Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for connecting a wireless device to a network are disclosed. One method includes automatically associating, by the wireless device, to a cloud system through a router, retrieving, by the wireless device, after automatically associating, a list of approved networks from a cloud service of the cloud system, wherein the list of approved networks includes a prioritization of the approved networks, scanning, by the wireless device, a local wireless environment, comparing, by the wireless device, a list of available networks advertised from nearby routers from the scan of a local wireless environment with the list of approved networks when the wireless device is looking for networks to join, and choosing, by the wireless device, an available network from the list of available networks advertised based at least in part on the comparing and the prioritization of the approved networks.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for connecting a wireless device to a network are disclosed. One method includes automatically associating, by the wireless device, to a cloud system through a router, retrieving, by the wireless device, after automatically associating, a list of approved networks from a cloud service of the cloud system, wherein the list of approved networks includes a prioritization of the approved networks, scanning, by the wireless device, a local wireless environment, comparing, by the wireless device, a list of available networks advertised from nearby routers from the scan of a local wireless environment with the list of approved networks when the wireless device is looking for networks to join, and choosing, by the wireless device, an available network from the list of available networks advertised based at least in part on the comparing and the prioritization of the approved networks.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for connecting a wireless device to a network are disclosed. One method includes preconfiguring the wireless device with credentials, and automatically requesting association, by the wireless device, to a router. Further, the method includes receiving, by a cloud system, an authentication request from the router, wherein the router received the authentication request from the wireless device, and returning, by the cloud system, a response to the authentication request to the router, wherein the response includes internet domains and connection bandwidths the wireless device is allowed to use. Further, the method includes preconfiguring the cloud system with the credentials that are also preconfigured in the wireless device.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for connecting a wireless device to a network are disclosed. One method includes preconfiguring the wireless device with credentials, and automatically requesting association, by the wireless device, to a router. Further, the method includes receiving, by a cloud system, an authentication request from the router, wherein the router received the authentication request from the wireless device, and returning, by the cloud system, a response to the authentication request to the router, wherein the response includes internet domains and connection bandwidths the wireless device is allowed to use. Further, the method includes preconfiguring the cloud system with the credentials that are also preconfigured in the wireless device.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a charge of a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) includes receiving, by a load management system, PEV information from a PEV plugged into an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE); transformer information from a transformer management system, the transformer information relating to a transformer associated with the EVSE; determining, by the charging information based on the PEV information and transformer information; providing the charging information to the PEV.

Abstract: A system and process for switching to or between multiple networks to optimize communication between an energy device, e.g., meter, in proximity to at least one of the multiple networks and a head end server to facilitate communication of energy-related data therebetween is described. The system includes a communications module associated with the energy device for controlling the switching between networks and/or the directing of energy-related data communications over different networks in accordance with data type.

Abstract: A communications module for facilitating secure communications on a first network and a second network includes: a single transceiver for receiving and transmitting first network messages from and to the first network and at least transmitting second network messages to the second network; at least a first processor connected to the single transceiver for processing one or more first network messages and second network messages; the at least a first processor including first network logic for processing first network messages and second network logic for processing second network messages; and the second network logic including instructions for securing second network messages such that decryption of the second network messages is limited to a particular receiving device on the second network. The second network messages may include commodity pricing and use information.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a charge of a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) includes receiving, by a load management system, PEV information from a PEV plugged into an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE); transformer information from a transformer management system, the transformer information relating to a transformer associated with the EVSE; determining, by the charging information based on the PEV information and transformer information; providing the charging information to the PEV.

Abstract: A communications module for facilitating secure communications on a first network and a second network includes: a single transceiver for receiving and transmitting first network messages from and to the first network and at least transmitting second network messages to the second network; at least a first processor connected to the single transceiver for processing one or more first network messages and second network messages; the at least a first processor including first network logic for processing first network messages and second network logic for processing second network messages; and the second network logic including instructions for securing second network messages such that decryption of the second network messages is limited to a particular receiving device on the second network. The second network messages may include commodity pricing and use information.

Abstract: A beam steering module comprised of a mirror stack array in close proximity to a collimator array controllably steers photons along two axis and in a direction substantially less than 90 degrees to the collimator orientation. Several configurations of the module are described using single and double axis mirror rotation and relay optics. Optical telecommunications switches are shown using modules coupled to each other along flat and curved surfaces, with and without use of fold mirror and enabling a plurality of configuration options including photodetector optical power monitoring schemes that require no external power taps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for varying and measuring the position of a micromachined electrostatic actuator using a pulse width modulated (PWM) pulse train are disclosed. One or more voltage pulses are applied to the actuator. In each of the pulses, a voltage changes from a first state to a second state and remains in the second state for a time tpulse before returning to the first state. The position of the actuator may be varied by varying the time ?tpulse. A position of the actuator may be determined by measuring a capacitance of the actuator when the voltage changes state, whether the time t is varied or not. An apparatus for varying the position of a MEMS device may include a pulse width modulation generator coupled to the MEMS device an integrator coupled to the MEMS device and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the integrator. The integrator may measure a charge transferred during a transition of a pulse from the pulse generator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for varying and measuring the position of a micromachined electrostatic actuator using a pulse width modulated (PWM) pulse train are disclosed. One or more voltage pulses are applied to the actuator. In each of the pulses, a voltage changes from a first state to a second state and remains in the second state for a time tpulse before returning to the first state. The position of the actuator may be varied by varying the time &Dgr;tpulse. A position of the actuator may be determined by measuring a capacitance of the actuator when the voltage changes state, whether the time t is varied or not. An apparatus for varying the position of a MEMS device may include a pulse width modulation generator coupled to the MEMS device an integrator coupled to the MEMS device and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the integrator. The integrator may measure a charge transferred during a transition of a pulse from the pulse generator.

Abstract: A beam steering module comprised of a mirror stack array in close proximity to a collimator array controllably steers photons along two axis and in a direction substantially less than 90 degrees to the collimator orientation. Several configurations of the module are described using single and double axis mirror rotation and relay optics. Optical telecommunications switches are shown using modules coupled to each other along flat and curved surfaces, with and without use of fold mirror and enabling a plurality of configuration options including photodetector optical power monitoring schemes that require no external power taps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for varying and measuring the position of a micromachined electrostatic actuator using a pulse width modulated (PWM) pulse train are disclosed. One or more voltage pulses are applied to the actuator. In each of the pulses, a voltage changes from a first state to a second state and remains in the second state for a time tpulse before returning to the first state. The position of the actuator may be varied by varying the time &Dgr;tpulse. A position of the actuator may be determined by measuring a capacitance of the actuator when the voltage changes state, whether the time t is varied or not. An apparatus for varying the position of a MEMS device may include a pulse width modulation generator coupled to the MEMS device an integrator coupled to the MEMS device and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the integrator. The integrator may measure a charge transferred during a transition of a pulse from the pulse generator.