204). In some implementations, the process 200 can select an automation mode, e.g., home mode, an away mode, or a vacation mode, based on how far away the mobile device is from the particular geographic location.

In some implementations, the distance of the mobile device from a particular geographic location can be defined by the radius of a circular geofence. For example, two circular geofences, each having a different radii R1, R2, can be placed around a user's home, where R2>R1, and the distance can be in feet, meters, miles or any other suitable unit of distance measure. When the distance of the mobile device less than or equal to R1, the location-based automation system 104 can enter a “home” mode, and various automation actions associated with the “home” mode can be initiated according to the user profile. When the distance of the mobile device is between R1 and R2, the location-based automation system 104 can enter an “away” mode, and various automation actions associated with the “away” mode can be initiated according to the user profile. When the distance of the mobile device is greater than R3, the location-based automation system 104 can enter a “vacation” mode, and various automation actions associated with the “vacation” mode can be initiated according to the user profile.

Before entering a particular automation mode, the location-based automation system 102 can also determine how long the mobile device has dwelled at a particular distance from the particular geographic location. For example, if the location-based automation system 102 determines that the mobile device has exited the geo-fence with radius R2 and has not re-entered that geo-fence within the last x hours (e.g., 48 hours), then the “vacation” mode can be activated. Vacation mode can be activated based on a location determination of a particular mobile device or based on the presence of or non-presence of a plurality of mobile devices associated with residents of the geographic location.

Accordingly, the dwell time of the mobile device inside or outside a geo-fence can be used with geo-fence crossing information (exit or enter information) to determine an automation mode for an environment. Once the automation mode is determined, one or more device control systems in the environment can be placed into the automation mode according to a user profile.

An automation mode can be configured to automate (e.g., adjust automation settings) of one or more devices that are associated with the particular geographic location, e.g., devices that are located in a particular home. An automation setting can indicate whether a particular device should be active or inactive. An automation setting can also indicate a configuration for the particular device (e.g., a thermostat setting, a volume level, or a light dimming setting).

For example, a home mode can be configured so that the climate at the particular geographic location is set at a certain temperature, that certain lights are active in one or more rooms, and that security systems at the particular geographic location are inactive. In some implementations, the automation mode can be configured to automate (e.g., adjust automation settings) one or more devices based on a time of day, day of the week, date, and/or month. For example, a home mode can be configured so that the climate at the particular geographic location is at one temperature between the hours of 6 am to 10 pm and at a different temperature between the hours of 10:01 pm to 5:59 am.

In another example, an away mode can be configured so that the climate at the particular geographic location is maintained at a certain temperature, that the doors and windows are locked, that the lights are off, and that security systems are active. A vacation mode can be configured so that climate control is inactive, that the doors and windows are locked, that the lights are off, and that security systems are active.

In some implementations, patterns of device usage can be monitored (e.g., times when lights are active/inactive) and the patterns can be used in the automation of devices to mimic realistic activity. For example, patterns of light usage can be monitored when mobile devices (e.g., mobile devices of users that reside at the particular geographic location) are present at the particular geographic location and the patterns can be reenacted when the vacation mode is selected, thus giving the impression that the particular geographic region is occupied.

In some implementations, the process 200 can select an automation mode based in part on where the mobile device is located relative to one or more specified distances from the particular geographic location. An automation mode can also be selected based in part on a duration that the mobile device has been beyond a particular distance from the particular geographic location. For example, the process 200 can select the home mode when the mobile device is within 50 feet of the particular geographic location. Similarly, the process 200 can select the away mode when the mobile device distance exceeds 2 miles from the particular geographic location. Further, the process 200 can select the vacation mode when the mobile device distance exceeds 250 miles or if the mobile device distance exceeds 2 miles from the particular geographic location for a particular time period, e.g., overnight.

In some implementations, the process 200 can monitor the mobile device distance and can adjust the automation mode as the mobile device approaches a particular geographic location. For example, the process 200 can determine that the mobile device is traveling toward the particular geographic location and, in response to the determination, can select the home mode.

In some implementations, the process 200 can measure the distance of the mobile device based on check-ins on social networking sites by a user operating the mobile device. For example, a user operating the mobile device may check-in at a restaurant that is located 15 miles away from the particular geographic location. The process 200 can determine that the restaurant at which the user checked-in is located 15 miles from the particular geographic location and, in response to the determination, can select an appropriate automation mode based on that determination.

In some implementations, the process 200 can monitor the mobile device distance and can predict an estimated time of arrival of the user associated with the mobile device. The process 200 can gradually adjust the automation mode of one or more devices (e.g., a climate control system or a pool temperature), so that the automation settings specified by the user associated with the mobile device are reached upon the user's arrival.

The process 200 can evaluate additional inputs when selecting an automation mode based on the mobile device location. For example, activity occurring at the particular geographic location (e.g., opening of doors, activating/deactivating lights and appliances) can be evaluated to determine whether a different automation mode should be selected (e.g., whether the system should remain in home mode or switch to away mode). In another example, the presence of a resident's keys within the particular geographic location can prevent selection of an away or vacation mode (e.g., to prevent doors from being locked even though the mobile device is no longer within the particular geographic location). Other automation settings can be configured based on the presence or non-presence of one of more other detected items that are identified as being associated with a resident.

