Managing an environment utilizing a portable data processing system

• US 6,604,023 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kelvin Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swindell, Walter R.
• Application Number:
  US09/560,163
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 700/275-278, 700/299-300, 702/1-3, 702/81-84
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

Environmental indicators computed for a particular environment are converted into a transmittable data format each of the environmental indicators is computed by electronic environmental measurement device from among multiple diverse electronic environmental measurement devices. Environmental indicators are transmitted to a portable data processing system associated with a user, which analyzes each of the environmental indicators according to an environment sensitivity profile stored at the portable data processing system for the user. Control signals are determined by the portable computer system for adjusting multiple environment control systems that control the particular environment in response to the analysis, such that a particular environment is temporarily managed by a portable data processing system according to environmental sensitivities of a particular user located within that particular environment.

Claims

1. A method for managing an environment, said method comprising the steps of:

converting a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment from among a plurality of environments into a transmittable data format, wherein each of said plurality of environmental indicators is computed by an electronic environmental measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices;

transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators in said transmittable data format to a portable data processing system associated with a particular user;

analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators received at said data processing system according to an environment sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators stored within said data processing system for said particular user, wherein said data processing system associated with said particular user is located within said particular environment;

determining a plurality of control signals at said data processing system for adjusting a plurality of environmental control systems that control said particular environment, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of environmental indicators according to an environment sensitivity profile; and

adjusting particular parameters of said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environmental control systems according to said plurality of control signals, such that said particular environment is temporarily managed by said data processing system according to said environment sensitivity profile for said particular user located within said particular environment.

2. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of converting a plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

converting said plurality of environmental indicators to an extensible mark-up language data format.

3. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators in an extensible mark-up language data format.

4. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators via a wireless communications medium.

5. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators via a wired communications medium.

6. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators by said data processing system to an output interface.

7. The method for managing an environment according to claim 6, said step of outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

graphically displaying said results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators.

8. The method for managing an environment according to claim 6, said step of outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

outputting results from said analysis according to user output preferences previously stored on said data processing system.

9. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step method further comprising the step of:

storing said plurality of environmental indicators transmitted to said data processing system on a data storage medium that is accessible to said data processing system.

10. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

downloading data onto a data storage medium that is accessible to said data processing system, wherein said downloaded data is utilized for said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators.

11. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

analyzing a user-designated selection of environmental indicators from among said plurality of environmental indicators transmitted to said data processing system.

12. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators according to a “

multi-user”

environment profile stored on said data processing system, wherein said “

multi-user”

environment profile comprises environmental sensitivities for a plurality of users within said particular environment.

13. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising the step of:

analyzing said plurality of physical environmental indicators according to an environmental indicator reference stored at said data processing system.

14. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said step of adjusting said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environmental control systems according to said plurality of control signals further comprising the step of:

negotiating between conflicting control signals received at a particular environment control system from among said plurality of environmental control systems.

15. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

adjusting said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environmental control systems according to said plurality of control signals, in response to removal of said particular user from said particular environment.

16. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

storing said plurality of control signals at said plurality of environmental control systems such that said plurality of environmental control systems adjust said particular environment according to environment sensitivity profiles of users within said particular environment independent of said data processing system supplying said control signals.

17. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

designating a time period during which a particular environmental indicator is expected to be received at said data processing system from a particular environmental measurement device.

18. The method for managing an environment according to claim 17, said method further comprising the step of:

in response to not receiving said particular environmental indicator during said designated time period, providing a warning due to lack of receipt of an expected environmental indicator.

19. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said method further comprising the steps of:

requesting a secure communication medium access to a particular server according to a server selection stored on said data processing system; and

in response to receiving a secure communication medium access to said particular server, transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators to said particular server.

20. The method for managing an environment according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

in response to receiving a plurality of environmental indicators at said data processing system, debiting an environment account stored at said data processing system.

