Abstract: A method is provided for sharing digital information between first and second mobile devices. The method may include, at an embedded device, receiving the digital information from the first mobile device; at the embedded device, notifying the second mobile device of the digital information via a push notification; and at the embedded device, maintaining communication with the first and second mobile devices. In some embodiments, the method further includes, at the embedded device, receiving an embedded device wide area network (WAN) Internet protocol (IP) address. Maintaining communication with the first and second mobile devices may include notifying the first and second mobile devices of the new embedded device WAN IP address via respective additional push notifications, or using a DDNS server.

Abstract: A method for sharing digital information is provided. The method may include, at a first local area network (LAN)-based embedded device, inviting a second LAN-based embedded device to share digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; synchronizing the digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; and maintaining communication between the first LAN-based embedded device and the second LAN-based embedded device. Said inviting may include, at the first LAN-based embedded device: receiving an identifier of a second mobile device, and transmitting to the second mobile device a first WAN IP address and first access credential; and at the second LAN-based embedded device: receiving the first WAN IP address and first access credential from the second mobile device, and transmitting to the first LAN-based embedded device a second WAN IP address and second access credential.

Abstract: A method for sharing first and second digital information between an embedded device and a mobile device is provided. The method may include, at the mobile device, obtaining a mobile device component of a new application; at the embedded device, obtaining an embedded device component of the new application; at the mobile device component, transmitting the first digital information to the embedded device component; and at the embedded device component, transmitting the second digital information to the mobile device component. Some embodiments further may include, at the mobile device, obtaining the embedded device component of the new application, and the embedded device may receive the embedded device component from the mobile device. Alternatively, the embedded device may download the embedded device component from the Internet.

Abstract: A method for sharing digital information is provided. The method may include, at a first local area network (LAN)-based embedded device, inviting a second LAN-based embedded device to share digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; synchronizing the digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; and maintaining communication between the first LAN-based embedded device and the second LAN-based embedded device. Said inviting may include, at the first LAN-based embedded device: receiving an identifier of a second mobile device, and transmitting to the second mobile device a first WAN IP address and first access credential; and at the second LAN-based embedded device: receiving the first WAN IP address and first access credential from the second mobile device, and transmitting to the first LAN-based embedded device a second WAN IP address and second access credential.

Abstract: A method is provided for sharing digital information between first and second mobile devices. The method may include, at an embedded device, receiving the digital information from the first mobile device; at the embedded device, notifying the second mobile device of the digital information via a push notification; and at the embedded device, maintaining communication with the first and second mobile devices. In some embodiments, the method further includes, at the embedded device, receiving an embedded device wide area network (WAN) Internet protocol (IP) address. Maintaining communication with the first and second mobile devices may include notifying the first and second mobile devices of the new embedded device WAN IP address via respective additional push notifications, or using a DDNS server.

Abstract: Under one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for facilitating communication between a mobile device and a wireless access point (WAP). The mobile device includes a processor and a non-volatile computer readable medium. The system may include an identifier disposed on the WAP; and a communication application stored in the non-volatile computer readable medium of the mobile device and configured to cause the processor of the mobile device to perform the steps of: (a) obtaining a digital representation of the identifier of the WAP; (b) connecting to the WAP; (c) transmitting the digital representation of the identifier to the WAP; (d) receiving from the WAP an ESSID and a credential responsive to the transmitted digital representation; and (e) connecting to the selected wireless access point based on the ESSID and credential.

Abstract: A method for sharing digital information is provided. The method may include, at a first local area network (LAN)-based embedded device, inviting a second LAN-based embedded device to share digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; synchronizing the digital information between the first and second LAN-based embedded devices; and maintaining communication between the first LAN-based embedded device and the second LAN-based embedded device. Said inviting may include, at the first LAN-based embedded device: receiving an identifier of a second mobile device, and transmitting to the second mobile device a first WAN IP address and first access credential; and at the second LAN-based embedded device: receiving the first WAN IP address and first access credential from the second mobile device, and transmitting to the first LAN-based embedded device a second WAN IP address and second access credential.

