Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting and/or ranking video streams to be transmitted to a client node are described. A first set of video streams is received at a receiving node. A set of display criteria is also received at the receiving node. One or more of the video streams from the first set of video streams is selected and/or ranked to form a second set of video streams. The second set of video streams is transmitted to a client node. The second set of video streams may then be displayed at the client node.

Abstract: A remote control device is described. The remote control device includes a processor, a transmitter, and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The remote control is capable of operating in a first speed mode. When in the first speed mode, the remote control transmits commands at a first rate. The remote control changes between the first speed mode and a second speed mode when a change mode command is received. The remote control is capable of operating in second speed mode. When in the second speed mode, the remote control transmits commands at a second rate, which is higher than the first rate.

Abstract: A method for providing a message service for a site is described. It is determined whether a service is provided at the site. If the service is provided at the site, a request is sent to a node at the site that provides the service. Determining if the service is provided at the site includes automatically determining if the service is provided at the site without user input.

Abstract: A service provider for embedded devices is disclosed for controlling, monitoring and/or updating embedded devices. The service provider includes a computer having communications hardware for communicating over a computer network. The computer also includes a storage device and a processor. The computer network communication module is also configured to communicate via the computer network with a message store and transmit component, wherein the message store and transmit component is capable of communicating with one or more embedded devices through the computer network. A database of service information obtained from the computer network is also added to the service provider. This database of service information is available to the embedded devices through the message store and transmit component.

Abstract: A method for interpreting data from a site is described. The method may include various steps. Input data to be interpreted may be acquired. The input data may be sent to an interpreter. Alert criteria may be sent to the interpreter. A determination that indicates whether the alert criteria was satisfied may be received. If the determination indicates that the alert criteria was satisfied, an alert procedure may be performed.

Abstract: A system for rating web services is disclosed. The system includes a computer with a network interface for electronic communications with a communications network. The computer is configured to process rating information input regarding a web service and use the rating information input. The computer is also configured to respond to a request for rating information. The system also includes multiple web services identifications for identifying web services. Web service information that relates to the web services is also included. The web service information is obtained through use of the rating information input.

Abstract: In a method for instant messaging using a control device, a user is authenticated with an instant messenger server. A message is received. The received message includes message data from the instant messenger server. It is determined whether the message should be forwarded to the control device. If it was determined that the message should be forwarded to the control device, the received message is forwarded to the control device.

Abstract: A communications module is disclosed for facilitating wireless electronic communications with an electronic device. The communications module includes a processor and a wireless module in electronic communication with the processor for wireless communications with the electronic device. A paging module is also included that is in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with a computer through a paging network. The communications module also includes a modem in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with the computer through a communications network. Further, memory is in electronic communication with the processor for storing data.

Abstract: A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network. The adapter includes a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device. The adapter also includes communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network. In addition, the adapter includes a processor and memory. The memory is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network. The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port.

Abstract: A system for optimizing network bandwidth based on subscription rates from a plurality of requestors is disclosed as including a provider that provides provider data. The system also includes a first requestor that has requested the provider data at a first subscription rate and a second requestor that has requested the provider data at a second subscription rate. The second subscription rate is higher than the first subscription rate. The system further includes a plurality of intervening access nodes. Each intervening access node includes request information specifying any provider data being sent through the intervening access node and a corresponding subscription rate. The plurality of intervening access nodes are configured to decrease the rate to an adjacent node when a requestor decreases a requestor subscription rate such that all the rates along a common transmit path from the provider to an end requestor are optimized to maximize available bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for instant messaging using a control device is described. A user is authenticated with an instant messenger server. A message is received. The received message includes message data from the instant messenger server. It is determined whether the message should be forwarded to the control device. If it was determined that the message should be forwarded to the control device, the received message is forwarded to the control device.

Abstract: A method for providing remote assistance for controlling a site is disclosed. A remote assistance request may be received from a control device. The remote assistance request may be sent from the control device to a remote server. Communication between the remote server and the control device may be established.

Abstract: A method for providing a message service for a site is described. It is determined whether a service is provided at the site. If the service is provided at the site, a request is sent to a node at the site that provides the service. Determining if the service is provided at the site includes automatically determining if the service is provided at the site without user input.

Abstract: Modeled contact results for contact attempts to plural accounts using plural contact treatments are applied to optimize the contact treatments used to contact the accounts. Plural objective functions solved by a goals programming formulation include the number of accounts to manage through a predetermined contact treatment, such as telephone communication treatment. Contact results from the contact treatment are fed back to re-optimize accounts for additional contact attempts. Optimization of the number of accounts downloaded for telephone communication treatment improves utilization of contact resources, such as contact device utilization.

Abstract: An embedded device configured to provide an audio status output is disclosed. The embedded device includes a processor, an input button in electronic communication with the processor and a speaker in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio output. Memory is used for storing data. An audio output generator is stored in the memory and operates to generate the audio status output. The audio generator receives a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of the input button. The generator then operates to convert the status data to audio output data through use of an audio generation table. The audio output data includes multiple distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that correspond to individual data elements of the status data. The audio output data is provided to the speaker such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated.

Abstract: A telephone network interface is disclosed for facilitating communications through use of a telephone with an embedded device through a gateway and for facilitating communications between a remote service provider and the gateway. The telephone network interface includes a telephone interface for electronic communication with a telephone. The telephone network also includes a gateway interface for electronic communications with a gateway. An external telephone network interface is included for connecting the telephone network interface to an external telephone network. In addition, connection control is also provided. Connection control causes the telephone to be selectively in electronic communication with the external telephone network for telephone calls. The connection control also selectively causes the telephone to be in electronic communication with the gateway for communicating with an embedded device such that device requests from the telephone are communicated to the gateway.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is disclosed that is reprogrammable through a pager network. The device includes a communications port. The device also includes a data transceiver for transmitting send data and receiving receive data from a pager network. In addition, the device has a processor. The processor is in electronic communication with the communications port for communicating through the communications port. The processor is also in electronic communication with the data transceiver for communications with the pager network. The device also includes reprogrammable memory programmed with instructions to cause the device to receive new program code from the pager network and to reprogram the reprogrammable memory with the new program code.

Abstract: An interface unit is disclosed for facilitating the optimization of a watering system. The interface unit includes a first interface configured to receive optimization data over a network. A second interface is also included, the second interface being configured for electronic communications with a watering system controller that controls operation of a watering system according to watering instructions stored in the watering system controller. The interface unit also includes a processor, the processor being in electronic communication with the first interface and the second interface. Memory is also included. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor, and is programmed with instructions for using the optimization data to modify the watering instructions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for preparing program code for a first computer, wherein the systems and methods are implemented on a second computer. The systems include a relocating module that is adapted to relocate program code by modifying locations in the program code identified by location data. The modifications made by the relocating module are based on a memory address. The systems operate on program code for the first computer, where the program code is stored on the second computer. The relocating module is provided the memory address that identifies a memory location in the first computer. The memory address is suitable as a basis for modifying the program code. The relocating module is also provided with location data that identifies locations in the program code to be adjusted based on the memory address.

Abstract: A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data. The curtailment module also includes a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification. A code generator is stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs.