Abstract: An apparatus transporting real time resource 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 a corresponding signal quality is determined, 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 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 transporting real time resource 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 a corresponding signal quality is determined, 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 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.

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: 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: 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 for transporting resource usage data, including narrowband receivers and a controller. The narrowband receivers are deployed geographically within a grid, where the narrowband receivers 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, and where the hopping sequence is initially unknown to the plurality of narrowband receivers. The controller is coupled to the narrowband receivers, and is configured to control the narrowband receivers such that the each of the plurality of transmitting devices is identified, and is configured to control narrowband 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, including a plurality of devices, a network operations center (NOC), and a plurality of control nodes. Each of the plurality of devices consumes a portion of the resource when turned on, and performs a corresponding function within an acceptable operational margin by cycling on and off. The NOC is disposed external to the facility, and generates a plurality of run time schedules that coordinates run times for the each of the plurality of devices to control the peak demand of the resource. Each of the plurality of control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC via the demand coordination network for generation of the plurality of run time schedules, and executes selected ones of the run time schedules to cycle the plurality of devices on and off.

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 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: An apparatus including 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 coupled to the network operations center and a second control node via a 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 is provided for receiving and transporting real time resource usage data. The apparatus includes 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, including a plurality of devices, a network operations center (NOC), and a plurality of control nodes. Each of the plurality of devices consumes a portion of the resource when turned on, and performs a corresponding function within an acceptable operational margin by cycling on and off. The NOC is disposed external to the facility, and generates a plurality of run time schedules that coordinates run times for the each of the plurality of devices to control the peak demand of the resource. Each of the plurality of control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC via the demand coordination network for generation of the plurality of run time schedules, and executes selected ones of the run time schedules to cycle the plurality of devices on and off.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling peak demand of a resource. The apparatus includes a plurality of devices and a plurality of control nodes. Each of the plurality of devices consumes a portion of the resource when turned on, and the each are capable of performing a corresponding function within an acceptable operational margin by cycling on and off. Each of the plurality of control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices, where the plurality of control nodes is coupled together via a demand coordination network, and where the plurality of control nodes coordinates run times for the each of the plurality of devices to reduce the peak demand of the resource, and where one or more of the run times start prior to when otherwise required to maintain corresponding local environments, but which still operate within the acceptable operating margin for the corresponding local environments.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing automatic metering capabilities to a resource grid is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of existing automatic meter reading (AMR) meters and a plurality of interface devices. Each of the plurality of existing automatic meter reading (AMR) meters is coupled to a resource consumption point, the each is configured to periodically broadcast respective meter readings. Each of the plurality of interface devices is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of existing AMR meters, and each of the plurality of interface devices is configured to receive one or more of the respective meter readings, and is configured to provide the one or more of the respective meter readings over an existing communications infrastructure.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling peak demand of a resource. The apparatus includes a plurality of devices and a plurality of control nodes. Each of the plurality of devices consumes a portion of the resource when turned on, and the each are capable of performing a corresponding function within an acceptable operational margin by cycling on and off. Each of the plurality of control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices, where the plurality of control nodes is coupled together via a demand coordination network, and where the plurality of control nodes coordinates run times for the each of the plurality of devices to reduce the peak demand of the resource, and where one or more of the run times start prior to when otherwise required to maintain corresponding local environments, but which still operate within the acceptable operating margin for the corresponding local environments.