Abstract: A method for providing notification concerning an event to at least a recipient through at least a phone is disclosed. The method may include associating the event with a calling number. The method may also include making a call to at least the phone using the calling number (e.g., originating the call from a communication device and/or a communication account associated with the calling number) if the event is detected.

Abstract: A method for configuring at least one of a first device, a second device, and an application system is disclosed. The application system may be utilized in a spatial unit. The spatial unit may include a plurality of spatial subunits. The method may include determining a first spatial subunit in the spatial unit. The first spatial subunit may be related to the first device. The method may also include identifying, based on a result of the determining, a second device that is physically disposed in the first spatial subunit. The method may also include configuring the at least one of the first device, the second device, and the application system using at least a first rule, wherein the first rule may involve at least the first device and the second device.

Abstract: A method for controlling displaying information contained in a menu on a display device is disclosed. Items in the menu may be selected using a control device. Initially a first portion of the menu may be shown in a display area on the display device. The method may include monitoring a position of an indicator. The indicator may be controlled by the control device. The method may also include concealing at least a first section of the first portion of the menu if a portion of the indicator is in a first zone on the display device and if no button of the control device is currently pressed. The method may also include showing a second portion of the menu if the portion of the indicator is in the first zone on the display device and if no button of the control device is currently pressed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the playback of content and/or the ambience for the playback is disclosed. The method may include receiving user input from an actuated button, which may represent a first button or a second button of a control device. The method may also include receiving a signal pertaining to movement of the actuated button and/or motion of the control device. The method may also include translating the signal into an accelerate-forward command if the actuated button is the first button and the signal represents a first signal, into an accelerate-backward command if the actuated button is the first button and the signal represents a second signal, into a skip-forward command if the actuated button is the first button and the signal represents a third signal, and into a skip-backward command if the actuated button is the first button and the signal represents a fourth signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling playback of content is disclosed. The content may be played using a playback unit. The method may include monitoring the content. The method may also include determining whether a portion of the content being displayed on a display device contains any actionable zones that are configured for facilitating user input. The method may also include showing a copy of the portion of the content on a touch-screen device if the portion of the content contains at least one or more actionable zones. The copy of the portion of the content may contain at least a copy of the one or more actionable zones.

Abstract: A system for facilitating automation involving multiple devices is disclosed. The devices may include a first device utilizing a first protocol and a second device utilizing a second protocol. The system may include a wrapper for translating between the first protocol and a first message, translating between the first protocol and a second message, and/or translating between the first protocol and a third message. The first message contains configuration data for the first device. The second message contains a command for instructing the first device and/or the second device to perform at least one action. The third message contains an event representation for describing one or more events involving one or more of the devices. The system may also include a router for forwarding the first message, the second message, and/or the third message between at least the first device and the second device.

Abstract: A method for handling content to accommodate the movement of a user is disclosed. The method may include playing at least a first portion of the content using a first playback device. The method may also include storing status information concerning the playing the at least the first portion of the content. The method may also include receiving an identifier from a mobile device. The method may also include associating the status information with the identifier. The method may also include determining a start point of a second portion of the content using at least the identifier. The method may also include playing at least the second portion of the content using a second playback device.

Abstract: A method for adding a device to an application system is disclosed. The method may include associating a set of Media Access Control address ranges with a set of device providers. The method may also include obtaining a Media Access Control address associated with the device. The method may also include determining a provider of the device if the Media Access Control address is within a Media Access Control address range in the set of Media Access Control address ranges, wherein the provider of the device is associated with the Media Access Control address range.