Dynamic control of smart home using wearable device

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for dynamically controlling an appliance based on information received from a wearable device, to regulate the user's health. A wearable device is identified and configured to monitor at least one physiological aspect of the user. A controllable appliance with at least one sensor and at least one controllable setting is also identified. Health information of the user is received and utilized in generating, a user profile which comprises parameters related to the health of the user. Data from the wearable device and data from the controllable appliance is analyzed and it is determined whether the data matches the parameters related to the health of the user. If the data does not match the parameters related to the health of the user, then at least one controllable setting of the at least one controllable appliance is adjusted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of controlling a home automation system and, in particular, to controlling a home automation system by a wearable device, to regulate the user's health.

Advances in electronic technology allow for near instantaneous communication and data exchange, while leading to ever smaller devices. Recent advances in sensor technology, as well as the miniaturization of both electronics and power sources allow for the scaling down of commonly used devices. Specifically, computing devices have benefited from recent advancements in microprocessor design, providing increasingly complex computations while providing successively diminutive size.

Many smart devices provide a user with access to computing capabilities even as the user moves about to various locations. Wearable technological computing devices include non-intrusive devices a user may wear on their body without impeding daily activities. Common wearable devices may include a watch, ring, necklace, bracelet or other wrist worn device. Such devices may work independently, connect to a network, or sync to another electronic device such as a smart device similar to a mobile phone. Many wearable electronic devices include ‘smartness’ features which enables them to be programmed to operate in different modes. Such devices may have the ability to be programmed for a fixed routine and can work (start/stop/other operations) accordingly. Alternatively such devices may even be started on an occurrence of a particular event as well.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling an appliance based on a physiological aspects of a user is provided, the method comprising: identifying, by one or more processors, a wearable device, with at least one user sensor, wherein the wearable device is associated with a user, and wherein the at least one user sensor monitors at least one physiological aspect of the user; identifying, by one or more processors, at least one controllable appliance associated with the user, with at least one appliance sensor and at least one controllable setting; receiving, by one or more processors, health information of the user; in response to receiving the health information of the user, generating, by one or more processors, a user profile, wherein the user profile comprises parameters related to the health of the user; receiving, by one or more processors, a first set of data from the wearable device and a second set of data from the at least one controllable appliance; determining, by one or more processors, whether the received first set of data and the received second set of data matches the parameters related to the health of the user; and in response to determining that the received data does not match the parameters related to the health of the user, adjusting, by one or more processors, at least one controllable setting of the at least one controllable appliance, so that the second set of data from the at least one controllable appliance and the first set of data from the wearable device matches the user profile.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a computer program product for controlling an appliance based on a physiological aspects of a user, based on the method described above.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a computer system for controlling an appliance based on a physiological aspects of a user, based on the method described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electronic devices have become an essential part of daily life. The small size of computing devices allows them to be easily portable and even wearable. Wearable devices, are unobtrusive for the wearer, as they are small and light weight.

Advances in electronic technology allow for devices to communicate and exchange data. Many devices have ‘smartness’ features enabling such devices to be programmed to operate in different modes. For example, devices may be programmed for a fixed routine providing various operations (i.e., start, stop, etc.). For instance, at a predetermined time, powering on an air conditioner and/or heater, to make the environment comfortable when the user arrives. Similarly, in another instance, at a predetermined time, powering on an oven (with food already in it), such that a meal will be ready when the user returns home from a day at work. Such devices may even be started on an occurrence of a particular event. For instance, a water pump may engage and fill a water tank on sensing a low water level.

