EP1576427A1

EP1576427A1 - System for configuring time dependent services

Info

Publication number: EP1576427A1
Application number: EP03782995A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Remko Visser; Nicole Maria De Koning
Original assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
Current assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
Priority date: 2002-12-23
Filing date: 2003-12-23
Publication date: 2005-09-21
Also published as: EP1434115A1; WO2004057429A1; AU2003290459A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for programming time dependent devices and services that is both very easy to use and reliable. This aim is reached by programming the action schedule in different layers. The layers differ in completeness and flexibility to change. This has the advantage that on the one hand the user can always rely on a basic action schedule, which will not change very often, but on the other hand the user is always able to override this basic action schedule.

Description

SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING TIME DEPENDENT SERVICES

Field of the Invention

The invention is related to systems that allow the user to configure a time- dependent device or service in a easy and reliable way, by providing different layers of time-action schedules.

Rar.k ground of the Invention

Nowadays people have a lot of devices and services at their disposal that can be configured or programmed to their personal preferences and needs. For some devices and services these personal settings depend, completely or partly, on the time of the day or the day of the week. These devices and services include for example call forwarding systems on both mobile and fixed telephone lines, Video Cassette Recorders (VCR) , and different home network devices like e.g. the lighting of the house or the central heating thermostat. Call forwarding systems usually provide the user with the possibility to instruct the network that, from the moment of activating the call forwarding system, all calls to his number, either mobile or fixed, should be forwarded to another extension. For the fixed network this is done by sending a string of DTMF codes, for the mobile network the handset usually provides a menu to activate call-forwarding system. This very basic call forwarding systems can be extended with the possibility of entering a time-dependent schedule indicating to which extension a call should be forwarded depending on the time of day. US5592541 discloses an apparatus and method for forwarding incoming calls by utilizing a subscriber defined routing list. Incoming calls are forwarded i.a. according to a time-of-day or day-of-week. However a major drawback of this system is that it is very difficult for the user to update and configure the service logic defining incoming call processing because the subscriber has to engage in a long "dialogue" with the system, and has no overview of his configuration.

US20025/0031207 discloses a communication network system i.a. comprising a user editable database providing the user with the possibility to determine what has to be done with a call or a message from a certain caller or sender on a specific time of the day. However a drawback of this system is that although the configuring in done through a user-friendly computer interface, the database is still rigid in the sense that it cannot be easily changed during the course of the day. It is common knowledge that programming a VCR to record a specific broadcast is not an easy job to do. On screen programming has proved to be a big improvement over programming by inputting a series of keystrokes on the VCR device itself. On screen programming however still does not provide the user with a clear overview of the broadcasts actually recorded. WO01/11867 therefore discloses a method for transferring programming data to electronic devices, such as VCRs. A device such as a personal computer can be used to select programming data from a website displaying a listing of television programs to be recorded. The personal computer can then communicate this data to a transfer device using DTMF tones to communicate with a data transfer device. The data transfer device can then accept the commands from the PC and translate them into infrared commands for programming the VCR. A drawback of this system is again the lack of flexibility. Once the user has programmed his VCR and leaves the house, it is not easy to change the programming schedule. Patent publication US5761083 discloses an energy management and home automation system includes one or more controllers in each facility being managed and one or more energy consuming devices attached to each controller. Each controller responds to digital paging signals from a central command center which establish a schedule of event effecting the operation of each device and the controller schedules each device to be operated pursuant to the programmed schedule. The user of the system, by appropriate communication with the command center, may cause a paging message to be provided at any time changing the pre-programmed schedule.

