Method and apparatus using distributed intelligence for applying real time pricing and time of use rates in wide area network including a headend and subscriber

A control system for changing the operation of an end use device based on a random time offset comprising:

• a headend for creating a data message including information about the random time offset and routing the data message;
• a wide area network coupled to said headend, wherein said headend routs the data message to said wide area network, said wide area network receiving the data message and transmitting the data message;
• a gateway for receiving the data message from said wide area network, said gateway including
• a wide area network interface, coupled to said wide area network, for recovering the data message and transmitting the data message;
• and,
• a local area network interface, coupled to said wide area network interface, for receiving the data message and transmitting the data message;
• a local area network, coupled to said local area network interface, for delivering the data message;
• and
• an end use device, coupled to said local area network, for receiving the data message from said local area network interface over said local area network and changing the operation of said end use device in response to said random time offset.