US Patent 9250267 Apparatus for controlling a premises from a remote location

An apparatus and method of controlling a premises from a remote network device communicates with the remote network device via a local computer network associated with the premises. Specifically, the apparatus includes a peripheral device configured to execute a specific function at the premises, a communication engine operably coupled with the peripheral device for providing a logical connection with the remote network device via the local computer network, and a network interface operably coupled with the communication engine. The network interface transmits data to and receives data from the local computer network. Data transferred between the peripheral device and local computer network is forwarded via the network interface.