Home Network Systems provide the user with the possibility of centrally and even remotely controlling different electronic appliances in his house. For example the user can programme a device that controls the lighting in the house or the central heating system. Often these devices function on a time dependent basis. The user programs the device with a action schedule of the points of time that he will get out of bed, leave the house to go to work, return home, get to bed etc. Usually these devices have fixed action schedules for example for each day of the week. Such systems may also be known as home automation systems

The existing means for programming call forwarding systems, VCR's, Home Network Systems and other time-dependent services and devices all lack the combination of flexibility and reliability that users of these devices and services require. Present day users of these devices and services rarely have rigid action schedules. More often than not their agenda changes during the course of the day. It should be possible to flexibly adjust the functioning of time- dependent devices and services to the dynamic life of the user, while at the same time having the possibility to rely on a basic time-schedule as a fall back scenario. At the same time more than one action schedule may apply for a user in different circumstances that may result in conflicting settings

A drawback of existing means for configuring and programming the above mentioned and other time-dependent services and devices is that they are very inflexible and do not really fulfil the needs of the user. On the other hand, services that only operate by (remote) control actions from the user, lead to the situation that users have to interact with the service more than necessary. Both situations lead to disappointment and decreased use of these devices and services.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible and reliable system and method for programming and configuring time-dependent devices and services according to a plurality of action schedules.

The object is achieved according to the invention in a system for controlling a time-dependent service which may comprise a user subsystem for controlling a first action schedule, a database arranged for communicating with the user subsystem, further arranged for storing the first action schedule, wherein the action schedule comprises a plurality of predetermined actions to be performed at a specified time, an action controller, arranged to select an action from the action schedule in the database based on time and further arranged to communicate a command, specified by the selected action, to the time- dependent service, wherein the database is further arranged to have at least one further action schedule which has a priority with respect to the first action schedule and wherein the action controller is further arranged to select actions from the at least one further action schedule and wherein the action controller is further arranged to prioritise actions selected from the first and second action schedule according to the action schedule priority.

The use of prioritised action schedules allows a user to perceive the system as operating is layered action schedules, whereby each layer may be updated from a user subsystem individually.

An embodiment according to the invention, wherein the system may further comprise a schedule controller, arranged for communication with the at least one user subsystem, and the database further arranged to transform a further action schedule available in the user subsystem to the first action schedule in the database has the advantage that action schedules of various kinds may be incorporated into the system. For example a calendar from a commercially available mail server program may be used to define an action schedule.

A further embodiment according to the invention, further comprising a service controller, arranged for receiving the commands from the action controller and further arranged for converting the commands into events for controlling the time-based service, may further increase the flexibility of the system. In this way various time-dependent services may be adapted to operate with the system according to the invention. A further embodiment according to the invention, wherein the user subsystem communicates with the database via a network, allows the creation of a system that may be geographically spread. A user may use the system according to the invention for example from his office, controlling time- dependent services in his home.

A further embodiment according to the invention, wherein the action controller communicates with the time-dependent service (16) via the network, allows the system to be operated independently from the user as a service by for example a telecom operator or a security company. User may subscribe to this service, where the operator sets up the system according to their needs. A subscribing user for example does not need to buy hard- and software other than the subsystems he may already have like a PC or PDA or mobile phone and the apparatus for time dependent services like a home automation system already in his home.

A further embodiment according to the invention, wherein the network comprises at least one of a telecom network, a mobile telecom network, the Internet, an intranet, a data network, allows for optimum flexibility. Various solutions are known to a person skilled in the art to perform control actions over various networks to or from user subsystems or service controllers.

A further embodiment according to the invention, wherein the user subsystem comprises a mobile device, like a mobile phone or a PDA, allows action schedules to be updated even from places where no fixed network is present. The system according to this embodiment enables a user to instantly adapt the active action schedule to the current events. It would be very convenient to use a mobile device, like a phone or a PDA, for this purpose.

A further embodiment according to the invention, wherein at least one of said action schedules is defined via an internet website, allows very easy access to an action schedule via a commonly known user interface. In this way a user only needs a terminal having a standard internet browser as a user subsystem. An internet site might for example be used to define a basic layer of a action schedule.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the system for programming a time dependent device is arranged as a call forwarding system. Providing the user with the possibility to define action schedules determining which call profile should be active at a given point in time.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, wherein the user subsystem is further arranged to communicate with the action controller and wherein the user subsystem is further arranged to generate actions overriding the actions selected by the action controller from the action schedules in the database, allows a user to act according to acute situations or impulses and override any schedule that is active at a certain moment in time. It thereby increases the sense of control over the system for the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a system diagram of an embodiment of a call forwarding system according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a screenshot of the main menu of the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a screenshot of the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure

1 , indicating how different phone numbers can be integrated in the system. Figure 4 shows a screenshot of the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure

1 , showing different Call Profiles within the system.

