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: A wireless security system is provided. The system includes a first wireless device, a second wireless device, an uninstalled wireless device, and an access controller. The first wireless device is disposed within a first security zone having first security provisions within a network configuration. The second wireless device is disposed within a second security zone having second security provisions within the network configuration. The second security provisions are greater than the first security provisions. The access controller communicates with the uninstalled wireless device, and determines a proximity of the uninstalled wireless device relative to the first and second wireless devices, and configures third security provisions for the uninstalled device corresponding to the proximity.

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 including devices, a network operations center (NOC), and control nodes. Each of the devices consumes a portion of a 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 a facility, and determines an energy lag for the facility based upon fine-grained energy consumption baseline data. The NOC employs the energy lag to generate a plurality of run time schedules that coordinates run times for the each of the 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: A mechanism for end-to-end link quality indication, including a wireless router, coupled to other wireless routers over a multi-hop mesh network, responsive to a first message received from an origination device, configured to forward the first message to a next one of the other wireless routers in route to a destination device. The wireless router has received signal strength indication (RSSI) logic, that adds first RSSI information to a first field of the first message, and that adds second RSSI information to a second field of an acknowledgement message prior to transmitting the acknowledgement message to the origination device. The first and second RSSI information, along with intermediate RSSI information added by one or more of the other wireless routers along a path from the origination device to the destination device, is aggregated into a single term representative of total round-trip quality for the first message and the acknowledgment message.

Abstract: A mesh network topology assessment mechanism is provided including a plurality of first wireless routers, coupled together over a multi-hop mesh network, and a second wireless router. The second wireless router is coupled to the first wireless routers and, responsive to a message having a link assessment mode, introduces a unique delay into forwarding of the message to a next one of the plurality of first wireless routers in route to a destination device. The second wireless router has a store-and-forward controller, having a unique delay time corresponding to the unique delay, where the unique delay time is substantial and thus provides for creation of measurable latency in the message sent between an origination device and the destination device.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a plurality of devices, a network operations center (NOC), a facility consumption monitoring device, and a plurality of control nodes. Each device 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 generates a plurality of run time schedules that is based upon modeled unmonitored consumption within the facility, and that coordinates run times for the each of the plurality of devices to control the peak demand of the resource. Each of the control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC 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, including a plurality of devices, a network operations center (NOC), and a plurality of control nodes. Each device consumes a portion of the resource when turned on, and performs a corresponding function by cycling on and off to maintain a level of comfort. The NOC 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, where activation of one or more of the plurality of devices is substituted in order to maintain a level of comfort. Each of the control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC for generation of the plurality of run time schedules, and executes selected ones of the run time schedules to cycle the plurality of devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a plurality of devices, a network operations center (NOC), a facility consumption monitoring device, and a plurality of control nodes. Each device 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 generates a plurality of run time schedules that is based upon modeled unmonitored consumption within the facility, and that coordinates run times for the each of the plurality of devices to control the peak demand of the resource. Each of the control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC 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: A mesh network topology assessment mechanism is provided. The mechanism includes a wireless router, coupled to other wireless routers over a multi-hop mesh network, responsive to a message having a link assessment mode, configured to introduce a unique delay into forwarding of the message to a next one of the other wireless routers in route to a destination device. The router has a store-and-forward controller, having a unique delay time corresponding to the unique delay, where the unique delay time is substantial and thus provides for creation of measurable latency in the message sent between an origination device and the destination device.

Abstract: An candidate processor that evaluates buildings for application of demand coordination techniques. The processor models devices, a network operations center (NOC), and control nodes. Each device 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 control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC for generation of the plurality of run time schedules, and executes selected ones of the run time schedules based on latencies of last communications with the NOC to cycle the devices on and off.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a plurality of devices, a network operations center (NOC), and a plurality of control nodes. Each device 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 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 control nodes is coupled to a corresponding one of the devices. The plurality of control nodes transmits sensor data and device status to the NOC for generation of the plurality of run time schedules, and executes selected ones of the run time schedules to cycle the plurality of devices, and employs the sensor data and device status in a model to detect exceptions to normal operation of a facility.

Abstract: An apparatus including devices, a network operations center (NOC), and control nodes. Each of the devices consumes a portion of a 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 a facility, and determines an energy lag for the facility based upon fine-grained energy consumption baseline data. The NOC employs the energy lag to generate a plurality of run time schedules that coordinates run times for the each of the 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: A mesh network topology assessment mechanism is provided including a plurality of first wireless routers, coupled together over a multi-hop mesh network, and a second wireless router. The second wireless router is coupled to the first wireless routers and, responsive to a message having a link assessment mode, introduces a unique delay into forwarding of the message to a next one of the plurality of first wireless routers in route to a destination device. The second wireless router has a store-and-forward controller, having a unique delay time corresponding to the unique delay, where the unique delay time is substantial and thus provides for creation of measurable latency in the message sent between an origination device and the destination device.

Abstract: A wireless security system is provided. The system includes a first wireless device, a second wireless device, an uninstalled wireless device, and an access controller. The first wireless device is disposed within a first security zone having first security provisions within a network configuration. The second wireless device is disposed within a second security zone having second security provisions within the network configuration. The second security provisions are greater than the first security provisions. The access controller communicates with the uninstalled wireless device, and determines a proximity of the uninstalled wireless device relative to the first and second wireless devices, and configures third security provisions for the uninstalled device corresponding to the proximity.

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 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 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 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.