APPLIANCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a system and a method for controlling an appliance.

[0002] Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for the remote control of an appliance such as a residential air conditioning unit and will be described herein with reference to that application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts, for example, to industrial appliances, and to appliances other than air conditioners.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] For some appliances there can be a considerable delay between the initial operation of the appliance and the achievement of the desired outcome. For example, for an appliance such as an air conditioner unit for a residence it can take considerable time after the initial operation for the residence to be cooled to a comfortable temperature. This has led to the development of various timer systems, typically included as part of the control circuitry for the air conditioner unit, that allow the user to specify when to progress the air conditioner unit from an OFF state (or a STANDBY state) to an ON state, and vice versa. However, such a system is based upon regularity of arrival by the resident and does not accommodate different arrival times. Whilst one solution to this lack of flexibility is to leave the air conditioning unit continually in the ON state, that comes at a high energy cost and contributes to higher maintenance costs.

[0005] As a partial answer to this problem, there has been proposed in the US patent application having the publication number US 2010/0161 149 an adaptive system that makes use of location information indicative of the location of a mobile device of the user to determine an estimated arrival time at the residence for the user. The system uses that estimated arrival time to determine, based upon a set of rules, when to turn on one or more appliances in the residence. This system makes use of inputs from a variety of sensors and undertakes considerable processing to provide the required functionality. Accordingly, the solution provided by this system is quite complex and expensive to implement. Moreover this partial solution requires the use of considerable hardware, which contributes further to the cost of implementation.

[0006] There is a need in the art for an improved system and method for controlling an appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for controlling an appliance having at least two states, the system including:

a switching module that is responsive to a control signal for progressing the appliance from one of the states to another of the states;

a local controller that is responsive to a command signal for generating the control signal and being, in use, disposed near the switching module;

a remote controller for providing the command signal, the remote controller being disposed remotely from the switching module and being responsive to a user command for generating the command signal; and

a mobile device of a user for selectively generating the user command, the mobile device being responsive to location information indicative of the location of the mobile device for prompting the user to initiate the user command.

[0009] In an embodiment the states include an ON state and an OFF state.

[0010] In an embodiment the states include one or more of: a STANDBY state; and a plurality of operational states.

[001 1 ] In an embodiment the system includes a first housing for containing the switching module and a second housing for containing the local controller.

[0012] In an embodiment the second housing includes an input for receiving a first mains power supply cable and an outlet for connecting a second mains power supply cable to the appliance and the switching device connects and disconnects the input and the output for progressing the appliance between one of the states and another of the states. [0013] In an embodiment the local controller includes a wireless transmitter for providing the control signal to the switching device.

[0014] In an embodiment the wireless transmitter is a line of sight transmitter.

[0015] In an embodiment the switching module includes a wireless transmitter for providing a switching signal to the appliance and the appliance is responsive to the switching signal for progressing from one of the states to another of the states.

[0016] In an embodiment the wireless transmitter is a line of sight transmitter.

[0017] In an embodiment the appliance includes an IR receiver and a processor that is configured to receive and interpret signals from the IR receiver that are in a predetermined format, and the wireless transmitter is an IR transmitter and the switching signal is an IR signal in the predetermined format.

[0018] In an embodiment the remote controller is one or more remote computer processors.

[0019] In an embodiment the one or more remote computer processors are one or more virtual processors.

[0020] In an embodiment the one or more remote computer processors are one or more web servers.

[0021 ] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for controlling an appliance having at least two states, the method including the steps of: providing a switching module that is responsive to a control signal for progressing the appliance from one of the states to another of the states;

disposing a local controller near the switching module that is responsive to a command signal for generating the control signal;

disposing a remote controller remotely from the switching module for providing the command signal, the remote controller being responsive to a user command for generating the command signal; and

selectively generating the user command with a mobile device of a user, the mobile device being responsive to location information indicative of the location of the mobile device for prompting the user to initiate the user command.

[0022] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a control device including: a switching module that is responsive to a control signal for changing the appliance from one state to another of the states; and

a local controller that is responsive to a command signal from a remote controller for providing the control signal, the local controller being, in use, disposed near the switching module and the remote controller being disposed remotely from the switching module and being responsive to a user command from a mobile device of a user for generating the command signal, wherein the mobile device is responsive to location information indicative of the location of the mobile device for selectively prompting the user to initiate the user command.

[0023] In an embodiment the states include an ON state and an OFF state.

[0024] In an embodiment the states include one or more of: a STANDBY state; and a plurality of operational states.

[0025] In an embodiment the device includes a first housing for containing the switching module and a second housing for containing the local controller.

[0026] In an embodiment the second housing includes an input for receiving a first mains power supply cable and an outlet for connecting a second mains power supply cable to the appliance and the switching device connects and disconnects the input and the output for progressing the appliance between one of the states and another of the states.

[0027] In an embodiment the local controller includes a wireless transmitter for providing the control signal to the switching device.

[0028] In an embodiment the wireless transmitter is a line of sight transmitter.

[0029] In an embodiment the switching module includes a wireless transmitter for providing a switching signal to the appliance and the appliance is responsive to the switching signal for progressing from one of the states to another of the states.

[0030] In an embodiment the wireless transmitter is a line of sight transmitter.

[0031 ] In an embodiment the appliance includes an IR receiver and a processor that is configured to receive and interpret signals from the IR receiver that are in a predetermined format, and the wireless transmitter is an IR transmitter and the switching signal is an IR signal in the predetermined format.

[0032] In an embodiment the remote controller is one or more remote computer processors. [0033] In an embodiment the one or more remote computer processors are one or more virtual processors.

[0034] In an embodiment the one or more remote computer processors are one or more webservers.

[0035] In an embodiment the webserver includes one or more storage devices for storing first executable code that is executable by the one or more processors, and the mobile device has memory for storing second executable code and a mobile device processor for executing that code, wherein the first and second codes, when executed, govern communications between the webserver and the mobile device including the prompting the user to initiate the user command.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for controlling an appliance having at least two states, the method including the steps of: providing a switching module that is responsive to a control signal for changing the appliance from one state to another of the states; and

providing a local controller that is responsive to a command signal from a remote controller for providing the control signal, the local controller being, in use, disposed near the switching module and the remote controller being disposed remotely from the switching module and being responsive to a user command from a mobile device of a user for generating the command signal, wherein the mobile device is responsive to location information indicative of the location of the mobile device for selectively prompting the user to initiate the user command.

