Systems and methods for managing a network are disclosed. One method can comprise determining presence of a first network device associated with a network. If the first network device is not present, a second network device can be configured to assume authority of the network. If the first network device is present, the second network device can be configured to join the network. Other aspects relate to providing services in an environment having multiple service providers.

Systems and methods for managing a network are disclosed. One method can comprise determining presence of a first network device associated with a network. If the first network device is not present, a second network device can be configured to assume authority of the network. If the first network device is present, the second network device can be configured to join the network. Other aspects relate to providing services in an environment having multiple service providers.

A method/system monitors and controls operational aspects of devices in a space, for example a living, office or other human-occupied space or storage space, in a building, such as turning lights on/off, raising/lowering blinds, maintaining or changing temperature, and other operational aspects. Sensors monitor energy usage of the devices in the space, and a controller/engine compares the monitored energy usage with reference energy usage to validate whether the devices are performing as expected. A temperate set-versus-anomaly detection technique may use temperature set point adjustments by a user (during a timeframe) to determine whether an anomaly exists that requires changes in the central plant of the building.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining, from a network server device, first information regarding a first device, generating a media control package based on the first information, wherein the media control package relates to primary content to be presented, wherein the primary content is associated with a first timestamp that corresponds to a first event or context in the primary content, and wherein the media control package includes a first instruction for controlling the first device when a playback position of the primary content corresponds to the first timestamp, and causing the media control package to be provided to the network server device to enable augmentation of a presentation of the first event or context via control of the first device, in accordance with the first instruction, when the playback position of the primary content corresponds to the first timestamp. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A control system for a bathing apparatus includes a pairing station associated with the bathing apparatus and having a pairing interface, and a portable user device arranged to be used to control the bathing apparatus, the portable user device being able to control one or more functions of the bathing apparatus only while it is paired with the pairing station. The portable user device is paired with the pairing station by activation of the pairing interface when the portable user device is in a pairing region.

A computer implemented method, device and computer program device are provided that are under control of one or more processors configured with executable instructions. The method receives a user instruction to perform an action, identifies context awareness information concerning an environment where the action is to be performed. The environment includes a plurality of candidate electronic devices. At least one of the candidate electronic devices provides digital personal assistant (DPA) functionality. The method groups a collection of one or more responsive electronic devices, from the plurality of candidate electronic devices, based on the context awareness information. The method communicates the instruction to the collection of one or more responsive electronic devices to coordinate the action by the collection of one or more responsive electronic devices.

A home appliance comprises a communication circuitry configured to be operable in a first mode or a second mode, an input unit including a button to receive an input to control the home appliance, a memory and at least one processor to control the communication circuitry to operate in the first mode in response to detecting the button being pressed, establish a first communication interface with an external terminal, obtain network set-up information including a Service Set Identifier (SSID) of an external wireless access point apparatus and authentication information, the SSID is selected via the external terminal and the authentication information was previously stored in the external terminal, control the communication circuitry to operate in the second mode, establish a second communication interface with the external wireless access point apparatus using the stored network set-up information and control the communication circuitry to access an external server.

A smart home device (e.g., a voice assistant device) includes an audio control system that determines a set of one or more audio devices to include nearby devices that are capable of providing audio streams that are audibly detected by a microphone of the smart home device. The audio control system initiates a voice-interaction mode for operating the smart home device to receive voice commands from a user and provide audio output in response to the voice commands. The audio control system transmits an audio control signal to nearby devices that configures each nearby device to implement one or more of: reducing a volume level associated with the audio streams generated by the nearby devices while the smart home device is operating in the voice-interaction mode; and transmitting, to the smart home device, audio stream data associated with a current audio stream generated for audible output by the nearby device.

A management system for building equipment includes several units. An instruction transmission unit transmits an instruction to at least one device. A response reception unit receives a response indicating that a state transition is made by the device in accordance with the instruction. A detection unit detects an abnormal condition in which the response is not received by the reception unit within a reference time period after transmission of the instruction. A storage unit stores the reference time period. A time measurement unit measures a length of time from when the instruction is transmitted to when the response is received. A mode setting unit sets an operating mode of the management system to a reference-time-period calculation mode. A calculation unit performs calculations to determine the reference time period based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit, and prompts the storage unit to store the determined reference time period.

There is provided a smart home control system including a host, at least one sensor, a plurality of controlled devices and an informing device. The host identifies entering and leaving of family members according to detection results of the at least one sensor, and controls on/off of the controlled devices or informs a specific family member by the informing device to execute agenda according to a member ID of a family member who is identified to enter or leave the house. When identifying that one agendum is unable or forgotten to be executed by the specific family member, the host further rearranges the agendum.