Establishing proximity detection using 802.11 based networks

• US 9,977,440 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2013
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Imes, Kevin R., Hollister, James, Cottrell, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Kenneth M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huntley, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US13/959,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20130318444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,751 Days
• Field of Search: 700276
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00 Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 : characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 : characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0001 : using modification of a parameter of the network power signal
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 : using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 : involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 : the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 : The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 : by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 : Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 : Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 : End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 : Home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 : the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 : using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 : using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/128 : involving the use of Internet protocol

Abstract

A method includes presenting a set location setting within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device, and then detecting a selection of the set-location setting. The method proceeds by detecting at least one on-site network in communication with the mobile device in response to the selection of the set location setting, identifying a network name associated with the at least one on-site network, and associating the network name of the on-site network with an on-site zone of a site associated with the mobile device. The method then proceeds by altering an operating condition of a network device located at the site in response to a location of the mobile device relative to the on-site zone.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

presenting a set location setting within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device;

detecting a selection of the set-location setting;

detecting at least one on-site network capable of communicating with the mobile device in response to the selection of the set location setting;

identifying a network name associated with the at least one on-site network;

associating the network name of the on-site network with an on-site zone of a site capable of being associated with the mobile device;

scanning for at least one current network in communication with the mobile device;

identifying a current name associated with the current network;

comparing the current name of the current network to the network name associated with the on-site zone to determine if the mobile device is located within the on-site zone; and

altering an operating condition of a network device located at the site in response to a location of the mobile device relative to the on-site zone.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

initiating an on-site operating condition of the network device at the site in response to determining that the current name of the current network matches the network name associated with the on-site zone.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

initiating an off-site operating condition of the network device at the site in response to determining that the current name of the current network does not match the network name associated with the on-site zone.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the current name associated with the on-site zone in a memory of the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one on-site network includes an 802.11 based network.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one on-site network includes a Bluetooth network.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting an operating condition of the network device located at the site; and

displaying an icon within the GUI configured to present the operating condition of the network device disposed at the site.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the network device is a thermostat and the operating condition presented by the icon is a current temperature set-point.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the network device includes at least one or more of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile device includes one of a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a smart phone, a mobile phone or a tablet.

11. An application having machine readable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, the machine readable instructions when executed by a processor comprise the steps of:

displaying a set location setting within a graphical user interface (GUI) of a mobile device;

detecting a selection of the set location setting;

detecting at least one on-site network in communication with the mobile device in response to the selection of the set location setting;

identifying a network name associated with the at least one on-site network;

associating the network name of the on-site network with an on-site zone of a site associated with the mobile device;

scanning for at least one current network in communication with the mobile device;

identifying a current name associated with the current network;

comparing the current name of the current network to the network name associated with the on-site zone to determine if the mobile device is located within the on-site zone; and

altering an operating condition of a network device located at the site in response to a location of the mobile device relative to the on-site zone.

12. The application of claim 11 wherein the machine-readable instructions when executed by a processor further comprise the step of:

initiating an on-site operating condition of the network device at the site in response to determining that the current name of the current network matches the network name associated with the on-site zone.

13. The application of claim 11 wherein the machine-readable instructions when executed by a processor further comprise the step of:

initiating an off-site operating condition of the network device at the site in response to determining that the current name of the current network does not match the network name associated with the on-site zone.

14. The application of claim 11 wherein the machine-readable instructions when executed by a processor further comprise the step of:

storing the current name associated with the on-site zone in a memory of the mobile device.

15. The application of claim 11 wherein the on-site network includes an 802.11 based network or a Bluetooth network.

16. The application of claim 11 wherein the machine-readable instructions when executed by a processor further comprise the steps of:

detecting an operating condition of the network device located at the site; and

displaying an icon within the GUI configured to present the operating condition of the network device disposed at the site.

17. The application of claim 16 wherein the network device is a thermostat and the operating condition presented by the icon is a current temperature set-point.

18. The application of claim 16 wherein the network device includes at least one or more of the following:

a tablet, a smart phone, an energy management system, an energy management device, a personal computer, a consumer electronic device, a media device, a smart utility meter, an advanced metering infrastructure, a smart energy device, an energy display device, a home automation controller, an energy hub, a smart energy gateway, a set-top box, a digital media subscriber system, a cable modem, a broadband communication device, a fiber optic enabled communications device, a media gateway, a home media management system, a media server, a network server, a network storage device, a wireless speaker, a retail energy provider'"'"'s server, a wholesale energy provider'"'"'s server, a COOP energy provider'"'"'s server, a retail business server, a commercial site server, an industrial site server, a multi-residential site server, a temporary lodging server, a hotel server, a motel server, a condominium server, a utility provider'"'"'s server, which can include waste, water, power or combinations thereof, an energy substation, a news media server, a weather server, an advertisement server or service provider, a network radio server or service provider, a network media server or service provider, a music server or server provider, a search engine server or service provider, an information server or service provider, a wireless information network device, a vehicle charging station, a renewable energy production device, a renewable energy control device, an energy storage management system, a smart appliance, an HVAC system, a water pump, a heat pump, a hot water heater, a thermostat (TSTAT), an energy controller, an irrigation system, a lighting system, an alarm system, a smart power outlet, an energy detection device, a garage door opening system or device, a power management device, a power measurement unit (PMU), an air handler, a wireless air damper, a humidity control system, a heat and motion sensing device, a smart power outlet, a switch router, a wireless router, an automobile or transportation device, or a network communication device.

19. The application of claim 11 wherein the machine readable instructions are stored on a machine readable medium of one of a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a smart phone, a mobile phone or a tablet.