KR20010041425A - Home control system with distributed network devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Devices in places such as homes are controlled by detecting the presence of identified users in other places in this place. Devices in the venue are controlled in response to the preferences of each identified user. Position and control devices may be integrated into independent devices or other electronic devices such as televisions, stereos, computers, and the like. In addition, the present invention provides a user task module in which the proposed control operates based on the position of the user, and the user's profile based on the current environment and the preferential operation of the user. The determination of the location of each user is established by the use of a tracker module delivered by the user. The user determines the degree of automation applied at the appropriate time.

Description

Home control system with distributed network devices

Home automation is increasing in popularity. Evolving standards have allowed various vending machines and various types of devices to be controlled by conventional controllers. Such standards include IEEE 1394, X-10, HAvi, HomeAPI, Jini, and the like. IEEE 1394 and X-10 are communication protocols, HAVisms is a software architecture using IEEE 1394, and the Home API is an open industry manual that defines a standard set of application programming interfaces and software services that allow software applications to monitor and control home devices. to be. Jini is a distributed software architecture (network) in which a client recognizes devices and services as objects, and Jini has a discovery service that allows devices or services to register with a network. Jini has a lookup service that determines which objects are available. Coherence between distributed objects is allowed through leasing of the object, ie by providing control over one object to another object for a certain period of time. If this system fails, it is returned at the end of the lease in a well-defined state.

A typical home automation system consists of a central control station and a number of remote controllers. For example, the central control station may be a home computer, and the remote controller may be a subcontroller located in a specific area of the home in the bedroom or lounge. A typical home automation system may have a remote sensor that is used, for example, to light up or turn off automatically when a motion is detected, and to turn on the television by a particular sound or voice command. Some home automation systems enable pre-programmed operation, for example, when lights or equipment are turned on or off at different preset times, and the television is switched to different channels at different times.

However, pre-programming of conventional home automation systems is not feasible or practical except for operation in close proximity or in public places. This incompatibility is especially evident in homes with multiple people. If everyone at home agrees, or if the people who have the television in advance are aware that the television will change as preprogrammed at that time, only an automated change or tuning of the television at a particular time of day Is executed. In particular, if one person does not follow the opinion of several, even one person may find impractical programming in a home with multiple rooms. For example, there is a television program that the tenant prefers, but the tenant can see it in a different room at the start of the program at that time.

As noted above, preprogrammed home automation systems generally use a central controller to run preprogrammed operations. As such, the automated controller is directly related to the availability and reliability of the central controller. The central controller of most home automation systems is generally the home computer, which is also used for other applications. When a home automatic controller is used, the computer must be in operation and the controller application must run independently of the other applications. A "crash" of a computer or controller application is generally not all part of a home automation system, but disables many parts. Alternatively, a full central controller is often used as the central controller, eliminating the possibility of crashing by other applications. However, the options available on this overall controller are typically limited compared to those used for the general purpose of a home computer.

The present invention relates to the field of consumer devices, and more particularly to the field of automated home control systems.

1 is an exemplary block diagram of a home control system in accordance with the present invention.

2 is an exemplary data flow diagram of a home control system in accordance with the present invention.

3 is an exemplary flow diagram for a control module in a home control system in accordance with the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infrastructure for using a control module distributed over a network of devices. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for installing automated control of a device in a home environment. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for creating a profile for use by each user of the system, and to provide a system and method for controlling a consumer electronic device based on this profile. The goal is to increase the reliability and flexibility of home control systems. Another object of the present invention is to allow easy system configuration and setup.

These and other objects can be achieved by providing a distributed network of control devices and locator devices through a place such as a home. Devices in such a place are controlled by detecting the presence of a user identified in various areas of the place and incorporating control of applications within that area in response to the presence or absence of the user. The location and control device may be integrated into other electronic devices, such as televisions, stereos, computers, or may be a standalone device. In addition, a user task module is provided in the present invention, in which a control operation is proposed depending on the user's location, the current environment, and the user's profile based on the user's prior actions. Communication between these modules and devices is accomplished using standard network systems and protocols, including IWWW 1394, X10, HAVi, and HomeAPI. Each user's location is established using a tracker module carried by the oil field. The user can determine the degree of automation applied at any time.

