Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that relate to the control of devices over a network from a central controller. A computer server can control, monitor and affect devices which include a controller and a network interface for communicating information between the device and the server. The device and central controller communicate using a predefined communications protocol for either remote configuration, control, or monitoring of the device and the protocol allows the central server to recognize the device as a hierarchical tree of contexts including data elements and metadata describing each said data element.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that relate to the control of devices over a network from a central controller. A computer server can control, monitor and affect devices which include a controller and a network interface for communicating information between the device and the server. The device and central controller communicate using a predefined communications protocol for either remote configuration, control, or monitoring of the device and the protocol allows the central server to recognize the device as a hierarchical tree of contexts including data elements and metadata describing each said data element.