Abstract: A battery management system/method implementing optimal dynamic battery charge/discharge cycling is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charger that charges a battery servicing a portable computing device. The PSCU is controlled by a power monitor control unit (PMCU) that monitors the battery state and determines the optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery. Depending on the type and current condition of the battery as well as battery charge/discharge history, the PMCU monitors the historical, current, and/or anticipated demand activity of the battery to determine an optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery to enable maximum battery life under a wide variety of environmental and use profiles. Present invention methods control battery charge/discharge activity based on computing device historical/anticipated use characteristics, battery chemistry, and/or optimal battery lifecycle operation.

Abstract: A security monitoring system/method implementing distributed Internet-based environmental monitoring and control is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) configured for new/retrofit installation into electrical power distribution networks to allow controlled connection of an AC power source to a customer load device under direction of local or remote Internet direction. The SGPC may also be configured with sensors to detect motion, audio, video, visual images, smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, light/darkness, and other environmental data. The SGPC may be configured using a local web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to relay collected sensor information to a remote web browser hosted on a remote computing device. The GUI may incorporate a configuration/setup interface allowing mapping of sensor data to information associated with the sensor location and triggered security reports to occur based on collected sensor data.

Abstract: A light fixture monitoring/control system/method allowing a lamp associated with a lighting fixture to be controlled in response to localized lighting fixture sensor inputs and/or remote wireless commands is disclosed. The system utilizes a light fixture adapter (LFA) as a dimming control and monitoring interface between a light fixture and the lamp installed in the LFA. Dimming control is directed by a computing device based on a LFA program (LFAP) that analyzes information from one or more sensors integrated within the LFA. The LFA supports a web-based browser interface and a wireless communication link allowing remote users to define the LFAP and/or directly control lamp dimming and/or access data from LFA sensors. The LFA permits low-cost retrofitting of existing light fixtures with “smart” networked lighting controls that may incorporate advanced spatially diverse security monitoring functions including audio and/or video surveillance.

Abstract: A battery charger management system/method implementing indirect execution of battery charging profiles is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charging power supply (BCPS) that charges a battery. A power monitor control unit (PMCU) monitors the current consumed by the BCPS and reports this to the PSCU. The BCPS current consumption provides the PSCU a profile of the charging characteristics of the battery attached to the BCPS, allowing identification of the battery type and a determination of the optimal charging profile for the battery in its current charge state. The power source to the BCPS is switched by the PCCU in accordance with the determined optimal charging profile to optimally charge the battery. The PSCU may operate independently or in conjunction with wireless commands received from a mobile communication device (MCD).

Abstract: A network integration system/method allowing computer network functionality in a coordinated/concerted fashion in network configurations that are local to and/or spanning network gateway routers is disclosed. The system utilizes a Smart Gateway Power Controller (SGPC) to interact within a home automation network (HAN) to permit the local HAN to operate as a distinct network but still permit access to/from remote networks such as the Internet. The system permits inter-networking of HAN devices (including SGPCs) and device interaction as a group with consumers within a man-machine “social network,” where information is pushed/pulled just as with a conventional social network. The system/method allows HAN device setup/action/monitoring wherein HAN devices host a number of user interfaces supported locally and externally to web interfaces/networks, these interfaces supporting local/remote access devices including mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Abstract: A battery management system/method implementing optimal dynamic battery charge/discharge cycling is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charger that charges a battery servicing a portable computing device. The PSCU is controlled by a power monitor control unit (PMCU) that monitors the battery state and determines the optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery. Depending on the type and current condition of the battery as well as battery charge/discharge history, the PMCU monitors the historical, current, and/or anticipated demand activity of the battery to determine an optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery to enable maximum battery life under a wide variety of environmental and use profiles. Present invention methods control battery charge/discharge activity based on computing device historical/anticipated use characteristics, battery chemistry, and/or optimal battery lifecycle operation.

Abstract: A power control system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under control of local or remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Abstract: A power distribution system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) configured for single/multi-gang wallplate installation to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under switched control and/or local/remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within a home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Abstract: A battery management system/method implementing optimal dynamic battery charge/discharge cycling is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charger that charges a battery servicing a portable computing device. The PSCU is controlled by a power monitor control unit (PMCU) that monitors the battery state and determines the optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery. Depending on the type and current condition the of battery as well as battery charge/discharge history, the PMCU monitors the historical, current, and/or anticipated demand activity of the battery to determine an optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery to enable maximum battery life under a wide variety of environmental and use profiles. Present invention methods control battery charge/discharge activity based on computing device historical/anticipated use characteristics, battery chemistry, and/or optimal battery lifecycle operation.

Abstract: A power distribution system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) configured for single/multi-gang wallplate installation to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under switched control and/or local/remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within a home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Abstract: A security monitoring system/method implementing distributed Internet-based environmental monitoring and control is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) configured for new/retrofit installation into electrical power distribution networks to allow controlled connection of an AC power source to a customer load device under direction of local or remote Internet direction. The SGPC may also be configured with sensors to detect motion, audio, video, visual images, smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, light/darkness, and other environmental data. The SGPC may be configured using a local web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to relay collected sensor information to a remote web browser hosted on a remote computing device. The GUI may incorporate a configuration/setup interface allowing mapping of sensor data to information associated with the sensor location and triggered security reports to occur based on collected sensor data.

Abstract: A power control system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under control of local or remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Abstract: A light fixture monitoring/control system/method allowing a lamp associated with a lighting fixture to be controlled in response to localized lighting fixture sensor inputs and/or remote wireless commands is disclosed. The system utilizes a light fixture adapter (LFA) as a dimming control and monitoring interface between a light fixture and the lamp installed in the LFA. Dimming control is directed by a computing device based on a LFA program (LFAP) that analyzes information from one or more sensors integrated within the LFA. The LFA supports a web-based browser interface and a wireless communication link allowing remote users to define the LFAP and/or directly control lamp dimming and/or access data from LFA sensors. The LFA permits low-cost retrofitting of existing light fixtures with “smart” networked lighting controls that may incorporate advanced spatially diverse security monitoring functions including audio and/or video surveillance.

Abstract: A power control system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under control of local or remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within a home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Abstract: A data server system/method allowing cloud data server functionality in a coordinated/concerted fashion within network configurations that are local to and/or spanning network gateway routers is disclosed. The system may utilize a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) augmented with storage media and/or expansion slots to interact within a home automation network (HAN) to permit the local HAN to operate as a distinct network and allow access to locally stored data from remote networks such as the Internet. The system permits inter-networking of HAN devices (including SGPCs) and integration of data management within home automation networks while still providing access to HAN data via external remote networks such as the Internet. The system/method allows remote network access to HAN device data from local/remote access devices including mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.