1 shows an exemplary block diagram of a home control system in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, there are four rooms, namely the living room 100, the kitchen 200, the office 300, and the utility room 400. In each of these rooms the devices are classified. In the vocabulary of a home control system, devices that perform functions rather than control are called equipment. The equipment may include control functions, but their "major" equipment functions are not themselves controls. The living room 100 includes web-tv equipment 110, television equipment 120, stereo equipment 130, and light equipment 140. For example, web-tv equipment 110 has equipment functionality to provide web access via television, and includes a control module CM114, a user task module UTM116, a locator module LM119, and the like. Another control module CM134 has been arranged in stereo equipment 130 by way of example. Another locator module LM190 has been placed in the living room 100. The devices and modules described are interconnected via a home network 50. In order to reduce unnecessary explanation, connection to the exemplary network 50 is described by an "X" -level terminator. In a preferred embodiment, the communication over the network is in accordance with existing standards. For example, using the HAVi architecture, the HAVi compliant device has at least an excellent facility for communicating with other devices in the system. During the interaction, the devices can transform control and data in a peer-to-peer fashion. At this communication level, no devices are required to operate as the master or controller of the system. On the other hand, this allows the NIM master or controller to be the control structure on the basic peer-to-peer communication model. In this way, a U.S. application invented by Teroen Heuvelman et al., Co-pending US application 08 / 920,751, August 29, 97, is "Computer-controlled Home Theater With Independent User-control", incorporated herein by reference. The home entertainment system includes a sub-system that has been merged and has audio / video functionality, and the computer and device interfaces to which the sub-system and computer are interconnected. The computer controls the subsystem through a software application. Computers and subsystems have separate user controls. If the computer crashes, the user can still control the audio / video functionality of the subsystem independently of the computer. Also incorporated by reference is U.S. Application No. 09 / 146,020, entitled “Low Data-rate network representation on High data-rate HAVI-Network,” invented by Yevgeny Shteyn of Sep. 2, 98, incorporated by reference. It is incorporated herein and discloses the principle of a home network using the HAVi architecture. Although a model of a home network is used herein, it is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the principles of the present invention may be used in other environments, such as hospitals, offices, factories, and the like.

1, a tracker 10 is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, each occupant of the home processes a tracker 10 configured for remote identification of the associated occupant. Typically, the position of the tracker 10 is assumed to match the position of the associated occupant or “user”. For example, the tracker 10 may be a small token that the user is moving or using. When the tracker 10 is included in the living room 100, the locators 119, 190 are configured to recognize it. While doing so, locator modules 119 and 190 enable identification of associated residents as located in living room 100. In detail, the tracker and locator modules are coupled via a wireless connection, allowing the user to travel to Europe. The home network 50 may be connected by wired or wireless or wired or wireless coupling. The locating module 119, 190 communicates the presence of the user with the tracker 10 in the home network 50, in particular with the control modules 114, 134 and others. In response, the control module queries one or more of the user task modules, including UTM116 and others, for an appropriate control response. For example, if the user associated with the tracker 10 prefers to listen to classical music in the afternoon, the user task module 116 communicates with the control module 134 to suggest to play the classical music. If the time of day is afternoon, or if the time of day is morning, user task module 116 may send a suggestion to control module 134 to tune in to a new radio station in the area. In response to one or more suggestions from user task module 116 and others, and in response to other potential audfudd, control module 134 sends appropriate commands to the appropriate equipment to obtain the selected response from the suggestions and rules. do. For example, one rule may hinder the mode change of equipment in the living room 100 when another user (as specified by the presence of another tracker) is in the living room 100. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, conventional methods can be used to determine the action to be taken when multiple trackers are in the same area. In an embodiment, if one user specifies this preference and the other does not express the opposite preference distinctly, a non-collision action is made as the light changes. On the other hand, collision operations, such as changes in television and stereo, are not made unless one of the users is given a clear preferential operation through others. In a preferred embodiment, preferences for the user and each rule are assigned first. For example, priority may be set for a particular user so that it lights up whenever the user is authorized to the area regardless of the conflict. Lower priority for the same user can be set to turn on the television only if there is no conflict.

