SMART SYSTEMS
Application of Technology
Smart homes are a way to simplify peoples lives and help them get the most of their living quarters. Homeowners can have automated lighting, heating, cooling, stereos, intercoms, security, and home theatre systems. All of these features can be controlled by wall mounted panels throughout the house and run off a central integration box, typically installed in the basement. The touch panel controls everything from the heat to the security system. Lighting systems are designed to spotlight artwork, darken for watching television, or dim for entertaining guests. Take a look at each room and see how its effected by a smart home system.
Home Entrance
As a car pulls into the driveway, the system can detect the owners arrival and turns on the entry lights, unlocks the door and disarms the security system. The house welcomes the owner. If visitors come to the door one could view who is at the door via the picture in picture window on the television and the door could be answered from the family room. Once finished the icon titled "finished" on a control panel next to the easy chair is touched and the picture in picture window closes while the previous television program appears.
Features and Benefits:
- Audio and visual connections to the rest of the house
- Security system components for forced entry or fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
Living/Family Room
At the end of a busy day the living room is an exciting place to relax. A touch screen controller is set up for the control of the big screen. If a movie is decided to be the method of entertainment for the evening the desired movie can be selected from the touch screen, audio/visual equipment powers up, the digital movie is loaded, the room lights fade and motorized drapes swing shut.
Features and Benefits:
- Touch screen control of the entire house
- Audio and visual connections to the rest of the house
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
- Motorized drape controls
Dining Room
If guests are being entertained before they arrive the mood could be set by touching the entry on the kitchen screen marked "fine dining". The lights dim in the dining room, music is pumped from the living room or the ceiling speakers in the dining area.
Features and Benefits:
- Touch screen control of the entire house
- Audio and visual connections to the rest of the house
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
Kitchen
In the morning the kitchen is automatically ready for the day. Coffee begins brewing, the hot water faucets are made ready to deliver hot water from the start and the television turns on and is set to ones favorite morning show. When the owner is ready to leave with one touch to the screen in the kitchen, the system opens the garage door and gets the alarm system set.
Features and Benefits:
- Audio and visual connections to the rest of the house
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
- Appliance Control
- Touch screen control of the entire house
Bathroom
Walk into the bathroom and the temperature is warm and the shower water is instantly hot, because the system prepared them just before the wake up alarm went off. While in the shower the owner can listen to the morning news from the whole house communications network.
Features and Benefits:
- Automatic lighting in the bathroom areas when someone enters
- Automatic heating based on desired temperature
- Instant hot water
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
Hallway
As one walks down the hallway the path can be automatically lighted and the security system recognizes the person being from within the home while remaining quiet.
Features and Benefits:
- Automatic lighting based on occupancy
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
Stairways
The systems status screen can be located in the stairway. From this control panel, the temperature inside and outside can be observed. The lights will come on as the owner enters an unlit area.
Features and Benefits:
- Touch screen control of the entire house
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
Outdoors
Motion detectors are situated outside and they are not only for the security system. As the owner enters the backyard, the music from the whole house audio system follows the occupants. As the music spreads through the yard, decorative pools illuminate and ground lighting turns on. The landscape lighting is set according to the time of year. Warm summer nights require less lighting than overcast winter nights. To monitor the need for the lawn to be watered, the system determines the water level and makes the decision to water the lawn and plants through the sprinklers. This system allows the landscaping to always have the right amount of water.
Features and Benefits:
- Automated sprinkler system
- Environmental monitoring system
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
Home Office
As one sits at the desk of their home office that is linked to their companies computers via an ISDN link, the owner is able to hear visitors at the front door and ask them to enter. Once the person enters the home office the touch screen control panel or voice activation allows one to re-lock the door, turn music down, and turn lights back up to prepare for the meeting.
Features and Benefits:
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
- Touch screen control of the entire house
- Audio and visual connections to the rest of the house
- ISDN connection linking you to the rest of the world
Bedroom
From the bedroom the lighting that may have been accidentally left on can be turned off. Children can be viewed from the bedroom television while sleeping. The system knows when to set the security system, and double checks the other systems in the house such as video/audio, doors, etc. to make certain the home is in a secure state while the occupants are asleep.
Features and Benefits:
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
- Touch screen control of the entire house
- Audio and visual connections to the rest of the house
Basement
The heating and cooling of the basement can be detected through sensors to make sure it is the right temperature. Many basements have leakage problems and can be detected by flood sensors on the floor. The basement of a smart home also has a security system that will not allow intruders to enter the house via the basement.
Features and Benefits:
- Security system components for forced entry and fire
- Communications outlet linking the rest of the house
- Environmental monitoring and control systems
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