Tips Smart: tech

Showing posts with label tech. Show all posts

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Apples home automation tech taps iPhone Mac hardware for intelligent user tracking

Many believe home automation is the next tech frontier; a marriage of hardware and software that can make an incredible impact on our daily lives. Already, companies like Nest and Philips are automating tasks with their respective Nest Learning Thermostat and Hue light bulb products.

Source: USPTO

While some firms offer all-encompassing home management solutions that can control everything from turning on lights, to remotely closing a garage door, these systems usually require some type of user interaction. Apple is looking to take user input out of the equation, to be replaced by an intelligent system that uses a persons location and habits to automatically control at-home appliances.

As published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apples U.S. Patent No. 8,577,392 for a "System and method of determining location of wireless communication devices/persons for controlling/adjusting operation of devices based on the location" describes a system that uses data gathered by static and mobile devices, along with wireless communications tech, to determine a users current and guessed future location. Based on these observations, certain preset functions in the home can be activated or deactivated remotely and automatically.

Apples invention is rooted in location data. A users position can be obtained from any number of outlets, including a computer login, an iPhone transmitting GPS coordinates and cell tower triangulation, among others. These so-called "first devices" are integral to the automation process as they act as triggers for the control of "second devices," like televisions, lights and more.

In some embodiments, the first devices are tasked with feeding location data to relay servers when a predetermined condition is met. For example, an iPhone can provide GPS information every five minutes, or when it connects to a new cell tower. In other cases, the system can randomly query devices to save battery life.

Alternatively, devices in a fixed position can be used to relay information on a users activities. Examples include ID badge swipes, credit card use and logging into a social networking site from a desktop computer.

Further, a users location can be categorized much like Apples current geo-fencing technology. For example, a user can define a "work" and a "home" zone, with the system able to activate tracking when they leave or arrive within a predetermined fence.

By aggregating and processing this constant flow of location data, relay servers can estimate a users current and future position to within a certain degree of accuracy. This is important for the operation of certain at-home devices, like a garage door or an alarm system. Precise location data can also be used to trigger events. For example, if a user is on their home street, the system can turn on exterior house lights as they approach.

After processing, the relay servers push a signal out to second devices, instructing them to commence an operation or change operational states. Second devices can be any number of products. Examples given include washing machines, ovens, lights, power strips, lights, climate control systems and more.

Second devices can also be monitored to determine whether they are already on or off, as well as other modes of operation, before the system sends a control signal.

While first devices can communicate wirelessly, second devices may be attached to the relay system via USB or some other physical means. It should be noted that some type of communications protocol is required, whether it be Wi-Fi, Ethernet or cellular, to connect with relay servers.

More than one user can be associated with a given home automation system, which means relay servers would have to parse data and check rulesets for both.

Finally, Apples invention works not only in long-distance applications, such as work-to-home, but from within the house itself. In this way, lights can be turned off when a user leaves for a certain amount of time, or heaters can be turned on or off depending on activity levels.

Although Apples current hardware lineup can handle the inventions requirements, a number of hurdles stand in the way of its deployment, not the least of which being infrastructure costs to the consumer.

Apples location-based home automation patent was first filed for in 2012 and credits Raghunandan K. Pai and Timothy S. Hurley as its inventors.

Data source: via AppleInsider (By Mikey Campbell)

Image source: TC

Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime surfaced at FCC – Tech News

<- Quick Adsense WordPress Plugin: http://quicksense.net/ ->

Today there are again details of the new Galaxy S5 surfaced, this time the smartphone is turned up at the FCC. With the FCC is a document surfaced which smartphone model number SM-G906S was given. The information appears to be a Korean version.

samsung_galaxy_s5_prime_fcc-630x339

However, there are very few details available on the smartphone to the FCC, according to the latest rumors, the Galaxy S5 Prime a quad HD display coupled with 3GB RAM module and Android 4.4.3 Kitkat.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime is an improved version with respect to the current Galaxy S5. The phone features a 2K resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels. The Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime is a variant of the current Galaxy S5 with a 5.2-inch qHD screen and a Snapdragon processor 805. Earlier popped the S5 Prime already at a price in Hong Kong. The unit would have a qHD screen (2560 x 1440 pixels). The camera on the back of the smartphone would meekrijgen a 16-megapixel sensor

Availability:.

Samsung would all like to release the S5 Prime mid June homeland South Korea. Or the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime also comes to the Netherlands is still unclear

. <- A generated by theme -> <- ing A ->

Adidas Introduces High Tech Fitness Tracker Monitoring Your Workout

Earlier Nike introduced its smart fitness tracker "Fuelband", now its Adidas into the tech market with its smart tracking wearable of its own. This smart fitness tracker by Adidas is expected to get launched in August at $199.

The fitness tracker comes with an LED display, showing all the information at regular intervals. It displays information such as calories burned, heart rate, distance traveled and pace. There is also a secondary LED display that changes color like blue, green, red or yellow depending on the type of intensity of your workout.

The smart fitness tracker works in collaboration with Adidas, miCoach and Run app. These fitness firms provides their users with free fitness training programs and also them to tweak their tracker settings.

You can also set your weekly goals in the tracker device and Adidas will ensure you to keep up with your personal fitness plans.

Adidass fitness tracker is not similar to other tracking devices, as it doesnt meant to be worn all the day. Its main focus is to improve workout plans. If you are looking for a device that tracks your fitness around the clock, then this fitness tracker is not meant for you.

Explore More About the Adidas Smart Fitness Tracker

Source:

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/adidas-fit-smart-fitness-tracker,news-19128.html

About Anna Harris:
Anna Harris working as web content writer and a strategist for a major IT firm specialized in various mobile application development services for iOS, Android, Windows Phone and other operating systems.

Follow Anna Harris On

Tips Smart