Configuring interaction control in multi-controller network
The present invention relates to an improved method of controlling interaction between network-enabled devices. In a network comprising multiple control devices, the selection of a control device can enable the mitigation of privacy risks and security risks and can further avoid frequent communications between network-enabled devices and an internet-based service (which increase power usage) as well as prevent devices becoming uncontrollable (based on failure of the network-enabled devices to connect to an internet-based service for control). The method comprises the steps of a user selecting an interaction schedule ( 102 ) and selection of a control device ( 104 ) as well as configuration of devices ( 106 ), based on said interaction scenario and said control scenario.
1. A method of controlling network-enabled devices comprising the steps of:
presenting, through a web service accessible through a first network, to a user a set of interaction schedules based on device profiles related to a user profile of the user;
receiving from the user, through the web service, a selection of an interaction schedule from the set of interaction schedules, said selection of an interaction schedule relating to a first device and a second device accessible through a second network operationally coupled to the first network;
selecting, through the web service, a control device based on the selected interaction schedule and based on said device profiles related to said user profile of the user, wherein the selection of the control device is further based on requirements related to the control device having a privacy protection device/seal or the control device being at a specific location or operated by a specific party; and
configuring the selected control device, the first device and the second device based on the selected interaction schedule, wherein configuration-related data comprises one or more of: a script implementing listeners, event casters, polling and if-then statements; and
wherein the step of configuring the selected control device, the first device and the second device comprises at least one of said devices receiving:
the selected interaction schedule or data based on the selected interaction schedule; and
a device profile or a partial device profile of the control device and/or first and/or second device; and
wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
presenting to the user, through the web service, a set of control scenarios; wherein the selected control scenario specifies:
user-specified requirements related to security standards a control device must support; and/or
the control devices in a network in which the first device and the second device are coupled; and
receiving from the user, through the web service, a selection of a control scenario from the set of control scenarios; and
wherein the step of selecting a control device is further based on the selected control scenario;
wherein the selection based on control scenario leads to one or more of:
the selection of the control device that supports a wide array of functions;
the selection of the control device that has an uptime greater than 99%;
the selection of the control device supporting a fast protocol;
the selection of the control device that is in the same physical location as the user.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control device is the first device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of control scenarios comprises at least one of: a privacy-based control scenario, a security-based control scenario, a functionality-based control scenario, an availability-based control scenario, a response speed-based control scenario or a location-based control scenario.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring the selected control device, the first device and the second device comprises at least one of:
configuring the first device to send an event to the selected control device;
configuring the selected control device to poll the first device; or
configuring the selected control device to send a control command to the second device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of configuring the selected control device, the first device and the second device comprises, for at least one of said devices, changing control code stored in a memory unit of said device, from a first version to a second version, the second version being based on the selected interaction schedule.
6. A computer program product for controlling network-enabled devices comprising software code portions for performing the steps of claim 5 , when said product is run on a computer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said interaction schedule is between the first device and the second device and comprises an event when a condition from the user to the first device is fulfilled and wherein the first device sends the event to the second device to trigger an action in the second device.
8. A control device for controlling network-enabled devices arranged for:
receiving through a first network, an interaction schedule or data based on an interaction schedule selected by a user from a set of interaction schedules and relating to a first device and a second device, said devices relating to a user profile of the user and said devices being accessible through a second network
receiving a device profile or a partial device profile of at least one of the first device and the second device;
wherein the control device is selected to control the network-enabled devices based on the selected interaction schedule, said device profiles and on requirements related to the control device having a privacy protection device/seal or the control device being at a specific location or operated by a specific party;
controlling the first device and/or the second device based on the selected interaction schedule;
wherein said interaction schedule is between the first device and the second device and comprises an event when a condition from the user to the first device is fulfilled and wherein the first device sends the event to the second device to trigger an action in the second device; and
wherein the control device is further arranged for receiving a control scenario or data related to a control scenario selected by the user from a set of control scenarios; wherein the selected control scenario specifies:
user-specified requirements related to security standards a control device must support; and/or
the control devices in a network in which the first device and the second device are coupled; and wherein controlling the first device and the second device is further based on the selected control scenario; wherein the selection based on control scenario leads to one or more of:
the selection of the control device that supports a wide array of functions;
the selection of the control device that has an uptime greater than 99%;
the selection of the control device supporting a fast protocol;
the selection of the control device that is in the same physical location as the user.
9. The control device of claim 8 , wherein the control device is further arranged to act as a proxy for at least one of the first device and the second device towards the web service.
10. The control device of claim 8 , wherein the control device is further arranged as a gateway to the second network.
11. The control device of claim 8 , wherein the control device is further arranged as a gateway to the second network and wherein the control device is further arranged to:
monitor data communications passing the gateway; and
intercept, block and/or amend such data communications to or from the first device and/or the second device, based on the control scenario.