21. A system for managing an environment, said system comprising:

means for converting a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment from among a plurality of environments into a transmittable data format, wherein each of said plurality of environmental indicators is computed by an electronic environmental measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices;

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators in said transmittable data format to a portable data processing system associated with a particular user;

means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators received at said data processing system according to an environment sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators stored within said data processing system for said particular user, wherein said data processing system associated with said particular user is located within said particular environment;

means for determining a plurality of control signals at said data processing system for adjusting a plurality of environmental control systems that control said particular environment, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of environmental indicators according to an environment sensitivity profile; and

means for adjusting particular parameters of said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environmental control systems according to said plurality of control signals, such that said particular environment is temporarily managed by said data processing system according to said environment sensitivity profile for said particular user located within said particular environment.

22. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for converting a plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for converting said plurality of environmental indicators to an extensible mark-up language data format.

23. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators in an extensible mark-up language data format.

24. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators via a wireless communications medium.

25. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators via a wired communications medium.

26. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said system further comprising:

means for outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators by said data processing system to an output interface.

27. The system for managing an environment according to claim 26, said means for outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for graphically displaying said results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators.

28. The system for managing an environment according to claim 26, said means for outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for outputting results from said analysis according to user output preferences previously stored on said data processing system.

29. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said step system further comprising:

means for storing said plurality of environmental indicators transmitted to said data processing system on a data storage medium that is accessible to said data processing system.

30. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said system further comprising:

means for downloading data onto a data storage medium that is accessible to said data processing system, wherein said downloaded data is utilized for said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators.

31. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for analyzing a user-designated selection of environmental indicators from among said plurality of environmental indicators transmitted to said data processing system.

32. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators according to a “

multi-user”

environment profile stored on said data processing system, wherein said “

multi-user”

environment profile comprises environmental sensitivities for a plurality of users within said particular environment.

33. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of physical environmental indicators according to an environmental indicator reference stored at said data processing system.

34. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said means for adjusting said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environmental control systems according to said plurality of control signals further comprising:

means for negotiating between conflicting control signals received at a particular environment control system from among said plurality of environmental control systems.

35. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said system further comprising:

means for adjusting said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environmental control systems according to said plurality of control signals, in response to removal of said particular user from said particular environment.

36. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said system further comprising:

means for storing said plurality of control signals at said plurality of environmental control systems such that said plurality of environmental control systems adjust said particular environment according to environment sensitivity profiles of users within said particular environment independent of said data processing system supplying said control signals.

37. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said system further comprising:

means for designating a time period during which a particular environmental indicator is expected to be received at said data processing system from a particular environmental measurement device.

38. The system for managing an environment according to claim 37, said system further comprising:

means for providing a warning due to lack of receipt of an expected environmental indicator, in response to not receiving said particular environmental indicator during said designated time period.

39. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said system further comprising the steps of:

means for requesting a secure communication medium access to a particular server according to a server selection stored on said data processing system; and

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators to said particular server, in response to receiving a secure communication medium access to said particular server.

40. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said system further comprising:

means for debiting an environment account stored at said data processing system, in response to receiving a plurality of environmental indicators at said data processing system.

41. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said data processing system further comprising a personal digital assistant.

42. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said data processing system further comprising a wireless telephone.

43. The system for managing an environment according to claim 21, said data processing system further comprising a laptop computer.

44. A program, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for retrieving at a portable data processing system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment from among a plurality of environments, wherein each of said plurality of environmental indicators is computed by an electronic environmental measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices, wherein said portable data processing system is associated with a particular user;

means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators received at said data processing system according to an environment sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators stored within said data processing system for said particular user, wherein said particular user is located within said particular environment; and

means for computing a plurality of control signals at said data processing system for adjusting a plurality of environmental control systems that control said particular environment.

45. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for converting said plurality of environmental indicators to an extensible mark-up language data format.

46. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators in an extensible mark-up language data format.

47. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators by said data processing system to an output interface.

48. The program according to claim 47, said program further comprising:

means for graphically displaying said results from said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators.

49. The program according to claim 47, said program further comprising:

means for outputting results from said analysis according to user output preferences stored on said data processing system.

50. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for storing said plurality of environmental indicators on a data storage medium that is accessible to said data processing system.

51. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for downloading data onto a data storage medium that is accessible to said data processing system, wherein said downloaded data is utilized for said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators.

52. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for analyzing a user-designated selection of environmental indicators from among said plurality of environmental indicators.

53. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators according to a “

multi-user”

environment profile stored on said data processing system, wherein said “

multi-user”

environment profile comprises environmental sensitivities for a plurality of users located within said particular environment.

54. The program according to claim 44, said program further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of physical environmental indicators according to an environmental indicator reference stored at said data processing system.

55. An electronic environment management system, said system comprising:

a portable data processing system associated with a particular user;

a memory coupled to said data processing system comprising an environment sensitivity profile for said particular user;

a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices, wherein each of said diverse electronic environmental measurement devices computes a plurality of environmental indicators for a particular environment from among a plurality of environments;

a first communications interface between said personal data processing system and said plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices, wherein said plurality of environmental indicators are transmitted across said first communication interface to said memory of said data processing system in a transmittable data format;

a plurality of environmental control systems that each control a particular parameter from among a plurality of parameters of said particular environment according to predetermined settings and according to control signals received from said data processing system;

a second communications interface between said personal data processing system and said plurality of environmental control systems, wherein said control signals are transmitted from said portable data processing system across said second communication interface to said plurality of environmental control systems in said transmittable data format; and

a environment controller element executable on said data processing system for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators received at said data processing system according to said environment sensitivity profile, wherein said environment controller determines a plurality of control signals for controlling said plurality of environmental control systems, in response to said analysis of said plurality of environmental indicators according to said environmental sensitivity profile for said particular user.

56. The electronic environment management system according to claim 55, said plurality of environmental control systems further comprising a plurality of control signals previously received for a plurality of users currently located within said particular environment.

57. The electronic environment management system according to claim 55, said first communications interface and said second communications interface further comprising a local area network that detects said portable data processing system when within a particular range.

58. A method for monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user, said method comprising the steps of:

accessing at a portable computer system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices and converted into a common transmittable data format;

analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with an environmental sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators stored at said portable computer system for a particular user; and

controlling output of a recommendation of suitability of said particular environment for said particular user, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of environmental indicators with said environmental sensitivity profile, such that said particular user receives an indication of whether said particular environment is suitable for said particular user.

59. The method for monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user according to claim 58, said method further comprising the step of:

accessing at a portable computer system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular remote environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices and converted into a common transmittable data format.

60. A system for monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user, said system comprising:

means for accessing at a portable computer system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices and converted into a common transmittable data format;

means for analyzing said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with an environmental sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators stored at said portable computer system for a particular user; and

means for controlling output of a recommendation of suitability of said particular environment for said particular user, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of environmental indicators with said environmental sensitivity profile, such that said particular user receives an indication of whether said particular environment is suitable for said particular user.

61. The system for monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user according to claim 60, said system further comprising:

means for accessing at a portable computer system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular remote environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices and converted into a common transmittable data format.

62. A method for managing a controllable environment, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a portable computer system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices and converted into a common transmittable data format;

comparing said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with an environmental sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators for said particular user at said portable computer system; and

transmitting control signals for adjusting said particular environment to a plurality of environment control systems that control particular environmental parameters within said particular environment, in response to said comparison of said plurality of environmental indicators with said environmental sensitivity profile, such that said particular environment is adjusted to be suitable for said particular user.

63. A system for managing a controllable environment, said system comprising:

means for receiving at a portable computer system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices and converted into a common transmittable data format;

means for comparing said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with an environmental sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators for said particular user at said portable computer system; and

means for transmitting control signals for adjusting said particular environment to a plurality of environment control systems that control particular environmental parameters within said particular environment, in response to said comparison of said plurality of environmental indicators with said environmental sensitivity profile, such that said particular environment is adjusted to be suitable for said particular user.

