Abstract:
A control apparatus of an audio-visual display apparatus is provided, wherein only one remote control unit in a plurality of remote control units has a control right for controlling the audio-visual display apparatus, the control apparatus determines whether a signal is received from a remote control unit with the control right until a scrambling determination time elapses from a time when detecting that an operation command is received from a remote control unit without the control right; and deprives the remote control unit with the control right of the control right and provides the control right to other remote control unit if a signal is not received from the remote control unit with the control right within the scrambling determination time.
Abstract:
An electric device includes a read only memory (ROM) storing a condition setting program which sets operation conditions and the like of the electric device in accordance with data. When a user changes the operation conditions and the like of the electric device, the user access a homepage of the electric device from his or her own cellular phone, inputs necessary information and command through the cellular phone. When the electric device receives the command, the condition setting program sets the operation conditions in accordance with the received command.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a device, a method, and a machine readable storage for managing a material substance program. The device can include a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities and a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities; and a wireless identification device communicably coupled to the portable computing device for identifying materials. The method for managing a material substance program can include scanning a material source to identify a material identifier, sending the material identifier to a proxy server, receiving material information from the proxy server, and displaying material information on a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for controlling usage times for at least one device, including the steps of: (a) identifying a device to be controlled; (b) utilizing the device by a user; (c) tracking a device usage value for the device as the user utilizes the device; and (d) initiating an action sequence based upon the device usage value. Also disclosed is an apparatus for controlling usage times for at least one device.
Abstract:
A remote control system is constructed from a simple device configuration in which a device like a relay is not used. A higher degree of flexibility is provided to types of devices to be controlled which can be remotely controlled, and a control device which performs remote control. ABILITY information indicating the ability of an input operation function of the control device is transmitted from the control device to the device to be controlled. The device to be controlled creates conversion-into-remote-controller data on the basis of this ability information and transmits the data to the control device. Then, the control device creates a GUI by using the received conversion-into-remote-controller data. As a result, an electronic device serving as a control device can function as a remote controller which remotely controls a specific device to be controlled.
Abstract:
A method for controlling appliances can include the step of presenting at least one appliance option for a controlled appliance upon a mobile communications device having mobile telephony capabilities. At least one appliance message can be transmitted across the wireless communications link between a smart space control unit and the mobile communications device. In one arrangement, wireless communication link can be a mobile telephony link. At least one appliance signal can be conveyed between the smart space control unit and the controlled appliance.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a device, a method, and a machine readable storage for managing a material substance program. The device can include a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities and a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities; and a wireless identification device communicably coupled to the portable computing device for identifying materials. The method for managing a material substance program can include scanning a material source to identify a material identifier, sending the material identifier to a proxy server, receiving material information from the proxy server, and displaying material information on a portable computing device having mobile telephony capabilities.
Abstract:
A method of home management and personal assistance using a mobile communication device can include detecting a home protection event. The method can also include wirelessly conveying the event to the mobile communication device through a data connection via a proxy. The method can further include presenting an indication of the home protection event upon the mobile communication device.
Abstract:
A controller has a unit that stores therein a password specified by a user for each home electric appliance connected to a home network; a unit that, when a home-electric-appliance operation-request message is received, determines whether the message entry location is inside or outside the home; a unit that sends a password request message if it is determined as a result of the determination that the message entry location is outside the home; and a unit that, upon receiving a password in response to the request, determines if the received password matches the password of the controlled home electric appliance that is stored. The controller executes the operation of the home electric appliance connected to the home network only when the passwords match, thus preventing an unauthorized user outside the home from operating the home electric appliances at home.
Abstract:
A wireless remote control device for use with television receivers, satellite down converters and similar devices, uses biometric characteristics of a user to determine the functionality to be imbued to the remote control device. A biometric scanner, such as a capacitive fingerprint scanner, coupled to a processor, compares scanned characteristics to stored characteristics to determine the identity of the user. By using biometric characteristics to identify the user, passwords, PIN numbers, keys and other indicia used to establish authorization of a user enable the authorized user to access programming and subject matter unsuitable for or unintended for unauthorized users.