Patent Publication Number: US-9898093-B2

Title: Gesture control

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/078,317 filed Mar. 23, 2016 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,639,169, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/261,660 filed Apr. 25, 2014 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,335,828, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/699,227 filed Jan. 29, 2007 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,736,420, with all applications incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The exemplary embodiments generally relate to data processing and to computer processing and, more particularly, to gesture-based user interfaces. 
     User interfaces need improvement. Conventional user interfaces include a keypad, a control panel, a tactile mouse, a touch screen, and a graphical presentation (or GUI). All these conventional user interfaces require dexterity and hand-eye coordination that many people lack. Many users, for example, have trouble correctly pushing buttons on a phone&#39;s keypad. Many users lack the dexterity to depress a button on a mouse. Some users cannot adequately see small font sizes on a GUI. Even if a user possesses adequate dexterity and coordination, the user interface may be so cumbersome that some features are never accessed. What is needed, then, are methods, systems, and products for controlling devices that utilize an improved paradigm in user interfaces. 
     SUMMARY 
     The exemplary embodiments provide methods, systems, and products for controlling devices using a gesture-based user interface. Exemplary embodiments allow a user to make movements, or gestures, with a controlling device. As the user performs the gesture, the controlling device sends an electromagnetic signal or wave to a controlled device. As the electromagnetic signal or wave is received, the controlled device measures or determines the power transported by the electromagnetic signal or wave. That power is then associated with a command. 
     Exemplary embodiments thus allow the user to associate gestures to commands. As the user performs the gesture, the electromagnetic power of the received electromagnetic signal or wave changes with the movement of the gesture. Those changes in power may then be associated to commands. Exemplary embodiments thus permit the user to control any receiving device using gestures. The user, for example, may make a circular motion to cause an increase in volume of a television. As the user drives in a car, the user may perform hand gestures that causes channel changes on a radio. Exemplary embodiments may even utilize transponder technology that allows everyday items to control other devices. Whenever the user performs a recognized gesture, exemplary embodiments execute the command that is associated with that gesture. 
     Exemplary embodiments include a method for controlling a device. A signal is received and a power of the signal is determined. The power and/or the change in power verses time is associated to a command, and the command is executed. 
     More exemplary embodiments include a system for controlling a device. The system is operative to receive a signal and determine a power of the signal. The power and/or the change in power verses time is associated to a command, and the command is executed. 
     Other exemplary embodiments describe a computer program product for controlling a device. The computer program product stores instructions for receiving a signal and determining a power of the signal. The power is associated to a command, and the command is executed. 
     Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to the exemplary embodiments will be or become apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the claims, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating gesture-based controls, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating an RFID implementation, according to even more exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustrating another RFID implementation, according to still more exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating a remote control, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  depicts other possible operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a device, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating another method of controlling a device, according to still more exemplary embodiments; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating yet another method of controlling a device, according to more exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). 
     Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplary embodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first device could be termed a second device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a first device without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. A sending device  20  communicates with a receiving device  22  via a communications network  24 . The sending device  20  has a transmitter  26  that sends an electromagnetic signal or wave  28  to the receiving device  22 . The receiving device  22  has a receiver  30  that receives the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . A processor  32  (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar device couples to the receiver  30  and executes a command application  34  stored in memory  36 . According to exemplary embodiments, the command application  34  is a set of processor-executable instructions that provide a gesture-based user interface. The command application  34  determines or measures electromagnetic power  38  carried by the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, the command application  34  may then query a database  40  of commands. The database  40  of commands is illustrated as being locally stored in the memory  36  of the receiving device  22 , yet the database  40  of commands may be remotely accessible via the communications network  24 . The database  40  of commands is illustrated as a table  42  that maps, relates, or otherwise associates the electromagnetic power  38  to one or more commands  44 . Each command  44  may be any instruction, rule, or control that is selected based on the energy transported by electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . Based on the electromagnetic power  38  carried by the electromagnetic signal or wave  38 , the command application  34  retrieves at least one command  44  from the database  40  of commands and instructs the processor  32  to execute the command  44 . 