64. A program for managing a controllable environment, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for receiving at a portable computer system a plurality of environmental indicators computed for a particular environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices and converted into a common transmittable data format;

means for comparing said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with an environmental sensitivity profile of said particular user'"'"'s sensitivities to environment as indicated by said environmental indicators for said particular user at said portable computer system; and

means for transmitting control signals for adjusting said particular environment to a plurality of environment control systems that control particular environmental parameters within said particular environment, in response to said comparison of said plurality of environmental indicators with said environmental sensitivity profile, such that said particular environment is adjusted to be suitable for said particular user.

65. A method for managing an environmental control system, said method further comprising the steps of:

receiving at an environmental control system a plurality of requests in a common transmittable data format from a plurality of portable computer systems each respectively associated with one of a plurality of users, wherein said plurality of requests are received for adjusting a particular parameter of a particular environment as controlled by said environmental control system;

negotiating conflicts between said plurality of control signals and current environmental settings at said environmental control system; and

controlling an adjustment of said particular parameter of said particular environment by said environmental control system, in response to said negotiation of conflicts between said plurality of controls signals and said current environmental settings, such that said particular parameter of said particular environment is adjusted according to requests from said plurality of users.

66. A system for managing an environmental control system, said system further comprising:

means for receiving at an environmental control system a plurality of requests in a common transmittable data format from a plurality of portable computer systems each respectively associated with one of a plurality of users, wherein said plurality of requests are received for adjusting a particular parameter of a particular environment as controlled by said environmental control system;

means for negotiating conflicts between said plurality of control signals and current environmental settings at said environmental control system; and

means for controlling an adjustment of said particular parameter of said particular environment by said environmental control system, in response to said negotiation of conflicts between said plurality of controls signals and said current environmental settings, such that said particular parameter of said particular environment is adjusted according to requests from said plurality of users.

67. A program for managing an environmental control system, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for receiving at an environmental control system a plurality of requests in a common transmittable data format from a plurality of portable computer systems each respectively associated with one of a plurality of users, wherein said plurality of requests are received for adjusting a particular parameter of a particular environment as controlled by said environmental control system;

means for negotiating conflicts between said plurality of control signals and current environmental settings at said environmental control system; and

means for controlling an adjustment of said particular parameter of said particular environment by said environmental control system, in response to said negotiation of conflicts between said plurality of controls signals and said current environmental settings, such that said particular parameter of said particular environment is adjusted according to requests from said plurality of users.

68. A method for accessing an environmental measurement device, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring an environmental indicator for a particular environment at a first portable computer system, wherein said environmental indicator is received at said first portable computer system in a common transmittable data format from an environmental measurement device associated in location with said first portable computer system; and

allowing a second portable computer system to access said environmental indicator from said first portable computer system in said common transmittable data format, in response to receiving a barter transaction at said first computer system from said second computer system, such that a second portable computer system may monitor said particular environment by bartering for said monitored environmental indicator from said environmental measurement device.

69. The method for accessing an environmental measurement device according to claim 68, said step of allowing a second portable computer system to access said environmental indicator from said first portable computer system in said common transmittable data format, further comprising the step of:

receiving a barter transaction of a negligible electronic payment at said first portable computer system from said second portable computer system.

70. The method for accessing an environmental measurement device according to claim 68, said method further comprising the steps of:

monitoring a second environmental indicator at said second portable computer system, wherein said second environmental indicator is received at said second portable computer system in said common transmittable data format from a second environmental measurement device associated with said second portable computer system; and

allowing said second portable computer system to access said environmental indicator from said first portable computer system in said common transmittable data format, in response to bartering for access by allowing said first portable computer system to access said second environmental indicator from said second portable computer system in said common transmittable data format.

71. An electronic ecology network system, said system comprising:

a computer system associated with a particular user with access to a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices that compute environmental indicators for a particular environmental location that includes said particular user;

a communication medium between said computer system and a plurality of alternate computer systems, wherein said computed environmental indicators at said computer system are transmittable to said plurality of alternate computer systems via said communication medium; and

a metering system associated with said computer system, wherein for each access to said computer environmental indicators at said computer system by said plurality of alternate computer systems an electronic charge accountable by said plurality of alternate computer systems is accumulated at said computer system.