Event Trigger on Wireless Device Detection

Abstract

Messages from wireless devices are intercepted by a controller, such as an access point for a wireless network, a security system controller, a home automation controller, an industrial or business automation controller, or a combination thereof. The controller logs device-identifying information about the devices that sent the messages that that were intercepted. Examples of the device-identifying information include a MAC address, a device name, a brand of the device, an SSID of an AP connected to the device, or a class of device. The intercepted message is used to trigger one or more events, either based solely on intercepting the message or in combination with other parameters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor;   a wireless receiver coupled to the processor; and   a memory coupled to the processor;   wherein the processor is configured to:
 intercept a message from a wireless device with the wireless receiver; 
 extract identifying information about the wireless device from the message; 
 access a profile associated with the identifying information; and 
 trigger an action based, at least in part, on information from the profile. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 establish a context for a time that the message is intercepted; and   trigger the action based, in part, on the context.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the context comprises a time of day, other intercepted messages, an elapsed time since a previous message interception, a signal strength, a duration of detection of the wireless device, or a frequency of detection of the wireless device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to control another device, different than the apparatus, as at least a part of the action. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the profile is associated with a particular user and the information from the profile includes:
 an identifier of the action to be triggered; and   a scenario describing when the action is to be triggered.   
     
     
         6 . A method to trigger an action based on detection of a wireless device, the method comprising:
 intercepting a message from a wireless device by a wireless receiver;   extracting identifying information about the wireless device from the message;   accessing a profile associated with the identifying information; and   triggering an action based, at least in part, on information from the profile.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 establishing a context for a time that the message is intercepted; and   triggering the action based, in part, on the context.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the context comprises a time of day, the information from the profile, other intercepted messages, an elapsed time since a previous message interception, a signal strength, a duration of detection of the wireless device, or a frequency of detection of the wireless device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , the triggering comprising controlling another device to perform the action. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the profile is associated with a particular user and the information from the profile includes:
 an identifier of the action to be triggered; and   a scenario describing when the action is to be triggered.   
     
     
         11 . A computer program product for triggering an action based on detection of a wireless device, the computer program product comprising:
 at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising:   computer readable code to intercept a message from a wireless device using a wireless receiver;   computer readable code to extract identifying information about the wireless device from the message;   computer readable code to access a profile associated with the identifying information; and   computer readable code to trigger an action based, at least in part, on information from the profile.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 computer readable code to establish a context for a time that the message is intercepted; and   computer readable code to trigger the action based, in part, on the context.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , wherein the context comprises a time of day, the information from the profile, other intercepted messages, an elapsed time since a previous message interception, a signal strength, a duration of detection of the wireless device, or a frequency of detection of the wireless device. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , further comprising computer readable code to control another device as at least a part of the action. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the profile is associated with a particular user and the information from the profile includes:
 an identifier of the action to be triggered; and   a scenario describing when the action is to be triggered.   
     
     
         16 . A home automation system comprising:
 a controller;   a home automation device coupled to the controller; and   a wireless receiver coupled to the controller;   wherein the controller is configured to:
 intercept a message from a wireless device using the wireless receiver; 
 extract identifying information about the wireless device from the message; 
 access a profile associated with the identifying information; and 
 control the home automation device based, at least in part, on information from the profile. 
   
     
     
         17 . The home automation system of  claim 16 , wherein the system is further configured to:
 establish a context for a time that the message is intercepted; and   control the home automation device based, at least in part, on the context.   
     
     
         18 . The home automation system of  claim 17 , wherein the context comprises a time of day, the information from the profile, other intercepted messages, an elapsed time since a previous message interception, a signal strength, a duration of detection of the wireless device, or a frequency of detection of the wireless device. 
     
     
         19 . The home automation system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more home automation devices comprise a thermostat, a kitchen appliance, an audio device, a light, a display, or a door lock. 
     
     
         20 . The home automation system of  claim 16 , wherein the profile is associated with a particular user and the information from the profile includes:
 an identifier of the action to be triggered; and   a scenario describing when the action is to be triggered.