Abstract: A method to transmit a broadband multimedia resource locator using a narrowband communication system embeds the broadband multimedia resource locator into a narrowband audio stream and transmits the narrowband audio stream to one or more receiving communication devices over the narrowband communication system. The receiving communication device(s) subsequently extract the broadband multimedia resource locator from the narrowband audio stream and use the broadband multimedia resource locator to access a broadband communication system to retrieve multimedia content.

Abstract: An energy monitoring and control system (10) for use with a conventional AC source (12) having a hot wire and a neutral wire (28). The energy monitoring and control system (10) includes a control station (14) and a number of controllable loads (20). The control station (14) is coupled in series with the hot wire of the AC source and is physically located between the AC source (12) and the loads (20). The individual loads are connected in parallel with each other and are coupled to the AC surce (12) and the control station (14). The control station (14) can communicate with the loads in various ways, a preferred scheme being a power-line communication method. Each of the loads is equipped with circuitry for receiving and executing commands sent by the control station (14). The control station (14) can receive information from the loads (20) by observing the AC supply current drawn by the loads (20).