Smart Home Away-Mode Control With Randomized Device Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart home systems are inadequate in preventing burglaries as they rely on static schedules that can be easily recognized by potential burglars, and they typically control only a single outlet, failing to provide advanced control over multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that switch between home and away modes, controlling multiple devices based on their usage patterns by determining specific change times with random offsets, maintaining settings for stasis periods, and monitoring to create realistic and unpredictable device behavior, making it difficult for burglars to detect when occupants are away.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a static schedule is used to control devices, then the control is simple and predictable, but the security effectiveness deteriorates because burglars can easily recognize the pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static predetermined schedules to dynamic usage patterns that adapt based on learned behavior. The control parameters (on/off times, duration) are no longer fixed but vary according to the usage pattern database, making the system unpredictable to burglars while maintaining ease of operation through automated learning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameters of device control by introducing random offsets to the scheduled times. Instead of executing commands at exact predetermined times, the system adds random time variations, transforming the rigid static schedule into a flexible dynamic pattern that preserves simplicity while enhancing security.
2Device complexity
If a timer controls only a single outlet, then the device complexity is low, but the versatility deteriorates as multiple devices cannot be controlled in an advanced manner
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms a single-outlet timer into a multi-device control platform by introducing a usage pattern database that stores and manages patterns for multiple devices. The server can now control various device types (lights, appliances, etc.) across multiple outlets using the same core timing mechanism enhanced with pattern-based intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the control of multiple devices by maintaining independent usage patterns for each device in the database. Each device's on/off times, duration, and parameters are stored and controlled separately, allowing individualized advanced control for each device while managing them through a unified system architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If predetermined points in time are used for device changes, then the control is deterministic and easy to implement, but the unpredictability deteriorates making it easier for burglars to detect absence
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating the base scheduled times from the usage pattern database, then applies random offsets at execution time. This two-stage approach maintains implementation simplicity through predetermined base times while achieving unpredictability through the randomization layer added just before device control execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (100) for controlling a plurality of devices (10) of a smart home system (20) is provided. The method (100) comprises: switching (S110) the smart home system (20) between a home mode (21) and an away mode (22); and upon the smart home system (20) being in the away mode (22), independently controlling (S140) a setting of each of the plurality of devices (10) based on a usage pattern (12) of the respective device (10); wherein the independently controlling (S140) a setting of each of the plurality of devices (10) comprises: for a specific device (10), determining (S141) a first point in time (31) to change a setting of the device (10) based on the usage pattern (12) of the device (10), wherein the first point in time (31) is limited to: any of a set of predetermined points in time during a day, and a point in time where the smart home system (20) is set in the away mode (22); calculating (S142) a second point in time (32) by adding a random offset in time to the first point in time (31); changing (S143) the setting of the device (10) at the second point in time (32); determining (S144) a stasis period (33) during which the setting of the device (10) should be maintained based on the usage pattern (12) of the device (10); and maintaining (S145) the setting of the device (10) for the stasis period (33). A smart home system (20) is also provided.