SMART HOMES

THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF DESIGN

HOME INTERIOR DESIGN

Wouldn’t it be nice to come back to a home that is intuitive enough to know what you need when you want it, a home that sets the light dim enough to emulate your mood, that closes the curtains so you don’t have to, that switches off your appliances in time remotely and knows what room temperature you like before you step into the room. Smart homes are an essential in any modern home, making life easier and hassle free.
Smart Homes include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security. Smart Home Systems range from home entertainment systems, house plant and yard watering, pet feeding, changing the ambiance "scenes" for different events (such as homes or parties), lighting control system, water saving systems, appliance control systems, security systems, smart-plugs, thermostats, solar powered products etc.

HOME AUTOMATION

An example of remote monitoring in home automation could be triggered when a smoke detector detects a fire or smoke condition, causing all lights in the house to blink to alert any occupants of the house to the possible emergency.

 

If the house is equipped with a home theatre, a home automation system can shut down all audio and video components to avoid distractions, or make an audible announcement. The system could also call the home owner on their mobile phone to alert them, or call the fire department or alarm monitoring company.

Home automation systems

 

Include the following types of devices.

  • Sensors to measure or detect things like                            temperature, humidity, daylight or motion.
  • Controllers such as a PC or a dedicated home automation controller.
  • Actuators such as motorized valves, light switches and motors.
  • Buses for communication that can be wired or wireless.
  • Interfaces for human-machine and/or machine to machine interaction.

SMART HOMES DEVICES

One or more human-machine and/or machine-to-machine interface devices are required, so that the residents of the home can interact with the system for monitoring and control; this may be a specialized terminal or, increasingly, may be an application running on a smart phone or tablet. Devices may communicate over dedicated wiring, or over a wired network, or wirelessly using one or more protocols.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can include temperature and humidity control, including fresh air heating and natural cooling. An Internet-controlled thermostat allows the homeowner to control the building's heating and air conditioning systems remotely. The system may automatically open and close windows to cool the house. The available systems are capable of providing remote control operation of all HVAC indoor units over the internet incorporating a simple and friendly user interface. A Lighting control system can be used to switch lights based on a time cycle, or arranged to automatically go out when a room is unoccupied. Some electronically controlled lamps can be controlled for brightness or color to provide different light levels for different tasks. Lighting can be controlled remotely by a wireless control or over the Internet. Natural lighting (day lighting) can be used to automatically control window shades and draperies to make best use of natural light.

SECURITY

A household security system integrated with a home automation system can provide additional services such as remote surveillance of security cameras over the Internet, or central locking of all perimeter doors and windows. With home automation, the user can select and watch cameras live from an Internet source to their home or business. Security systems can include motion sensors that will detect any kind of unauthorized movement and notify the user through the security system or via cell phone.

 

The automation system can simulate the appearance of an occupied home by automatically adjusting lighting or window coverings. Detection systems such as fire alarm, gas leak, carbon monoxide, or water leaks can be integrated. When the fire alarm is set off the system can call the fire department. Personal medical alarm systems allow an injured home occupant to call for help.

AUDIO SYSTEMS

This includes audio and video switching and distribution. Multiple audio or video sources can be selected and distributed to one or more rooms and can be linked with lighting and blinds to provide mood settings.

Using special hardware like smart plugs, almost any household appliance can be monitored and controlled automatically or remotely, including cooking appliances, swimming pool systems, and others.

Automatic control of blinds and curtains can be used for: presence simulation,  Temperature control, Brightness control, Glare control and Security (in case of shutters).

An intercom system allows communication via a microphone and loud speaker between multiple rooms. Integration of the intercom to the telephone, or of the video door entry system to the television set, allowing the residents to view the door camera automatically.

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