Control4 Corporation

Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

3com Corporation

Wirepath Home Systems, LLC

Paul E Nagel

William B West

Wallace Eric Smith

Brent Delbert Madsen

Roger T Johnsen

Robert F Watts

Paul B Vincent

Robin T Castell

Randall L Jones

David D Oliphant

Don A Dykes

Ryan A Kunz

Michael S Horito

James K Russell

Richard C Hedderich

Jonathan Jay Woolley

Gerardo David Ayala

James R Gist

Huyen B Tran

Benjamin H Skinker

Ronald L Baldridge

Andrew C Clark

Mark J Morgan

Joshua Randall

Benjamin H Skinner

Timothy Paul Spens

Thomas G Bunch

Systems and methods for preparing and re-commissioning a controlled device in a home area network are described. A utility meter is communicated with. An authentication key and encryption data for communicating with the utility meter may be determined. The authentication key and encryption data are sent to a controlled device. A set of translation rules for a message are determined. The translation rules are sent to the controlled device. The controlled device establishes a secure communication link with the utility meter using the authentication key and the encryption data. The controlled device receives a request to change power usage from the utility meter over the secure communication link. The controlled device translates the request to change power usage into control instructions using the translation rules.

Systems and methods for re-commissioning a controlled device in a home area network

A method for synchronizing a cost estimate on an electronic device is described. The method includes obtaining an estimated usage by an electronic device. The method also includes obtaining an estimated rate. The method further includes estimating, on the electronic device, a bill for a period-to-date to produce an estimated bill. The method also includes determining, on the electronic device, whether to synchronize. The method further includes synchronizing, on the electronic device, the estimated bill using actual bill information for the period-to-date if it is determined to synchronize.

Synchronizing a cost estimate on an electronic device

A method for indicating communication link quality by an electronic device is described. The method includes tracking local link quality information corresponding to a local receive link between the electronic device and a neighboring device. The method also includes receiving a request to indicate a link quality. The method further includes indicating the link quality.

Systems and methods for indicating link quality

A method for presenting saving opportunities for electronic devices is disclosed. Experience based data learned from past power behavior of one or more devices is received. One or more power saving opportunities are generated based on the experience based data. Estimated cost savings is calculated. A notification message is presented to a user that describes the power saving opportunities and associated cost savings for the opportunities.

Systems and methods for presenting saving opportunities for electronic devices

Systems and methods for estimating the effects of a request to change power usage are described. Device data about one or more devices may be received. User behavior data about past and anticipated user behavior may be received. Effects of a request to change power usage on a power grid may be estimated using the device data and the user behavior data. Whether to send the request to change power usage may be determined based on the estimated effects.

Systems and methods for estimating the effects of a request to change power usage

Systems and methods for presenting saving opportunities for electronic edvices

A surface-mount touch panel cradle is disclosed for use in electrically controlling remote components. The surface-mount touch panel cradle comprises a surface mounted receptacle. A cradle frame can be coupled to the receptacle. A frame biasing mechanism can be configured to move the cradle frame away from the information mount to enable the touch panel to be inserted and removed from the receptacle. An electrical connection can be located within the receptacle. The electrical connection can be configured to be electrically coupled to the touch panel.

Touch panel cradle

A system for remotely controlling an electrical switching device is disclosed. The system includes a mounting fixture configured to be mounted in a wall. An electrical switching device is supported by the mounting fixture. The system also includes a cover configured to cover at least a portion of the mounting fixture. The system further includes a shielding plate configured to have a high electrical conductivity. The shielding plate is mounted proximate to the mounting fixture between the cover and the electrical switching device. The system also includes a directional, non-isotropic radio frequency (RF) antenna sized to fit within the cover and configured to transmit RF frequency signals. The RF antenna is located between the shielding plate and the cover at a predetermined distance from the shielding plate. The predetermined distance is selected to increase the capability of the RF antenna to send and receive the RF signals.

System for remotely controlling an electrical switching device

Hand-held remote control

Mobile touchscreen

A modem is incorporated into a laptop computer and directly connected to either a cellular phone, a land line, or both. The modem is provided with two connectors, one for connection with a cellular phone or external DAA, the other for connection to a normal land line via an internal DAA. The modem selectively enables either the connector for the cellular phone or external DAA, or the connector for its internal DAA. The modem defaults to selecting the cellular phone or external DAA if it is connected, and only if they are not connected selects the internal DAA. These defaults can be overridden by user commands. Further, the modem can independently power down a connected internal DAA, external DAA, or cellular phone to conserve power.

Modem for selectively connecting to a land line or to a cellular telephone

A modem which is separated into two circuit boards. One board contains the modem engine, while the second board contains the codec and the DAA components. The two boards are connected using only properly isolated digital signals so that the modem engine board does not require certification, only the codec/DAA board requiring certification. The codec/DAA board is contained in a housing to provide proper high voltage protection.

Modem having separate modem engine and data access arrangement

A secure communications card modem, in general accord with PCMCIA standards, is provided for use in authenticating authorized users to transmit or receive sensitive data. In a preferred embodiment, the communications card modem is configured for use with two sliding interface ports and a connector for interfacing with a host computer. The two sliding interface ports comprise a media connector port and a security port. The media connector port is adapted for receiving a media connector, such as a RJ-11 phone jack. The security port is adapted for receiving a security card. During use, a user inserts a security card into the security port whereupon the security card is authenticated by a reader circuit within the modem. Thereafter, the modem circuitry within the modem is enabled to transmit or receive sensitive data. In the event the reader circuit does not authenticate the security card, the modem circuitry is disabled from transferring data from between the computer and communications line. In the event authentication is not required, the modem circuitry is enabled to transfer data as a conventional modem.

Secure communications card modem and method of using same

The present invention relates to an illuminated connector that may provide a diagnostic display for a user. The illuminated connector may be used on such devices as computers including laptops, notebooks, and subnotebooks. The illuminated connector receives launched light energy and acts as a wave guide. Additionally, the launched light energy may be redirected by the use of selected reflective surfaces. The illuminated connector is particularly useful for structures such as a jack for a PCMCIA card, a Telco cable, and a LAN cable.

Illuminated connector

Growing community of inventors

Draper, UT, United States of America

Paul E Nagel