In a preferred embodiment, the control module and user task module utilize knowledge based on machine learning techniques and others to tailor from a particular area of the home or to determine the appropriate response for each user upon arrival. The response is based on previous experience and is fed back from each user and the user's recent history. For example, after the user leaves the kitchen 200 or the office 300, the response may be different depending on whether the user arrives in the living room 100. This decision may vary depending on the current circumstances of the day of the day, the day of the week, and the like, and other factors are determined in relation to the user's past behavior or the usual presumable behavior. In a preferred embodiment, the learning technique is typically multi-variate, so synergy of control is achieved. For example, the learned response could be lower curtain, blurry light, soft music playback, and telephone placement in answering machine mode in response to a specific set of user patterns, and turn on the radio in response to another set of user patterns. Or keep the light bright. If the user does not agree with the selected response, the user typically results in an alternative control response. For example, the control module 134 turns the stereo 130 on or off, the user does not agree with this response, the user generally turns off the stereo 130, and causes some other change. In a preferred embodiment, the user's response to the user immediately triggering a command to execute the control module to the equipment is very weighted for practice, leading to potential different choices by the control module in the future. Subsequent user selection is less weighted for practice as the time interval between the operation of the control module and the user selection increases. For example, if the user listens to classical music that the control module 134 selects for one hour, the user selects popular music. The selection of popular music can be achieved by independent user preferences, or continuous preferences (playing the classics for an hour, replacing them with popular ones), disapproval of the selection of control modules of classical music, or by combining the three principles above. May be processed by the control module 134. Conventional machine learning techniques, such as Bayesian networks and luggage logic, are used to modify or reconfirm the selection of control modules, allowing the possibility of user task modules and control modules that expect a user's wishes based on the user's identification within a given domain. To improve. In a preferred embodiment, the specific actions of the user result in a user task module, while proper experience generally results in a control module.

More than one locator module, control module and user task module may be associated with the same location and associated with control of the same device. In this way, the reliability of the system is enhanced by reducing the dependence on any one device. Techniques for resolving conflicts that can cause distributed control architectures and the like are well known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, each control module may assign a location in the control organization for each piece of equipment. Each highest ranking control module controls each device currently available. In this way, each user task module and proposals from among the user tasks provide weighted decisions relative to the respective equipment, facilitating decision processing of each control module.

For example, the kitchen 200 of FIG. 1 includes a control unit 210, television equipment 220, speaker equipment 230, microwave equipment 240, and the like. For example, the control unit 210 includes a control module 214, a user task module 216, a locator module 219, etc., while these equipments lack a control device. When the tracker 10 is in the kitchen 200, the locator module 219 identifies the appropriate device of the home network 50 and includes a control module 214. The control module 214 connects to the user task module in the network 50, and includes the user task module 216 to determine if any action is proposed and to access internal rules to determine the action. For example, if the tracker 10 is previously present in the living room 100, the television 120 in the living room 100 is switched to a particular channel, and the internal rules of the control module 214 are the television 220 of the kitchen. ) And tune to the same channel as the television 120. As such, in this example, when no other user is detected in the living room 100, the internal rules of the control module 114 have been proposed to turn off the television 120. The proposal order is based on the independent rules of a specific user starting from the living room 100 and entering the kitchen 200. These user independent proposals and rules are combined with any user specific rules in the control module that can respond to control specific equipment. For example, a particular user may prefer listening to music in the kitchen 200 and may not want to turn on the television 220 even if the television is turned on by the user. The control module is configured to control the television 220, and the control module is configured to control the speaker equipment 230, applying these user specific rules and preferences, and not powering the television 220 on or off, the speaker Turns the power of 230 on or off. Based on the user specific rules and the current environment, the stereo 130 is converted to provide the speaker 230 with an appropriate selection of music.

