Apparatus and methods to synchronize edge device communications with a cloud broker

A tangible computer-readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed, particularly program a processor in a cloud broker to at least:

• receive a first instruction from a first control agent for an edge device, the first instruction associated with a first schedule of settings for a target, the target accessible via an edge device;
• analyze the first instruction to identify a conflict between the first instruction and a second instruction, the second instruction associated with a second control agent;
• when no conflict is identified, provide the first instruction to the edge device for relay to the target for execution;
• and
• when a conflict is identified between the first instruction and the second instruction, mediate the conflict and provide an outcome to the edge device.

A computer-implemented method comprising:

• receiving, at a cloud broker, a first instruction from a first control agent for an edge device, the first instruction associated with a first schedule of settings for a target, the target accessible via an edge device;
• analyzing, at the cloud broker, the first instruction to identify a conflict between the first instruction and a second instruction, the second instruction associated with a second control agent;
• when no conflict is identified, providing, via the cloud broker, the first instruction to the edge device for relay to the target for execution;
• and
• when a conflict is identified between the first instruction and the second instruction, mediating, via the cloud broker, the conflict and provide an outcome to the edge device.