Methods and systems for home automation using an internet of things platform

Abstract

A window is described, comprising a frame, a sash, a window pane mounted in the sash, a computer system, the computer system comprising a housing, the housing configured to be mounted into a receiving area of the frame, into the sash, into a window valence, or into a window casing. A processing device is located within the housing. Non-transitory memory located within the housing configured to store instructions to be executed by the processing device, a network interface, at least a first sensor fixed to the casing, frame, or window pane, the first sensor coupled to the computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to take at least a first action in response to at least a first sensor reading from the first sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A window, comprising:
 a frame;   a sash;   a window pane mounted in the sash;   a computer system, the computer system comprising:
 a housing, the housing configured to be mounted into a receiving area of the frame, into the sash, into a window valence, or into a window casing; 
 a processing device located within the housing; 
 non-transitory memory located within the housing configured to store instructions to be executed by the processing device; 
 a network interface; 
   at least a first sensor fixed to the casing, frame, or window pane, the first sensor coupled to the computer system,   wherein the computer system is configured to take at least a first action in response to at least a first sensor reading from the first sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The window as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second pane in parallel with the first pane; and   a noble gas between the first pane and second pane;   wherein the first sensor is configured to measure an indication of a pressure of the gas, and the first action comprises determining if the pressure indication satisfies a first criterion, and at least partly in response to determining that the pressure indication fails to satisfy the first criterion, initiating a corresponding remediation action.   
     
     
         3 . The window as defined in  claim 1 , wherein in response to the first sensor reading indicates heat or smoke, and the first action comprises:
 turning on at least one interior light and at least one exterior light;   deploying a ladder;   transmitting a notification message reporting the first sensor reading to a plurality of remote devices; and   instructing a first device remote from the window to cease a first operation.   
     
     
         4 . The window as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the window further comprises a lock configured to lock the sash in a first position, and wherein the first sensor reading indicates breakage of the first pane, and the first action comprises:
 turning on at least one interior light and at least one exterior light;   transmitting a notification message to a remote device; and   causing the lock to lock the sash in the first position.   
     
     
         5 . The window as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:
 detecting that an alert is received from a remote portable device;   determining a location of the remote portable device;   based at least in part on the determination of the remote portable device location, turning on and/or changing the color of at least one light proximate to the remote portable device location;   causing at least one window and/or at least one door to unlock; and   transmitting a notification message reporting the alert to one or more remote devices.   
     
     
         6 . The window as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a magnet comprised by the frame, the sash, the window valence, or the window casing, the magnet configured to magnetically couple a module comprising a ferrous material to the window; and   an interface configured to receive and/or transmit signals to one or more devices included in the module.   
     
     
         7 . The window as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a module anchor configured to couple a module comprising a sensor and/or light to the window; and   an induction coil configured to provide power to the sensor and/or light.   
     
     
         8 . The window as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a module anchor configured to couple a module comprising a sensor and/or light to the window.   
     
     
         9 . A window, comprising:
 a sash;   a window pane mounted in the sash;   a motor configured to open and close the sash in response to a respective open command and close command;   a network interface;   a plurality of sensors, including a first sensor configured to measure a position of the sash, a second sensor configured to detect breakage of the window pane, and a third sensor that detects an environment condition related to air, light, and/or weather;   a computer system, the computer system comprising:
 a processing device; 
 non-transitory memory located configured to store instructions to be executed by the processing device, that when executed cause the computer system to perform operation comprising:
 receiving information from the second sensor and/or the third sensor; 
 determining, based at least in part on the information from the second sensor and/or the third sensor, if a first set of criteria is met; 
 in response to determining that the first set of criteria is met, commanding the motor to open or close the sash; 
 commanding at least one device remote from the window to take a first action. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The window as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one device comprises a thermostat and the first action comprises changing a temperature setting. 
     
     
         11 . The window as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one device comprises a door and the first action comprises opening or closing the door. 
     
     
         12 . The window as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one device comprises a light and the first action comprises turning the light on. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 monitoring, by a computer system included in an openable barrier comprising a door and/or a window, the openable barrier comprising at least a first glass panel and a second glass panel in parallel with the first glass panel, and a noble gas between the first glass panel and the second glass panel:
 a first sensor configured to determine pressure information with respect to a pressure between the first glass panel and the second glass panel; and 
   at least partly in response to pressure information from the first sensor indicating that that the pressure between the first glass panel and the second glass panel fails to meet a first criterion,   transmitting an alert to one or more predefined destinations using a wireless communications interface included in the openable barrier.   
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 monitoring, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, a sensor reading indicating heat or smoke;   at least partly in response to the sensor reading indicating heat or smoke:
 turning on, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, at least one interior light and at least one exterior light; 
 causing, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, a ladder to be automatically deployed; 
 transmitting, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, a notification message reporting the first sensor reading to a plurality of remote devices; and 
 instructing, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, a first device remote from the openable barrier to cease a first operation. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 detecting, by the computer system included in the openable barrier from a break sensor reading, a breakage of the first glass panel of the openable barrier;   at least partly in response to detecting the breakage of the first glass panel of the openable barrier:
 turning on at least one interior light and at least one exterior light; 
 transmitting a notification message to a remote device; and 
 changing a locking state of at least one physical lock. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 detecting, by the computer system included in an openable barrier comprising a door and/or a window, that an alert is received from a remote portable device;   determining a location of the remote portable device;   based at least in part on the determination of the remote portable device location, turning on and/or changing the color, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, of at least one light proximate to the remote portable device location; and   causing, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, at least one window and/or at least one door to unlock; and   transmitting a notification message reporting the alert to one or more remote devices.   
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 magnetically coupling a module comprising a ferrous material to the openable barrier; and   to receiving and/or transmitting, by the computer system included in the openable barrier, signals to one or more devices included in the module.   
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 magnetically coupling a module comprising a ferrous material to the openable barrier; and   inductively powering to the module magnetically coupled to the openable barrier.   
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 monitoring a second sensor configured to sense a position of the openable barrier;   monitoring weather prediction information;   at least partly in response to detecting, from position information from the second sensor that the openable barrier is in an open position, and to determining, based on the monitored weather prediction information, that rain is predicted within a first specified time frame, commanding an actuator to close the openable barrier.   
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 detecting an intrusion indication from one or more sensor readings;   at least partly in response to detecting the intrusion indication:
 causing video data from a video capture device to be transmitted to one or more remote destinations: 
 controlling a lock of at least one openable barrier; and 
 changing a color of at least one lighting device from a first color to a second color.