Abstract: A home-automation system (108) and method (300) for controlling at least one device of a plurality of devices in a home-automation network (104) are disclosed. The home-automation system includes a receiver (202) configured to receive a signal indicative of location a user. The user is located beyond the proximity of the home being automated by the home-automation network. The home-automation system also includes a processor (208) adapted to control the at least one device of the plurality of devices in response to the received indicative signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for managing a digital content stored in an electronic device (102). The electronic device is capable of storing and retrieving the digital content. The method includes storing (304) a plurality of user profiles at the electronic device. Each user profile of the plurality of user profiles includes pre-defined digital content preferences. Further, the method includes accessing (306) at least one user profile of the plurality of user profiles in response to a user identification parameter. Further, the method includes managing (308) the stored digital content for the at least one accessed user profile.

Abstract: A method and a system for selectively providing media content from a database (206) of media files are provided. A plurality of media files is stored within the database (206). Each of the stored media files are identified by an overall primary content rating. A plurality of media segments are included in each of the media files. Each of the media segments are identified by a secondary content rating. A user interface (202) receives a user-generated message requesting access to at least one particular one of the stored media files. The desired content rating for the requested media file is also specified. The interface (204) retrieves the media segments of the requested particular media file that do not exceed the specified desired content rating. Furthermore, the interface (204) provides a user with access to the retrieved media segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a surveillance system having a plurality of remotely located cameras that are in communication over a data network. The method includes the steps of: receiving a first message over the data network associated with a change in imaging status of a first camera; and transmitting over the data network, in response to receipt of the first message, a second message to a second camera instructing the second camera to change its imaging status.