Abstract: Under one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for facilitating communication between a mobile device and a wireless access point (WAP). The mobile device includes a processor and a non-volatile computer readable medium. The system may include an identifier disposed on the WAP; and a communication application stored in the non-volatile computer readable medium of the mobile device and configured to cause the processor of the mobile device to perform the steps of: (a) obtaining a digital representation of the identifier of the WAP; (b) connecting to the WAP; (c) transmitting the digital representation of the identifier to the WAP; (d) receiving from the WAP an ESSID and a credential responsive to the transmitted digital representation; and (e) connecting to the selected wireless access point based on the ESSID and credential.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively providing telephone service that is either PSTN-based on Internet-based using a standard analog telephone circuit. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hardware module and associated software for coupling a personal computer or Internet appliance and a standard analog telephone. The apparatus includes a DTMF interface circuit, a subscriber line interface circuit, a ring detection circuit, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the PC or Internet appliance. The apparatus permits the analog telephone to be toggled between an Internet-based telephone mode and a PSTN-network mode by inputting a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor, modem and optionally, analog telephone circuit, to provide a stand-alone or partially-integrated device capable of selectively switching between PSTN-based and Internet-based telephony services.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling network activity of a network appliances in real-time are provided, in which the network activity is transmitted to at least one controlling network appliance. Internet access filtering technology and instant message technology are combined so that Internet access of a monitoring network appliance may be selectively blocked based upon predefined rules, and Internet access activities, whether blocked or not, may be redirected to multiple controlling network appliances for review based on other predefined rules, wherein the monitoring network appliance and the controlling network appliance may be buddies in an instant message network. The predefined rules may be modified dynamically by sending a command from the controlling network appliance to monitoring network appliance.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling network activity of one or more network appliances in real-time is provided. The network activity of a network appliance may be monitored by the network appliance itself or, if the network appliance is in a LAN, by a network gateway in the LAN. The network activity is transmitted to one or more controlling network appliances based on which type of IP address is assigned to the monitoring network appliances and the controlling network appliances. The controlling network appliances control the network activity of the monitored network appliances by sending a command to the monitored network appliances with or without user intervention. The monitored network appliances execute the command to control their network activity in real-time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time monitoring and controlling of network or network appliance activity through use of instant messaging software on a smart network appliance are provided. Network and network appliance activity are monitored by a smart network appliance and communicated to a user, server, or other network appliance via instant messaging. The smart network appliance acts as an instant messaging client, with its own screen name and buddy list. A command set is provided in the smart network appliance to enable the buddies in the buddy list to order the smart network appliance to perform an action by sending an instant message to the smart network appliance, the instant message including a command from the command set.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively providing telephone service that is either PSTN-based or Internet-based using a standard analog telephone circuit. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hardware module and associated software for coupling a personal computer or Internet appliance and a standard analog telephone. The apparatus includes a DTMF interface circuit, a subscriber line interface circuit, a ring detection circuit, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the PC or Internet appliance. The apparatus permits the analog telephone to be toggled between an Internet-based telephone mode and a PSTN-network mode by inputting a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor, modem and optionally, analog telephone circuit, to provide a stand-alone or partially-integrated device capable of selectively switching between PSTN-based and Internet-based telephony services.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selectively providing telephone service that is either PSTN-based on Internet-based using a standard analog telephone circuit. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hardware module and associated software for coupling a personal computer or Internet appliance and a standard analog telephone. The apparatus includes a DTMF interface circuit, a subscriber line interface circuit, a ring detection circuit, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the PC or Internet appliance. The apparatus permits the analog telephone to be toggled between an Internet-based telephone mode and a PSTN-network mode by inputting a predetermined sequence of DTMF digits. In alternative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor, modem and optionally, analog telephone circuit, to provide a stand-alone or partially-integrated device capable of selectively switching between PSTN-based and Internet-based telephony services.

Abstract: A combination audio, modem, and network interface card for use with a personal computer is described. The card has a standard Audio/Modem Riser (AMR) edge connector for providing signals to the audio and modem portions of the card. A second edge connector, preferably conforming to the PCI specification, provides signals to the network interface portion of the card. A socket through which the card may be plugged into a motherboard is also described. The socket has an AMR portion, positioned so that it can accept a either a standard AMR card or the AMR edge connector of the combination card, and a PCI portion, that permits it to receive the second edge connector of the combination card.