Voice-controllable communication gateway for controlling multiple electronic and information appliances

A voice-controlled communication gateway for controlling a plurality of electronic devices, each electronic device outputting a known signal corresponding to the audible output from the electronic device, the communication gateway comprising:

• a microphone for receiving all of the audible signals within an environment, and for outputting a composite signal;
• a voice module for subtracting each of said known signals from said composite signal to output an unknown signal;
• and
• microprocessor, for receiving said unknown noise signal, processing said unknown noise signal, processing said unknown noise signal to determine whether it comprises a command and, if so, executing said command to control at least one of said electronic devises.

A voice-controlled communication gateway for controlling at least one electronic device, the electronic device outputting an audible output;

• the communication gateway comprising:
• a memory, for storing at least one executable command with an associated voice signal;
• a microphone for receiving all of the audible signals within an environment, and for outputting a composite signal;
• and
• microprocessor, for subtracting said audible output from said composite signal to output an unknown noise signal, and for comparing said unknown noise signal with said stored voice signal;
• whereby if said comparison is favorable, the executable command associated with said voice signal is executed.