Virtual wiring

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for enabling a user, through a user interface, to manage a correspondence that defines how information about a state of a first device at a first location is to be used to control a second device at a second location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising
 a component to effect a state change in a first device in response to a received communication that effects at least part of a virtual connection having a first end associated with the component and a second end associated with a second device, the component comprising
 a first port comprising a communication medium to receive an updated state of the second device in the received communication, 
 a second port through which the component effects the state change in the first device, and 
 a controller to effect the state change through the second port based on the updated state received at the first port. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first port is configured to receive the communication through an Internet protocol network. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first port is configured to receive the communication as a Web message or an XMPP message. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the component comprises at least one of a router, a personal computer, or an embedded device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which at least one of the first port and the second port comprises a wired port. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which at least one of the first port and the second port com comprises a wireless port. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the component is to monitor a state of the first device and to send an update of the state in a communication that effects at least part of the virtual connection. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the component periodically polls a server for the updated state of the other device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the component is to effect state changes in more than one first device in response to received communications. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the component is to monitor the state of more than one first device and to send updates of the states in communications that effect at least part of the virtual connection. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising
 effecting a state change in a first device in response to a received communication that effects at least part of a virtual connection having a first end associated with a first device and a second end associated with a second device, the received communication including an updated state of the second device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  in which the communication is received through an Internet protocol network. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  in which the communication is received as a Web message or an XMPP message. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  comprising monitoring a state of the first device and sending an update of the state in a communication that effects at least part of the virtual connection. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  comprising effecting state changes in more than one first device in response to communications received through the virtual connection. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  comprising monitoring the state of more than one first device and sending updates of the states in communications that effect at least part of the virtual connection. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising
 a component to monitor a state of a first device and to send an update of the state in a communication that effects at least part of a virtual connection having a first end associated with the component and a second end associated with a second device, the component comprising
 a first port comprising the first end of the virtual connection to send the communication containing the updated state of the first device, 
 a second port through which the component monitors the state of the first device, and 
 a controller to cause the communication to be sent through the first port based on the updated state monitored at the second port. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which the first port is configured to send the communication through an Internet protocol network. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which the first port is configured to send the communication as a Web message. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which the component comprises at least one of a router, a personal computer, or an embedded device. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which at least one of the first port and the second port comprises a wired port. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which at least one of the first port and the second port comprises a wireless port. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which the component periodically polls the first device through the second port for the updated state of the first device. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 17  in which the component is to monitor state changes in more than one first device. 
     
     
         25 . A method comprising
 monitoring a state of a first device and sending an update of the state in a communication that effects at least part of a virtual connection having a first end associated with the first device and a second end associated with a second device.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  comprising sending the communication through an Internet protocol network. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  comprising sending the communication as a Web message. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  comprising monitor state changes in more than one first device.