Figure 5a shows a screenshot of the exemplary call forwarding system of

Figure 1 , indicating how to add a Call Profile to the system.

Figure 5b shows a screenshot of the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure 1 , indicating how to edit a Call Profile.

Figure 6 shows a screenshot of the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure

1 , indicating how the user of the system can define a Action schedule of every day of the week. Figure 7a shows a screenshot of the exemplary call forwarding system of

Figure 1 , indicating how activating a Call Profile as shown in Fig. 4 can be linked to the electronic calendar of the user, by planning an appointment.

Figure 7b shows a screenshot of the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure 1 , indicating how activating a Call Profile as shown in Fig. 4 can be linked to the electronic calendar of the user, by accepting an invitation.

Figure 8a shows a screenshot of the mobile device connected to the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure 1 , indicating which Call Profile is active.

Figure 8b shows a screenshot of the mobile device connected to the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure 1 , indicating how the user can select another

Call Profile.

Figure 9 shows a flow chart of the processing of an incoming call in the exemplary call forwarding system of Figure 1

Figure 10 shows a block diagram of the system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention provides a system for controlling time-dependent services 1. For the purpose of the teaching of the invention a preferred embodiment of the system arranged as a call forwarding system will be described.

Figure 1 shows a call forwarding system according to an embodiment of the invention. In the example of figure 1 the call forwarding system 1 is shown which handles all incoming calls 2 for a user, to all his phone numbers 3, for example his mobile phone (4), his fixed phone at home 5, his fixed phone at work 6. To do this properly the call forwarding system uses a user defined action schedule database 7.

To define an action schedule the user can access the system for controlling call forwarding system 1 for example via a telephone hand set 8, via an Internet portal 10 which is arranged to communicate with a telecommunications network or through his electronic calendar means 9. The exemplary call forwarding system comprises three layers each representing an action schedule. An action schedule defines which actions should be taken by the call forwarding system at every point in time. The action schedules of the different layers differ in flexibility and completeness. The three layers of the exemplary system are a basic layer 11 , an intermediate layer 12 and a top layer 13.

The basic layer 11 is always exhaustive, in the sense that it defines an action for every point of time. The basic layer could well be programmed using an internet website 10. The basic layer will not be altered regularly, and will take the user some time to program. So an internet based user interface would be advantageous though not necessary.

The intermediate layer 12 could for instance be linked to and synchronized with the electronic calendar 9 of the user. The calendar of the user is more flexible than his basic action schedule, and changes will occur regularly. So it would be advantageous, though not necessary, to actually link the calendar and the intermediate layer automatically so that the call forwarding system is always synchronized with the calendar. There can be at least one intermediate layer. The top layer 13 reflects last minute changes in the action schedule of the user. For example a meeting was cancelled shortly before it was scheduled to start, or the duration of a meeting was different than expected. The user should always be able to reflect this change in his current action schedule. Because these changes will often occur when the user is on the move it is advantageous, bus not necessary, to enable the user to change the top layer through his handset 8. The top layer may also comprise a manual override capability, in which the user is able to override the current setting of a service or device.

An action schedule of the call forwarding system comprises Call Profiles. A Call Profile defines what should happen with an incoming call to any of the user's phone numbers.

After logging in into the system by providing username and password, the user enters the main menu of the system, as shown in Figure 2. After selecting "Basic Extensions" the user can add or edit his "basic" phone numbers, as shown in Figure 3.

After selecting "Call Profile Management" in the main menu the user is enabled to define one of more profiles defining what should happen with incoming calls in different situation. In Figure 4 a screenshot of a list of exemplary Call Profiles is defined.

By selecting "Add Profile" the user is enabled to add another Call Profile. The steps necessary to define a Call Profile are shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5a the user is asked to enter his own meaningful name for the Call Profile, which will simplify later use of the profile. Figure 5b shows how the new Call Profile is defined in terms of what should happen with incoming calls to all the users telephone numbers.

