Abstract: Various embodiments provide a systems and methods for finding wireless signals sufficient for installation of wireless home automation devices. Before such home automation devices are installed, or during the process of installing such home automation devices, the remote-control device of a wireless home automation hub may detect whether a suitable wireless signal is able to be received from the home automation hub or from a wireless repeater device at various locations on the customer premises and indicate that on the remote-control device. The remote control device may continue to display such an indication regarding the signal, or lack thereof, as the user moves about the customer premises with the remote control. In this manner, the user may find what locations on the customer premises are suitable for installation of home automation devices to communicate wirelessly with the home automation hub.

Abstract: Flat Ethernet cables and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed, particularly as applied to home security system implementations. For example, disclosed herein is a flat Ethernet cable that includes an interior, female connection end, an exterior, female connection end, opposite the interior end, and including a weather-proofing clamshell enclosing the female connection end, and a flat cable portion that runs between the interior end and the exterior end. The flat Ethernet cable is configured as a PoE cable.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a systems and methods for finding wireless signals sufficient for installation of wireless home automation devices. Before such home automation devices are installed, or during the process of installing such home automation devices, the remote-control device of a wireless home automation hub may detect whether a suitable wireless signal is able to be received from the home automation hub or from a wireless repeater device at various locations on the customer premises and indicate that on the remote-control device. The remote control device may continue to display such an indication regarding the signal, or lack thereof, as the user moves about the customer premises with the remote control. In this manner, the user may find what locations on the customer premises are suitable for installation of home automation devices to communicate wirelessly with the home automation hub.

Abstract: Various arrangements for sound generation based on remotely-enforced rules are presented. A rule definition for a rule may be received that defines a sound event to be remotely output in response to an occurrence of a home automation event. A home automation host system may monitor home automation data received from one or more home automation devices for the home automation event. In response to receiving home automation data indicative of the home automation event, the rule based on the rule definition may be executed. A sound execution message may be transmitted via a low-power wireless network to a sound generator, the message can include an identifier indicative of the sound.

Abstract: Various arrangements for sound generation based on remotely-enforced rules are presented. A rule definition for a rule may be received that defines a sound event to be remotely output in response to an occurrence of a home automation event. A home automation host system may monitor home automation data received from one or more home automation devices for the home automation event. In response to receiving home automation data indicative of the home automation event, the rule based on the rule definition may be executed. A sound execution message may be transmitted via a low-power wireless network to a sound generator, the message can include an identifier indicative of the sound.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device programmed to receive an alert signal indicating an issue associated with a customer premises. The computing device is further programmed to transmit a notification signal to a plurality of remote devices, determine whether at least one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal, and transmit an update signal to the other of the plurality of remote devices after one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification. The update signal indicates that one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the characteristics of a device coupled to a client device are disclosed. A method, according to one embodiment, includes driving a display device with a first video output signal formatted according to a first video interface specification; responsive to driving the display device, soliciting user input based on information included in the first video output signal; determining a characteristic of the display device based on the user input; and driving the display device according to the determined characteristic.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device programmed to receive an alert signal indicating an issue associated with a customer premises. The computing device is further programmed to transmit a notification signal to a plurality of remote devices, determine whether at least one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal, and transmit an update signal to the other of the plurality of remote devices after one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification. The update signal indicates that one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems, such as home automation gateways and television receivers, are disclosed for distinguishing between false alarms and actual events. Aspects include transmitting sensor data, such as a video feed from a closed-circuit video system, to a display to allow a user to confirm whether an alarm event is a false alarm or an actual alarm event. Sensor data is optionally recorded to allow later review of the sensor data.

Abstract: Flat Ethernet cables and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed, particularly as applied to home security system implementations. For example, disclosed herein is a flat Ethernet cable that includes an interior, female connection end, an exterior, female connection end, opposite the interior end, and including a weather-proofing clamshell enclosing the female connection end, and a flat cable portion that runs between the interior end and the exterior end. The flat Ethernet cable is configured as a PoE cable.

Abstract: A system mobile computing device is at a first geographic location different from a second geographic location of a customer premises. The mobile computing device is configured to receive from the customer premises information including data indicating a status of the customer premises and an identifier for the customer premises. The device is further configured to receive user input to place an emergency call concerning the customer premises, to provide the identifier for the customer premises to a data store as part of a query for a location of the customer premises; to receive a response to the query including the second location, and send a request for a public safety answering point (PSAP) to request emergency services at the second location.

Abstract: Various arrangements for providing home automation notifications to users are detailed. A selection of a home automation event to trigger transmission of a home automation notification and a first group of users may be received. When the event occurs, the home automation notification may be transmitted to the first group of users. A first communication path associated with each user of the first group of users may be used for transmitting the home automation notification. For a time, monitoring can be performed to determine if a receipt response from each of the plurality of destinations is received. For users for which the receipt response was not received, the home automation notification may be sent via an alternate communication path.

Abstract: Methods and systems, such as home automation gateways and television receivers, are disclosed for distinguishing between false alarms and actual events. Aspects include transmitting sensor data, such as a video feed from a closed-circuit video system, to a display to allow a user to confirm whether an alarm event is a false alarm or an actual alarm event. Sensor data is optionally recorded to allow later review of the sensor data.

Abstract: A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the characteristics of a device coupled to a client device are disclosed. A method, according to one embodiment, includes driving a display device with a first video output signal formatted according to a first video interface specification; responsive to driving the display device, soliciting user input based on information included in the first video output signal; determining a characteristic of the display device based on the user input; and driving the display device according to the determined characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the characteristics of a device coupled to a client device are disclosed. A method, according to one embodiment, includes driving a display device with a first video output signal formatted according to a first video interface specification; responsive to driving the display device, soliciting user input based on information included in the first video output signal; determining a characteristic of the display device based on the user input; and driving the display device according to the determined characteristic.

Abstract: A reprogrammable subscriber terminal of a subscription television service which can have the control program code of its control processor modified by downloading new program code from the headend. The control processor stores a boot program in an internal read only memory. Upon start up and resets, the boot program determines whether the control program should be changed from a command sent from the headend. The command, termed a parameters transactions, includes the number of expected download program code transactions required to complete the control code modification, the memory space areas where the code is to be loaded, and the channel over which the download program code transactions are to be transmitted. The channel is tuned and when the boot program receives all the download program code transactions accurately and stores them, the boot program will cause the control program to be restarted at a selected address of the new or modified control program code which has been downloaded.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing downstream signals to a plurality of receiver networks. A receiver network (i.e., a networked multimedia system) includes a splitter/isolation module (SIM), a primary set-top terminal (STT), and at least one remote device. The remote devices communicate with the primary STT via the SIM over coaxial cable. Accordingly, the remote devices utilize some or all of the features including hardware and software that are included in the primary STT via the networked multimedia system.

Abstract: A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change.

Abstract: A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change.