Irrelevant data elimination based on a k-means clustering algorithm for efficient data aggregation and human activity classification in smart home sensor networks

For the successful operation of smart home environments, it is important to know the state or activity of an occupant. A large number of sensors can be deployed and embedded in places or things. All sensor nodes measure the physical world and send data to the base station for processing. However, the processing of all collected data from every sensor node can consume significant energy and time. In order to enhance the sensor network in smart home applications, we propose the irrelevant data elimination based on k-means clustering algorithm to enhance data aggregation. This approach embeds the cluster head–based algorithm into cluster heads to omit irrelevant data from the base station. The pattern of measured data in each room can be clustered as an active pattern when human activity happens in that room and a stable pattern when human activity does not happen in the room. The irrelevant data elimination based on k-means clustering algorithm approach can reduce 55.94% of the original data with similar results in human activity classification. This study proves that the proposed approach can eliminate meaningless data and intelligently aggregate data by delivering only data from rooms in which human activity likely occurs.