Presenting

Home Automation
with Misterhouse
Pinky : Gee, Brain what do you want to do
tonight?
Brain : The same thing we do every night Pinky.
Try to take over automate the world!
Safety & Disclaimer
 My Introduction

Neil Cherry ([email protected])

my web site: http://www.linuxha.com/

Home Automation has been my
hobby/passion/obsession since 1978

Author: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
(2006)

My background is networking, electronics,
embedded systems and programming

This presentation can be found @:
http://ushomeautomation.com/Presentations/
(TCF2011)
What is home automation (HA)?

Home Automation (or Domotics) is
automation specific to the requirements
of private residences. It applies
techniques for the comfort, security,
entertainment and communications
needs of it's residents.

In simplest terms it is control and
monitoring of devices and information.
− Lighting and appliance control
− Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC)
− Energy/Resource management
 What is HA? (cont'd)


Security and access control (SAC)
− Doors and windows control and monitoring
− fire alarm (FA), fire, life, and safety (FLS)
− CO alarm
− Flood/Water Alarm

Communications (voice and data)

Entertainment control

Information processing (things like resource
management)
− Thunderstorm/Tornado/Tsunami/Earthquake/
Weather warning
 What is HA? (cont'd)


It is all these things integrated into a
single package and is quickly including
things outside the home.

Because of this HA is now becoming a
misnomer!

... perhaps a better name would be Smart
Home Information Technology ... ;-)

... for now I'll stick with HA.
 What can you do with HA?

With HA you control and monitor devices
and information
− Sprinkler system (device)
− monitor your email (information)

trigger things based on time,
temperature, email or something else.
(information)

Security
− monitoring doors and windows
− fire, smoke, water & CO
 HA (continued)

Entertainment
− music

Streaming/Juke box

Internet Radio

Podcasting
− TV

live

recorded (VCR, DVR)

Streaming video

video casting (YouTube)
− Radio
 HA (continued)

Weather
− prediction
− recorded history
− current temperature, humidity, wind,
barometric pressure, rain fall, sunshine.
− phase of the moon
− tides
− Internet
− Thunderstorm/Tornado/Tsunami/Earthquake
warning
Home Automation Introduction

Home automation,
It often starts with
holiday lights

You don't need a
computer for this

A simple timer or a
remote and some
modules will do ...

... but where's the
fun in that?! :-)
 HA Introduction

Typical hardware you'll start with:
− Lamps modules
− Computer interfaces
− A desktop control is not a bad idea also

You expand to control other appliances
typically lights

Has a very high 'Geek factor'

Wild ideas begin to fill your head

Reality sets in when gremlins strike

SAF is very important!
Simple X10 Setup (cont'd)
2011, the year of convergence

Disruptive technologies
− Open Source/FOSS community
− Linux / GNU utilities
− X10 patents expiring
− Touchscreen technology
(resistive/capacitive)
− ARM processors & cell phone usage
− Apple iPod/iPhone
− Android
− The App Store
2011, the year of convergence


Disruptive technologies (cont'd)
− The flood of Insteon, Z-Wave, ZigBee
and others
− Plug computers
− Energy usage awareness
− Cloud computing
− M2M
 Technology

PLC – Power line carrier or
communications
− X10
− Insteon
− UPB

Z-Wave & ZigBee (900 MHz/2.4GHz) both
are wireless mesh

Direct IO (Digital and Analog)

Networked (IP, RS485, IButton, SPI,
wireless)

PC Interface (USB, serial, PCI board)
 What can you do with it?

Lights and appliances (direct, power line
or wireless)

TV, VCR, DVD, Tivo (IP network/IR)

Monitor weather

Temperature

Thermostats

Internet Information

Monitor Energy
 Computer Interfaces

Lots of different
vendors, interface
types and
communication
protocols

Serial, USB, and IP

Some are plug like
some a USB stick
like (Z-Wave for
example)
Modules

Lamp module

Appliance module

Digital/Analog I/O
module
(Sprinklers)

Universal module
(digital input)

Wireless module
 Wall Switches

Some control loads

Some only transmit
a command

some do both

They do come in
different colors and
styles
KeypadLincs

Some only send
commands

some can control
one load
(appliance control)

the ones with a
load can receive
commands
 KeypadLinc w/Dim

Controls an
electrical load

Sends commands

can send group
commands.

on/off

dim/bright
Wall Outlets

Insteon OutletLinc

on/off

X10 Super Socket –
I don't recommend
this product
Z-Wave Lock sets
Wireless Thermostats
Table top controllers

Ugly but useful

Smarthome has a
lot of useful
features

Mini console – 4
buttons (useful for
testing)

Maxi Console - 16
buttons
Insteon Remote
 Misterhouse (MH)

http://www.misterhouse.net/
 Misterhouse (MH)

MH is written entirely in Perl.

