The world of connected things is fascinating, from smartphones controlling home appliances to tracking health with fitness bands, and even autonomous cars that can speak to each other. Convenience is the selling point of the connected world, but how helpful are these newfangled devices, and what role do manufacturers play in the safe use of such gadgets?

In SiliconANGLE’s new series, Smart World Problems, we look at the different issues involved in the Internet of Things (IoT). To kick things off, this week’s roundup features a smart thermostat maker’s trouble with patent infringement, a smart meter blamed for a home fire, and baby monitors being hijacked by hackers.

Allure Energy accuses Honeywell of patent infringement

Allure Energy, Inc. is accusing Honeywell International, Inc. of infringing the patents of its smart thermometer EverSense, claiming the smart thermostat maker is using the technology on the Honeywell Lyrics thermostat. The device is being promoted as “the only thermostat to use geofencing technology to track smartphones.”

According to the lawsuit, Honeywell was aware of Allure Energy’s patents and technology long before they released the Lyric thermostat, and was even asked to demonstrate the EverSense thermostat at a 2012 technology trade show, requesting product samples from Allure Energy. Under the impression that there was a possibility of a partnership, Allure Energy was blindsided when Honeywell came out with the Lyric thermostat in 2014.

The lawsuit is seeking an injunction to preclude Honeywell from further use of Allure’s patented technology and to stop false advertising, as well as damages and related remedies.

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Smart meters scrutinized in relation to Dallas home fire

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of fire in 75-year old James Humphrey Jr.’s home in Dallas. According to Humphrey’s cousin, the smart meter was put in place about three weeks ago was the cause of the blaze. Fire investigators stated that the fire did start near the newly installed digital smart meter, but have yet to determine the cause.

This is not the first fire incident involving a smart meter. In Nevada, state regulators ordered NV Energy to hire an outside laboratory to conduct safety tests on its smart meters after local fire investigators raised concerns when homes with smart meters installed burst into flames for unknown reasons.

NV Energy is said to be working on firmware that will enable an internal heat sensor to work with an external heat sensor to determine if the the smart meter is overheating.

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Foscam IP cameras hijacked by hackers

In November last year, a Russian website broadcasted live feeds obtained from unsecured connected cameras such as baby monitors, webcams and CCTVs. Though the site was quickly taken offline, it’s still troubling to know how people’s lives can so easily be made public through the Internet.

Now, hackers have hijacked baby monitors and security cameras made by Foscam Digital Technologies LLC. It is unsure what the motive is for hacking into baby monitors, but the scenarios playing on people’s mind is horrifying. Some have stated that the those who saw the live feed even had the audacity to talk to the people who are on camera. Talk about creepy.

Foscom was quick to address the hijacked camera issue and stated that it was important to update the firmware of these cameras, and released a statement on how Foscam users can keep their connected cameras safe from hackers.

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