An infrared output device is installed in a fixed apparatus whose position is fixed in a predetermined space. An input receiving device is configured to receive, through voice input, a control command to a first-type apparatus controllable by infrared ray. Upon the input receiving device receiving the control command, the infrared output device is configured to output infrared ray to the first-type apparatus.

An operating system includes an air conditioner and an infrared output device. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit. The infrared output device is configured to receive first information on an instruction to a first-type apparatus other than the air conditioner and operable by an infrared signal and transmit an infrared signal corresponding to the first information to the first-type apparatus. The air conditioner further includes a management device configured to manage the first-type apparatus. The management device includes a command information receiving unit configured to receive second information on a command content, and a determination unit configured to determine whether there is a deviation between a behavior of the first-type apparatus and the command content, based on the behavior of the first-type apparatus and the second information.

A system, method, and apparatus for controlling a plurality of devices are provided. The system includes a remote control device comprising a processor configured to generate a carousel zone comprising at least a subset of graphical icons of a plurality of graphical icons, determine a first target device and a second target device from the plurality of devices, generate a first user interface based on the first target device, the first user interface associated with a first set of commands, in response to a user input, generate a second user interface based on the second target device, the second user interface associated with a second set of commands, control the first target device based on the first set of commands, and control the second target device based on the second set of commands.

A communication terminal includes: a network communication section configured to communicate with a device that possesses a target to be accessed and access information; a setting section configured to set, for a transmission means that is used to carry out transmission by communication carried out by a program for exchanging messages, (i) specifying information for specifying the target and (ii) an action that the device is caused to execute with respect to the access information, the specifying information and the action being set by an operation of a user so as to be associated with each other; and an execution control section configured to send the transmission means to the device, and cause the device to execute, with respect to the access information on the target that is specified by the specifying information having been set for the transmission means, the action having been set for the transmission means.

A voice command system for managing telecommunications connections among telecommunications equipment, the voice command system including: a voice assist unit including a speaker and a microphone; a network; a management system in communication with the voice assist unit over the network; the voice assist unit configured to receive verbal command from a user through the microphone; the management system configured to provide a response to the command.

A remote control device includes a digital audio storage device, a talk button, and an optical distance measurer. The digital audio storage device is configured to continually record an audio input for a specific amount of time. The talk button is coupled to the digital audio storage device and is configured to initiate a transmission of the audio input to a set-top box device. The optical distance measurer is coupled to the talk button and is configured to automatically measure a distance to a user in response to the talk button being pressed.

A speech recognition engine is provided voice data indicative of at least a brand of a target appliance. The speech recognition engine uses the voice data indicative of at least a brand of the target appliance to identify within a library of codesets at least one codeset that is cross-referenced to the brand of the target appliance. The at least one codeset so identified is then caused to be provisioned to the controlling device for use in commanding functional operations of the target appliance.

A pillow remote controller using acoustic commands includes a pillow defining an open interior compartment configured for housing one or more pressure sensors electrically and operably coupled with an electronics enclosure. The electronics enclosure contains various electronic components including a power control and alarm circuit, an audio receive, de-code and function command circuit, a transmitter selector and interface circuit, and various transmitters for transmitting an operating function to an electronic product. The electronics are operable for receiving an acoustic command, de-coding the acoustic command, and providing a function command to the transmitter selector and interface circuit. The function command is interfaced with a particular type of transmitter and transmitted optically or wirelessly to the electronic product. One or more human presence sensors may be operably coupled with the power control and alarm circuit to provide an assurance of human presence before enabling operation.

A speech recognition engine is provided voice data indicative of at least a brand of a target appliance. The speech recognition engine uses the voice data indicative of at least a brand of the target appliance to identify within a library of codesets at least one codeset that is cross-referenced to the brand of the target appliance. The at least one codeset so identified is then caused to be provisioned to the controlling device for use in commanding functional operations of the target appliance.

Apparatus, system and method for using a controlling device for receiving voice input to control the operation of voice controlled smart appliances and, more particularly, to a controlling device for recognizing voice commands and for use in routing a signal, based on voice commands from the user, to two or more voice controlled smart appliances from different consumer brand names.