Abstract: A system and method are used to provide a user control interface for controlling multiple device functionality. The system comprises a support structure, control regions, depressible interaction devices, and a controller. The control regions are formed on the support structure. Each of the control regions comprises light emitting areas. The depressible interaction devices cover respective ones of the control regions. The controller is coupled to the control regions and controls which of the emitting areas is output from respective ones of the interaction devices based on one or more modes of operation of the user control interface.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.

Abstract: In a device control system that provides a means for controlling a variety of device types via a unified interface, such as via a handheld controller, a synchronization protocol ensures synchronization between a plurality of such controllers in a peer-to-peer network environment, provides a means for transferring custom configurations between such controllers, and provides a means for migrating such a controller from a peer-to-peer network environment to a server-based network environment and vice-versa.

Abstract: In a device control system that provides a means for controlling a variety of device types via a unified interface, such as via a handheld controller, a synchronization protocol ensures synchronization between a plurality of such controllers in a peer-to-peer network environment, provides a means for transferring custom configurations between such controllers, and provides a means for migrating such a controller from a peer-to-peer network environment to a server-based network environment and vice-versa.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for controlling consumer electronic (CE) devices. A control unit obtains CE device command codes and “metadata” from an interactive, wirelessly accessible database. The control unit uses the metadata, which is data relating to the unique control behaviors of a CE device, to translate between a universal control command and one or more of the command codes associated with the CE device. A wireless access method is used to download the CE device metadata and command codes to a central server or to the control unit itself. The control unit provides an interface by which end users can provide feedback concerning downloaded metadata and command codes, such that erroneous data may be corrected or so that other users may determine whether the data is worth accessing.

Abstract: A system that includes a telephone adapted for connection to a data communications network. The telephone is capable of discovering other devices connected to the data communications network and using those devices to extend its own functionality. The telephone is also accessible and controllable by other devices on the data communications network.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of system components (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, portable stereo, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.) connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the system components from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. One or more control macros can be established to control the operations and/or functions of the system components. A control macro includes commands for enabling the control server to control the system components. The control macro can be manually activated by a user, or automatically executed upon the occurrence of a commencement parameter. The control macro can also be automatically particularized for application in a specific context.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for controlling consumer electronic (CE) devices are provided. A remote control unit controls one or more CE devices by obtaining control information necessary to control each CE device from a Consumer Electronic Device Control Database (CEDB). A CEDB provides control information, such as command codes and metadata, for various CE devices as well as providing a mapping between CE device types, CE brands, and particular CE devices. A remote control unit accesses the records provided by a CEDB to provide automatic and programistic control of CE devices.

Abstract: In a device control system that provides a means for controlling a variety of device types via a unified interface, such as via a handheld controller, a synchronization protocol ensures synchronization between a plurality of such controllers in a peer-to-peer network environment, provides a means for transferring custom configurations between such controllers, and provides a means for migrating such a controller from a peer-to-peer network environment to a server-based network environment and vice-versa.

Abstract: Activity-based or experienced-based operations are created and defined during an initialization or setup session for one or more system component, with minimum or no user interaction. The system components include legacy and/or non-legacy devices, which are configured and managed within a controlled environment, such as a home or business peer-to-peer or client-server network. During an initialization or setup session, relevant device information and device metadata are collected via a conventional or discovery protocol interface. For a legacy device that is not automatically discoverable, a user adds the legacy device to the controlled environment by inputting the device information. The device information can also be automatically collected from an accessible database. Once the device information has been collected, the system components are configured to support one or more activity-based or experienced-based operations.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of system components connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The system components include audio/visual components (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). A portable controller allows a user to access and control the system components from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The portable controller includes a user and management interface that contains customized control screens for the system components. The control screens are stored in a hierarchical architecture that is searchable by region or component type.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for controlling consumer electronic (CE) devices. A control unit obtains CE device command codes and “metadata” from an interactive, wirelessly accessible database. The control unit uses the metadata, which is data relating to the unique control behaviors of a CE device, to translate between a universal control command and one or more of the command codes associated with the CE device. A wireless access method is used to download the CE device metadata and command codes to a central server or to the control unit itself. The control unit provides an interface by which end users can provide feedback concerning downloaded metadata and command codes, such that erroneous data may be corrected or so that other users may determine whether the data is worth accessing.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of system components (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, portable stereo, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.) connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the system components from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. One or more control macros can be established to control the operations and/or functions of the system components. A control macro includes commands for enabling the control server to control the system components. The control macro can be manually activated by a user, or automatically executed upon the occurrence of a commencement parameter. The control macro can also be automatically particularized for application in a specific context.

Abstract: A legacy device bridge for use in a network, such as a wired or wireless residential network, is provided. The legacy device bridge performs protocol conversion to enable a network-attached entity that uses a packet-based communication protocol to communicate with and control legacy devices, such as consumer electronics, that rely exclusively on infrared (IR) or serial communication protocols. The legacy device bridge also performs a virtualization function that allows legacy devices to be advertised to the network as devices that comply with a packet-based discovery and control protocol, and to be controlled as such. The legacy device bridge is also adapted to probe, deduce and publish information relating to the state of a legacy device to other entities on the network.

Abstract: A video teleconferencing and multimedia presentation system is provided. The system is integrated and network-ready to facilitate ease of set-up and operation, and also utilizes IP and/or wireless networking to provide advanced features and functionality, such as remote access and control and the ability to perform secure archiving and retrieval of recorded video and audio data. The system further utilizes a unique peer-to-peer conference network solution in order to address the bandwidth limitations that plague conventional systems and allow enhanced viewing of high-bandwidth applications.

Abstract: A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.