An Algorithm for Dependency-Preserving Smart Home Updates

The update process of devices in a smart home is a complex endeavour. Individual device updates can influence the functionality of others, as devices may depend on other devices. The problems that are caused by breaking updates manifest only after the updates are performed and reverting them is generally impossible. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that is able to consider dependencies in a smart home system and, based on this, finds updates that preserve existing dependencies. These updates are not inspected in isolation but in combination with other updates. However, ideal solutions often depend on user preferences and the implications of one update over another can have far-reaching consequences that require filtration and recommendations.