A system and method to control an appliance using a computing device, such as a smartphone. The system may have one or more computing devices (each with a control client) and one or more appliances that communicate over a backend control unit to allow a user with the computing device to virtually control the appliance.

A system, method or computer program product for providing automated contacts books can include an automated contacts book application and a contact details server. The automated contacts book application can run on a computer or mobile computing device and can be configured to interface with the contact details server so that users of the automated contacts book can search for and connect with other users within the contact details server. The automated contacts book can be further configured to permit each user remotely to populate, update and manage availability of their contact details in the automated contacts book applications of all the other users with whom the user is connected within the contact details server. The automated contacts book application can be further configured to interface with the communications systems of the computing devices on which it runs so as to use the up-to-date contact details to send communications.

In accordance with an embodiment, a system comprises a device comprising an acquisition module, a request generation module and a request output module; and a server comprising a page generation module and a providing module. The acquisition module acquires maintenance data relating to the device. The request generation module generates request information including the maintenance data and requesting the server to provide a web page relating to the maintenance data. The request output module outputs the request information as the identification data in such a manner that it can be read by an information terminal. The page generation module generates a web page indicating the maintenance data included in the request information designated as the identification data in response to a request from the information terminal via the communication network. The providing module provides the web page to the information terminal as a response to the request.

A server in communication with a first device capable of receiving input from a camera attached to the first device, and a second device capable of displaying output, is provided. The server is configured to receive, from the first device, data relating to characteristics of the camera and characteristics of an image obtained by the camera of a screen of the second device; determine a screen pixel length of the screen; and provide instructions to the second device to display on the screen an object at a desired visual angle in response to the data received from the second device and the screen pixel length, while the first device is positioned at an arbitrary distance from the screen.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus and methods for providing motion-based communication mode selection on a mobile device. In some embodiments, a mobile device can compare a detected motion of the mobile device to a plurality of predetermined motions. Each of the plurality of predetermined motions being can be associated with a different communication mode of the mobile device. A communication mode associated with the detected motion can be identified by the mobile device based at least in part on the comparison, and the identified communication mode can correspond to a communication protocol. The mobile device can generate a data message in accordance with the communication protocol, and can provide this data message to a receiver device.

A communication terminal, a method of communication, and a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method. The communication terminal and the method includes outputting terminal identification information identifying a communication terminal, receiving external terminal identification information identifying an external communication terminal, the external terminal identification information being sent from the external communication terminal through a communication management system to a destination address of the communication terminal indicated by the terminal identification information, and transmitting, when requesting to start communication with a counterpart communication terminal, the received external terminal identification information to the communication management system, instead of the terminal identification information of the communication terminal.

A communication terminal, a method of communication, and a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method. The communication terminal and the method includes outputting terminal identification information identifying a communication terminal, receiving external terminal identification information identifying an external communication terminal, the external terminal identification information being sent from the external communication terminal through a communication management system to a destination address of the communication terminal indicated by the terminal identification information, and transmitting, when requesting to start communication with a counterpart communication terminal, the received external terminal identification information to the communication management system, instead of the terminal identification information of the communication terminal.

Communication between an owner of a lost tracking device and a finder of a lost tracking device is established. A tracking system receives an identifier of a tracking device and a request for a web page from a mobile device that has captured an image of a smart code on the tracking device. The smart code is embedded with a URL to the web page. The system displays the web page on the mobile device and prompts the user to provide a location of the mobile device. The location is associated with the identifier of the tracking device. A notification indicating the location of the tracking device is generated for the owner. The owner is prompted to provide information to establish contact with the finder of the device, and the web page is populated with the owner's provided information for display on the finder's mobile device.

Communication between an owner of a lost tracking device and a finder of a lost tracking device is established. A tracking system receives an identifier of a tracking device and a request for a web page from a mobile device that has captured an image of a smart code on the tracking device. The smart code is embedded with a URL to the web page. The system displays the web page on the mobile device and prompts the user to provide a location of the mobile device. The location is associated with the identifier of the tracking device. A notification indicating the location of the tracking device is generated for the owner. The owner is prompted to provide information to establish contact with the finder of the device, and the web page is populated with the owner's provided information for display on the finder's mobile device.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus and methods for providing motion-based communication mode selection on a mobile device. In some embodiments, a mobile device can compare a detected motion of the mobile device to a plurality of predetermined motions. Each of the plurality of predetermined motions being can be associated with a different communication mode of the mobile device. A communication mode associated with the detected motion can be identified by the mobile device based at least in part on the comparison, and the identified communication mode can correspond to a communication protocol. The mobile device can generate a data message in accordance with the communication protocol, and can provide this data message to a receiver device.