[0037] According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile device for controlling an appliance having at least two states, the mobile device being operable by a user and including:

a processor that is responsive to executable instructions and location information indicative of the location of the mobile device for selectively prompting the user to initiate a user command;

a memory module for storing the executable instructions and the location information; and

a communications interface that is responsive to the user initiating the user command for communicating the user command to a remote controller such that the appliance is progressed from one of the states to another of the states. [0038] One embodiment provides a computer program product for performing a method as described herein.

[0039] One embodiment provides a non-transitive carrier medium for carrying computer executable code that, when executed on a processor, causes the processor to perform a method as described herein.

[0040] One embodiment provides a system configured for performing a method as described herein.

[0041 ] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0042] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0043] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system for controlling an appliance, where the system has a control device and the appliance has an IR receiver for receiving remote line of sight IR signals;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an alternative control device for controlling an appliance having a mains power lead;

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the steps used to setup for use the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a high-level flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 is a more detailed flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment of Figure 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Described herein are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for controlling an appliance.

[0046] Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a system 1 for controlling an appliance in the form of a reverse cycle air conditioner 2 that is disposed within a residence 3. The air conditioner 2 has a plurality of states including an ON state, an OFF state, a STANDBY state, a COOLING state, a HEATING state and ten incremental and discrete FAN SPEED states ranging from a LOWEST FAN SPEED state to a HIGHEST FAN SPEED state. System 1 includes a switching module 5 located within residence 3 and which is responsive to a control signal for progressing air conditioner 2 from one of the states to another of the states. A local controller 6 is responsive to a command signal for generating the control signal and being, in use, disposed in residence 3 near and in a line- of-sight with module 5. A remote controller, in the form of a web server 8, provides the command signal. Server 8 is disposed remotely from the module 5 and residence 3 and is responsive to a user command initiated by a user 10 for generating the command signal. A mobile device, in the form of a smartphone 1 1 of user 10, selectively generates the user command. Smartphone 1 1 is responsive to location information indicative of the location of the smartphone 1 1 for prompting user 10 to initiate the user command.

[0047] In another embodiment, user 10 is able to selectively disable the prompting of smartphone 1 1 so that the command signal is automatically generated in response to the location information. In further embodiments, user 10 is able to disable the prompting of smartphone 1 1 during specific times of a day, or a week, or a month, or a year, or any other specified time.

[0048] In overview, web server 8 provides a web interface 15. This web interface is accessed by user 10 and other like users by way of respective mobile devices such as smartphone 1 1 . The users each access interface 15 over the Internet (or other network) by way of the mobile devices, which in various embodiments include the likes of smartphones, notebook computers, PDAs, cellular telephones, in-car computing consoles, and other mobile Internet enabled devices. It will be appreciated that the users are also able to access interface 15 with a non-mobile computing device (after the appropriate security and authentication checks are undertaken) to change account settings, update account details, communicate with an administrator of server 8 and interface 15, or to undertake other administrative matters. These administrative changes are also able to be made via smartphone 1 1 or other mobile device. Server 8 is responsive to the nature of the device to serve up appropriate content in an optimised protocol for the device. Accordingly, in some instances this will involve serving up standard web-pages or web pages optimised for mobile devices such as those using the Android, the iOS or other mobile operating systems, while in other instances it will be a proprietary protocol to allow interaction with the specific software running on the relevant device.

[0049] In circumstances where smart phone 1 1 is a vehicle having an in-car computing console, the location information and other processing is preferentially undertaken by that console to conserve battery life for the smartphone or other mobile device.

[0050] Server 8 includes a processor 21 coupled to a memory module 22 and a communications interface 23, such as an Internet connection, modem, Ethernet port, wireless network card, serial port, or the like. In other embodiments distributed resources are used. For example, in one embodiment server 8 includes a plurality of distributed servers having respective storage, processing and communications resources. Memory module 22 includes software instructions 24, which are executable on processor 21 .

[0051 ] Server 8 is coupled to a database 25. In further embodiments the database leverages memory module 22.

[0052] In this embodiment web interface 15 includes a website. The term "website" should be read broadly to cover substantially any source of information accessible over the Internet or another communications network (such as WAN, LAN or WLAN) via a browser application or other like software running on a mobile device. In some embodiments, a website is a source of information made available by a server and accessible over the Internet by a web-browser application running on a mobile device. The web-browser application downloads code, such as HTML code, from the server. This code is executable through the web-browser on smartphone 1 1 (or other mobile devices deployed by users) for providing a graphical and often interactive representation of the website on the mobile device. By way of the web-browser application, user 10 is able to use the mobile device to navigate between and throughout various web pages provided by the website, and access various functionalities that are provided.

[0053] Although some embodiments make use of a website/browser-based implementation, in other embodiments proprietary software methods are implemented as an alternative. For example, in such embodiments smartphone 1 1 and other like mobile devices maintain software instructions for a computer program product that provides access to a portal via which a framework is accessed (for instance via an i Phone app or the like).

[0054] In further embodiments, use is made of both a website/browser-based implementation and a proprietary software model. In some of these further embodiments both aspects of the combination must be used as a means for enhancing the robustness of the implementation. However, in other embodiments both aspects of the combination are offered as alternatives to accommodating as broad a range as possible of mobile devices.

[0055] In general terms, each mobile device, which is shown exemplarily in Figure 1 as smartphone 1 1 , includes a processor 31 coupled to a memory module 32 and a communications interface 33, such as a wireless telecommunications transmitter making use of a 3G network. Memory module 32 includes software instructions 34, which are executable on processor 31 . These software instructions allow smartphone 1 1 to execute a software application, such as a proprietary application or web browser application and thereby render on-screen a user interface and allow communication with server 8. This user interface allows for the creation, viewing and administration of profiles, access to the internal communications interface, and various other functionalities.

[0056] In other embodiments use is made of one or more different or additional networks. Exemplary different or additional networks include 2G, 4G, GPRS and SMS.

