Methods and remote monitoring and control of appliances over a computer network

Abstract

Methods are provided to access devices over the Internet and to control and/or set states of devices over the Internet. One method includes providing, at a server connected to the Internet, code for enabling access to networked devices at a remote location using a networked computing device. The method receives, at the server, user login data via the networked computing device, to identify a user and to provide access to the networked devices. The method enables receiving a status request at the server, via the networked computing device, to view status of one or more of the networked devices. The status includes an update condition for at least one of the networked devices. The method also enables receiving a control request at the server, via the networked computing device, to operate one or more utility controls at the remote location. The utility controls include one or more of controls for a security system, accessing cameras at the remote location, setting temperature level for heating or cooling at least a region of the remote location, or setting lighting of a selected room at the remote location. The remote location includes a location computer that is in communication with the networked devices and is connected to the Internet. The location computer includes a processor and is configured for communication with the server. The method is operable for any computing device that has access to the Internet, including wireless hand-held networked devices.

1 . A method for controlling an information appliance from a remote location, said method comprising:
 providing an information appliance capable of being controlled at a location remote from the remote location, the information appliance capable of being connected to the Internet;   providing a graphical user interface on the remote computing device at the remote location, wherein the remote computing device is capable of being connected to the Internet, the graphical user interface including at least (i) a portion of status information pertaining to the information appliance and (ii) a plurality of selectable control actions for the information appliance;   receiving a selection of at least one of the control actions from the graphical user interface; and   initiating control of the information appliance in accordance with the at least one of the control actions;   wherein the information appliance receives television broadcasts for a plurality of channels, the information appliance being associated with a digital data storage device that is able to store a limited amount of digital data associated with the television broadcasts, and   wherein the graphical user interface includes a selection screen for controlling selection of the channels to record the associated television broadcasts in the digital data storage device.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface is provided via a web browser. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the information appliance is connected to a television. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises:
 sending control signals to the information appliance, the control signals being determined in accordance with the at least one of the control actions.   
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control signals use one or both of radio waves and cables. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote computing device is a portable device having access to the Internet. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the digital data storage device is part of the information appliance. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein images, videos or television broadcasts obtained by the information appliance are viewable from the remote computing device over the Internet. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 requiring a password to access the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having program instructions for controlling an information appliance from a remote location, the information appliance is controllable from a location remote from the remote location, the information appliance being connectable to the Internet, the computer readable medium comprising:
 program instructions for providing a graphical user interface on the remote computing device at the remote location, wherein the remote computing device is capable of being connected to the Internet, the graphical user interface including at least (i) a portion of status information pertaining to the information appliance and (ii) a plurality of selectable control actions for the information appliance;   program instructions for receiving a selection of at least one of the control actions from the graphical user interface; and   program instructions for initiating control of the information appliance in accordance with the at least one of the control actions;   wherein the information appliance receives television broadcasts for a plurality of channels, the information appliance being associated with a digital data storage device that is able to store a limited amount of digital data associated with the television broadcasts, and   wherein the graphical user interface includes a selection screen for controlling selection of the channels to record the associated television broadcasts in the digital data storage device.