Abstract:
A method for monitoring a plurality of devices in a common environment. The method comprises the steps of receiving usage information from one of the devices and storing the usage information on a memory device of a computer. The method further comprises the steps of using the computer to automatically access a remote database containing information regarding the device and transmitting the stored usage information to the remote database. The information is received from the remote database and an action to be taken by the device is generated using the information from the remote database and the stored usage information.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is in the field of automatic monitoring and control of devices by a central computer. More particularly, the present invention is in the field of automatic monitoring and control of devices by a central computer that accesses a remote database. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Systems currently exist to monitor and control devices in an environment such as a house, factory, or commercial office building. Current systems can include stand-alone units connected to a single device. For example, such units include a module connected to a lamp where the module is programmable to control the times the lamp turns on and off. Current systems also include central controllers such as personal computers (PCs) that function as central controllers for a variety of modules that are connected to individual devices. 
   Controllers can communicate with controlled devices in a variety of ways. For example, a common communication method uses existing alternating current (“AC”) power lines of a home to transmit signals to a control device. Many of these system use the X-10® standard code format manufactured by X-10 (USA) Inc., of Northvale, N.J. Controller modules use X-10® code format to transmit signals over the AC power line of a home through standard AC outlets. Other modes of communicating with a device include radio frequency (RF) transmission and infra red (IR) transmission. 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram of prior art control system  300 . Control system  300  is applicable to environment  340 . Environment  340  can be a house, a manufacturing plant, or a large commercial building such as an office building, or any other environment comprising several devices. Environment  340  includes devices  310 ,  314 ,  316  and  318 . Central computer  306  is connected to device  318  through transmission line  301 . Central computer  306  is connected to device  316  through transmission line  302 . Central computer  306  is connected to device  310  through transmission line  303 , and central computer  306  is connected to device  314  through transmission line  304 . Central computer  306  acts as a controller for the devices in environment  340 . Central computer  306  includes memory  308  for storing software programs that direct central computer  306  to control devices to which it is connected in particular ways. Central computer  306  typically transmits commands to connected devices that turn the devices on or off or adjust the devices. For example, in the case of a thermostat, central computer  306  transmits signals to turn the thermostat on or off and also to adjust the temperature setting of the thermostat. If environment  340  is a home environment, devices connected to central computer  306  can include any home appliances or entertainment devices such as refrigerators, stereos, toasters, dishwashers, etc. 
   Central computer  306  can be connected through transmission lines  301  through  304  to respective devices either directly or through an individual controller module such as an X-10® module. 
   System  300  is capable of transmitting command signals to devices and monitoring devices by receiving signals from them. For example, central computer  306  can receive data such as measurement data, process the data under direction of software stored in memory  308 , and take some action in response. Central computer  306  can also be directed to collect certain data from connected devices or send certain commands to connected devices by user input from, for example, a keyboard. Devices connected to central computer  306  may be intelligent devices which include microprocessors that can receive, process and transmit signals in the format used by central computer  306 . For example, an intelligent device can be an oven that receives a command to self-clean and, in response, initiates a self-clean cycle. 
   Prior systems such as system  300  possess a disadvantage in that they are incapable of adjusting the nature of data transmissions between central computer  306  and connector devices without user intervention. That is, if it desirable or necessary to make any changes in the operation of central computer  306  with respect to control of devices connected to it, a user must input data manually to direct central computer  306  or change a program stored in memory  308 . Therefore, if a manufacturer of a device connected to central computer  306  were to issue new maintenance procedures or a recall notice affecting the device, the user of the device would only be aware of the manufacturer information because the user looked for it. If the user received the manufacturer information, the user would have to manually enter changes to the software programs on central computer  306  to benefit from the information. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A method for monitoring a plurality of devices in a common environment is described. The method comprises the steps of receiving usage information from one of the devices and storing the usage information on a memory device of a computer. The method further comprises the steps of using the computer to automatically access a remote database containing information regarding the device and transmitting the stored usage information to the remote database. The information is received from the remote database and an action to be taken by the device is generated using the information from the remote database and the stored usage information. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a prior art system for monitoring and controlling coupled devices. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system for monitoring and maintaining coupled devices according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the structure of a software program of one embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A computer implemented method for monitoring and controlling a plurality of devices in a common environment will be described. The method includes automatically communicating with devices and automatically connecting to a remote database at specified intervals to collect information regarding specific devices. The information regarding specific devices is automatically processed and used to generate reports regarding maintenance of the device and also to alter the nature or frequency of commands transmitted to a device from a central controller. 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a system  200  which can be used with the computer implemented method of the present invention. System  200  is applicable to common environment  202 . In this embodiment, common environment  202  is a house. In other embodiments, environment  202  can be, for example, a factory, a large commercial building, or any other environment in which devices are grouped. Environment  202 , in this embodiment, includes devices  206 ,  208 ,  210 , and  212 . Devices  206 ,  208 ,  210 , and  212 , in this embodiment, are home appliances and entertainment equipment such as a dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, stereo, television, etc. Environment  202  further includes central computer  204 , which in this embodiment acts as a central controller and maintenance monitor under the direction of software stored in memory  228  of central computer  204 . Various devices of devices  206 ,  208 ,  210 , and  212  are intelligent devices. Intelligent devices receive, transmit and process signals of the format used by central computer  204 . Intelligent devices can be directed to take some action by signals from central computer  204 . For example, central computer  204  can direct an intelligent television/VCR device to program itself to tape a certain television program. 
