Managing an environment via a universally accessible server system

• US 6,636,808 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• 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): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/560,161
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 702/3, 702/183, 702/188, 702/99, 702/33, 236/1.C, 236/44.R, 236/44.A, 236/91.R, 236/91.C, 236/91.D, 236/91.E, 236/91.F, 236/94, 236/99.A, 236/99.E, 374/10, 374/110, 374/11, 432/36, 700/9, 700/17, 700/83, 700/108, 700/298, 700/299
• US Class Current: 702/3
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00735 Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• 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: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators

Abstract

According to the present invention, environment indicators computed for a particular environment are converted into a common transmittable data format, wherein each of the environment indicators is computed by an electronic environment measurement device from among multiple diverse electronic environment measurement devices. The environment indicators are transmitted in the transmittable data format to a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier for a particular user. The universally accessible server system analyzes each of the environment indicators according to an environment sensitivity profile stored within the universally accessible server system in association with the universal identifier. Control signals are determined at the universally accessible server system for adjusting multiple environment control systems that control the particular environment in response to the analysis. The particular environment is adjusted as controlled by the environment control systems according to the control signals, such that a particular environment is temporarily managed via a universally accessible server system according to an environment sensitivity profile associated with a particular user.

Claims

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

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

transmitting said plurality of environment indicators in said common transmittable data format to a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier, wherein said particular universal identifier is associated with a particular user;

analyzing said plurality of environment indicators received at said universally accessible server system according to an environment sensitivity profile stored within said universally accessible server system in association with said particular universal identifier;

determining a plurality of control signals at said universally accessible server system for adjusting a plurality of environment control systems that control said particular environment, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of environment indicators according to said environment sensitivity profile; and

adjusting said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environment control systems according to said plurality of control signals, such that a particular environment is temporarily managed via a universally accessible server system according to an environment sensitivity profile associated with a particular user.

2. 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 environment indicators by said universally accessible server system to an output interface controlled by a data processing system with access to said universally accessible server system.

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

transmitting said plurality of environment Indicators to a particular remote server system from among the plurality of remote server system of said universally accessible server system.

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

downloading data to said universally accessible server system according to said particular universal identifier, wherein said downloaded data is utilized for said analysis of said plurality of environment indicators.

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

analyzing a user-designated selection of environment indicators from among said plurality of environment indicators transmitted to said universally accessible server system according to said universal identifier.

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

analyzing said plurality of environment indicators according to an environment profile stored at said universally accessible server system according to said universal identifier, wherein said environment profile comprises environmental sensitivities for a plurality of users located within said particular environment.

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

analyzing said plurality of physical environment indicators according to an environment indicator reference stored at said universally accessible server system according to said universal identifier.

8. 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 environment control systems such that said plurality of environment control systems adjust said particular environment according to environment sensitivity profiles of users located within said particular environment independent of said universally accessible server system supplying said control signals.

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

receiving a universal Identifier for said particular user with a request for data; and

accessing said requested data from said universally accessible server system in association with said universal identifier for said particular user, in response to verifying said universal identifier at a universally accessible lookup database.

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

comparing said universal identifier with a plurality of universal identifiers at said universally accessible lookup database, wherein said universally accessible lookup database points to system addresses in association with said plurality of universal identifiers.

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

receiving a universal identifier for said particular user at said universally accessible server system via a wireless detection of said universal identifier.

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

debiting an environment account stored at said universally accessible server system in association with said particular user.

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

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

means for transmitting said plurality of environment indicators in said common transmittable data format to a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier, wherein said particular universal identifier is associated with a particular user;

means for analyzing said plurality of environment indicators received at said universally accessible server system according to an environment sensitivity profile stored within said universally accessible server system in association with said particular universal identifier;

means for determining a plurality of control signals at said universally accessible server system for adjusting a plurality of environment control systems that control said particular environment, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of environment indicators according to said environment sensitivity profile; and

means for adjusting said particular environment as controlled by said plurality of environment control systems according to said plurality of control signals, such that a particular environment is temporarily managed via a universally accessible server system according to an environment sensitivity profile associated with a particular user.

14. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said system further comprising:

means for outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environment indicators by said universally accessible server system to an output interface controlled by a data processing system with access to said universally accessible server system.

15. The system for managing an environment according to claim 14, said means for outputting results from said analysis of said plurality of environment indicators further comprising:

means for outputting results from said analysis according to user output preferences stored at said universal accessible server system according to said particular universal identifier.

16. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said means for transmitting said plurality of environment indicators further comprising:

means for transmitting said plurality of environment indicators to a particular remote server system from among the plurality of remote server system of said universally accessible server system.

17. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said system further comprising:

means for downloading data to said universally accessible server system according to said particular universal identifier, wherein said downloaded data is utilized for said analysis of said plurality of environment indicators.

18. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said means for analyzing said plurality of environment indicators further comprising:

means for analyzing a user-designated selection of environment indicators from among said plurality of environment indicators transmitted to said universally accessible server system according to said particular universal identifier.

19. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said means for analyzing said plurality of environment indicators further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of environment indicators according to an environment profile stored at said universally accessible server system according to said particular universal identifier, wherein said environment profile comprises environmental sensitivities for a plurality of users.

20. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said means for analyzing said plurality of environment indicators further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of physical environment indicators according to an environment indicator reference stored at said universally accessible server system according to said universal identifier.

21. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said system further comprising:

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

22. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said system further comprising:

means for receiving a universal identifier for said particular user with a request for data; and

means for accessing said requested data from said universally accessible server system in association with said universal identifier for said particular user, in response to verifying said universal identifier at a universally accessible lookup database.

23. The system for managing an environment according to claim 22, said system further comprising:

means for comparing said universal identifier with a plurality of universal identifiers at said universally accessible lookup database wherein said universally accessible lookup database points to system addresses in association with said plurality of universal identifiers.

24. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said system further comprising:

means for receiving a universal identifier for said particular user at said universally accessible server system via a wireless detection of said universal identifier.

25. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, said system further comprising:

means for debiting an environment account stored at said universally accessible server system in association with said particular user.

26. The system for managing an environment according to claim 13, wherein said universally accessible server system is housed in a plurality of remote servers.

27. The system for managing an environment according to claim 26, wherein said plurality of environment indicators are received at an account server and transmitted via a network interface to said plurality of remote servers.

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

means for receiving at a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier a plurality of environment indicators computed for a particular environment from among a plurality of environments, wherein each of said plurality of environment indicators is computed by an electronic environment measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic environment measurement devices,

means for analyzing said plurality of environment indicators received at said universally accessible server system according to an environment sensitivity profile stored within said universally accessible server system in association with said particular universal identifier for a particular user; and

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

29. The program according to claim 28, said program further comprising:

means for storing said plurality of environment indicators at said universally accessible server system in association with said particular universal identifier.

30. The program according to claim 28, said program further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of environment indicators according to an environment profile stored at said universally accessible server system according to said particular universal identifier, wherein said environment profile comprises environmental sensitivities for a plurality of users located within said particular environment.

31. The program according to claim 28, said program further comprising:

means for analyzing said plurality of physical environment indicators according to an environment indicator reference stored at said universally accessible server system according to said particular identifier.

32. A method for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user, said method comprising the steps of:

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

in response to detecting a particular user within a particular proximity of said particular environment, transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators from said computer system to a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier for said particular user, such that environmental indicators for environments to which said particular user is exposed are automatically stored at said universally accessible server system in association with said particular user.

33. The method for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 32, said method further comprising the step of:

detecting said particular user by detecting a personal identification device physically associated with said particular user, wherein said universal identifier for said particular user is detected from said personal identification device.

34. The method for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 32, said method further comprising the step of:

detecting said particular user by detecting a user entry of said particular universal identifier at said computer system.

35. The method for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 32, said method further comprising the step of:

debiting an account associated with said particular universal identifier for each storage of said plurality of environmental indicators.

36. The method for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 32, said method further comprising the steps of:

filtering said plurality of environmental indicators according to a designated selection of types of environmental indicators in association with said universal identifier; and

only storing said filtered selection of environmental indicators at said universally accessible server system in association with said universal identifier.

37. A system for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user, said system comprising:

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

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators from said computer system to a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier for said particular user, in response to detecting a particular user within a particular proximity of said particular environment such that environmental indicators for environments to which said particular user is exposed are automatically stored at said universally accessible server system in association with said particular user.

38. The system for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 37, wherein said computer system detects a personal identification device physically associated with said particular user, wherein said personal identification device comprises said particular universal identifier.

39. The system for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 37, wherein said computer system detects a user entry of said universal identifier via an input interface.