[0057] Smartphone 1 1 is an iPhone produced by Apple, Inc., and the software instructions 34 include the Apple operating system and any other APPs and associated code and data. In other embodiments a different smartphone is used with different operating systems such as Android and the like. [0058] Processor 31 executes software instructions 34 to obtain location information that is indicative of the location of smartphone 1 1 and which is periodically updated and stored in module 32. In this embodiment, smartphone 1 1 makes use of location-based services that Apple, Inc. make available via its developer toolkit. Similar toolkits and services are or will soon be available for other operating systems. In some embodiments use is made of earlier technologies such as triangulation or externally provided GPS signals instead of or in addition to the location based services that are native to the smartphone environment. The rate at which the location information is updated will be dependent upon a set of rules defined either or both by instructions 24 and 34.

[0059] In this embodiment there is included a control device 41 for appliance 2, where both the control device and the appliance are located in residence 3. Device 41 includes module 5 and local controller 6. The local controller is responsive to the command signal from a remote controller, in the form of the web server 8, for providing the control signal. The controller 6 is, in use, preferentially disposed near module 5, and in this embodiment is co-located within a common housing. As mentioned above, server 8 is disposed remotely from the module 5 and is responsive to the user command from smart phone 1 1 for generating the command signal. Smart phone 1 1 is responsive to the location information for selectively prompting user 10 to initiate the user command.

[0060] In another embodiment, user 10 is able to selectively disable the prompting of smartphone 1 1 so that the command signal is automatically generated in response to the location information. For example, user 10 is able to nominate a location that is a small distance from the residence that he or she is confident that, if reached, will mean that he or she will be going to the residence and that the relevant appliance should change state.

[0061 ] Controller 6 includes a processor 42 coupled to a memory module 43 and a wireless communications interface 44. In other embodiments distributed resources are used, in that at least some of the components or sub-components are spatially separated but functionally and operably connected. Moreover, in other embodiments the communications interface is wired. Memory module 43 includes software instructions 45 which are executable on processor 42.

[0062] Device 41 communicates with interface 15 and server 8 via interface 44 and a wireless modem 49. In other embodiments use is made of different hardware to establish a connection between device 41 and server 8.

[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , appliance 2 includes an integrated IR receiver (not shown) and corresponding IR remote control (not shown) for allowing the user, when in residence 3 and in a line-of-sight with appliance 2, to progress the appliance from one state to another state.

[0064] In some embodiments smartphone 1 1 includes, in addition to the location based prompting functionality, a remote control interface for one or more appliances within residence 3 that operates through the same communications network as the location based prompting functionality. In other embodiments, the remote control interface operates via a local network within residence 3 or directly via a line-of-sight transmitter that is incorporated into smartphone 1 1 .

[0065] Module 5 and controller 6 are contained within a single unitary housing that, in use, is disposed within line-of-sight of appliance 2. Moreover, module 5 includes an IR transmitter/receiver for selectively providing, in response to the control signal from controller 6, an IR signal that is received by the integrated IR receiver of appliance 2. In other embodiments, a signal other than an IR signal is provided. Preferably, use is made of a wireless signal and if the appliance is network enabled then it is possible to use a WiFi signal. It will be appreciated that the IR signal provided by module 5 corresponds with the required wireless input from the relevant appliance. The control signal is coded in accordance with the form and communications protocol used by appliance 2 and mimics selectively at least a sub-set of the signals provided by the IR remote control.

[0066] The control signal provided by controller 6 includes data indicative of the coded signal that is to be generated by module 5. This data is stored in memory module 43 and selectively accessed to allow the relevant signal to be generated. In some embodiments the data is stored at manufacture or at least prior to delivery of device 41 to the user, whilst in other embodiments the data is stored during installation of device 41 by the user through a download of the required drivers to device 41 . These drivers are selected by the user from those available in database 25 and which are appropriate for appliance 2. In still further embodiments, the data is stored in module 43 by performing a learning sequence where the signals from the IR remote control are sequentially directed to the IR transmitter/receiver of module 5 such that the specific coding of the desired commands are able to be obtained and stored for later reproduction. Additionally, all the codes and drivers accessed and installed by the user are logged and stored in database 25. This allows the user to easily access and download that information later should re-initialising be required. An example of the latter would occur if the user upgraded module 5 or controller 6. In this embodiment controller 6 and module 5 are a master unit and a slave unit respectively. Module 5 undertakes little or no processing other than to: generate the required IR signal and direct this signal to the appliance; and receive an incoming IR signal and convert it to an electronic signal that is conveyed to controller 6. In other embodiments, the processing of the various signals and functions is shared between module 5 and controller 6.

[0067] In other embodiments use is made of more than one controller 41 or more than one module 5. For example, where there was a desire to control appliances at very different points in the residence (such as an air conditioner unit in a first bedroom, and an air conditioner unit in a second bedroom). Moreover, the different control devices are able to be located in respective residences.

[0068] In some embodiments, module 5 switches an appliance in the form of a mains power control device (not shown) that is electrically connected between a mains power outlet and a power lead of a further appliance such as a lamp. The mains power control device has two states, being an ON state and an OFF state, in which the further appliance is respectively connected to and electrically isolated from the outlet. This allows for a basic degree of control of the further appliance, which is sufficient for some appliances such as lights, lamps, clothes irons and the like. In a particular embodiment, the mains power control device includes an IR receiver for receiving signals from module 5, and a mains switch that is actuated by a low voltage signal generated internally by them mains power control device in response to the signal from module 5. The mains power control device is also able to be referred to as a remote outlet adaptor.

[0069] Device 41 includes a power inlet (not shown) for receiving a mains power cable. In other embodiments, the power inlet receives a DC power supply. In further embodiments, device 41 is battery powered. In still further embodiments, device 41 makes use of a combination of power supplies, either simultaneously or selectively. For example, in one such further embodiment, device 41 draws power from modem 49 (or another such router in residence 3).