With wide spread of the Internet of things (IOT), there is an emergence of new abilities to control consumer devices using applications that are installed on smart devices (referred to hereinafter as ‘App’). The IOT is the network of physical objects (devices) containing electronic sensors, software and network connectivity, which enable the physical objects to collect and exchange data with other physical devices and/or electronic systems. The IOT, through a network infrastructure, allows objects to be sensed and controlled remotely, integrating physical objects with electronic computer systems.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, IOT may be used to monitor and control various mechanical and electrical systems used in one's home. For example, IOT may be used to improve a person's personal comfort, convenience, and security by controlling lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, appliances, communication systems, and home security systems. For instance, utilizing a device's tracking information, such as location of a user, an App may help automatically activate one or more consumer devices at home on meeting pre-determined criteria.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods to automatically utilize a wearable device by receiving and analyzing inputs for various user parameters activities, and then accordingly controls/programs the IOT enabled appliances used by the user to ensure that the health profile of the user is maintained. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods to automatically control the IOT if the user's normal routine is altered in order to improve the user's personal comfort, and/or physiological health.

Embodiments of the present invention derive different user activities that directly and/or indirectly relate with the health of the user, and through IOT influence the functioning of smart appliances to benefit the user's health. The user's health may be determined from the body temperature of the user.

It is to be understood that while the concepts included herein are presented in the context of a wearable device, the concepts disclosed herein may be applied in other contexts as well if the appropriate hardware is available.

In the depicted embodiment, environment100includes server120, smart appliance130, wearable device140, all interconnected over network110. Server120, smart appliance130and wearable device140may include internal and external hardware components, as depicted and described in further detail with respect toFIG. 4.

Network110may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a mobile data network (e.g., wireless Internet provided by a third or fourth generation of mobile phone mobile communication), a private branch exchange (PBX), any combination thereof, or any combination of connections and protocols that will support communications between server120, smart appliance130, and wearable device140, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Network110may include wired, wireless or fiber optic connections. Environment100may include additional computing devices, servers or other devices not shown.

In the exemplary embodiment, server120is a server computer. In other embodiments, server120may be a management server, a web server or any other electronic device capable of receiving and sending data. In another embodiment, server120may represent a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment. Server120contains dynamic user program122, and information repository124.

In the various embodiments of the present invention, dynamic user program122receives various data, for example geographical and physiological of a user, and determines how to improve the user's personal comfort, and/or physiological health corresponding to the detected received data.

Dynamic user program122may track geological locations and physiological conditions of the user via sensor(s)142in wearable device140. Dynamic user program122operates generally to control smart appliance130based on a user's geological location and physiological condition. Dynamic user program122analyzes all information contained in information repository124relating to a specific user's wearable device140. While depicted on server120, in the exemplary embodiment, dynamic user program122may be located on wearable device140, maintaining and managing smart appliances130.

In an embodiment dynamic user program122receives various data, for example geographical and physiological of a user. Dynamic user program122may analyze data received from sensor(s)132and sensor(s)142.

Dynamic user program122may analyze data received from additional sensor(s) not show in environment100. Dynamic user program122, may for example intelligently track numerous aspects of a user based on information received from sensor(s)142. Utilizing at least one sensor(s)142, the wearable program may detect various geographical and physiological aspects of a user, which correlate to specific predetermined activity.

For example, dynamic user program122may detect a routinely occurring activity pattern for a specific day, date and/or time. Thereby if the user breaks from his regular routine, dynamic user program122will automatically adjust smart appliance130accordingly.

In another example, dynamic user program122may detect a spike in a user's physiological condition, and automatically adjust smart appliance130to assist the user accordingly. For example, if a user's heartrate and temperate rise, dynamic user program122may determine a user is working out and automatically adjust the thermostat at the user's house to best suit the user. In another example, sensors determine that the user is sleeping, dynamic user program122may derive a specific meal to eat when the user wakes up conforming to the user's health profile as provided by a dietitian.

Dynamic user program122may include a user interface allowing a user to interact with the program and set baseline parameters. The user interface may be a graphical user interface. For example, the graphical user interface may include a dashboard to view a listing of all registered smart appliances, ability to remove a smart appliance, ability to add a new smart appliance as well as details of the user's physiological parameters.

