Importance

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Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remotely monitoring and controlling via a wireless network various devices deployed in homes and businesses. The present invention allows for monitoring and control of various gateways distributed to remotely located facilities to be monitored and the devices coupled to those gateways to be controlled via a wireless communications network. Preferably, the network is a GSM network adapted to provide short messaging services or any type of wireless network adapted to operate a General Packet Radio System for delivering data over the network. Messages are packaged at each gateway for delivery via the network to a destination terminal, whether a fixed terminal or a mobile station. Likewise, customers may forward data and commands to a particular gateway either from a mobile station or by accessing a fixed terminal, such as through an Internet connection. Transporting messages or commands via the short messaging service of the GSM network or via the GPRS protocol avoids the prohibitive cost of setting up a call for each message and avoids the significant capital costs needed to set up a separate communication network for data delivery.

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First Claim