After selecting "Action schedule" in the main menu the user is provided with a action schedule for all the days of the week. As shown in Figure 6 the user is enabled to define for every time of the day, for every day of the week, which Call Profile should be used. By filling in this action schedule the user has provided the call forwarding system with the basic layer.

Figure 7a shows how the intermediate layer of the call forwarding system is provided with an action schedule comprising a Call Profile. When the user makes an appointment in his electronic calendar he is requested to fill in which Call Profile should be used during this appointment. The list of available Call Profiles is presented. If someone else sends an invitation for an appointment the user is requested to enter the Call Profile upon accepting the invitation, as shown in Figure 7b. Subsequently the call forwarding system is automatically synchronized with the electronic calendar.

Figure 8 shows an example of an implementation of the top layer on a mobile phone handset. Figure 8a shows the idle-screen of the handset indicating the current Call Profile. Figure 8b shows the list of available Call Profiles. By selecting a different Call Profile the user is always able to override the lower layers.

Figure 9 shows a flow chart of how the call forwarding system acts upon receiving an incoming call on any of the phone numbers of the user. In step 901 the system receives a call. In step 902 the system checks whether the top layer defines an action for this point of time. If it does, step 903 is executed,. If it does not, in step 904 the system checks whether the intermediate level defines an action for this point of time. If it does, this step 905 is executed, if not, - when more than one intermediate levels are defined, step 904 is repeated for the next intermediate level, when no further intermediate levels are defined, - step 906 of the basic level is executed. Notice that this level provides an action for every point in time.

Figure 10 shows a block diagram of the system according to a more generalized embodiment of the invention. At the base of this system is a database 7 that uses a hierarchical model of a plurality of layers 12. Each layer describes a time-based action schedule, according to which a certain time- based service 16 operates. Examples of these time-based services are a Home automation system (e.g., a computer-thermostat), a call forwarding system (in an operator network or within a local (company) network) or a Digital VCR. Each higher action schedule overrules or has higher priority over the schedules on the underlying layers. The lowest or basic layer 11 , comprises a basic action schedule, which is more or less fixed (e.g. based on the user's standard week- schedule), while the highest layer 13 is most flexible (e.g. based on the current location of the user).

An action is defined by a starting point in time, a duration and a command to be sent to a time-based service. For example the command "turn on" can be given to the service. Optionally the action also comprises a command at the end of the duration. For example the command "turn off' can be given to the service.

Adaptations of the schedules can be made via a schedule controller 19. The user can connect to this schedule controller 19 via various subsystems 14 over a network 15. A subsystem 14 can be a terminal or any computer arranged for communicating via a network and for controlling a action schedule. This action schedule may be present in the subsystem 14 itself or be accessible via the network 15. Furthermore the schedule controller can be arranged to synchronize an action schedule in the database 7 with an action schedule or calendar in a user subsystem 14.

The network 15 can be a public or private network. Examples of public networks are the Internet, a public (mobile) telephony network or any other public network. Examples of private networks are an intranet, internal telephony network or any other private network. Examples of subsystems 14 that can be used are a mail-exchange server (with calendar), a connected computer, a handheld device like a PDA, a fixed or mobile phone or any other device. On such a device, a simple Graphical User Interface makes it easy for the user to manage a schedule. A first subsystem 14 can communicate with the schedule controller 19 via a first network 15 simultaneously with a second subsystem 14 via a second network. For example a mobile phone can communicate via a mobile telecommunications network with the schedule controller 19 simultaneously with a users PC communicating via the internet with the schedule controller 19. In all cases the schedule controller is arranged to update the schedules 12, 11 , 13 in the database 7 with the needs of the user via the subsystems 14.

Dependent on the subsystem 14 and the network 15, various methods can be used to communicate the needed adaptations to the schedule controller 19, such as HTML / XML, WAP, DTMF, voice control.

Via an action controller 17, it is possible to trigger events based on the various schedules 12, 11 , 13 in the database 7. For this, it is necessary to have a timing-device 18 which can be polled by or which can trigger the action controller 17 to check the database where it selects actions that are due.