[0070] In this embodiment the housing for device 41 has a generally cylindrical form, is relatively small and is suitable for discretely locating on a bench, sideboard or other planar substantially horizontal surface. In other embodiments, the housing has a rectangular prismatic form and is configured for hanging from or being located against a substantially vertical surface such as a wall, door or cupboard. In further embodiments, device 41 is packaged together with an electronic picture frame to provide an aesthetic aspect for an otherwise generally functional element. In other embodiments, device 41 is packaged with other electronic components to at least partly conceal or disguise its presence. [0071 ] In other embodiments, module 5 and controller 6 are disposed in separate housings that, in use, are spaced apart within residence 3. In one such specific embodiment, controller 6 has a form similar to a USB pen drive and is directly connected to modem 49 (or other network router). Module 5 is separate, battery powered, and wirelessly communicates with controller 6 via the Zigbee ^™ wireless protocol (that is, a protocol based upon the IEEE 802.15.4 standard). In other embodiments, different communications protocols are used.

[0072] In one specific further embodiment use is made of controller 6 as a central controller within residence 3 which communicates with a plurality of sub-controllers (not shown) that, in turn, communicate with respective appliances in residence 3. The communication between controller 6 and the sub-controllers is wireless, and preferably via modem 49 or via a Zigbee ^™ wireless protocol. In further embodiments, at least one of the sub-controllers communications with a plurality of appliances.

[0073] As mentioned above, some embodiments have a controller 6 that, in use, is separate and spaced from module 5. It is also possible, in further embodiments, to have a plurality of separate spaced apart modules 5 that communicate with controller 6 for allowing control of the appliance. Whilst it is preferential for both separate modules 5 to communicate with controller 6 directly, in other embodiments, one of modules is piggybacks off the other to communicate with controller 6. This occurs, for example, in those installations where the wireless range of controller 6 does not extend to one of modules 5, whereas the wireless range of the other of the modules does.

[0074] Software instructions 34 stored in memory module 32 of smartphone 1 1 include, amongst other things, a mobile application instructions (referred to as an APP) that have been previously downloaded from database 25 via interface 15 and server 8. When executed, the APP provides various functions including prompting user 10 for one or more predetermined inputs that, once given, will initiate the APP to generate the user command. This prompting is based upon a set of proximity-based rules included within the APP, these rules making use of location information and which will be described in more detail below. In this embodiment, smartphone 1 1 obtains the location information periodically. If the user provides the predetermined input and the user command is generated, this is communicated from smartphone 1 1 to server 8. The user command includes data indicative of appliance 2 (or other appliance to be controlled), data indicative of the user or the smartphone, and data indicative of the state to which the appliance is to be progressed. In other embodiments the user command includes data indicative of additional or other elements. [0075] The user prompts and commands are logged and stored in database 25 as part of a user history. The APP is operable by the user for: selectively accessing part of all of that user history; and browsing or viewing the user history with smartphone 1 1 .

[0076] Server 8 is responsive to the user command from smartphone 1 1 for communicating to device 41 the command signal. In this embodiment, the command signal is simply a re-packaging of the data extracted from the user command into a different communications protocol. However, in other embodiments, the data contained in the user command and the command signal differs. Server 8 also creates and stores in database 25 logs of the user commands received and the command signals generated.

[0077] Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to a single smartphone 1 1 and a single device 41 , it will be appreciated that server 8 and web interface 15 are configured to accommodate two or more smartphones (or other mobile devices) and two or more local controllers. Whilst a given smartphone is by default associated with only a single controller, in other embodiments a single smartphone is operable to allow prompting of the relevant user to selectively initiate user commands for more than one control device. For example, in some embodiments the user will wish to obtain separate prompts for controlling two different appliances in two different residences, where those appliances are associated with respective control devices. In other embodiments, the appliances and the respective control devices are in the same residence. In further embodiments, a single control device is enabled to allow the control of more than one appliance in a given residence. Moreover, the prompting provided by the APP is able to be provided either collectively or separately for the appliances. Where the prompting is provided separately, that may have regard to the type or nature of the appliances in addition to the location information. Moreover, the APP allows the user to change the default radii for the different appliances to be different values. That is, the user need not adjust the default, but will be able to do so based upon his or her own needs and schedule in addition to an understanding of nature of the appliances.

[0078] In other embodiments two or more smartphones are able to support an APP that allows for the control of a single appliance. Whilst these embodiments operate similarly to the others described, it has an automatic default of providing with a user prompt to either user, a truncated history of recent commands. This allows the user who is prompted to assess if the other or another authorised user has already taken the desired action. As both users communicate with server 8 it is possible to provide for this multiple user scenario. If a user approaches the residence the location based prompt for a given appliance will only be given if another user is not controlling that same appliance. However, if the approaching user has configured the smartphone to prompt in respect of multiple appliances, then a prompt will be generated in respect of those of those appliances that are not already being controlled by another user in the home zone. Furthermore if the approaching user 10 has selectively disabled prompting of the smartphone 1 1 so that the command signal is automatically generated in response to the location information, and another authorised user is already located in the homezone, it is assumed that this second user is already in control of the appliance and the command signal is not generated.

[0079] Reference is now made to Figure 3. In particular, once user 10 takes delivery of device 41 , there is a need to have that device located in residence 3 and to perform a setup operation. Preferentially, during this setup operation device 41 will be located in an operable position: that is, where it will be located, in use, to allow the control of appliance 2. Firstly though, there is a need to remove from device 41 any packaging, and to connect the device to a power supply, which in this embodiment is a USB port on a desktop computer or laptop computer in residence 3. That is, this first step includes locating device 41 , at step 101 , in residence 3 and, via a USB cable, connected to a USB port of a desktop computer or other computing device that is able to communicate with server 8 via interface 15. It will be appreciated that the desktop computer is able to use a Windows or MAC operating system, or the like. Use is made of this desktop computer (or similar network enabled computing device) to obviate the need for device 41 to include a display (such as an LCD screen) and to minimise the hardware and software otherwise required to be included in device 41 .

[0080] In other embodiments device 41 is connected to the desktop computer by another cable type or wirelessly.

[0081 ] Device 41 includes an autoexe file that, once initiated by the user of the desktop computer, opens the web browser on that computer and loads a web page served up by server 8 via interface 15. From this web page the user is able to select the required device driver or drivers for device 41 and have those downloaded and installed on device 41 . This is indicated as step 102. In those embodiments where use is made of a wireless connection between the desktop computer and device 41 , that device 41 can be setup via the desktop only once the associated wireless network recognise the device.

