Methods and systems are presented for transmitting appliance-specific content to a user device associated with an appliance. In some embodiments, a third party platform may serve as a secure intermediary between a user device associated with an appliance (e.g., an oven) and a third party appliance service provider (e.g., appliance manufacturer). In some embodiments, the third party platform database may store appliance ownership data from the user device and compare an appliance search provided by the appliance service provider with the appliance ownership data in order to match an appliance service provider with a user device associated with an appliance meeting the criteria of the appliance search. The appliance service provider may efficiently transmit appliance-specific content (e.g., a list of approved or preferred appliance servicers) to the appliance user by way of the appliance user's user device. In some embodiments, the data exchange facilitated by the third party platform may be customized based on user-specified appliance center settings.

In the present invention, a household appliance is controlled in accordance with a state of a user. An agent server (1) in accordance with the present invention includes a setting management section (21) which identifies a mode corresponding to a state of the user and a process executing section (22) which executes a process in accordance with the mode identified by the setting management section (21).

Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide an intelligent systems framework for analysis of user-generated content from various capture points to determine user intent. For example, a method may be implemented in a computer system comprising a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and computer program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, the method may comprise receiving, at the computer system, data relating to a plurality of aspects of at least one person, including data from at least one of physical or physiological sensors and communicatively connected devices, extracting, at the computer system, from the received data, features relevant to events relating to at least one person, extracting, at the computer system, at least one intent of at least one event relating to at least one person, and performing, at the computer system, an action based on the extracted at least one intent.

Systems and methods for automatically recording media assets not explicitly scheduled for recording by a user when the user leaves his or her home. For example, when the user leaves home, a media guidance application, being executed on a user equipment device (such as a set-top box), schedules to record media assets that the user has expressed interest in, but has not explicitly scheduled for recording. If the user returns home before a recording has begun, the media guidance application does not record the media assets the user has not explicitly scheduled for recording.

A device manager (200; 300; 400) and associated method for controlling one or more devices (203a-c; 403a-c). The device manager comprises a receiver (304) configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors (202a-d; 402a-d). The device manager comprises a device controller (314) configured to determine device control data for controlling the operation of one or more devices based on the received sensor data and one or more policy rules stored in a memory (306). The device manager comprises a transmitter (302) configured to transmit the device control data to the one or more devices. The receiver is further configured to receive, from a network node (212, 214; 412) of a telecommunications network, user equipment, UE, data relating to one or more UEs (426a-c) associated with the one or more devices. The device controller is further configured to determine the device control data based on the received UE data.

The present invention relates to a method of remotely configuring access to at least one home automation device (D) that is part of a home-automation installation (Su), the home automation installation comprising at least one home automation device (D) and at least one central control unit (U), and the method being performed by a first remote access service (Svc1) carried out by a management unit (Sv) and comprising the following steps: receiving (ECfSvc12) an information message (MIn) relating to the presence of the home automation device (D) from a central control unit (U) to which the device (D) is linked; determining (ECfSvc13) a second service (Svc2) associated with the type of home automation device (D) for which remote access must be configured with corresponding access rules; configuring (ECfSvc110) an access rights reference system in order to accept at least one control command (MCa) from the second service (Svc2) or transmitting monitoring data (MSa) to the second service (Svc2) on behalf of the home automation device (D). The invention also relates to a control and monitoring method.

Various aspects and embodiments of automation in tenancy transitions are described. Among other aspects or features of the embodiments, a computing device in an automation or gateway hub receives and stores automation settings from an automation management service environment over time. The automation settings can include different settings for various states of occupancy of a rental unit or dwelling. For example, the automation settings can include a first set of automation settings, which can be used while the dwelling is occupied, and a second set automation settings for use after the dwelling is no longer occupied. The automation or gateway hub can determine whether a transition has occurred for the dwelling and, in response to the transition, load the different automation settings into one or more home automation devices of the dwelling.

A smart home system with firearm tracking includes a sensor network installed within a building and a control panel including an input mechanism, a display screen, a wireless transceiver, and a scanning mechanism. The system is configured to monitor at least one firearm that has an ammunition sensor, a GPS sensor, a wireless transceiver, and a magazine having a unique scannable QR code. The control panel receives user identification information via the input mechanism or an external remote device, generates a user profile that includes the identification information, scans the unique QR code of the firearm magazine, assigns the magazine to a selected user profile, and receives an ammunition count from the firearm as detected by the ammunition sensor. The system can send location and ammunition change notifications to the control panel display, external user devices, and emergency authorities to enhance the safety of the firearm user and general public.

A method for operating an appliance on a power grid operated by a utility is described. The method includes receiving, at a server associated with the utility, information indicating whether a person is present in a proximity of the appliance, determining, by the server, an operational state of the appliance based on whether the person is present in the proximity of the appliance, and transmitting to the appliance, via a communication link associated with the power grid, control information related to the operational state to control operation of the appliance. Related methods, devices and systems are described.

The present disclosed is directed to systems, methods, and devices for obtaining feedback information from individuals to reveal group preferences and to systems, methods, and devices for enabling providers to provide outcomes which utilize, at least in part, the preferences of the group. For example, a system comprising a plurality of devices, wherein at least one device of the plurality of devices captures at least one feedback in one substantially simple transaction; and the at least one device of the plurality of devices sends the at least one captured feedback to at least one computer; and the at least one computer receives the least one feedback; and the at least one feedback can be given at one or more of the following: periodic time intervals, predefined time intervals, random time intervals, substantially random time intervals and substantially any time.