It has a rather strange Object Oriented
method of coding because MH writes
some of it's Perl code at startup

Very flexible because it's able to take
advantage of the existing library of Perl
Modules.

Starting out is not terrible complex but
some knowledge of Perl is required.

Plenty of examples exist

Mail lists are very friendly and supportive.
Plug Computer

ARM (v5) processor

1G Hz

512M RAM

512M Flash/ SD slot

No math coprocessor

No fan

4 Watts of power

Linux based
 Misterhouse (MH)

Control & Interface
− X10
− Insteon
− Z-Wave
− UPB
− KNX/EIB
− Direct I/O
− 1-wire/IButton
− IP (TCP, UDP, HTTP, ...)
 Misterhouse (MH)

IR
− transmit
− receive

Wireless remotes (non X10/Insteon)

Macros

Triggers

Tables (.mht ->.mhp)
 Misterhouse (MH)

Speech – TTS

Listen – STT

Weather

News

On this day, fortune etc.

Comics

TV Guide

Home Layout – Floor Plan
 Misterhouse (MH)

Grocery list

Organizer/Calendar

Stocks

email

Home Security

custom Perl code

custom web pages
Web Interface & Demo
Floor Plan
Custom Web page
 MH .mht file
# Type Address Name Groups
#
X10A, 01, Holiday_Lights, Holiday|O,
X10A, O1, xO1, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, 01, Backup_Lights, Holiday|O,
X10A, O2, xO2, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, O3, xO3, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, O4, xO4, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, O5, xO5, Holiday|Test|O,
 MH .mhp file

MH generates this code from the .mht file:

$Holiday_Lights =  new X10_Appliance('01', );
$Holiday        =  new Group;
$Holiday        ­> add($Holiday_Lights);
$O              =  new Group;
$O              ­> add($Holiday_Lights);
 User code
# Need to add Christmas time here
# Actually any Holiday.

if(state_now $Holiday_LightsOn) { # O1OOn was just sent
    # Holiday lights
                             set $xO1 ON;
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub {   set $xO2 ON; });
  Timer­>new­>set(2, sub {   set $xO3 ON; });
  Timer­>new­>set(3, sub {   set $xO4 ON; });
  Timer­>new­>set(4, sub {   set $xO5 ON; });

  run_after_delay 2, "print_log 'Ending delay test 1'";
}
 More user code

if(state_now $Holiday_LightsOff) { # O1OIff was just sent
  # Holiday lights
                                            set $xO1 OFF;
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub { set $xO2 OFF; });
  Timer­>new­>set(2, sub { set $xO3 OFF; });
  Timer­>new­>set(3, sub { set $xO4 OFF; });
  Timer­>new­>set(4, sub { set $xO5 OFF; });
  run_after_delay 5, "print_log 'Ending delay test 1'";
}
 Macro code (Perl)
# LRicon is actually a LampLinc V2
# manually turned on ­ sends out E4EON ($LR_ON)
# manually turned off ­ sends out E4EOFF
# ($LR_OFF)
if(state_now $LR_ON) {
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRiLamp­>set(ON)};
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRicon­>set(ON)};
}
if(state_now $LR_OFF) {
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRiLamp­>set(OFF)};
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRicon­>set(OFF)};
}
 Questions & Answers

? Anyone? Anyone?
 Books & Podcasts

Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
− http://linuxha.com/FD/book/

Smart Home Hacks
− http://gordon.typepad.com/

Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks

Podcast presentation on HA
− http://laugks.org/news/2007/07/19/laug-podcast-0607-home-automation/

My Linux Link Tech Show visit
− http://www.tllts.org/dl.php?episode=162
 References

http://www.linuxha.com/

http://www.linuxha.com/FD/book/

http://www.misterhouse.net/

http://www.weedtech.com/

http://www.planetchristmas.com/

http://computerchristmas.com/

http://www.smarthome.com/

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/

http://www.x10.com/

http://home-automation.org/
 Reference (cont.)

http://www.linuxha.com/athome/index.html#Documents

http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/

My web site: http://www.linuxha.com/

My other web site:
http://ushomeautomation.com/

My blog: http://linuxha.blogspot.com/

My email: [email protected]
 Extra material
The material that follows was not meant to
be presented during this presentation. It
is meant as extra (bonus ;-) material to
give you something to think about.
If you have any questions they can be
directed to me at: [email protected].
I'll answer them as I get time.

Thank you
The dream since 1985!
 Automating the Coffee Maker

RFC2324 – HTCPCP

RFC2325

Simply task

We turn on the
coffee maker every
morning at 5:30
AM

... or do we?
 When we make coffee ...

we fill the maker with water

we add a new filter

we fill it with coffee

we turn it on

we let it brew

Sometimes we set it up the night before
with the timer so it goes off before we get
up.
 Simple automation

We can just add an appliance module and
program the computer to turn on the
coffee maker

but we still have to setup the machine
and make sure it's on

this is no easier than setting the timer
 What we'd like it to do ...

