Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to obtain an image of a consumer electronic device, the image comprising at least one visual indication of a first operating state of the consumer electronic device, and to transmit one or more commands to the consumer electronic device to change to a second operating state different from the first operating state, responsive to determining the first operating state by extracting information associated with the at least one visual indication from the image. The commands may be determined by accessing a database having control instructions associated with the consumer electronic device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to obtain an image of a consumer electronic device, the image comprising at least one visual indication of a first operating state of the consumer electronic device, and to transmit one or more commands to the consumer electronic device to change to a second operating state different from the first operating state, responsive to determining the first operating state by extracting information associated with the at least one visual indication from the image. The commands may be determined by accessing a database having control instructions associated with the consumer electronic device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to obtain an image of a consumer electronic device, the image comprising at least one visual indication of a first operating state of the consumer electronic device, and to transmit one or more commands to the consumer electronic device to change to a second operating state different from the first operating state, responsive to determining the first operating state by extracting information associated with the at least one visual indication from the image. The commands may be determined by accessing a database having control instructions associated with the consumer electronic device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described that involves performing the following between first and second appliance networks: receiving a packet from the first appliance network; removing header information for the first appliance network from the packet; and, sending the packet's payload into the second appliance network without having appended any header information for the second appliance network to the payload.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to obtain an image of a consumer electronic device, the image comprising at least one visual indication of a first operating state of the consumer electronic device, and to transmit one or more commands to the consumer electronic device to change to a second operating state different from the first operating state, responsive to determining the first operating state by extracting information associated with the at least one visual indication from the image. The commands may be determined by accessing a database having control instructions associated with the consumer electronic device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to obtain an image of a consumer electronic device, the image comprising at least one visual indication of a first operating state of the consumer electronic device, and to transmit one or more commands to the consumer electronic device to change to a second operating state different from the first operating state, responsive to determining the first operating state by extracting information associated with the at least one visual indication from the image. The commands may be determined by accessing a database having control instructions associated with the consumer electronic device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to obtain an image of a consumer electronic device, the image comprising at least one visual indication of a first operating state of the consumer electronic device, and to transmit one or more commands to the consumer electronic device to change to a second operating state different from the first operating state, responsive to determining the first operating state by extracting information associated with the at least one visual indication from the image. The commands may be determined by accessing a database having control instructions associated with the consumer electronic device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of determining an operating state of a consumer electronic device allows a computer to control the consumer electronic device without user input. The system includes an image detection device for obtaining in image of the consumer electronic device. The image detection device can be a camera, or other sensor such as a photocell(s). A processor, or personal computer, is coupled to the image detection device for extracting information from a consumer electronic device display image. The processor generates control instructions for the consumer electronic device, and provides the control instructions to an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control instructions to the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A method is described that involves performing the following between first and second appliance networks: receiving a packet from the first appliance network; removing header information for the first appliance network from the packet; and, sending the packet's payload into the second appliance network without having appended any header information for the second appliance network to the payload.

Abstract: A rule processing system is implemented that allows for the integration of external applications into a common operational framework. External applications are permitted to define nodes in the rule processing system, and users are permitted construct rules in a rule graph using the defined nodes via a browser interface. Rules may be constructed in a hierarchical format, such that the rules are traversed by a rule engine an executed in a structured manner. Integration between external applications and the rule processing system may be via object oriented software techniques, such as the Component Object Model for object interfacing.

Abstract: A system and method of determining an operating state of a consumer electronic device allows a computer to control the consumer electronic device without user input. The system includes an image detection device for obtaining in image of the consumer electronic device. The image detection device can be a camera, or other sensor such as a photocell(s). A processor, or personal computer, is coupled to the image detection device for extracting information from a consumer electronic device display image. The processor generates control instructions for the consumer electronic device, and provides the control instructions to an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control instructions to the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method of determining an operating state of a consumer electronic device allows a computer to control the consumer electronic device without user input. The system includes an image detection device for obtaining in image of the consumer electronic device. The image detection device can be a camera, or other sensor such as a photocell(s). A processor, or personal computer, is coupled to the image detection device for extracting information from a consumer electronic device display image. The processor generates control instructions for the consumer electronic device, and provides the control instructions to an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control instructions to the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: An event notification service in a Component Object Model (COM) system employs a server called an event provider service that operates as a separate layer between an event source and a client called an event subscriber. The notification service also includes event filtering so that an event subscriber only receives events that meet the conditions set by an event filter. A persistent notifier moniker allows an event subscriber client to receive events even if the client is not currently active because the moniker activates the client executing upon receipt of an event.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing software needed to enable a device coupled to a computer to provide a desired functionality. Static information called a moniker is embedded in the device, and a generic device handler software is installed on the computer. When the device is coupled to the computer, the generic device handler software is executed by the computer to interpret the moniker to identify the software needed to enable the device, determine the enabling software's location, and install it, if necessary. The generic handler software and/or the enabling software performs any further action needed by the device or computer to provide or utilize, respectively, the functionality of the device.