   Central computer  204  is coupled to external transmission line  218 . External transmission line  218 , in one embodiment, is a telephone line for connecting to remote databases through a modem (not shown) of central computer  204  according to known protocols. In another embodiment, transmission line  218  is a point-to-point connection between central computer  204  and a remote database (external to system  200 ). Databases  214  and  216  are coupled to transmission line  218 . Databases  214  and  216  are, in one embodiment, a remote server accessed via a point-to-point connection and a database of a web site, respectively. In other embodiments, more or fewer than two databases may be coupled to transmission line  218 . 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the structure of software program  400  according to one embodiment. Software program  400  is stored on the memory device of central computer  204 . Software program  400  includes receive module  406 , transmit module  408 , data processing module  410 , and data collection module  412 . Transmit module  408  transmits data to exemplary database  404  and to exemplary device  402 . In other embodiments, transmit module  408  transmits data indirectly to device  402  through a local dedicated controller of device  402  (not shown in this embodiment). Transmit module  408  performs the functions necessary to communicate with database  404 , for example, logging onto the internet to access a web page containing the database. In some embodiments, transmit module  408  periodically polls a database via a point-to-point connection. Transmit module  408  communicates with database  404  automatically on a regular basis and queries database  404  regarding information specific to device  402 . When device  402  is initially added to a system that includes software  400  of this embodiment, an identifier unique to device  402  is entered into data processing/storage module  410 . The identifier of device  402  can be entered manually via a user in one embodiment. In embodiments in which device  402  is an intelligent device, transmit module  408  directs device  402  to transmit its identifier to data collection module  412  which transmits it in turn to data processing/storage module  410 . In the event of a periodic query of database  404  by transmit module  408 , transmit module  408  uses the identifier to request information unique to device  402  from database  404 . 
   Data collection module  412  may also include a counting function that stores usage and maintenance history in terms of how often the appliance is used, how often device  402  is used, the total hours the device  402  is used in a given period of time and how often device  402  is maintained in a given period of time. 
   Database  404  contains a wide range of sets of information specific to different devices. For example, manufacturers of specific devices can assemble information regarding the devices for storage on database  404  and dissemination therefrom. Manufacturers of specific appliances can post current suggested maintenance procedures and schedules on database  404 . In addition, manufacturers can post latest recall or warning information regarding specific devices. In environments containing systems such as system  200  of  FIG. 2 , the control of devices coupled to central computer  204  can change based on current information received from database  404 . Information transmitted to database  404  by transmit module  408  includes information obtained from device  402 . For example, the information includes how often the device is used, that is, how often the device is turned on in a period of time. The information also includes total hours the device is operational over a given period of time. Information also includes how often the device is subjected to a maintenance procedure and the type of a maintenance procedure. In one embodiment, the information regarding usage is collected by central computer  204  by automatic monitoring under the direction of software  400  and information regarding maintenance operations is entered manually. In other embodiments, intelligent devices are able to automatically transmit maintenance information. 
   The maintenance information and usage information transmitted to database  404  by transmit module  408  is compiled and stored in database  404 . Database  404  may be accessed by many environments that include a same type of device. For example, device  402  may be a home appliance with a certain unique identifier that is contained in many households that include systems such as system  200 . In this way, database  404  collects very extensive and accurate information regarding the maintenance and usage history of devices of a particular type. This information is extremely useful to manufacturers of devices. Typically, manufacturers spend significant time and effort trying to collect accurate information about devices that they sell. Manufacturers are interested in knowing how devices perform in their normal environments, for example, which particular parts wear out and when, and the impact that maintenance has on the life of the device or its constituent parts. 
   Receive module  406  receives specific information from database  404  that is placed in database  404  by the manufacturer of device  402 . The information is transmitted to data collection module  412  which routes it to data processing/storage module  410 . Data processing/storage module  410 , in one embodiment, generates periodic reports that specify device  402  by its identifier and indicate whether any changes in the maintenance schedule of device  402  should take place. The reports also indicate whether there are any unusual warnings or recalls that effect device  402 . In this way a user (for example, a consumer in the case of a home environment) is able to automatically obtain the most current information that the manufacturer possesses related to device  402 . This is useful because if devices are maintained properly they stay in service longer and are usually more energy efficient. 
   In one embodiment that includes intelligent devices capable of receiving and acting on commands from a central controller, the central controller commands a device to take a specific action as a result of data received from a remote database and processed according to the present invention. 
   The present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments. Various modifications and alterations might be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.