Exemplary Process for Adjusting Device Automation Based on a Plurality of Mobile Devices

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary process for adjusting device automation based on a plurality of mobile devices. In some implementations, process 300 can be implemented using the architecture described in reference to FIG. 5.

In some implementations, process 300 can begin by detecting a plurality of mobile devices at a particular geographic location (302). The presence of mobile devices can be detected using, for example, the communications system 104, as described in reference to FIG. 1.

Process 300 can continue by adjusting automation modes of the one or more devices at the location (304). In some implementations, automation of devices at a particular geographic location is permitted for mobile devices that are paired with the particular geographic location. Thus, for example, lights and appliances at the particular geographic location can be automated when a paired mobile device is detected in proximity to the particular geographic location, but not when unpaired (e.g., unrecognized) mobile devices are detected.

In some implementations, automation modes of the one or more devices can be adjusted to accommodate automation settings configured by users of multiple paired mobile devices. For example, in a case where multiple mobile devices are identified in proximity to a particular geographic location, automation settings for a selected automation made can be adjusted (e.g., averaged) to accommodate automation settings that were configured by users of the multiple mobile devices. Thus, if a first user of a first mobile device has indicated a thermostat temperature preference of 65 degrees and a second user of a second mobile device has indicated a thermostat temperature preference of 70 degrees, then the thermostat temperature can be averaged between the indicated preferences to set a thermostat temperature of 67.5 degrees.

In some implementations, devices at a particular geographic location are automated based on detection of both paired and unpaired mobile devices at the particular geographic location. In such implementations, automation modes of the one or more devices can be adjusted based on the presence of multiple mobile devices at the geographic locations. For example, if threshold number (e.g., 10) of mobile devices is detected at the particular geographic location, then automation settings of devices at the particular geographic location can be adjusted to accommodate the increased number of occupants. In this example, the thermostat temperature can be reduced; the volume level of one or more music systems can be increased; and certain lights can be dimmed, activated or deactivated.

In some implementations, mobile devices detected at the particular geographic location can be used to automate selection of entertainment options (e.g., audio or video) being played at the particular geographic location.

For example, music playlists associated with the detected mobile devices can be compared to identify songs that are common (e.g., songs stored on a threshold percentage of the detected mobile devices), songs that are uncommon (e.g., songs not stored on a threshold percentage of the detected mobile devices), or songs that are popular among the detected mobile devices (e.g., songs that have been rated at or above a threshold rating by a threshold percentage of users of the mobile devices using a music application or a social networking site). The identified songs can be played through a music system or home theater system located at the particular geographic location.

Similarly, when determining which movie to play through a home theater system at the particular geographic location, mobile devices detected at the particular geographic location can be compared to identify movies that have been viewed by or are popular (e.g., movies that have been rated at or above a threshold rating by a threshold percentage of users of the mobile devices using a movie application or a social networking site) among the detected mobile devices. The identified movies can be played through the home theater system located at the particular geographic location.

Exemplary View for Illustrating Geofences at a Particular Geographic Location

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view 400 for illustrating geofences 406 and 408 at a particular geographic location 402. The geofences are virtual perimeters for a real-world geographic area. The geofences can be defined using radii originating from the particular geographic location 402 or using some other geographic boundary, e.g., coordinates that define a particular neighborhood, zip code, city, state, country, or continent.

In FIG. 4, the geofence 406 is defined using a radius R1 and the geofence 408 is defined using the radius R2. The distance between radii R1 and R2 can be in feet, meters, miles, or any other suitable unit of distance measure. A mobile device 404 can be associated with the particular geographic location 402. Further, automation of devices at the particular geographic location 402 can be triggered based on a position of the mobile device 404 relative to the geofences 406 and 408. Automation can be triggered based specifically on the position of the mobile device 404 or based on a comparison or averaging of the position of the mobile device 404 with other mobile devices associated with the geographic location 402.

For example, when the distance of the mobile device 404 less than or equal to R1, the location-based automation system 104 can enter a “home” mode, and various automation actions associated with the “home” mode can be initiated according to the user profile. Similarly, when the distance of the mobile device is between R1 and R2, the location-based automation system 104 can enter an “away” mode, and various automation actions associated with the “away” mode can be initiated according to the user profile. Further, when the distance of the mobile device is greater than R2, the location-based automation system 104 can enter a “vacation” mode, and various automation actions associated with the “vacation” mode can be initiated according to the user profile.

Exemplary GUI for Automating Devices

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) 500 for automating devices at a particular geographic location. For example, the GUI 500 can be accessed on a display coupled to the location-based automation system 106 or through a mobile device.

The GUI 500 includes a mobile device identifier field 502, an environment field 504, a radius field 506, and a mode field 508. The mobile device identifier field 502 can be configured to specify a particular mobile device, e.g., “Mobile Device 1” and “Mobile Device 2”. Mobile devices can be specified using unique mobile device identifiers, e.g., an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Each mobile device can be associated with one or more geographic locations, i.e., environments. The geographic locations can be specified in the environment field