plurality of receivers such that corresponding data from the each of the AMR meters is received on at least one of the plurality of frequency bands.