Abstract: A host computer and method implemented in a host computer system associated with a site having one or more appliances that communicates with the host computer system via one or more networks. The host computer having code operable to turn off or disable an appliance or an electrical function associated with a maintenance issue by operation of the host computer.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer based smartphone in communication with one or more appliances via one or more networks. The method comprises monitoring health data concerning an appliance or an appliance part and adjusting the health data based on weather data. Determining that the appliance or appliance part exhibits a maintenance issue based upon the adjusted health data. Accessing a remote computer system via the computer based smartphone over an Internet. Receiving one or more suggestions on where to order, purchase, or seek repair for the appliance or appliance part from the remote computer system.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer based smartphone in communication with one or more appliances via one or more networks. The method comprises monitoring health data concerning an appliance or an appliance part and adjusting the health data based on weather data. Determining that the appliance or appliance part exhibits a maintenance issue based upon the adjusted health data. Accessing a remote computer system via the computer based smartphone over an Internet. Receiving one or more suggestions on where to order, purchase, or seek repair for the appliance or appliance part from the remote computer system.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer based smartphone in communication with one or more appliances via one or more networks. The method comprises monitoring health data concerning an appliance or an appliance part. Determining that the appliance or appliance part exhibits a maintenance issue based upon the health data. Accessing a remote computer system via the computer based smartphone over an Internet. Receiving one or more suggestions on where to order, purchase, or seek repair for the appliance or appliance part from the remote computer system.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer based smartphone in communication with one or more appliances via one or more networks. The method comprises monitoring health data concerning an appliance or an appliance part. Determining that the appliance or appliance part exhibits a maintenance issue based upon the health data. Accessing a remote computer system via the computer based smartphone over an Internet. Receiving one or more suggestions on where to order, purchase, or seek repair for the appliance or appliance part from the remote computer system.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring appliances at a site, such as a household or business office. The appliances can include, for example but not limited to, an electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, laundry washer, freezer, pool controller, light bulb, microwave oven, computer, motor vehicle, television, telephone, etc. In many of the embodiments, the appliance has a computer based architecture or a controller that enables communication of data concerning the electronic appliance. In some embodiments the appliance is an apparatus with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other passive device that can be interrogated for information concerning the appliance.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for accurately identifying a mobile thing motion activity (MTMA; e.g., stationary, walking, running, biking, driving, etc.) associated with a mobile thing (MT) using sensor data from one or more sensors associated with a wireless communication device (WCD) transported by the MT, so as to enable targeted selection and communication of an advertisement that is suited for the identified MTMA. The one or more sensors produce sensor data indicative of physical movement of the WCD in three dimensional space and may include, for example, one or more of the following: an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, etc.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring appliances at a site, such as a household or business office. The appliances can include, for example but not limited to, an electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, laundry washer, freezer, pool controller, light bulb, microwave oven, computer, motor vehicle, television, telephone, etc. In many of the embodiments, the appliance has a computer based architecture or a controller that enables communication of data concerning the electronic appliance. In some embodiments the appliance is an apparatus with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other passive device that can be interrogated for information concerning the appliance.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring appliances at a site, such as a household or business office. The appliances can include, for example but not limited to, an electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, laundry washer, freezer, pool controller, light bulb, microwave oven, computer, motor vehicle, television, telephone, etc. In many of the embodiments, the appliance has a computer based architecture or a controller that enables communication of data concerning the electronic appliance. In some embodiments the appliance is an apparatus with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other passive device that can be interrogated for information concerning the appliance.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring appliances at a site, such as a household or business office. The appliances can include, for example but not limited to, an electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, laundry washer, freezer, pool controller, light bulb, microwave oven, computer, motor vehicle, television, telephone, etc. In many of the embodiments, the appliance has a computer based architecture or a controller that enables communication of data concerning the electronic appliance. In some embodiments the appliance is an apparatus with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other passive device that can be interrogated for information concerning the appliance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring appliances at a site, such as a household, business office, etc. The appliances can include, for example but not limited to, an electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, laundry washer, freezer, pool controller, light bulb, microwave oven, computer, motor vehicle, television, telephone, etc. In many of the embodiments, the appliance has a computer based architecture or a controller that enables communication of data concerning the electronic appliance. In some embodiments the appliance is an apparatus with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other passive device that can be interrogated for information concerning the appliance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring appliances at a site, such as a household, business office, etc. The appliances can include, for example but not limited to, an electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, laundry washer, freezer, pool controller, light bulb, microwave oven, computer, motor vehicle, television, telephone, etc. In many of the embodiments, the appliance has a computer based architecture or a controller that enables communication of data concerning the electronic appliance. In some embodiments the appliance is an apparatus with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other passive device that can be interrogated for information concerning the appliance.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for accurately identifying one or more mobile thing motion activity (MTMAs; e.g., stationary, walking, running, biking, driving, etc.) associated with a mobile thing (MT; e.g., a person) using sensor data from one or more sensors associated with a wireless communication device (WCD) transported by the MT and for facilitating purchase of a good or service based at least in part upon the one or more MTMAs and one or more predefined user preferences. The sensor data from the one or more sensors (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, etc.) is designed to produce data indicative of physical movement of the WCD in three dimensions of a three dimensional (3D) space. In some embodiments, the one or more MTMAs are a plurality of instances of the same MTMA (e.g., a plurality of running sessions) and the purchase of the good or service (e.g., new running shoes) is initiated when a total time duration or total travel distance exceeds a predefined threshold (e.g.