     According to exemplary embodiments, the command application  34  determines the electromagnetic power  38  carried by the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . As the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  travels or propagates, the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  carries electromagnetic power. The sending device  20  transfers energy to the receiving device  22  by emitting the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . When the receiver  30  receives the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 , the command application  34  determines the amount of energy carried by the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The command application  34 , for example, may measure any value of the electromagnetic power, such as received power, instantaneous power, average power, and/or integrated over a time interval. The received power may be received and/or measured in any units, such as milliwatts or dBm (decibels referenced to one milliwatt=0 dBm). The command application  34  may additionally or alternatively utilize the Poynting vector to determine a power density vector associated with the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The command application  34  may use an instantaneous expression of the Poynting vector to obtain an instantaneous value of the power transported in the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The command application  34  may use a time-average Poynting vector to obtain an average value of the power transported in the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The Poynting vector, however, is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art and need not be fully explained. If the reader desires a further explanation, the reader is invited to consult D AVID  K. C HENG , F IELD AND  W AVE  E LECTROMAGNETICS , and incorporated herein by reference. 
     Exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networking environment. The communications network  24  may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain. The communications network  24 , however, may also include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). The communications network  24  may include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. The communications network  24  may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as the I.E.E.E. 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band). The concepts described herein may be applied to any wireless/wireline communications network, regardless of physical componentry, physical configuration, or communications standard(s). 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating gesture-based controls, according to more exemplary embodiments. Here, when a user moves the sending device  20 , the command application  34  associates the changes in the electromagnetic power  38  to commands. As those of ordinary skill in the art understand, as the user moves the sending device  20 , the electromagnetic power  38  of the received electromagnetic signal or wave  28  changes with that movement. Those changes in power may then be associated to commands. Exemplary embodiments thus permit the user to control the receiving device  22  using gestures. When the user moves the sending device  20  during a gesture, the power changes during that gesture may be related to commands. As the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  is received during the gesture, the command application  34  continuously or recursively measures the electromagnetic power  38  of the received electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The command application  34 , for example, may measure the instantaneous or average power of the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  over time, for instance as a sequence of discrete measurements, each of which may be measurements of instantaneous power or average power obtained using an averaging/integration time interval. The command application  34  then retrieves a command that is associated with those changes in power over time. 
       FIG. 2 , for example, illustrates a power signature  60 . The power signature  60  is illustrated as a table  62  that associates power measurements  64  (in, for example, dBm, or decibels relative to a one milliwatt reference) for increments of time  66  (in, for example, milliseconds). As the sending device  20  transmits the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  during a gesture, the command application  34  may continuously or recursively measure the electromagnetic power  38  of the received electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . According to exemplary embodiments, the command application  34  populates the table  62  and stores those power measurements  64  over the time  66  in the memory  36 . The command application  34  then queries a database  68  of power signatures. The database  68  of power signatures is illustrated as being locally stored in the memory  36  of the receiving device  22 , yet the database  68  of power signatures may be remotely accessible via the communications network  24 . The database  68  of power signatures associates different patterns or power signatures to different commands. That is, the database  68  of power signatures stores a library or table  70  of power measurements  72  over time  74 . Those power measurements  72  are also associated with the commands  44 . The command application  34  retrieves the command  44  that corresponds to the power signature  60  and executes the command  44 . In this example, the power signature  60  corresponds to a “set date/time” command  76 . The user has performed a gesture that instructs the command application  34  to set the date and time of the receiving device  22 . 
     Predetermined increments of time may be used to measure the electromagnetic power  38  of the received electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . As the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  is received during a gesture, the command application  34  continuously or recursively measures the electromagnetic power  38  of the received electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . While the command application  34  may use any increments of time in which to measure power, the command application  34  may use uniform or constant increments of time. The power signature  60 , for example, is illustrated in increment of tenths of seconds. Because the user may use gestures to control the receiving device  22 , most gestures may be one second (1 sec.) or less in duration. Every 250 milliseconds, then, the command application  34  may measure the electromagnetic power and obtain five (5) power measurements. These five power measurements may be ample data to distinguish one gesture from another gesture. Or, in other words, these five power measurements may be ample data to distinguish one power signature from another power signature. The command application  34 , however, may be configured to measure electromagnetic power in any increments the user or designer desires, such as nanoseconds, microseconds, or milliseconds. A greater number of measurements, however, may require a greater amount of memory in which to store the data. A greater number of measurements may also slow the time required to interpret each gesture and to execute the corresponding command. 
     The receiving device  22  may be preloaded with power signatures. Before the command application  34  may retrieve a command associated with a power signature, the database  68  of power signatures may be populated with power signatures that correspond to gestures and to the desired command(s). A software developer of the command application  34 , and/or a manufacturer of the receiving device  22 , may preload power signatures and their corresponding commands. The user of the receiving device  22  may then learn and replicate the gestures from an instruction booklet, video, or online tutorial. The preloaded power signatures may be statistically based on an average user&#39;s range of motion, arm length, aptitude, and other factors. Gestures may also be based on confidence levels, such that the gestures (and thus power signatures) may be performed by a high percentage of users. 
