Smart house.
The smart house is no longer science fiction. Home automation products and software let your home interact with and adjust smart appliances to your personal needs.
The temperature and humidity of the house is automatically adjusted for your comfort as the house reports you have mail to be opened, any calls received while you were out and what bills were automatically paid today. The smart house is here and it's getting smarter.
Integrated Home Network
CPU-the heart of the system.
An automated home employs a central processor that is integrated with various smart subsystems and control interfaces. The processor operates and responds to sensors at various locations in your home to manage energy consumption, home security and entertainment devices.
The system will open or close motorized blinds to manage the temperature inside, turn on security systems and turn off lights when you leave your home and adjust temperature and humidity settings to conserve energy when no one is home.
According to Creative Visions Foundation, the central processing unit is often hidden away in a closet or some other inconspicuous space. Users can interact with the system via touch-sensitive keypads, remote control devices or by cell phone. Many different home systems are commercially available and their capabilities and cost can vary widely. A high-end system can cost as much as $50,000.
Control Interface
Control interface.
Control interface devices allow people in the home to interact with the systems installed in the home. Programmable touch screens permit users to adjust settings for security and environmental systems and to access entertainment systems.
The smart home devices can be connected together in a wireless network. Users can interact with the home through keypad controls, remote controls, the home computer or by phone.
According to North Carolina State University, the system can be set up so that cell phones can also act as home intercom systems.
Voice recognition software such as the Butler/ECU system allows voice control of phone and other home systems. North Carolina State University states that the stand alone Butler system can be activated and controlled entirely by voice to access the phone or computer.
Sensors and Smart Appliances
Smart appliance.
For home automation to work, the appliances, lighting systems, security systems and central processor unit have to communicate with each other. Sensors connected to these systems and Internet-capable appliances solve that problem.
According to Alladi Venkatesh, PhD, of the University of California, Information Appliances are small processing devices that are more limited than PCs, but can turn your home into part of a networked community. Homes can directly access fire and police services, community information broadcasts and can communicate with other residents in community chat.
Motion sensors and cameras detect when someone is in the room and can turn on the lights and other systems. Intelligent thermostats can be automatically adjusted to the most efficient settings. In the future, your appliances will not only communicate with your home but may interact with the Internet to communicate with your bank or the utility company.
Tags: interact with, your home, communicate with, home interact, home interact with, automatically adjusted, Butler system