Abstract: Automated media programming (AMP) systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment of an AMP system, a computer server is communicatively coupled to the Internet and provides a website for enabling uploading of media content, sorting the media content, and downloading the media content. Independent users are permitted to submit, edit, rate, and consume media content over a broadcast media channel or network. In some embodiments of the AMP system, content on the Internet is automatically searched and topics from the searched content are automatically identified. The topics are preferably indicative of currently relevant news or events and are indicative of a type of media content that will be requested for uploading from producers. The AMP system publishes the topics to the producers, receives and stores media content uploaded from the producers that relate to the respective topics, and enable users to select and download the media content.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring appliances at a site, such as a household, business office, etc. The appliances can include, for example but not limited to, an electric oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, laundry washer, freezer, pool controller, light bulb, microwave oven, computer, motor vehicle, television, telephone, etc. In many of the embodiments, the appliance has a computer based architecture or a controller that enables communication of data concerning the electronic appliance. In some embodiments the appliance is an apparatus with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or other passive device that can be interrogated for information concerning the appliance.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wireless communication device (WCD) that can be transported by a user are provided. One embodiment comprises a user interface that enables the WCD to receive inputs from the user and to provide outputs to the user. A sensor associated with the WCD produces sensor data. The sensor data indicative of physical movement of the WCD in three dimensional space. Computer program code is executed on the WCD and enables detection of a mobile thing motion activity (MTMA) associated with the user that is transporting the WCD based at least in part upon the sensor data. The code identifies computer programs and/or sensors to activate or deactivate based at least in part upon the detected MTMA. In some embodiments, the program and sensor decisions can be made based upon more than one detected MTMA, which is the same or different.

Abstract: Automated media programming (AMP) systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment of an AMP system, a computer server is communicatively coupled to the Internet and provides a website for enabling uploading of media content, sorting the media content, and downloading the media content. Independent users are permitted to submit, edit, rate, and consume media content over a broadcast media channel or network. In some embodiments of the AMP system, content on the Internet is automatically searched and topics from the searched content are automatically identified. The topics are preferably indicative of currently relevant news or events and are indicative of a type of media content that will be requested for uploading from producers. The AMP system publishes the topics to the producers, receives and stores media content uploaded from the producers that relate to the respective topics, and enable users to select and download the media content.

Abstract: Automated media programming (AMP) systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment of an AMP system, a computer server is communicatively coupled to the Internet and provides a website for enabling uploading of media content, sorting the media content, and downloading the media content. Independent users are permitted to submit, edit, rate, and consume media content over a broadcast media channel or network. In some embodiments of the AMP system, content on the Internet is automatically searched and topics from the searched content are automatically identified. The topics are preferably indicative of currently relevant news or events and are indicative of a type of media content that will be requested for uploading from producers. The AMP system publishes the topics to the producers, receives and stores media content uploaded from the producers that relate to the respective topics, and enable users to select and download the media content.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a wireless communication device (WCD) that can be transported by a user are provided. One embodiment comprises a user interface that enables the WCD to receive inputs from the user and to provide outputs to the user. A sensor associated with the WCD produces sensor data. The sensor data indicative of physical movement of the WCD in three dimensional space. Computer program code is executed on the WCD and enables detection of a mobile thing motion activity (MTMA) associated with the user that is transporting the WCD based at least in part upon the sensor data. The code identifies an action to initiate based at least in part upon the detected MTMA, communicates a message to the user that requests confirmation that the action should be initiated, and initiates the action when the user provides the confirmation that the action should be initiated.

Abstract: Automated media programming (AMP) systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment of an AMP system, a computer server is communicatively coupled to the Internet and provides a website for enabling uploading of media content, sorting the media content, and downloading the media content. Independent users are permitted to submit, edit, rate, and consume media content over a broadcast media channel or network. In some embodiments of the AMP system, content on the Internet is automatically searched and topics from the searched content are automatically identified. The topics are preferably indicative of currently relevant news or events and are indicative of a type of media content that will be requested for uploading from producers. The AMP system publishes the topics to the producers, receives and stores media content uploaded from the producers that relate to the respective topics, and enable users to select and download the media content.