[0082] Device 41 is then configured, also at step 102 and using a one click process via the desktop computer, for connection to the wireless network within residence 3. This wireless network is provided by modem 49 and is the network to which the desktop computer is also connected. Once the connection with the network is established, device 41 is disconnected from the desktop computer and then connected to a USB port on modem 49. The latter occurring to provide a power supply for device 41 . In other embodiment the USB port is both a power supply and a communications port.

[0083] With the drivers installed and device 41 connected to the wireless network, the setup operation progresses to step 103. More particularly, server 8 serves to the desktop computer a webpage that prompts user 10 to enter identification information for device 41 and for smartphone 1 1 . The former, in this embodiment, is a serial number clearly indicated on the housing of device 41 , whilst the latter is the telephone number associated with the smartphone. In other embodiments different identification information is used.

[0084] With the identification information provided, the setup operation progresses to step 104. At this point, server 8 sends an IP address to device 41 and an APP to smartphone 1 1 . This enrols both device 41 and smartphone 1 1 , and the relevant records are retained in database 25. With this done, device 41 independently exist on the network and is able to receive instructions from server 8 such as command signals. The APP is sent to smartphone 1 1 , and user 10 is able to install this with a single click. In other embodiments multiple clicks are required.

[0085] In other embodiments use is made of other options for establishing the desired connectivity between the relevant components used. More particularly, in other embodiments device 41 is connected to the home WiFi network via a mechanism other than that described above. Examples of suitable products include those supplied under the branding Global Cache iTach™ which are designed to self-connect to and integrate with a network. Another option is to use a programmable pluggable network card such as that supplied by Electric Imp™. Use of such products allow for WiFi discovery that neither requires the device to have a screen for SSID entry nor does the device need to be connected to a desktop PC during the setup process.

[0086] The user is provided the option, upon installing the APP, of allowing location information generated by smartphone 1 1 to be immediately provided to server 8. For if smartphone 1 1 is with user 10 as device 41 is being set up by that user, the location information gained at that time will be for residence 3. This location information for residence 3 is stored in module 32 for later use by the APP. If the smartphone is not available to provide location information for residence 3, server 8 prompts the user for other data, via a web page served to the desktop computer. That other data is, in some embodiments, geographic coordinates, a physical address, or other proxy. [0087] The next step, step 105, is to test system 1 . This includes launching the APP on smartphone 1 1 and selecting the button labelled "Test mode". This executes code that changes the state of appliance 2 a number of times in succession to allow the user to assess that the appliance is being controlled as desired.

[0088] As mentioned above, module 5 includes an IR transmitter for mimicking the IR signals from a remote control unit for appliance 2. Depending upon the appliance, and the number of states the user wishes to have available for control via system 1 , there may be a need to go through a learning sequence for the relevant commands provided by the IR remote control unit. If so, the user selects this option by depressing a button (not shown) on the housing of device 41 and then uses the remote control unit for the appliance to provide the relevant IR codes to device 41 . Once all the required codes have been learnt, the user terminates the learning session and returns controller 6 back to a normal operating mode by depressing the same button again. It will be appreciated that controller 6 is able to be later returned to the learning mode if there is a desire to have device 41 assist with the control of a different appliance, or to assist with the control of additional aspects of the same appliance.

[0089] In other embodiments the user need only undertake a single learning sequence and then use that as a reference point for obtaining the remaining codes from database 25 via webserver 8.

[0090] By way of example, the appliance with an IR remote control unit could be an air conditioning unit, a heating unit, a television or other audio visual equipment, an alarm system for residence 3, a controller for a motorised blind, a remotely switchable mains adaptor or many others.

[0091 ] In other embodiments, module 5 is housed separately from controller 6 but otherwise functions identically. For such embodiments there is a need for the user to connect module 5 to controller 6. In one such embodiment, the connection between module 5 and controller 6 is by a USB cable. In another such embodiment, the connection is via the Zigbee ^™ wireless protocol. It will be appreciated that this protocol will also accommodate within residence 3 the communication between a plurality of modules and controllers.

[0092] Following from the termination of the learning sequence the user is able to undertake step 107, which comprises a further test of the position of device 41 to ensure there is a good line of sight to appliance 2 and that the network strength is adequate to allow for reliable operation of device 41 . If the IR signal provided by module 5 is not strong enough, the use is then able to install, for example, an IR booster unit (not shown) or to further refine the positioning of module 5. In some embodiments use is made of emitter type IR units, while in other use is made of blaster type IR units.

[0093] This step concludes with the user successfully using smartphone 1 1 to undertake the desired control of appliance 2. That is, the user again launches the mobile APP, clicks the button labelled "Test mode" and observes the states that the appliance takes as the APP executes.

[0094] Having now confirmed that system 1 is operable, the next step, step 108, is to setup the APP for proximity based notification (PBN). This includes setting the permission on smartphone 1 1 to authorise the APP to gain location information from smartphone 1 1 and make use of that information. The APP will prompt for this permission, as well as prompting for the postal code and address of residence 3. If this data is already held on smartphone 1 1 it will prepopulate the relevant fields, although this will be open for editing by the user. For example, the user will likely have his or her name and residence details within a contact record held in the smartphone 1 1 . Alternatively, or in addition, the current location of smartphone 1 1 is able to be used.

[0095] At this point the user is also presented with a pre-populated field that specifies a predetermined distance of 5 km. However, the user is able to adjust this field to any other distance, and other selections can be manually entered by a virtual keyboard or thumbwheels, for example. Other distances provided on a thumbwheel include 500 m, 1 km, 2 km, 3 km, 4 km, 6 km, 7 km, 8 km, 9 km and 10 km. However, other distances are also used in other embodiments. In some versions of the APP the user is able, in addition to adjusting the radius, to adjust the shape of the zone. For example, in some embodiments the user is able to define the shape of the zones as a swept arc (that is, a pie piece-shaped zone, or a rectangular zone, or an irregular shaped zone. This allows the user to configure, as desired and required, the zones to accurately account for local geography, transport paths, routines of the user, and other personal factors.