Information repository124may include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media, and may include random access memory (RAM) and cache memory (not depicted inFIG. 1). Dynamic user program122may be stored in a persistent storage component (not depicted) for execution and/or access by one or more of processor(s) via one or more memories (for more detail refer toFIG. 4). Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, the persistent storage component can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media that is capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

Information repository124can be implemented using any architecture known in the art such as, for example, a relational database, an object-oriented database, and/or one or more tables. Information repository124stores actual, modeled, predicted, or otherwise derived patterns of movement based on sensor data. For example, information repository124stores all information received from wearable device140. Information repository124may contain lookup tables, databases, charts, graphs, functions, equations, and the like that dynamic user program122may access to both maintain a specific parameter as well as manipulate various parameters on smart appliance130. Information stored in information repository124may include: various geographical locations, specific physiological actions linked to the various geographical locations, various user patterns, and the like. While depicted on server120, in the exemplary embodiment, information repository124may be on a remote server or a “cloud” of computers interconnected by one or more networks utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources, accessible to dynamic user program122via network110.

In the various embodiments of the present invention, smart appliance130represents any physical object of the IOT which may be controlled to affect the physiological wellbeing of a user, and/or to increase the overall environment efficiency by minimizing wasted electricity. It is noted that althoughFIG. 1depicts only one smart appliance130, there can be numerous smart appliances receiving commands from dynamic user program122. For example, smart appliance130many include a user's oven, car, smart phone, smart TV, heating air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) equipment, etc.

Smart appliance130is controlled by dynamic user program122. In the various embodiments of the present invention, smart appliance130may represents an air conditioning unit, a heating unit, a ventilation system, cooking equipment or any other type of object associated with the IOT. Smart appliance130includes sensor(s)132.

Sensor(s)132detect and/or measure various environmental aspects in or around smart appliance130. Utilizing the IOT, sensor(s)132detects aspects of the physical world, and integrates such measurements into the electronic system. In an embodiment of the present invention, sensor(s)132may detect the ambient temperature of smart appliance130, and transmit such information to dynamic user program122. For example, if dynamic user program122determines that the temperature of a user's house needs be at a specific level in order to maintain the user's ideal physiological temperature, then through sensor(s)132, dynamic user program122will know either to change (raise or lower the temperature) or maintain the current temperature of smart appliance130.

Smart appliance130allows for automatic customization by dynamic user program122. For example, smart appliance130may be controlled via a thermostatic control interface for an air conditioning or heating unit, wherein dynamic user program122can raise or lower the environmental temperature based on the user's determined geographical and/or physiological need. In another example, smart appliance130may be controlled via thermostatic control interface for an oven, wherein dynamic user program122can raise the oven temperature based on the user's determined geographical and/or physiological need.

In the various embodiments of the present invention, wearable device140represents wearable devices. For example, wearable device140might be smart watches, capable of detecting various inputs and transmitting data to server120. Wearable device140may be multi-purpose devices that, for example, include a telephone, or digital music player, a fitness tracker, a ring, etc. Examples of wearable device140include, but are not limited to, a ring, a bracelet, a wristband or a wristwatch. Generally, wearable device140is wearable and able to detect various geographical and physiological aspects of the user. In an exemplary embodiment, wearable device140is a device worn by a user. Wearable device140includes sensors(s)142.

Wearable device140may be provided in various form factors and may be designed to be worn in a variety of ways. In some embodiments of the present invention, a wearable device140is a smart watch. A smart watch is a computerized wristwatch with functionality that is enhanced beyond mere time keeping; rather a smart watch is essentially a wearable computer. Many smart watches can run applications, while others contain additional capabilities, for example, making and receiving phone calls, replacing a traditional smart phone. In other embodiments of the present invention, a wearable device140is a wrist band.

In an embodiment, wearable device may include a user interface (not show), allowing the user to override, if necessary, dynamic user program122. A user interface may include a graphical user interface.

