According to an aspect of the disclosure, a home energy management system and method includes a network device disposed at a residence and a wireless home energy network capable of establishing communication with the network device. A server is disposed remotely from the residence and capable of generating a control action report to control the network devices. A controller is located at the residence and in communication with the server and configured to establish the wireless home energy network; initiate a plurality of operating status requests of the network device; receive device data in response to at least one of the operating status requests; generate a site report including the device data; initiate a communication of the site report to the remote server; and detect an availability of the control action report at the remote server in conjunction with the communication of the site report.

Energy management system and method

Location sharing and tracking using mobile phones or other wireless devices

The availability of location information has become a key factor in today's communications systems allowing location based services. In outdoor scenarios, the mobile terminal position is obtained with high accuracy thanks to the global positioning system (GPS) or to the standalone cellular systems. However, the main problem of GPS and cellular systems resides in the indoor environment and in scenarios with deep shadowing effects where the satellite or cellular signals are broken. In this paper, we survey different technologies and methodologies for indoor and outdoor localization with an emphasis on indoor methodologies and concepts. Additionally, we discuss in this review different localization-based applications, where the location information is critical to estimate. Finally, a comprehensive discussion of the challenges in terms of accuracy, cost, complexity, security, scalability, etc. is given. The aim of this survey is to provide a comprehensive overview of existing efforts as well as auspicious and anticipated dimensions for future work in indoor localization techniques and applications.

Recent Advances in Indoor Localization: A Survey on Theoretical Approaches and Applications

Purpose – To analyze the direct effect of perceived value dimensions (monetary, convenience, social, emotional, conditional and epistemic value) on attitudinal and behavioral components of loyalty: commitment and behavioral intentions to use location‐based mobile services.Design/methodology/approach – An online survey for users of a mobile location‐based directory service “Where is the nearest?”Findings – The behavioral intentions were most influenced by conditional value; the context, in which the service is used, followed closely by commitment and to some extent monetary value. Commitment can be enhanced through building emotional value and conditional value by focusing on offering fun service experiences in the right context. The influence of social and epistemic value was not significant.Research limitations/implications – Further research is encouraged on the relative importance of the value dimensions' influence on loyalty in global markets.Practical implications – The minor influence of monetary va...

Linking perceived value and loyalty in location‐based mobile services

A system and method for providing a service to promoters, including venues and advertising sponsors, who wish to provide promotions. The service includes making promoter promotions accessible by the mobile phones of members associated with an organization. Typically a promotion and member are matched based on the member's geographical position, which may be reported by the member or determined automatically by a position sensor in their mobile phone, and optionally by the member's traits and behaviors. By accepting a promotion, a member may receive reward points which can be used to obtain goods and services. In addition to accessing promotions, members have mobile access to real-time information about the venues, such as the demographics of venue attendees and media posted by attendees concerning venue characteristics. Using the system, members can determine before going to a venue, such as a nightclub or bar, which venue has their preferred attendee demographic, atmosphere, music, cover charge, drink specials, friends, etc.

System for providing a service to venues where people aggregate

Provided herein are methods and systems relating to location-based services such as social networking, providing demographic information, tracking mobile devices, providing business information, providing an adaptable user interface, remotely effecting a change on a portable electronic device, providing a geofence, outputting location-based information on a mobile device, varying transmissions to and from a mobile device, providing location-based alerts, verifying transactions and tailoring information to the behavior of a user.

Allen P. Smith

Papers

Location-based services