Patent ID: 6680730
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for remotely controlling apparatus and reporting alarms from a remote location using a first computer located in a home, wherein the first computer comprises a multithreaded server program allowing the first computer to control and monitor a plurality of remotely located peripheral devices, a second computer located remotely from the first computer, and a means for communicating data between the first computer and the second computer, comprising the following steps:a) accessing the first computer from the second computer by the means for communicating data; b) controlling the first computer from the second computer by the means for communicating data; c) using the multithreaded server program to control the remotely located peripheral devices from the second computer wherein the second computer provides commands to the first computer and the multithreaded server program is capable of translating the commands to native peripheral device protocols to control the peripheral devices; d) monitoring the status of the remotely located peripheral devices from the second computer; and thereby using information collected by the first computer from the remotely located peripheral devices to consolidate and report status of the peripheral devices to the second computer and to report any alarms from the remotely controlled peripheral devices to the second computer whether or not the second computer actively solicits a report.