Method and apparatus for operating home appliances, the method includes identifying a home appliance in a field view of a camera of an augmented reality (AR) device; generating, based on the home appliance that was identified, a control interface to overlay on a screen of the AR device or to present within an augmented view of a user that carries the AR device; detecting a selection by the user of control options on the control interface; and triggering the home appliance to perform an operation based on the selection.

A control system includes: an input receiver that receives an execution instruction to execute scene control that is associated with a life scene and includes control of a first device and control of a second device; and a controller that executes the control of the first device and the control of the second device at different timings when the execution instruction is received.

A method of and system are disclosed for detecting various gestures by an imaging device and executing a task assigned to these gestures. For instance, the task could include a number of smart home functions, as well as various text and other communication transmissions. The imaging device, which can be a digital camera, is wirelessly communicable with one or more base stations and/or access points over a wireless local area network. The imaging device transmits images and/or videos, which can be reviewed by a computer vision program (“CV”). CV can identify potential gestures in the images and/or videos and compare any such images and/or videos to a database of known gestures. When a gesture is detected, a corresponding task, such as a smart home action, may be executed. Additionally, CV may use facial recognition to first identify an individual, and then execute a task specific to the identified individual based on a detected gesture.

Methods, systems, and media for ambient background noise modification are provided. In some implementations, the method comprises: identifying at least one noise present in an environment of a user having a user device, an activity the user is currently engaged in, and a physical or emotional state of the user; determining a target ambient noise to be produced in the environment based at least in part on the identified noise, the activity the user is currently engaged in, and the physical or emotional state of the user; identifying at least one device associated with the user device to be used to produce the target ambient noise; determining sound outputs corresponding to each of the one or more identified devices, wherein a combination of the sound outputs produces an approximation of one or more characteristics of the target ambient noise; and causing the one or more identified devices to produce the determined sound outputs.

An electronic device and a controlling method are provided. The controlling method of the electronic device includes transmitting a signal to a plurality of external devices communicatively connected to the electronic device, receiving, from each of the plurality of external devices, intensity information of the signal sensed by an external device and identification information of an external device, determining at least one external device that is positioned in a same space as the electronic device, from among the plurality of external devices, based on the response signal, designating the at least one external device and the electronic device as a device group, and controlling the device group based on the user command, when a user command is input to at least one device from among the device groups.

Environmental characteristics of habitable environments (e.g., hotel or motel rooms, spas, resorts, cruise boat cabins, offices, hospitals and/or homes, apartments or residences) are controlled to eliminate, reduce or ameliorate adverse or harmful aspects and introduce, increase or enhance beneficial aspects in order to improve a “wellness” or sense of “wellbeing” provided via the environments. Control of intensity and wavelength distribution of passive and active Illumination addresses various issues, symptoms or syndromes, for instance to maintain a circadian rhythm or cycle, adjust for “jet lag” or season affective disorder, etc. Air quality and attributes are controlled. Scent(s) may be dispersed. Hypoallergenic items (e.g., bedding, linens) may be used. Water quality is controlled. Noise is reduced and sounds (e.g., masking, music, natural) may be provided. Passive and active pathogen controls are employed. Controls are provided for the occupant and/or facility personnel, as is instruction, and surveys, including assessing wellness.

A building system including one or more memory devices having instructions stored thereon, that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive an event from an event source, the event comprising data and a timestamp. The building system operates to identify first contextual data describing the event in a digital twin, the digital twin comprising a virtual representation of a building, enrich the event with the first contextual data, and provide the enriched event to a consuming system, the consuming system generating an output event based on the enriched event. The building system operates to identify second contextual data describing the output event in the digital twin, enrich the output event with the second contextual data, and provide the enriched output event to the consuming system or another consuming system.

A wireless thermostat may be associated with a user account of an external web service that may facilitate remote access and/or control of the wireless thermostat. A remote device may be used to access a user's account hosted by the external web service. The wireless thermostat may be identified to the external web service and associated with the user's account by one or more unique identifiers previously delivered to the remote device from the wireless thermostat.

A robot-connected IoT-based sleep-caring system includes a sleep-caring robot and an IoT system. The sleep-caring robot includes environment monitoring, physiology monitoring, sleep monitoring, sound, lighting and electricity control, a smart storage compartment, central data processing, and machine arms. The IoT system senses and executes instructions from the sleep-caring robot, thereby catering to bedroom activities of the user.

Methods and systems for homeowner-directed risk mitigation for damage to a property associated with insurance-related events are provided. A smart home controller may analyze data received from a plurality of smart devices disposed on, or proximate to, a property as well as data received from an insurance provider. If it is determined that an actual or potential risk of property damage exists, the smart home controller may transmit an alert to a homeowner detailing the risk. The homeowner may respond to the alert by transmitting an instruction to mitigate or prevent damage associated with the risk back to the smart home controller. Subsequently, the smart home controller may transmit information about the actual or potential risks and any homeowner-directed mitigative actions to an insurance provider. The insurance provider may interpret the transmitted data and perform insurance activities, such as providing discounts and adjusting an insurance policy associated with the property.