     The command application  34  may have a learning mode of operation. Some users may wish to develop their own gestures and the corresponding commands. The command application  34 , then, may have a mode of operation in which the user may register or teach gestures and associate those gestures to commands. When the command application  34  is in this learning mode of operation, the user may perform the desired gesture. The command application  34  measures the electromagnetic power of the received electromagnetic signal or wave, such as the signal or wave  28 , and stores those measurements in the database  68  of power signatures. The command application  34  may even require that the user repetitively perform the gesture, thus allowing the command application  34  to make repetitive power measurements. The stored power signature may then represent an average value of power measurement. The command application  34  may also require a known motion, movement, or even sound that indicates the gesture is complete. The user, for example, may be required to “wiggle” the sending device  20  to indicate the gesture is complete. The user may alternatively or additionally access a user interface (such as a GUI, keypad, or control panel) and make inputs that indicate the gesture is complete. The sending device  20  and/or the receiving device  22  may even include a voice recognition component that is capable of receiving an audible command from a user indicating that the gesture is complete. 
     The command application  34  may also implement power ranges. As the user performs a gesture, that gesture may not exactly conform to a reference gesture. The user may not fully extend an arm, or the user may perform an oval motion instead of a full circular motion. Whatever the cause, the command application  34  may see variations in power measurements due to variations in gestures. The database  68  of power signatures, then, may store ranges of power measurements. The user may configure the command application  34  such that variations in the power measurements still result in recognition. 
     Electromagnetic power, whether received or measured, may be expressed in any units. Electromagnetic power, for example, may be expressed and manipulated using any suitable units, such as, but not limited to, dBm, dBW, milliwatts, Watts, or Watts/m 2 . Relative power signatures may also be formulated and used as well, for instance by normalizing power and/or received power measurements to the starting or ending measurement value, or to an average of the measurements taken for a gesture. Exemplary embodiments may develop relative and/or normalized signatures using differences and/or ratios with respect to a normalized value, and these signatures have the advantage of making the signature independent of the range between the transmitter  26  and receiver  30 . According to exemplary embodiments, using relative/normalized signatures allows the same signature to be used for a gesture, such as a user moving his/her hand in a circle, regardless of whether the user performs the gesture close to his/her waist or further out with his/her arm. Further, each measurement in a sequence can be an instantaneous measurement or an averaged measurement. That is, one can average over a long time period (e.g., the entire gesture), a medium time period (e.g., each fifth of a gesture), or a brief time period (e.g., two milliseconds). Power measurements, even when considered virtually instantaneous, may be averaged over brief time periods such as on the order of a millisecond in order to reduce aberrations/inaccuracies introduced by noise effects, in particular impulse noise. Thus, a power signature may be composed of or based on any of the above-described calculations, and a power signature may be configured to contain a mixture of values which contain different averaging/integration time intervals, or may contain a mixture of some instantaneous values and some averaged values, for instance in the case of the receiver  30  adapting its operation to the changing noise environment. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating an RFID implementation, according to even more exemplary embodiments. Here the sending device  20  includes or incorporates a transponder  80 . The sending device  20  is illustrated as a watch  82 , and the transponder  80  is attached to or incorporated in the watch  82 . The receiving device  22  is illustrated as a wireless phone  84 . When the transponder  80  is activated, the transponder  80  wirelessly transmits the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The transponder  80 , for example, may be an RFID “tag” that uses the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, yet the transponder  80  may use any other frequency. When the wireless phone  84  receives the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 , the command application  34  measures the electromagnetic power  38  transported by the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The command application  34  then executes the command  44  that is associated with the electromagnetic power  38 . If the watch  82  moves (as during a gesture), the command application  34  measures the electromagnetic power  38  over time and queries the database  68  of power signatures for the command  44 . The database  68  of power signatures is illustrated as being locally stored in the wireless phone  84 , yet the database  68  of power signatures may be remotely accessible via the communications network  24 . 
     Exemplary embodiments, then, permit gesture-based control of the wireless phone  84 . When the user wears the watch  82 , the user may make gestures with the watch  82  to control the wireless phone  84 . The user, for example, may perform a gesture to select the volume of the wireless phone  84 . The command application  34  measures the electromagnetic power  38  of the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  emitted by the transponder  80 . The command application  34  recognizes the power signature  60  of the gesture and executes the corresponding command  76  to control the volume. The command application  34  may activate a sound circuit to produce an audible “beep” that acknowledges the command. Other gestures may select ring tones, initiate calls, or configure the wireless phone  84 . A gesture, for example, may command the wireless phone  84  to dial an emergency number (such as 911), thus permitting the user to obtain help without physically gaining access to the wireless phone  84 . 
