Patent attributes
A WiFi router based appliance control system and method. The router monitors the activity of various router connected devices, and compares this against various user selected criteria according to an overall combined activity scheme, where some activities may be rewarded and some penalized. Depending on the results, the router may in turn use various algorithms to control various router controlled devices, in a manner encouraged to encourage overall compliance with these schemes. Thus for example if the router may balance social media use versus exercise or energy use, and take steps (restricting web pages, altering thermostat settings) to encourage compliance with various user determined criteria. In some embodiments, the router may cooperate with external servers to extend the range of activities monitored and range of reward/penalty criteria.
