METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ENERGY COSTS UTILIZING A BROADBAND GATEWAY

1 . A method for networking, the method comprising:

in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of devices, wherein said broadband gateway is operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider:

determining usage patterns for one or more electronic devices communicatively coupled to said broadband gateway; and

controlling one or more tasks performed and/or to be performed by said broadband gateway based on said determined usage patterns and based on a pricing structure for energy supplied to said one or more electronic devices.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and said at least one corresponding network access service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality of corresponding access service providers.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising, during times of higher energy prices, powering off those of said one or more electronic devices which, based on said usage patterns, are not likely to be utilized during said times.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said one or more tasks comprise downloading multimedia content.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said one or more tasks comprise configuring a state of operation of said one or more electronic devices.

6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein a state of operation of said one or more electronic devices is configurable between a plurality of states comprising: a powered-off state, a standby state, and a powered-on state.

7 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein said one or more electronic devices comprise lighting, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, or other environmental controls.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising:

determining when energy prices have increased or will increase; and

sending a notification of said increase to said one or more electronic devices.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein said notification indicates present power consumption and/or historical power consumption of said one or more electronic devices.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said one or more electronic devices comprise a power strip that is operable to monitor energy consumed via its one or more outlets, and report said energy consumption to said broadband gateway.

11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said power strip communicates with said broadband gateway utilizing one or both of wireless communication and power line communication.

12 . A system for networking, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of devices, said one or more circuits being operable to:

handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider;

determine usage patterns for one or more electronic devices communicatively coupled to said broadband gateway; and

control one or more tasks performed and/or to be performed by said broadband gateway, based on said determined usage patterns and based on a pricing structure for energy supplied to said one or more electronic devices.

13 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and said at least one corresponding network access service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality of corresponding access service providers.

14 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to, during times of higher energy prices, power off those of said one or more electronic devices which, based on said usage patterns, are not likely to be utilized during said times.

15 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said one or more tasks comprise downloading multimedia content.

16 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said one or more tasks comprise configuring a state of operation of said one or more devices.

17 . The system according to claim 16 , wherein a state of operation of said one or more electronic devices is configurable between a plurality of states comprising: a powered-off state, a standby state, and a powered-on mode.

18 . The system according to claim 16 , wherein said one or more electronic devices comprise lighting, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, or other environmental controls.

19 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to:

determine when energy prices have increased or will increase; and

send a notification of said increase to said one or more electronic devices.

20 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein said notification indicates present power consumption and/or historical power consumption of said one or more electronic devices.

21 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said one or more electronic devices comprise a power strip that is operable to monitor energy consumed via its one or more outlets, and report said energy consumption to said broadband gateway.

22 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said power strip communicates with said broadband gateway utilizing one or both of wireless communication and power line communication.