       FIG. 4  is another schematic illustrating an RFID implementation, according to still more exemplary embodiments. Here multiple transponders may be used to control the wireless phone  84 . As  FIG. 4  illustrates, the wireless phone  84  may execute commands that are initiated by the watch  82 , a ring  90 , and a shoe  92 . The watch  82 , as before, incorporates the transponder  80 . The ring  90  includes a second transponder  94 , and the shoe  92  incorporates a third transponder  96 . When any of the watch  82 , the ring  90 , and/or the shoe  92  is activated, their corresponding transponders  80 ,  94 , and  96  emit corresponding electromagnetic signals or waves. According to exemplary embodiments, each transponder  80 ,  94 , and  96 , however, also transmits a coded identifier  100  that uniquely identifies the sending device. The coded identifier  100  is any alphanumeric string or combination that differentiates one transponder from another transponder. The watch  82 , for example, sends a watch identifier  102  that uniquely identifies the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  transmitted by the transponder  80 . The second transponder  94  sends a ring identifier  104  that uniquely identifies the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  associated with the ring  90 . The third transponder  96  sends a shoe identifier  106  that uniquely identifies the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  associated with the shoe  92 . When the wireless phone  84  receives either the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 , the command application  34  receives the coded identifier  100  and measures the electromagnetic power  38 . The command application  34  then queries the database  68  of power signatures for the coded identifier  100  and for the power measurement(s)  38 . The command application  34  thus retrieves the command  44  that is associated with the coded identifier  100  and with the power measurement(s)  38 . 
       FIG. 4  thus illustrates how multiple transponders may be used to control the wireless phone  84 . When the user makes a gesture involving any of the transponders  80 ,  94 , and  96 , the command application  34  interprets the corresponding power signature and executes the associated command  44 . Movement of the shoe  92 , and thus the third transponder  96 , may correspond to dialing a friend&#39;s telephone number. Waiving a finger, and the corresponding movement of the ring  90  and the second transponder  94 , may cause the wireless phone  84  to answer an incoming communication. The user may associate any number of gestures, involving any combination of the transponders  80 ,  94 , and  96 , to different commands. Exemplary embodiments thus permit the receiving device  22  (e.g., the wireless phone  84 ) to be controlled by multiple sending devices, when each of the sending devices has the unique coded identifier  100 . 
     Each transponder  80 ,  94 , and  96  may need to register. As transponders become cheaper, the day may come when nearly all items include at least one transponder. Shirts, pants, gloves, and other articles of clothing may include transponders. Rings, watches, and other jewelry may also include transponders. Appliances, tools, furniture, consumer electronics, and any other item may include one or more transponders. Each transponder, then, may need to register its unique identifier  100  with the command application  34 . After a transponder registers, that transponder&#39;s power signature may then be used to control the receiving device  22 . If a transponder is not registered, the command application  34  may or may not ignore its power signature. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating a remote control  120 , according to more exemplary embodiments. Here the sending device  20  is the remote control  120  that wirelessly communicates with the receiving device  22  via the communications network  24 . While the receiving device  22  is again generically shown, the receiving device  22  may be a television, set-top terminal, computer, audio equipment, or any other processor-controlled electronics device. While the remote control  120  may wirelessly communicate using any standard or frequency of the electromagnetic spectrum, the remote control  120  may commonly use the infrared band, the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical band, BLUETOOTH®, or any other the IEEE 802 family of standards. The remote control  120  sends the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  to the receiving device  22 . A user of the remote control  120 , for example, may depress or hold a button, or combination of buttons, on a keypad  122 . That button depression causes the electromagnetic signal or wave  28  to be emitted. When the receiving device  22  receives the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 , the command application  34  determines or measures the electromagnetic power  38  carried by the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . The command application  34  then queries the database  68  of power signatures for the command  44  associated with the measured electromagnetic power  38 . The command application  34  retrieves the command  44  and executes the command  44 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts other possible operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 6  illustrates that the command application  34  may alternatively or additionally operate within various other devices  200 .  