[0096] The predetermined distance is used by the APP to determine when a prompt should be provided on smartphone 1 1 seeking from the user to initiate a user command. In other words, the predetermined distance is specified by the user to be that distance from residence 3 that the user would like to be reminded, for example, to switch ON / OFF appliance 2. In this embodiment, smartphone 1 1 periodically obtains location information indicative of its current location and compares this with the location information for device 41 . The distance between the two is determined and stored in module 32 together with a timestamp and with at least the immediately preceding determination of that distance and its timestamp. If the two distance readings fall either side of the predetermined distance then the APP, via smartphone 1 1 , prompts user 10 to initiate a user command. In other embodiments, different rules and sequences of rules are coded into the APP to trigger a prompting of the user.

[0097] Reference is now made to Figure 4 where there is illustrated a high-level flowchart of the operation of the embodiment of Figure 1 . More particularly, following the set-up and configuration of device 41 , user 10 is able to initiate the APP on smartphone 1 1 (that APP being part of instructions 34) at step 1 10. Following from this initiation, and at step 1 1 1 , instructions 34 will be responsive to periodic updates of the location information, the location of residence 3, and a predetermined radius for assessing whether smartphone 1 1 has entered or exited that predetermined radius from residence 3. Whilst the predetermined radius is provided with a default value, the APP is configured to allow user 10, via smartphone 1 1 , to assign a different value to the predetermined radius.

[0098] The use of the predetermined radius, the location of residence 3, and the location information for smartphone 1 1 , in effect, results in the defining of two zones, those being a home zone and a remote zone. The home zone is that portion of the Earth's surface that is contained within a predetermined radius from residence 3. The remote zone is everything outside the home zone. In response to instructions 34, smartphone 1 1 makes successive determinations at to zone in which the smartphone is located. If two successive determinations result in the determined zone being the same, the result of the determination is negative and instructions 34 revert to step 1 1 1 for the subsequent determination. If, however, two successive determinations result in the determined zone being different - that is, one determination yields one of the zones and the next determination yields the other -the result of the determination is positive and instructions 34 revert to step 1 12. This results in smartphone 1 1 communicating with interface 15 to obtain an update on the current status of appliance 2. Smartphone 1 1 , via the execution of instructions 34, then progresses to step 1 13 where a determination is made as to whether user 10 is to be prompted (via smartphone 1 1 ) for the user command. If user 10 is not to be prompted, then instructions 34 loop back to step 1 1 1 . Alternatively, if user 10 is to be prompted, instructions 34 progress to step 1 14 where that prompt is provided. If, in response to that prompt, user 10 provides a dismissal, or a null answer after a defined timeout, instructions 34 loop back to step 1 1 1 . Alternatively, if user 10 does initiate the user command, instructions 34 progress to step 1 15 and generate the user command. This is communicated to interface 15 and, in turn, appliance 2 is correspondingly controlled. Instructions 34 then loop back to step 1 1 1 . [0099] Whilst the above description has described the predetermined radius in terms of residence 3, in other embodiments, where a greater degree of location granularity is available, the predetermined radius is based upon the location of the relevant appliance.

[00100] In addition to smartphone 1 1 prompting user 10, it is also possible for user 10 to manually access the APP held in instructions 34. The integration of that manual access, and the resultant steps, is illustrated in the flowchart of Figure 5. In addition to the earlier described operation, Figure 5 also discloses the ability of smartphone 1 1 to access a history of the changes of state of appliance 2. The extent of this history is set to a default of the time and date of the last state change, and the nature of the state change. However, the APP is configurable by user 10 to provide information indicative of more than just the last state change. Although Figure 5 illustrates by way of example the location based prompting for an appliance having two states - an ON state and an OFF state - the principles apply for a greater number of states.

[00101 ] As prompts and made and as the user commands are issued a log is made and stored in database 25. These are stored for all users and are analysed for providing default prompts for new users or for recommending new defaults to existing users.

[00102] The manual operation of the APP is particularly useful as it allows the user to override an earlier user command that may have been initiated but which is no longer suitable. That is, if the user's plans change, and it becomes apparent that there is no need to have appliance 2 in the most recently acquired state, that can be easily changed without the user having to wait to be prompted. For example, user 10 approaches residence 3 and, having entered the predetermined radius, is prompted for a user command to be generated to have appliance 2 (an air conditioning unit) progressed from a STANDBY state to an ON state. The user initiates the user command and remotely appliance 2 is progressed to the ON state. Subsequently, user 10 remembers that he or she has another commitment to attend to close to residence 3 and manually initiates the APP to remotely progress appliance from the ON state to the OFF state.

[00103] It will be appreciated that if the user, after having initiated the user command to have the appliance progressed from the STANDBY state to the ON state, moves outside the predetermined radius, he or she will be prompted for a user command to progress appliance 2 from the ON state to the STANDBY state.

[00104] Smartphone 1 1 is also responsive to successive determinations of location for providing an estimate of the speed and/or direction of user so that, if necessary, a further refinement is able to be provided to the switching of the state of the appliance. For example, if the estimate of the speed and/or direction suggests that the user is approaching a residence by foot, that will result in a delay in appliance 2 being progressed to the ON state. However, if the estimate of the speed suggests that the user is approaching a residence by public transport or car, there may be little or no delay in changing the state of the appliance.

[00105] In further embodiments, the predetermined radius is varied in accordance with the indicated speed of travel of the user. That is, if the user is assessed as being walking, the prompt will not arise until the user is closer to residence 3.

[00106] Smartphone 1 1 is also configured to generate one or more regular reminders to user 10 to clean the filters of air conditioner 2. This reminder is generated monthly. In other embodiments this reminder is generated other than monthly. In yet other embodiments, this reminder to user 10 prompts the user to complete other forms of maintenance relating to air conditioner 2.

[00107] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, given the benefit of the teaching herein, that the above embodiment has three separate processing sites, those being the mobile device (smartphone 1 1 ), the control device (device 41 ) and the remote controller (server 8). The processing is distributed between these sites to:

• Simplify, as much as possible, the processing required at residence 3. This, in turn, allows the hardware cost for device 41 to be reduced.

• Allow device 41 to be reconfigured for use with another appliance once the present appliance is no longer used.

• Allow device 41 to be configured for use with the same appliance, but with a different user. For example, if the user sells the appliance, he or she can also choose to sell it together with device 41 .

• Contain the transfer of data between sites. For there can be a cost to the user (or a related party) for the use of bandwidth.

• Centralise at the web server the main processing and account keeping actions. This reduces the need for expensive hardware, particularly at the control device.