Sensor(s)142sense, detect and/or measure various movements and physiological conditions of a user. For example, sensor(s)142might detect motion of the user, via accelerometers, gyroscopes etc. Similarly, sensor(s)142may include access to a global positioning system (GPS) allowing dynamic user program122to determine the exact location and speed of travel of the user. Additionally, sensor(s)142may detect physiological aspects of the user such as body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and the like. Sensor(s)142may be any sensor or sensor system known in the art to assist dynamic user program122in determining aspects of the user, in order ensure the health of the user.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement of input sensors may be included on wearable device140to receive data of the user. Sensors142of wearable device140may include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, gyroscope, thermometer, altimeter, barometer, compass, location determining device (e.g., GPS), proximity sensors, motion detectors, touch sensors, or the like. As one skilled in the art may see, any sensor or sensor combination in wearable device140may be used without deviating from the invention, as sensor(s)142permit a user to interact with wearable device140.

Wearable device140may include an information repository as well as additional components not shown.

In an embodiment, wearable device140may leverage other devices external to the wearable device such as a mobile phone or a personal computer. For example, wearable device140may access a user's smart TV to determine how much television the user watched and recommend low calorie food as the user may have been inactive for a period of time.

The concepts disclosed and discussed herein, may be applied to both, a standalone wearable device (similar to that of wearable device140), as well as a wearable device that leverages functionalities provided in external devices, e.g., smartphones, wireless headphones, etc.

Reference is now made toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B.FIG. 2Ais flowchart200A illustrating operational steps for coordinating appliance profiles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2Bis flowchart200B illustrating operational steps for controlling a user's environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Flowchart200A depicts dynamic user program122acquisition of information and determining an appropriate user profile. In step210, dynamic user program122, detects a wearable device, similar to that of wearable device140, ofFIG. 1. In an embodiment, a wearable device may be capable of detecting various user parameters such as one's physical conditions. Similarly, in an embodiment, the detected wearable device may detect and/or determine a user's activity level. For example, the detected wearable device providing physiological conditions on the user may provide details such as, the sleep the user had, the kind of working the user had completed, the type of workout completed, users current body temperature and the like. In an embodiment wearable device may sense the user's surroundings, such as temperature, barometric pressure, humidity level etc. An embodiment of the present invention may also notate the time of each sensor reading.

Wearable device140may keep track of the user's physiological conditions. Alternatively, an information repository associated with wearable device or dynamic user program122may keep track of the user's physiological conditions. A user's physiological conditions may include workout duration, workout intensity, calorie count, sleep duration, body temperate, daily routine, etc.

In step212dynamic user program122receives at least one controllable smart appliance, similarly to that of smart appliance130ofFIG. 1. In an embodiment, smart appliance130has an ability to communicate with dynamic user program122. In an embodiment, smart appliance130may be registered and/or controlled by dynamic user program122. In an embodiment smart appliance130may be controlled directly from wearable device140.

Optionally in step212, dynamic user program122may receive a health profile of a user. In an embodiment, dynamic user program122may receive a health profile as created by a user's doctor, dietitian, family member, or any other individual who has knowledge of the user and can assist the user in creating a health profile. Alternatively, or additionally, dynamic user program122may generate the health profile of the user by prompting the user with multiple questions and physiological readings in order to create a baseline of the user.

In step214, dynamic user program122, generates a profile for the appliances based on the user's health profile (as received in step220). In an embodiment, dynamic user program122, may utilize various readings from smart appliance130and will determine IOT appliance settings that comply with the health profile of the user. Based on the generated profile of appliances, dynamic user program122, may, based on the immediate health needs of the user, automatically alter the smart appliances.

Flowchart200B depicts dynamic user program122acquiring of information from sensors and determining an appropriate environment for the user. In step210, dynamic user program122, receives information from a user's wearable device140and/or from a smart appliance130registered to a user's wearable device140. Received information may relate to any physiological condition of the user as sensed by a sensor142on wearable device140.

In step224, dynamic user program122, analyzes the data and demines whether the environment corresponds to the user health profile as generated in step214. Based on the physiological conditions and the respective attributes obtained by wearable device140for a user, dynamic user program122, manages all the registered consumer smart devices and automatically adjusts each device to be best suited for the user. If in step224it is determined that the environment is within the parameters set within the user health profile, then dynamic user program122, returns to step220waiting to receive new data on the user.

