A content access device and system may allow portable remote devices to be paired with a variety of different devices, allowing remote control through a network connection. Content access devices may expose application program interfaces, allowing incoming network traffic to control operation of the device much in the same way that a local infrared remote would. Routing content commands through an external application server may also yield other benefits, such as allowing more customized selection of information and advertising content to users based on their viewing history.

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 communication interface and a device control, management and monitoring system are provided to enable the networking of and communication between multiple devices operating under different protocols. The communication interface may act as a translator or protocol converter that reformats transmissions from one protocol to another based on protocol compatibility between the recipient and transmitting devices. The device control and monitoring system may store predefined rules that are triggered when specified conditions associated with the networked devices are detected. The rules may specify an action to take such as transmitting a discount offer to a user or turning off a light. According to one or more arrangements, the communication interface may act as an intermediary between the networked devices and the device control system so that the device control system is not required to understand or be compatible with the various other protocols used by the networked devices.

A system for managing provided services is disclosed. The system receiving information regarding measureable events, determining a distribution pattern of the measureable events, determining an identity of a user based on the distribution pattern and providing instruction to controllable devices to alter surrounding conditions based at least on the identity of the user. In another aspect of the invention, the controllable devices may represent a second set of sensors that are used to collect data of a second type. The information collected from the second set of sensors may be used to determine a health status of a user.

This invention relates generally to computer systems, and more specifically, to a premise monitoring system. In one embodiment, the invention includes operations of receiving one or more signals containing a device identifier and a device condition from one or more remote alarm monitoring systems; retrieving enhanced information based on the device identifier and/or the device condition; determining one or more communication methods and/or communication destinations based on the device identifier and/or the device condition; and dispatching the enhanced information to the one or more communication destinations using the one or more communication methods.

A receiver includes: a wireless local area network (WLAN) router; wherein the receiver is configured to receive data from a remote control and to generate commands to be transmitted to one or more devices via an interface of the WLAN router.

A communication interface and a device control, management and monitoring system are provided to enable the networking of and communication between a multiple devices operating under different protocols. The communication interface may act as a translator or protocol converter that reformats transmissions from one protocol to another based on protocol compatibility between the recipient and transmitting devices. The device control and monitoring system may store predefined rules that are triggered when specified conditions associated with the networked devices are detected. The rules may specify an action to take such as transmitting a discount offer to a user or turning off a light. According to one or more arrangements, the communication interface may act as an intermediary between the networked devices and the device control system so that the device control system is not required to understand or be compatible with the various other protocols used by the networked devices.

Electronic systems are provided for secure actuation of a remote device such as a moveable barrier operator. The systems address the “man in the middle” problem of persons intercepting and duplicating radio frequency signals from a control device by introducing timing parameters into a bidirectional communication sequence between at least two devices.

A content access device and system may allow portable remote devices to be paired with a variety of different devices, allowing remote control through a network connection. Content access devices may expose application program interfaces, allowing incoming network traffic to control operation of the device much in the same way that a local infrared remote would. Routing content commands through an external application server may also yield other benefits, such as allowing more customized selection of information and advertising content to users based on their viewing history.