The due actions are prioritized according to the priority of the schedule the action originated from. If for example a first action in a first action schedule for a service controller is due and a second action in at least one further action schedule for the same service controller 20 is due whereby the first action schedule has a higher priority over the at least one further action schedule, the second action will be delayed as long as the first action still lasts. If the first action no longer lasts, the action controller 17 will revert to the second action. In such a way the state of a service 16 will always be according to actions from the action schedule having the highest priority.

These events can initiate actions in the time-based service 16 involved (e.g., digital VCR starts recording a specific program). Examples of other actions can be setting a reference value, for example a temperature, starting or stopping an apparatus, setting operating parameters, for example in the already mentioned call forwarding service. A service controller 20 of the time-based services should communicate with the action controller 17 by means of a second network 15, a public or a private network like the network 15 used for connecting a user subsystem 14 to the schedule controller 19. This network 15 and the second network 15 may be identical, but may also be different; furthermore, various networks may be used simultaneously.

Various types of service controllers 20 can be possible. In home automation or a digital VCR, it is meant as the central computing unit that controls the device that offers the service, e.g. the CPU of a computer thermostat or a digital VCR. In case of a call-forwarding system, it is meant as a IP / telephony gateway or switch in the (local) telephony network. For other time-based services, not mentioned in this document, other service controllers are possible.

In an embodiment according to the invention it is possible to initiate an overriding action from a subsystem. A command for such an action may be initiated from the subsystem 14, and labeled such that is passes via the schedule controller 19 to the action controller 17 directly. The action controller 17 can be arranged to accept overriding actions from the schedule controller 19 using a database bypass. In another embodiment the database 7 may be arranged to store commands in a schedule for overriding action. The action controller can execute overriding actions accordingly.

The system can be built using computer means, having a processor, memory and storage means. The computer means may further have network interface cards for connecting to the network 15 or networks. The database 7, the schedule controller 19 and the action controller 17 can be implemented in software, to be loaded and executed in the computer means. The computer means may be implemented as a server or as a plurality of inter communicating servers, whereby the schedule controller 19, the database 7, and the action controller 17 can be installed on different servers. The timing device 18 can be a system clock or timer interrupt utility in the server executing the action controller software. There are various ways in which a person skilled in the art can implement the system according to the invention.

Claims

1) A system for controlling a time-dependent service (16) comprising:

- a user subsystem (14) for controlling a first action schedule (11),

- a database (7) arranged for communicating with the a user subsystem (14), further arranged for storing the first action schedule (11), wherein the action schedule (11) comprises a plurality of predetermined actions to be performed at a specified time,

- an action controller (17), arranged to select an action from the action schedule (11) in the database (7) based on time and further arranged to communicate a command, specified by the selected action, to the time- dependent service (16),

- wherein the database is further arranged to have at least one further action schedule which has a priority with respect to the first action schedule and wherein the action controller is further arranged to select actions from the at least one further action schedule and wherein the action controller is further arranged to prioritise actions selected from the first and the at least one further action schedule according to the action schedule priority.

2) The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a schedule controller (19), arranged for communication with the at least one user subsystem (14), and the database (7) further arranged to transform a further action schedule (11) available in the user subsystem (14) to the first action schedule in the database (7).

3) The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a service controller (20), arranged for receiving the commands from the action controller and further arranged for converting the commands into events for controlling the time-based service (16).

4) The system according to any of the claims 1 - 3, wherein the user subsystem communicates with the database via a network (15). 5) The system according to any of the claims 1 - 4, wherein the action controller communicates with the time-dependent service (16) via the network (15).

6) The system according to any of the claims 4 - 5, wherein the network (15) comprises at least one of a telecom network, a mobile telecom network, the Internet, an intranet, a data network.

7) The system according to claim 6, wherein the user subsystem comprises a mobile device, like a mobile phone or a PDA.

8) The system according to any of the claims 6 - 7, wherein at least one of said action schedules is defined via an internet website.

9) The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said action schedules is generated by synchronizing with an electronic calendar in a user subsystem.

10)The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said the time- dependent service comprises a call forwarding system.

11)The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the user subsystem (14) is further arranged to communicate with the action controller (17) and wherein the user subsystem (14) is further arranged to generate actions overriding the actions selected by the action controller (17) from the action schedules in the database (7).