• Have the location assessment made at the mobile device and to prompt the user for the user command without having to communicate continually with server 8. This push of data from the mobile device to server 8 reduces network traffic. [00108] As the processing that occurs at residence 3 is minimised, it is possible to have minimal hardware and software included in device 41 which allows the cost of producing and supply that device to be kept low. In so far as there is a need for increased processing, that will be preferentially included at server 8.

[00109] It will be appreciated that in operating system 1 there is a plurality of devices 41 in respective residences, but only a single server 8 (although that may be embodied as more than one physical or virtual server). By having the processing power and software operation concentrated at server 8 it is easy to amortise the costs of that hardware and software between all users. It also allows the hardware and software cost for each individual device 41 to be kept low, which given there are a large number of such devices, this provides a considerable practical advantage over existing systems that require a local server or other computer to allow the corresponding local control device operate.

[001 10] In further embodiments user 10 has a further APP included on smartphone 1 1 from a third party that allows for the remote control of an appliance. In these further embodiments user 10 is able to select that further APP to be the subject of a location based prompt. Accordingly, the further embodiments are applicable to enable user 10 to gain the advantage of the invention without having to replace existing hardware or software. This provides for better use of resources and enables increased functionality to the user at minimal additional cost.

[001 1 1 ] System 1 provides user 10 with a convenient and practical way to control appliance 2. By involving user 10 in the decision-making process about which state the appliance should be in it is possible to achieve a greater energy saving then leaving the decision wholly to the software executed in one or more or a combination of the available processors used. For it is not unusual for a person to move about in the vicinity of their residence without having any immediate intention of using the residence or the appliances in it. Known prior art systems will not well recognise or necessarily make a clear distinction in such circumstances. The use of the above embodiment also allows the user to decide, for example, if there is a need to have the appliance operating at all. In the case of an air conditioner, the user may have the intention of moving to the residence, but knows that the weather forecast is such that the required cooling may be likely to occur naturally and as such can decide not to have the conditioner progressed from the OFF state to the ON state.

[001 12] The embodiments of the invention are also flexible in accommodating other factors in addition to the location of the user. For example, reference is able to be made to the time of day, month or year, and the ambient temperature to automatically suggest a temperature setting for an air conditioner unit that is controlled by the user.

[001 13] Reference is now made to Figure 2, where corresponding features are denoted by corresponding reference numerals. In this embodiment, module 5 and controller 6 are disposed within spaced apart discrete respective housings 51 and 52. Housing 51 includes an AC input 53 for complementarily receiving a first end of a first mains power cable 54 that, in use, has its second end connected to an AC mains outlet 55. Housing 51 also includes an AC outlet 56 for receiving a first end of a second mains power cable 57 that is associated with appliance 2 and which has its second end, in use, connected with appliance 2 to supply electrical power to that appliance.

[001 14] In some embodiments the second ends of cables 54 and 57 are fixedly attached to housing 51 and appliance 2 respectively.

[001 15] Module 5 includes a communications interface 58 for allowing communications with controller 6 via modem 49. Module 5 also includes a switching unit 59 that is selectively responsive to the control signal provided by controller 6 to electrically connect or disconnect the input and the output to allow or prevent the connection of appliance 2 to a mains supply 60. It will be appreciated that the appliance is in a first state when connected to supply 60 - that is, an ON state - and a second state when not connected to supply 60 - that is, an OFF state.

[001 16] In another embodiment, similar to Figure 2, housing 51 has a form of a compact electrical plug that is engaged directly with mains outlet 55. Such a plug, in most the preferred embodiments, has a form factor similar to a mains plug travel adaptor in that it is: unobtrusive; in use disposed directly adjacent the electrical outlet; and includes formations for electrically engaging with the electrical lead of appliance 2. All of the required circuitry for module 5 is also compact and able to be disposed within housing 51 . This circuitry includes a communications module (not shown) that makes use of the Zigbee ^™ communications protocol for communicating with controller 6. In this specific embodiment, module 5 derives power from outlet 55. However, in other embodiments, a different power source is used, such as a battery disposed within housing 51 . Preferentially, in this embodiment, housing 52 takes the form of a USB pen drive and controller 6 also includes the required circuitry to establish the Zigbee ^™ network for communicating with module 5. Housing 52 includes a male USB plug that, in use, is received within a complementary female USB socket of modem 49 to provide power to controller 6. In other embodiments, the male USB socket is electrically connected with the female USB socket of an electrical device other than modem 49. In addition to allowing for the remote control of an appliance, the embodiments of the invention also allow a user to control the state of appliances in the residence whilst in the residence without having to physically move to the individual appliances or to find the remote control specific to each appliance. For example, in a residence it is known to have multiple air conditioning units distributed about the residence for operating primarily in different rooms. Through use of a smartphone supporting the APP, and corresponding devices 41 in the residence, the user is able to easily ascertain the state of the relevant appliances and selectively change that state, as required.

[001 17] The embodiment mentioned in the preceding paragraph having housing 51 in the form of a compact electrical plug is particularly advantageously applied to an appliance such an a clothes iron or another similar appliance that is desirously left in an OFF state during the absence of user 10 from residence 3 for safety reasons. For in this embodiment the system is configured for user 10 to receive a prompt when moving away from residence 3, and the predetermined radius is, by default, set at a low value. In some embodiments, the default for the predetermined radius is 100 m, while in other embodiments it is 150 m, and in other embodiments a different quantum. While this embodiment is advantageous in allowing a user to obtain a reduction in the consumption of electrical energy while still having the appliance or appliances in the required state upon arrival at the residence, it also is configurable to provide safety benefits. Other appliances well suited for control by way of such an embodiment of the invention includes bar heaters, garage doors and other security devices, ovens, sandwich toasters and other electrical cooking appliances, hair straightening appliances, spa pumps or heating equipment, swimming pool pumps or cleaning equipment, and the like.

[001 18] An alternative to the compact electrical plug described above is a WeMo ^® home control switch such as that sold by Belkin International, Inc. In some embodiments, use is also made of the WeMo ^® home control switch in combination with the location based functionality of the embodiments described herein.

