Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device having a controller to detect a location of a user by detecting at least one of a network associated with the user and a location of the mobile device, wherein the location of the user includes a media processor, transmit a request for an audio command intended for the media processor to a server on a communications network after detecting the location of the user, wherein the audio command is transmitted by the server to the media processor, detect an audio signal emitted from the media processor, wherein the audio signal is caused by the audio command, and determine an identity of the media processor by associating the detected audio signal with the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device having a controller to detect a location of a user by detecting at least one of a network associated with the user and a location of the mobile device, wherein the location of the user includes a media processor, transmit a request for an audio command intended for the media processor to a server on a communications network after detecting the location of the user, wherein the audio command is transmitted by the server to the media processor, detect an audio signal emitted from the media processor, wherein the audio signal is caused by the audio command, and determine an identity of the media processor by associating the detected audio signal with the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device having a controller to detect a location of a user by detecting at least one of a network associated with the user and a location of the mobile device, wherein the location of the user includes a media processor, transmit a request for an audio command intended for the media processor to a server on a communications network after detecting the location of the user, wherein the audio command is transmitted by the server to the media processor, detect an audio signal emitted from the media processor, wherein the audio signal is caused by the audio command, and determine an identity of the media processor by associating the detected audio signal with the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device having a controller to detect a location of a user by detecting at least one of a network associated with the user and a location of the mobile device, wherein the location of the user includes a media processor, transmit a request for an audio command intended for the media processor to a server on a communications network after detecting the location of the user, wherein the audio command is transmitted by the server to the media processor, detect an audio signal emitted from the media processor, wherein the audio signal is caused by the audio command, and determine an identity of the media processor by associating the detected audio signal with the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically providing access options to a remote user of a data network that utilizes a network-based connection analysis server to determine the “best available” connection arrangement to provide access for the remote user. The connection analysis server contains a database of empirical access/connection data based on the past experience of user's attempting to connection to remotely-located data networks (for example, success of connection, speed of connection, cost, etc.). The server initiates the inventive process by querying the remote user for geographic location information, determining access options available at the responded geographic location by comparing the geographic location to the empirical data, and then selecting a “best available” connection option (or options) to the remote user for approval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing quality of service (QoS) measurements for remote-access users of a virtual private network (VPN) utilizes hardware/software at the remote VPN client to collect information related to the remote client's ability to connect to the VPN and remain connected. A centralized server is configured to query each remote client and upload the collected connection data, the server functioning to analyze the collected data to determine QoS information in terms of, for example, “VPN accessibility” (defined as success rate for connection to VPN servers), “VPN sustainability” (defined as the ability to maintain a network connection), and “VPN availability” (defined as the ability of a persistent remote-access location to maintain its network connect). The QoS measurements allow the VPN service provider to improve the experience of remote access users, generate alarms and reports, and may also be used to form service level agreements (SLAs) with such users.