FIG. 6 , for example, illustrates that the command application  34  may entirely or partially operate within a set-top box ( 202 ), a personal/digital video recorder (PVR/DVR)  204 , personal digital assistant (PDA)  206 , a Global Positioning System (GPS) device  208 , an interactive television  210 , an Internet Protocol (IP) phone  212 , a pager  214 , a cellular/satellite phone  216 , or any computer system and/or communications device utilizing a digital signal processor (DSP)  218 . The device  200  may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, gateways, and other apparatuses and systems. Because the architecture and operating principles of the various devices  200  are well known, the hardware and software componentry of the various devices  200  are not further shown and described. If, however, the reader desires more details, the reader is invited to consult the following sources, all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: L AWRENCE  H ARTE  et al., GSM S UPERPHONES  (1999); S IEGMUND  R EDL  et al., GSM  AND  P ERSONAL  C OMMUNICATIONS  H ANDBOOK  (1998); and J OACHIM  T ISAL , GSM C ELLULAR  R ADIO  T ELEPHONY  (1997); the GSM Standard 2.17, formally known  Subscriber Identity Modules, Functional Characteristics  (GSM 02.17 V3.2.0 (1995-01))“; the GSM Standard 11.11, formally known as  Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module—Mobile Equipment  ( Subscriber Identity Module—ME )  interface  (GSM 11.11 V5.3.0 (1996-07))”; M ICHEAL  R OBIN  &amp; M ICHEL  P OULIN , D IGITAL  T ELEVISION  F UNDAMENTALS  (2000); J ERRY  W HITAKER AND  B LAIR  B ENSON , V IDEO AND  T ELEVISION  E NGINEERING  (2003); J ERRY  W HITAKER , DTV H ANDBOOK  (2001); J ERRY  W HITAKER , DTV: T HE  R EVOLUTION IN  E LECTRONIC  I MAGING  (1998); E DWARD  M. S CHWALB , ITV H ANDBOOK : T ECHNOLOGIES AND  S TANDARDS  (2004); A NDREW  T ANENBAUM , C OMPUTER  N ETWORKS  (4 th  edition 2003); W ILLIAM  S TALLINGS , C OMPUTER  O RGANIZATION AND  A RCHITECTURE : D ESIGNING FOR  P ERFORMANCE  (7 th  Ed., 2005); and D AVID  A. P ATTERSON  &amp; J OHN  L. H ENNESSY , C OMPUTER  O RGANIZATION AND  D ESIGN : T HE  H ARDWARE /S OFTWARE  I NTERFACE  (3 rd . Edition 2004). 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a device, according to more exemplary embodiments. A signal is received (Block  300 ) and the power of the signal is measured/determined (Block  302 ). The average power may be determined (Block  304 ) and/or the instantaneous power may be determined (Block  306 ). The power is associated to a command (Block  308 ) and the command is executed (Block  310 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating another method of controlling a device, according to still more exemplary embodiments. A signal is received (Block  320 ). The average power of the signal may be recursively measured over time to obtain a power signature of the signal (Block  322 ). The instantaneous power of the signal may be recursively measured over time to obtain a power signature of the signal (Block  324 ). The power measurements, as earlier explained, may be normalized and/or averaged as a sequence of one or more values. A query is made for a command associated with the power signature (Block  326 ). The command is retrieved (Block  328 ) and executed (Block  330 ). 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating yet another method of controlling a device, according to more exemplary embodiments. A signal is received (Block  350 ) and a coded identifier is also received (Block  352 ). The coded identifier uniquely indicates a sending device that transmitted the signal. The power of the signal is measured/determined (Block  354 ). The power and the coded identifier is associated to a command (Block  356 ) and the command is executed (Block  358 ). 
     Exemplary embodiments may measure voltage and/or current. When the receiving device  22  receives the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 , exemplary embodiments may measure a voltage and/or current that is induced in a circuit by the electromagnetic signal or wave  28 . A voltage signature, for example, describes voltage measurements over time. A current signature describes current measurements over time. Exemplary embodiments may query a database of voltage signatures and/or current signatures that associates signatures to commands. The corresponding command is retrieved and executed. As is well known, power P is mathematically determinable from current I and/or voltage V when resistance R is known, and determinable from the combination of I and V even when R is unknown, i.e. P=I 2 R=V 2 /R=IV. 
     Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable medium. This computer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, flash drive, and large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA®, ZIP®, JAZZ®, and other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA®, ZIP®, and JAZZ® are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. Iomega Way, Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com). This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. These types of computer-readable media, and other types not mention here but considered within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. A computer program product comprises processor-executable instructions for accessing commands that control devices. 
     While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.