In certain embodiments, a method of automatically changing an attribute defining operation of a television system involves determining that a short range radio frequency (RF) transceiver device has entered RF range of the television system, the television system having a short range RF transceiver compatible with that of the short range RF transceiver device; binding the short range RF transceiver device to the television set to establish an identity (ID) for the short range RF transceiver device; determining that the short range RF transceiver device is within a predefined distance metric of the television system by use of an audio ping signal; at the television system, looking up a functional attribute associated with the identity; and setting a television parameter at the television using the functional attribute while the short range RF transceiver device is in the RF range as well as within the predefined distance of the television system. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.