Abstract: A method and system provides a central controller that can communicate across different types of networks to reach various energy load control devices. Energy load control devices can include, but are not limited to, thermostats, load control switches such as Digital Control Units (DCUs), and gateways or network interfaces coupled to the Internet, etc. This ability to communicate across different types of networks allows the central controller to monitor as well as issue command signals to the various energy load control devices. The central controller can provide geographic maps on displays, such as a computer display, which list the relative locations of energy load control devices with respect to their geography or physical locations. The central controller can also provide a topology that can be customized so that a user can visualize and select groups of energy load control devices according to the user's customized topology.

Abstract: Methods, software, and apparatus for transparently pairing data with a command object, with respect to the application which wishes to present the data, are disclosed. In one aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented framework for associating data with a command object includes a data handler mechanism arranged to interface with an application which wishes to use the data. The framework also includes a data retriever mechanism that is arranged to obtain the data, and is in communication with the data handler mechanism, as well as a mapping mechanism, which is also in communication with the data handler mechanism, and is arranged to obtain the command object. In one embodiment of the present invention, the data is a stream of bytes, and the data handler mechanism is used to bind the stream of bytes to the command object.

Abstract: Methods, software, and apparatus for transparently pairing data with a command object, with respect to the application which wishes to present the data, are disclosed. In one aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented framework for associating data with a command object includes a data handler mechanism arranged to interface with an application which wishes to use the data. The framework also includes a data retriever mechanism that is arranged to obtain the data, and is in communication with the data handler mechanism, as well as a mapping mechanism, which is also in communication with the data handler mechanism, and is arranged to obtain the command object. In one embodiment of the present invention, the data is a stream of bytes, and the data handler mechanism is used to bind the stream of bytes to the command object.