The above rules are configured to expect the user's wishes based on experience or default assumptions. For example, if a user enters an area at a particular time of day, a default assumption is made, the lights 140, 340 are turned on, and when the room is not occupied, the lights 140, 340 and entertainment equipment 120, 130, 220, 230, 320, 33 are turned off. . This default assumption results in sequential operation. For example, when the user leaves the living room 100, the control module 114 may be configured to wait for a period of time before turning off the television 120 to avoid annoying shut down. As such, the control module may determine an appropriate operation according to a recent operation of the user. For example, in the preferred embodiment, if the user is determined to move through the room without interruption for many hours in each room, the controller is lit but does not affect the others, such as turning on the stereo or the television. Performs the operation of. In this example, the default assumption assumes that the user prefers to have light for moving through the room being squeezed, but assumes that other devices do not turn on or off as they move through the room, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the user task module and control module are preprogrammed with default rules that are sequentially updated based on the user's experience or direct user modifications.

Rules can be combined with other control devices. For example, as is commonly used in the prior art, microwave equipment 240 may include a programmable device that may allow a user to preprogram the microwave to initiate at a specific time, for example, a specific time period. Can be. An alternative embodiment of microwave equipment 240 allows a user to preprogram the start based on the return of a person from home rather than a predetermined time. When a tracker associated with a particular person is next detected within the home, in this example the control module 214 sends a signal to the microwave equipment 240. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the initiation may be triggered by other events, such as the person's position in a particular room within a certain time period.

1 shows a configuration module 312 of a computer 310 in a home office 300. The configuration module 312 allows the system to be customized directly for each user. The configuration module 312 is also used to allow a user or installer to record the system configuration according to the location of the module and the equipment throughout the home and incorporate the assignment of controlled equipment to the control module. In accordance with the present invention, configuration module 312 is used to allow the downloading of preferences and automatically or manually initialized rules to user task modules and control modules when requested. Knowledge base and machine learning functions work well in user task modules 116, 316, 416 distributed over network 50, while configuration module 312 requests to integrate this operation. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the configuration module assigns responsibilities to balance the computational load when equipment is removed or added from the network. In this way, the configuration module dynamically assigns responsibilities for the equipment between the control modules and dynamically assigns responsibilities for the users between the user task modules. In addition, configuration module 312 responds to queries by individual modules regarding configuration status and information. In a preferred embodiment, the rules regarding the operation of the external control module 114, 134, 214, 414 are configured not to depend on the continuous operation of the computer 310 or the configuration module 312. In this manner, the reliability of the system according to the present invention does not depend on the reliability and performance of the central controller such as the computer 310. Overall system reliability utilizes the principles of the co-pending U.S. patent (Slave DSP Reboots Stalled Master CPU, filed June 23, 97, filed by Paul Foster et al., Incorporated herein by reference). Can be strengthened. The application includes a digital home comprising one or more slave processors for processing a particular task, for example digital signal processors (DSPs), and a master processor for example, a central processing unit (CPU) for system control. Relates to an entertainment system. The slave processor can be rebooted by the master processor when the master processor is stopped. This slave controlled reboot prevents manual reboot of the system and is particularly advantageous in right-architecture multimedia systems with synchronously combined components.

