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I've wanted to post this project for about 3 years now but never could find the time. Oh well needs must as the devil drives as they say and it's here for you now. I hope it comes across clear, if not let me know and I'll fix it. With that said:
Home Automation systems are cool. You can use them to control your music, home temperature, lights, theater systems, sprinklers, HVAC, alarm system etc. Think of the Jetsons without the flying cars or stupid clothes. That's what the 21st century is supposed to be like folks, and it's not going to come on it's own we have to build it.
Back in 2007 and 2008 I made a Home Automation System as a part of my senior design project, and to automate some of the tasks that I come across in my daily life. While this project is still far from complete, and what I present here is just the tip of the iceberg, it is a great starting point to get your feet wet, and to build upon. I'll try and cover all the basics of what and why I chose to implement what I did back then. I'll also post a bunch of upgrade plans that can be easily implemented.
If you have any questions, comments, criticisms feel free to let me know this is my first instructable. If I did the system over today it would be a little different cuz I've learned more since then, tech has changed, and I no longer have a home phone line which the heart of the system relies on. Just don't measure my choices then based upon todays yardsticks. Some parts will get pretty wordy, but I'll try and load in Pics to help with that along the way. Hope you have as much fun with it as I have!
I mean this instructable to illustrate many BUILDING BLOCKS that can be used in your home automation system. Please treat each subsytem as a lego block, if you want to use it go for it, if you think it dumb ignore it.
(As a fair warning I can get wordy skip it if your not interested! Feel free to tell me where I messed up I wont take offense.)
This will also be my entry into the 3rd Epilog challenge, as well as the Makerbot Challenge I wish I had another month to update the info because there is a lot more, but I hope you like it as is.
Home Automation systems are cool. You can use them to control your music, home temperature, lights, theater systems, sprinklers, HVAC, alarm system etc. Think of the Jetsons without the flying cars or stupid clothes. That's what the 21st century is supposed to be like folks, and it's not going to come on it's own we have to build it.
Back in 2007 and 2008 I made a Home Automation System as a part of my senior design project, and to automate some of the tasks that I come across in my daily life. While this project is still far from complete, and what I present here is just the tip of the iceberg, it is a great starting point to get your feet wet, and to build upon. I'll try and cover all the basics of what and why I chose to implement what I did back then. I'll also post a bunch of upgrade plans that can be easily implemented.
If you have any questions, comments, criticisms feel free to let me know this is my first instructable. If I did the system over today it would be a little different cuz I've learned more since then, tech has changed, and I no longer have a home phone line which the heart of the system relies on. Just don't measure my choices then based upon todays yardsticks. Some parts will get pretty wordy, but I'll try and load in Pics to help with that along the way. Hope you have as much fun with it as I have!
I mean this instructable to illustrate many BUILDING BLOCKS that can be used in your home automation system. Please treat each subsytem as a lego block, if you want to use it go for it, if you think it dumb ignore it.
(As a fair warning I can get wordy skip it if your not interested! Feel free to tell me where I messed up I wont take offense.)
This will also be my entry into the 3rd Epilog challenge, as well as the Makerbot Challenge I wish I had another month to update the info because there is a lot more, but I hope you like it as is.
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Signing UpStep 1What is Remote Home Automation (RHA)?
Home Automation is a little different from Building Automation although they are pretty similar. Automated houses or smarthomes are usually distinguished by their ergonomics (or how they interface with people) and are made to have a little flare to them. Whereas most other building automation is strictly functional.
Examples of home automation include the clapper, the X10 series, and the HAL 2000 software .
Basically think of it as making your home into a giant robot. With different sensors, and systems to make your life easier.
Given above is the block diagram for the system we'll be focusing on. The Phone will be our initial interface for triggering subsystems, later I'll show how you can interface this with the computer and then automate more stuff from there.
There are an endless number of things that you can do to automate your home. Here I'll present a few of the building blocks for one such system. I intend for these systems to be used more like lego pieces so use them as you will. :)
Examples of home automation include the clapper, the X10 series, and the HAL 2000 software .
Basically think of it as making your home into a giant robot. With different sensors, and systems to make your life easier.
Given above is the block diagram for the system we'll be focusing on. The Phone will be our initial interface for triggering subsystems, later I'll show how you can interface this with the computer and then automate more stuff from there.
There are an endless number of things that you can do to automate your home. Here I'll present a few of the building blocks for one such system. I intend for these systems to be used more like lego pieces so use them as you will. :)
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"YES! I've finally broke someone with logic!"
Thanks for the post! made my day.