However, if the environment does not correspond to the user health profile, then in step226, dynamic user program122adjusts the environment by controlling one or more smart devices. Dynamic user program122achieves automatic customization of the user's appliances as the program dynamically adapts following the user's physiological attributes obtained from the user's wearable device. In an embodiment, dynamic user program122, ensures no adverse impact on the user's health. In an embodiment, dynamic user program122, optimizes the usage of the consumer appliances, as they are utilized only when necessary as they adapt specifically to the user.

In an embodiment, based on the received readings in step220, dynamic user program122will inform the smart appliances about the required settings that comply with the user health profile of the user. Thereby the smart appliance will adjust to meet the health needs of the user.

Reference is now made toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a block diagram depicting communication between components ofFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiment300portrays the communication between three components, wearable device140, dynamic user program122, and smart appliance130. It is noted that embodiment300may contain additional components not shown, for example, there can be more than one smart appliance.

Line310represents wearable device140's continuous monitor of a user's physiological attributes. Line310also represents syncing and communicating the user's physiological attributes to dynamic user program122.

Line320represents the syncing of smart appliances130current state to dynamic user program122. Smart appliance130sends current environmental status updates to dynamic user program122. In return for a status update coupled with the user's physiological condition, line,325represents dynamic user program122automatic customization of smart appliances130, based on wearable data.

In an exemplary embodiment, dynamic user program122oversees and prevents health issues if a user's schedule changes. For instance, if an individual is in a hot environment, and suddenly switches to a cold environment, then the individual may face health issues such as, an asthma attack or dry skin. For example, dynamic user program122detects, from wearable device140, that the user is working out and in a warm environment and dynamic user program122detects, from the user's smart air conditioning appliance, that the user's house is set to cool; then dynamic user program122may override the preset temperature of the smart air conditioning unit and fine tune the actual temperature to meet the physiological needs of the user. Further, if dynamic user program122determines the user is 20 minutes away from the house and it takes 13 minutes to bring the temperature of the house to the ideal setting, then dynamic user program122, may engage the air conditioning 7 minutes after the determination, to most effectively and efficiently use electricity in conjunction to benefiting the user's health.

Similarly, dynamic user program122, may even preset the user's water temperature in the shower to align with the user's physiological conditions, in particular the user's body temperature.

In an exemplary embodiment, dynamic user program122, may override a predefined smart appliance schedule due to a change in the user's schedule. For example, if the user has a daily routine of waking up in the morning, placing a high caloric dinner in the microwave oven to eat after work, going to the gym, then work, then on his way home from work at a certain predefined distance, the microwave oven automatically turns on, cooking his meal so it is ready when the user arrives at home following his day at work. However, if the user's routine changed as the user skipped the gym, then the user would need to alter the predefined program set for the microwave oven, as the food may not be recommended if the user did not work out. Therefore, dynamic user program122detects, from wearable device140, that the user did not work out today, breaking from the normal pattern. Therefore, dynamic user program122determines that the user should not eat a high caloric dinner, and will interrupt the predefined program for the microwave oven.

In this exemplary embodiment, dynamic user program122, may assist the user in determining what to eat based on current physiological conditions. For example, if a dietitian provided the user with a diet App to help the user order food, dynamic user program122may recommend specific food based on whether the user received less sleep, partook in an unplanned activity, or exhibited measurable signs of stress.

Memory406and persistent storage408are computer readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory406includes random access memory (RAM)416and cache memory418. In general, memory406can include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media.

Communications unit412, in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit412includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit412may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention can be downloaded to computer system400through communications unit412(i.e., via the Internet, a local area network, or other wide area network). From communications unit412, the software and data may be loaded to persistent storage408.

I/O interface(s)414allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computer system400. For example, I/O interface414may provide a connection to external devices420, such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices420can also include portable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, can be stored on such portable computer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent storage408via I/O interface(s)414. I/O interface(s)414also connect to a display422.

Display422provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor. Display422can also be an incorporated display and may function as a touch screen, such as a built-in display of a tablet computer.