User task modules 116, 316, 416 can be designed to process specific information. In the example configuration of FIG. 1, the user task module 116 of the web tv equipment 110 may be designed to configure optimizations for each user slowing down on the web. For example, the Copening U.S. Patent (Attorney docket PHA 23,500, filed September 25, 98, filed by Adrian Turner et al., Entitled " Customized Upgrading of Internet-Enabled Devices Based on User-Profile "). Is incorporated by reference herein to disclose a method for retrieving information from the Internet based on a user profile. In a preferred embodiment, the locator module 119 notifies other modules on the network of the presence of a user associated with the tracker 10. In response to this notification, the control module 114 connects to the Internet and retrieves information based on the user profile according to the above-described application. On the other hand, the user task module 416 of the environmental control device 410 may be designed to configure the optimization of the home environment in response to user preferences and experiences. User task module 416 does not need to have knowledge of web services, and user task module 116 does the same for environmental services. That is, the function of each user task module can be specified in a specific knowledge area. On the other hand, user task module 316 in computer 310 may be designed to handle all variable services. Solutions to collision proposals from multiple task modules can be solved using the preferred design described above, with each task module having a control rating, and proposals from the highest ranking module presently are given priority. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the user task modules communicate with each other and configuration rules are formulated. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the user task module 316 in the computer 310 periodically collects information from each of the other user task modules to incorporate conventional decision theory techniques such as voiting, first voting, and the like. To resolve the conflict.

The complexity of each module varies, and low performance devices depend on other devices to vary. For example, the web-optimized user task module 116 described above may include the ability to store operational history corresponding to the use of the television 120 and stereo 130, and include a primitive level of machine learning and Based on this history, suggestions are provided to the control modules 114,134. Periodically, the user task module 316 includes these operational histories from the user task module 116 and develops more sophisticated rules and suggestions based on these histories, and applies these new rules and suggestions as appropriate. Pass it to another module through the system.

Other levels of control can be included in the home automation system according to the present invention. For example, FIG. 1 relates to a user different from the user associated with the tracker 10. When the tracker 11 is applied to the home office 300, the locator module 390 detects the presence of the tracker 11 and notifies the network 50. In response to this notification, computer 310 and environmental control 410 cause other control. The device command module 414 of the environmental control 410 can only transmit signals to the environmental network 405 such as moths and air conditioning systems, and the user task module 416 corresponding to the user associated with the tracker 11. Adjust the level of the temperature of the office 300 based on the data of. The user task module 416 of this example may include a user selected final temperature without knowledge base or learning machine performance. On the other hand, the control module 314 of the computer 310 can achieve a number of complex operations, for example, is equipped to be connected to an external network 305 for retrieving the user's e-mail, a word processor or the like. Many complex operations can be accomplished, such as initiating one or more applications commonly used by a user of, playing received e-mail messages through the speaker 330, receiving voice commands from the user, and the like. This behavior is determined based on the user's prior history, the user's explicit commands, or a set of default choices.

The trackers 10, 11 and locator modules 119, 190, 290, 390 are designed to work together to determine the relative or absolute position of each track 10 in proximity to each module. Any number of techniques available can be applied to establish this decision. In a preferred embodiment, the tracker emits a signal that can only be received by a locator module proximate thereto, for example using an infrared signal. In an alternate embodiment, the locator module emits a radio frequency (RF) trigger signal, and a tracker placed proximate to the locator module reflects back to the locator module in a modulated form of the RF trigger signal. These and other methods of remotely determining the presence of an object in an area or region are common in the prior art.

The complexity of the tracker can vary. In signal user applications, the tracker needs a device detectable by the locator module. In a multi-user application, each tracker includes means for communicating with a particular identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the tracker also includes a user selectable option including a selection for turning off the tracker or a selection bottom for switching to manual mode, and the locator module continues to determine the position of the tracker. However, some or all of the automated operation by the control module is initiated. In addition, the tracker may be configured such that the user has a means for integrating the command. The co-pending application incorporated herein by reference (attorney docket PHA 23,522, filed Dec. 11, 98 by Joost Kemink, “Remote Control Device with Location Dependent Interface”, application number ________) is where the user is located. A method and apparatus are provided for providing a user with an apparatus having different control capabilities depending on the. The tracker of the present invention may include some or all of the performance disclosed in the above application, for example when the user selects a manual mode, the tracker providing user selection based on equipment within the user's area.

