Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a coffeemaker (116) receives a plurality of timer settings from a network and communicates the state of the coffeemaker (116) to another network device while keeping a real-time clock (1112) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a microwave oven receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a microwave oven (120) receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner (1326) a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock (1308) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a microwave oven receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which the configuration of a CD player occurs by a user entering data into a graphical interface, the data is stored in a user profile at a server and also downloaded to the CD player.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a coffeemaker (116) receives a plurality of timer settings from a network and communicates the state of the coffeemaker (116) to another network device while keeping a real-time clock (1112) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which the configuration of a radio (108) occurs by a user entering data into a graphical interface (110), the data is stored in a user profile (112) at a server (106) and also downloaded to the radio (108).

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a user profile (204) in the memory of a server (104) is remotely configured by use of a graphical interface on a web device (112) and the data contained in the data structure of user profile is sent to and intelligent appliance (116-122) to configure and update the recipe program data in the intelligent appliance (116-122).

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a intelligent controller (102) is in communication with appliances (116-122) over the alternating current home wiring and is in communication with a user profile (204) contained in a database (202) at a web server (104) via a modem (206) enabling configuration and programming of the appliances (116-122) to occur over a web device (112) in addition to time synchronization of the clocks in the intelligent controller (102) and appliances (116-122) with the web server (104) in order to maintain the correct time.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which an oven (122) receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner (1216) a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock (1224) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a breadmaker (118) receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner (1216) a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock (1224) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a microwave oven (120) receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner (1326) a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock (1308) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.