40. The system for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 37, said system further comprising:

means for debiting an account associated with said particular universal identifier for each storage of said plurality of environmental indicators.

41. The system for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user according to claim 37, said system further comprising:

means for filtering said plurality of environmental indicators according to a designated selection of types of environmental indicators in association with said universal identifier; and

means for only storing said filtered selection of environmental indicators at said universally accessible server system in association with said universal identifier.

42. A program for tracking the environmental exposure of a particular user, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

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

means for transmitting said plurality of environmental indicators from said computer system to a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier for said particular user, in response to detecting a particular user within a particular proximity of said particular environment, such that environmental indicators for environments to which said particular user is exposed are automatically stored at said universally accessible server system in association with said particular user.

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

receiving at a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier for a particular user 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 for said particular user retrieved from said universally accessible server system in association with said particular universal identifier; and

controlling output of a recommendation of suitability of said particular environment for said particular user, in response to said comparison 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.

44. The method for monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user according to claim 43, said method further comprising the step of:

controlling output of a warning signal to said particular user if said particular environment is unsuitable for said particular user.

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

means for receiving at a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier for a particular user 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 for said particular user retrieved from said universally accessible server system in association with said particular universal identifier; and

means for controlling output of a recommendation of suitability of said particular environment for said particular user, in response to said comparison 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.

46. The system for monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user according to claim 45, said system further comprising:

means for controlling output of a warning signal to said particular user if said particular environment is unsuitable for said particular user.

47. A program monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for receiving at a universally accessible server system in association with a particular universal identifier for a particular user 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 enabling comparison of said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with an environmental sensitivity profile for said particular user retrieved from said universally accessible server system in association with said particular universal identifier; and

means for controlling output of a recommendation of suitability of said particular environment for said particular user, in response to said comparison 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.

48. The program for monitoring the suitability of an environment for a particular user according to claim 47, said program further comprising:

means for controlling output of a warning signal to said particular user if said particular environment is unsuitable for said particular user.

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

accessing at a computer system a plurality of environmental indicators in a common transmittable data format that are computed for a particular environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices;

accessing at said computer system an environmental sensitivity profile for a particular user from a universally accessible storage medium, in response to a user enabling transmittal of said environmental sensitivity profile from said universally accessible storage medium to said computer system;

comparing said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with said environmental sensitivity profile for said particular user; and

transmitting control signals for adjusting said particular environment from said computer system to a plurality of environment control systems that each control one of a plurality of 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.

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

means for accessing at a computer system a plurality of environmental indicators in a common transmittable data format that are computed for a particular environment by a plurality of diverse electronic environmental measurement devices;

means for accessing at said computer system an environmental sensitivity profile for a particular user from a universally accessible storage medium, in response to a user enabling transmittal of said environmental sensitivity profile from said universally accessible storage medium to said computer system;

means for comparing said plurality of environmental indicators for said particular environment with said environmental sensitivity profile for said particular user; and

means for transmitting control signals for adjusting said particular environment from said computer system to a plurality of environment control systems that each control one of a plurality of 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.

51. A universally accessible database of server systems comprising:

a plurality of universally accessible server systems each with access respectively to a particular data storage medium from among a plurality of data storage mediums, wherein said particular data storage medium comprises a plurality of environmental sensitivities stored for a particular user according to a particular universal identifier;

a communication interface between said plurality of universally accessible server systems and a controller for a plurality of environmental control systems for accessing said plurality of environmental sensitivities at said controller in association with said universal identifier.

52. The universally accessible database of server systems according to claim 51, said system further comprising:

an account server system comprising a lookup database of a plurality of universal identifiers, wherein said plurality of universally accessible server systems is accessible as associated respectively with said plurality of universal identifiers.

53. The universally accessible database of server systems according to claim 51, wherein said particular data storage medium further comprises an environmental exposure database for said particular user in association with said universal identifier.

54. The universally accessible database of server systems according to claim 51, said controller further comprising:

means for analyzing a particular environment according to said plurality of environmental sensitivities for said particular user; and

means for controlling parameters of said particular environment to be suitable for said particular user by controlling said plurality of environmental control systems for said particular environment.

55. The universally accessible database of server systems according to claim 54, said controller further comprising an output interface for alerting said particular user if said particular environment is unsuitable for said particular user in view of said plurality of environmental sensitivities.