Controlling devices using cloud services and device-agnostic pipe mechanisms

Abstract

An environment is described in which a cloud-implemented service system controls a plurality of target devices via a plurality of respective device-agnostic pipe mechanisms. The target devices themselves may represent “dumb” devices, e.g., lacking local control logic, or providing reduced reliance on local control logic. Users may interact with the service system via applications running on any type of user devices.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A service-controlled switch comprising:
 a male plug configured to be inserted into an alternating-current power outlet;   a female plug configured to mate with another male plug of a target device; and   a pipe mechanism configured to selectively control application of alternating current power to the target device based at least on control instructions received from a remote service system.   
     
     
         22 . The service-controlled switch of  claim 21 , the pipe mechanism further comprising a processing module configured to govern operation of the pipe mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . The service-controlled switch of  claim 22 , the processing module comprising a microprocessor. 
     
     
         24 . The service-controlled switch of  claim 22 , the processing module comprising hardwired logic circuitry. 
     
     
         25 . The service-controlled switch of  claim 22 , the pipe mechanism comprising a service interface mechanism having communication logic configured to communicate with the remote service system. 
     
     
         26 . The service-controlled switch of  claim 25 , the communication logic being configured to perform wireless communication to obtain the control instructions from the remote service system. 
     
     
         27 . The service-controlled switch of  claim 25 , the communication logic being configured to communicate over a hardwired connection to obtain the control instructions from the remote service system. 
     
     
         28 . A switch comprising:
 a first connector configured to interface with a power source;   a second connector configured to interface with a target device; and   a processing module configured to selectively control application of electrical power to the target device based at least on control instructions received from a remote system.   
     
     
         29 . The switch of  claim 28 , the processing module being configured to establish a remote connection with the remote system. 
     
     
         30 . The switch of  claim 28 , the power source being an alternating-current power source. 
     
     
         31 . The switch of  claim 28 , the first connector being a male plug and the second connector being a female plug. 
     
     
         32 . The switch of  claim 28 , further comprising a pipe mechanism, the pipe mechanism comprising the processing module and a service interface mechanism configured to communicate with the remote system to obtain the control instructions. 
     
     
         33 . The switch of  claim 28 , the processing module comprising a microprocessor. 
     
     
         34 . The switch of  claim 28 , the processing module comprising hardwired logic circuitry. 
     
     
         35 . A system comprising:
 a processing device; and   a computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to:   receive input from a remote user; and   based at least on the input from the remote user, selectively control a switch to apply alternating current electrical power to a target device by sending one or more instructions to the switch.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising the switch. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , the switch comprising a first electrical connector configured to connect to an alternating-current power outlet. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , the switch comprising a second electrical connector configured to connect to the target device. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , the first electrical connector being a male plug. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , the second electrical connector being a female plug.