DEVICES AND METHODS FOR APPLIANCE USAGE SCHEDULING AND CONTROL USING ON-LINE CALENDAR SERVICES WITH OPEN API

• US 20120166010A1
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
• Original Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
• Inventors: CHOU, Pai-Hsiang, Wang, Kuan-Hsun, Wang, An-Ping, Pan, Tsung-Hsiao
• Application Number:
  US13/077,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20120166010A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/296
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2829 involving user profiles according to which the execution of a home appliance functionality is automatically triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information

Abstract

A device and method for appliance usage scheduling and control using on-line calendar services with open API is disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. The device includes an on-line calendar with open API, a control server and a sensor network. The on-line calendar sets date and time schedule according to a user setting to generate a control data packet corresponding to the schedule. The control server receives the control data packet by an internet and generates at least a control signal according to the control data packet. The sensor network communicates with an electronic appliance by radio frequency and controls actions according to the control signal.

Claims

1. A home automation device using an on-line calendar with an open API, comprising:

an on-line calendar with an open API, for generating an event data packet corresponding to at least an event in a schedule;

a home automation server, for generating at least a control signal according to the event data packet received from an interne; and

a local network, for communicating with an electronic appliance and controlling operation of the electronic appliance according to the control signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the on-line calendar with an open API is a google on-line calendar.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the local network is a sensor network.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the local network communicates with at least an electronic appliance by radio frequency and controls operation of the electronic appliance according to the control signal.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic appliance is a household electronic device.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculator, providing an operating interface to have a user set data in the schedule.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the home automation server uses an alternating inquiry mechanism to poll whether an event is activated or not.

8. A method for appliance usage scheduling and control using an on-line calendar service with an open API, comprising:

a schedule setting step, for providing an on-line calendar with an open API and generating an event data packet corresponding to a schedule set by a user in the on-line calendar;

a packet processing step, for receiving the event data packet through a network and generating at least a corresponding control signal according to the event data packet; and

a control step, for controlling at least an electronic appliance according to the control signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the packet processing step uses an alternating inquiry mechanism to poll whether an event is activated or not.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the on-line calendar with an open API is a google on-line calendar.

11. A method for appliance usage scheduling and control using an on-line calendar service with an open API, comprising:

a user interface operating step, comprising;

logging in an on-line calendar with an open API;

selecting an electronic appliance to be controlled, selecting an operating date and time of the electronic appliance, and selecting a function and signal mode of the electronic appliance to generate an event; and

uploading the event to the on-line calendar;

a home automation server procedure checking step, comprising;

an on-line calendar login and downloading step, for logging in the on-line calendar and downloading the event;

comparing the date and time of the event with a current date and time;

matching the event with a corresponding electronic appliance;

analyzing the identity, function and signal mode of the electronic appliance;

transmitting the data of the identity, function and signal mode of the electronic appliance to the home automation server; and

waiting for a predetermined period and repeating the procedure checking step;

an home automation server operating step, comprises;

receiving a related signal from the procedure checking step wherein the related signal comprises one selected from the group consisting of the following or the combination thereof;

the data of the event and the identity, function and signal mode of the electronic appliance;

generating a transmission path of a control signal from the home automation server to control the electronic appliance;

transmitting the control signal to the electronic appliance by radio frequency; and

receiving and being acknowledged the control signal by the electronic appliance;

and

a controlled appliance operating step, comprising;

receiving the control signal by the home automation server;

executing actions designated by the control signal; and

replying a state update message of the electronic appliance to the home automation server.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the on-line calendar with an open API is a google on-line calendar.