2 shows an exemplary data flow diagram of a home control system in accordance with the present invention. The control module 540 receives various sources to determine the appropriate command 541 and communicates with the mercy 550 based on a decision 591 about the location of one or more trackers 510. In an HAVi environment, for example, the controller (control module 540) is a device that acts as a host for the controlled device (equipment 550). The controller claims an absolute representation of the controlled device. The control interface is exposed through an absolute representation of the API. This API is the access point for the application to control the device. The controller receives commands and information through the API and determines the appropriate device commands. The controlled device assumes a controlled state in response to receiving the determined command.

In the preferred embodiment, each locator 590 determines the mode and identifier of each tracker 510 adjacent thereto. Modes of the tracker 510 include, for example, manual control mode, standby mode, and automated mode. In manual control mode, automated operation is not taken by control mode 540. In the contrast mode, only the primitive operation, such as turning on the light, when the tracker is detected in each zone is affected by the control module 540. In the automated mode, all determinable operations are made by the control module 540. The control module 540 is based on the proposal 561 from one or more user task modules 560 as well as the configuration 520 and environment 570 of the network 50, prescribed rules 530, as described above. Determine the proper operation obtained by In a preferred embodiment, the control module 540 forwards the query 546 to the user task module 560, requesting one or more suggestions based on the location of the particular user. In response to this query, the user task module 560 conveys to the control module 540 no or more suggested actions 561. The control module 540 determines the desired operation and sends appropriate instructions 541 to the equipment 550 to achieve this operation.

In a preferred embodiment, each piece of equipment 550 communicates its state 551 to the network 50 and, in particular, to the control module 540 described with dashed lines in FIG. 2. This control module 540 uses this transferred state to ensure that the desired operation is achieved, as determined directly by the user, to determine continuous adjustments in the equipment. If w module 540 includes a knowledge base or learning premise, this continuous adjustment is used to modify the decision criteria used to determine continuous automatic operation, as described above. The control module operation and each user control operation or adjustment and each time that has occurred is communicated to the user task module 560 as a history update 548. The history of the operations contained in each user task module 560 may be used by the control module and the user module over the network to define their proposal and decision processing based on the operation of each user at varying times and locations.

3 shows an exemplary flow diagram for the control module 540 of FIG. 2 in a home control system in accordance with the present invention. In step 610, location and mode data associated with each user is updated. Various techniques can be used to achieve this update. For example, the control module 540 includes a database that is continuously updated when each locator module 590 reports the arrival or departure of the user / tracker 510. Alternatively, controller module 540 may query each locator module 590 of network 50 as requested. If the mode of the tracker 510 associated with the user changes, the user's state is updated at step 620. In general, the tracker 510 has a number of modes, including the manual, standby, and automated modes described above, as well as modes selectable by other users (eg, modes such as run, stop, romantic, etc.). Not all control modes have the capability to handle various tracker modes. In step 620 the transition from the possible tracker mode to the state supported by the particular control module 540.

If the identified user is a new arrival 625 or a new departure 635 at the reported location, the control module 540 queries the user task module 560 at steps 630 and 640 to obtain the response in response to arrival or departure. Suggest as in preferred operation. In addition, if the environment 570 changes in step 645, the user task module 560 is queried again for the proposed operation in step 650. In the preferred embodiment, all rules and user preferences are processed to identify time dependencies, and environment 570 is executed to change at each time of the identified dependencies. The environment 570 is implemented to change whenever an external center, such as a light or motion sensor, reports a change.

After receiving the user specific proposal from the user task module 560, the control module 540, at step 660, as described above, as well as the location and status of this user or other users, as well as the environment and rules associated with this user. And the appropriate operation to be obtained based on these suggestions. In step 665, the determined operation may be applied to the equipment 550 with immediate control of this control module 540, and the operation is converted to equipment instructions to achieve this operation in step 670, At 672, the control is passed to the controlled equipment. In step 665, when the control module 540 is in a second control role, for example when used as a redundant controller in a distributed control system, the control module 540 performs the determined operation. Each affected equipment is delivered to each other control module that is directly controlled. As discussed above, the techniques for the solutions discussed among distributed controllers are common in the art, as are the protocols for assigning control directly to the second control when the primary controller is determined to be inactive. After passing the determined operation or corresponding equipment command, as described above, historical data is updated at step 690. This process is repeated continuously, as indicated by the loop from step 690 of FIG. 3 back to step 610.