[001 19] The above embodiments have been described with reference to user 10 remotely and selectively controlling appliance 2 with smartphone 1 1 based upon location. While specific reference has been made to appliance 2 being a residential air-conditioning unit, it will be appreciated that the selective remote control of other appliances is also available. This includes the selective remote control of, for example, a television, a heater, a computer, a garage door, a coffee maker, an entertainment system, an alarm system, and many others. [00120] In some embodiments use is made of more than one predetermined radius and/or more than two zones. For example, in one such embodiment use is made of a first predetermined radius and a second predetermined radius that is less than the first. The first radius is used by smartphone 1 1 when the user is determined to have progressed from outside to the inside of that radius from residence 3, while the second radius is used by smartphone 1 1 when the user is determined to have progressed from inside to the outside side of that radius from residence 3. Accordingly, when moving away from residence 3, user 10 will not progress far before being prompted for a user command to have appliance 2 moved from an ON state to an OFF state or a STANDBY state. However, when approaching residence 3, user 10 will be prompted whilst further away, if there is a desire to issue a user command to progress appliance 2 from the OFF state or the STANDBY state to the ON state.

[00121 ] The specific example given in the preceding paragraph is able to be extended to the broader principle that the zone for approach to the residence does not need to match the zone for departure from the residence. That this the radii of the approach and departure zones does not need to be the same, and nor does the shape.

[00122] In other embodiments the radii or other shape property of an approach or departure zone is open to be changed from a default or configured value set by the user, to a varying value that is dependent upon the time of day, the time of week or the time of year. In other embodiments, the user is able to configure the size or shape of the zones to account for extended time away from the residence, or an extended stay in the residence.

[00123] Another embodiment is implemented in a facility such as a hotel. Upon checking in at the hotel the user is provided access to a hotel APP that is downloaded onto smartphone 1 1 . This APP includes the location based prompting for allowing the control of one or more appliances within the hotel room that is allocated to the user. In some embodiments further interaction is accommodated between the smartphone 1 1 and a keycard for the room.

[00124] Other embodiments are applied to other large facilities where there are common areas into which personnel enter and leave. Being responsive to all the users allows for the control of the various appliances used by the individuals, as well as those used collectively. For example, to control the lighting and air conditioning used in offices, barracks, etc with the ultimate aim of providing the optimum environment for those personnel, but in an energy efficient manner. [00125] In other embodiments the location based prompts are used to facilitate the operation of the user of large machinery. For example, in mining or drilling environments.

[00126] Whilst the location based prompting described above has been primarily concerned with GPS and other such location services, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments use is made of, either alternatively or additionally, other location based assessments. For example, the use of near field communication or GNSS receivers.

[00127] In an embodiment the software instructions contained on smartphone 1 1 includes integration with the "if this than that" [IFTTT] service such as that provided at www.ifttt.com. This allows the user to provide further enhancement to the need for prompts based upon one or more data feds from various information providers, including weather criteria and traffic information. For example if the temperature at residence 3 is within a defined range for this time of year, the software does not provide a prompt to the user. In addition IFTTT integration provides a simple interface that allows users to create recipes that trigger actions from a wide range of supported APPs based upon location based data. An example could include a location based recipe that triggers an SMS or Email message to a specific address when a user arrives in the home zone.

[00128] The "if this than that" functionality allows the user to provide further enhancement to the need for prompts based upon other factors. This allows for the temporary or selective suppression of the location based prompts to further the efficacy of those prompts for the particular user. For example, a given user is able to define that if he or she is moving toward a local gym near residence 3, then the location based prompt should not be provided even though the user is within the predetermined radius. Another example includes: if the user is walking away from the residence then do not provide any prompts. Whereas, if the user is determined to be in a vehicle, then do provide the prompts.

[00129] Server 8 is responsive to the IFTTT settings for all users for suggesting defaults for new users and for suggesting new defaults to existing users.

[00130] The advantages of the various embodiments include:

• Improved management of power consumption without any significant impact upon amenity.

• Easy to use.

• Applicable to single or multiple appliances in a single or multiple sites.

• Allows for multiple users to control a signal appliance at a single site. • Accommodates a hierarchy of users.

• Takes advantage of available hardware.

• Centralised management of data to allow for: ease of upgrade; changes in hardware; change of residence by the user; providing users with the benefit of other user's default settings; continual refinement of default settings; and ease of set up for users due to standard commands for appliances being available for download from database 25.

[00131 ] It will be appreciated that the disclosure above provides various significant systems and methods for controlling an appliance.

[00132] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining", analyzing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities.

[00133] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors.

[00134] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. Each processor may include one or more of a CPU, a graphics processing unit, and a programmable DSP unit. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM. A bus subsystem may be included for communicating between the components. The processing system further may be a distributed processing system with processors coupled by a network. If the processing system requires a display, such a display may be included, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. If manual data entry is required, the processing system also includes an input device such as one or more of an alphanumeric input unit such as a keyboard, a pointing control device such as a mouse, and so forth. The term memory unit as used herein, if clear from the context and unless explicitly stated otherwise, also encompasses a storage system such as a disk drive unit. The processing system in some configurations may include a sound output device, and a network interface device. The memory subsystem thus includes a computer-readable carrier medium that carries computer-readable code (e.g., software) including a set of instructions to cause performing, when executed by one or more processors, one of more of the methods described herein. Note that when the method includes several elements, e.g., several steps, no ordering of such elements is implied, unless specifically stated. The software may reside in the hard disk, or may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the RAM and/or within the processor during execution thereof by the computer system. Thus, the memory and the processor also constitute computer-readable carrier medium carrying computer-readable code.

[00135] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product.

[00136] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a user machine in server-user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.

[00137] Note that while diagrams only show a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

[00138] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that is for execution on one or more processors, e.g., one or more processors that are part of web server arrangement. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium, e.g., a computer program product. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause the processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium.

[00139] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus subsystem. Transmission media also may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. For example, the term "carrier medium" shall accordingly be taken to included, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, a computer product embodied in optical and magnetic media; a medium bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of one or more processors and representing a set of instructions that, when executed, implement a method; and a transmission medium in a network bearing a propagated signal detectable by at least one processor of the one or more processors and representing the set of instructions.

[00140] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

[00141 ] It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, Figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[00142] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[00143] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[00144] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[00145] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[00146] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.