Subsequently, the principle of the present invention will be described. Thus, those of ordinary skill in the art, although not explicitly shown or described herein, of course, it is also possible to devise a variety of devices, using the principles of the invention within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the co-pending US patent application No. 09 / 189,535, filed November 10, 98, issued by Yevgeny Shteyn, attorney docket PHA23,527, entitled "Upgrading of Synergetic Aspects of Home Networks" Which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for enhancing the synergy of equipment deployed on a network based on the invention of the equipment on the network. Using this application, configuration module 312 can reset the functionality available in the control module when other equipment or capabilities are added to the network. In this way, the rules for the control equipment are not limited to starting or arriving at the trackers in each area. For example, one of the equipment of the home network 50 may be a motion detector, and the other equipment may be an alarm device. The control module in the home network 50 may be configured to activate the alerting device when the motion detector reports a movement within a particular area. In this way, the operation of the control system according to the invention can be combined or integrated with other automation systems. For example, the co-pending US patent application (named “Distributed Software Controlled Theft Detection” of the invention in Agent Document No. PHA 23,503, filed 09 / 176,171, filed 19.19.98 by Doreen Cheng) is incorporated herein, A method of protecting a property in a home or office through a distributed network is disclosed. This same network can be used to provide location dependent security and control capabilities in accordance with the principles disclosed herein.

The configuration and functional compartments of the home control system of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown for illustrative purposes only. As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, for example, the tracker 10 may be configured to communicate its location directly to the network 50 using GPS or other location determination techniques. . In this manner, the functions of the user task module and the control module can be integrated into a single module. The principles of the present invention may be embedded in hardware, software or a combination thereof. For example, the user task module can be a software application and a memory device, while the control module can be implemented as a particular purpose hardware component. Such alternative structures and other optimization techniques will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the principles described herein.

Claims (12)

In the control method of the equipment to enable the control of the equipment 550, Enabling positioning of the user 591, Determining an operation depending on the location of the user 591, Enabling determination of equipment command 541 related to the operation; Allowing the equipment (550) to assume a controlled state in response to the determined equipment command (541). The method of claim 1, And the device command (541) communicates with the device (550) over a network. The method of claim 1, And selecting equipment (550) from a plurality of equipment based on the location of the user (591). The method of claim 1, And determining the operation is based on at least one of an environment (570), a time, a rule, a mode (591), and a history of the operation of the user (548). The method of claim 1, Further determining a proposal of operation 561 based on the location of the user 591; The determining step of the operation is also based on the suggestion of the operation (561). The method of claim 1, Generating a set of rules 530 related to the user, the location of the user 591, and the equipment 550; The determination of the operation is based on a set of rules (530). Means for determining the location of the user 591, Means for determining an operation based on the location of the user 591, Means for determining equipment instruction 541 and equipment based on the operation; Means for communicating the equipment command (541) to equipment (550) to effect the operation. The method of claim 7, wherein Means for receiving the task proposal 561 from the user task module 560 based on the location of the user 591; Means for determining the operation is operatively coupled to means for receiving the task proposal (561) such that the operation is based on the task proposal (561). The method of claim 7, wherein Means for determining the rule 530 based on the location of the user 591; Means for determining the operation is operatively coupled to means for determining a rule (530) such that the operation is based on the rule (530). The method of claim 7, wherein Means for determining operation depend on the knowledge domain associated with the equipment 550. In the equipment (110,130) used in the control system, Equipment components to achieve key equipment functions, and Equipment for use in a control system comprising a control component (114, 134) for determining a control command (541) based on the position of the user (591) and for transmitting the control command (541) to a second equipment (120, 140). The method of claim 11, And the control command (541) is determined based on at least one of environment (570), time, rule (530), and history of user operation (548).