Fill the coffee maker with water

turn on the machine

brew the coffee

turn off when there is no coffee


It would really be nice if it refilled water,
coffee and filter as necessary.

Reading my mind would be a good idea
too! ;-)
 What we have to do ...

Safely brew a pot of coffee
− make sure the pot is on the burner
− check the status of the pot (empty? full?)
− Check the machine for water, fill as needed
but not if there's a pot brewing
− don't overfill the machine
− turn off when empty or there's no pot (for n
amount of time).
What if devices could
communicate?
 What if devices could
communicate?

If we had one standard device
communications protocol it would be
easier

Do you set your coffee pot and alarm
clock for about the same time?

If devices could communicate we could
set our alarm in one place

and have the coffee ready in another
 What if devices could
communicate?

and a little code:
if(time_now($Wake_Up – 0:20) &&
$Alarm_OK) {
$CoffeePot->set(ON);
}
if(time_now($Wake_Up) && $Alarm_OK) {
$AlarmClock->ramp(GENTLE);
$AlarmClock->set(ON);
}
 Resource Management

Record usage history
− unusual patterns usual indicate waste

Find out what's using power
− with a history you can predict when an
appliance could break down

Tailor resource better to make usage
patterns

Use of AI (Intelligent software, not a
thinking machine) for better results.
Networking
 Future Homes

IP on Everything!

'nano-controllers' (not x86 devices) with
network support for lamps (4-8 pin 8 bit
controllers)

pico-controllers (maybe x86 but more
likely ARM (16/32 bit) size devices) for
larger appliances

pico-ITX (32/64 bit x86/ARM) like devices
for TV, Stereo

Companies will offer home system
monitoring like today's security offerings
 Future Homes

You may have less direct control over
your home. More of it will be under the
control of the Service company
(Good/Bad ? Depends on the service)

You'll get reports that you can determine
what's going on.

You may be able to determine when it's
cost effective to buy-up

Question of centralized control (the cloud)
or distributed intelligence (home/cloud).
 Where we're going

Control (actually we're here)

Monitoring

Services (Cloud Computing)

Telehealth
 Reliability or things that make
you go hmm ...

X10 has been said to work 90% of the
time

Insteon works better (99% of the time?)

90% of 364 is 36.4 days failed

99% of 364 is 3.6 days failed

99.9% - .364 days (~8.7 hours)

99.999% - .00364 days (5.2 mins)
 Presenting
Home Automation
with Misterhouse

Over the years I've created various slide shows/presentations on the subject of home automation. This 
presentation is being done for the Trenton Computer Festival on April 2nd, 2011 at the College of NJ 
in Ewing, NJ.
Pinky : Gee, Brain what do you want to do
tonight?
Brain : The same thing we do every night Pinky.
Try to take over automate the world! 2
 Safety & Disclaimer

Because mush of the home automation material involves working with electrical appliances and 
devices caution must be exercised. Batteries as small as 9v have enough current to kill a person under 
the right circumstances. Household AC (120, 208 or 220) can kill very easily under most 
circumstances. If you are not qualified to work with electricity I recommend you use a qualified 
electrician. While he may cost you extra money he may save your life and property.

None of the information or opinions expressed in this presentation are paid for. They are strictly my 
own and my not represent an endorsement of someone's  project, product or service (unless otherwise 
stated so.
 My Introduction

Neil Cherry ([email protected])

my web site: http://www.linuxha.com/

Home Automation has been my
hobby/passion/obsession since 1978

Author: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
(2006)

My background is networking, electronics,
embedded systems and programming

This presentation can be found @:
http://ushomeautomation.com/Presentations/ 4

(TCF2011)
What is home automation (HA)?

Home Automation (or Domotics) is
automation specific to the requirements
of private residences. It applies
techniques for the comfort, security,
entertainment and communications
needs of it's residents.

In simplest terms it is control and
monitoring of devices and information.
− Lighting and appliance control
− Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC)
5
− Energy/Resource management
 What is HA? (cont'd)


Security and access control (SAC)
− Doors and windows control and monitoring
− fire alarm (FA), fire, life, and safety (FLS)
− CO alarm
− Flood/Water Alarm

Communications (voice and data)

Entertainment control

Information processing (things like resource
management)
− Thunderstorm/Tornado/Tsunami/Earthquake/
6
Weather warning
 What is HA? (cont'd)


It is all these things integrated into a
single package and is quickly including
things outside the home.

Because of this HA is now becoming a
misnomer!

... perhaps a better name would be Smart
Home Information Technology ... ;-)

... for now I'll stick with HA.

Smart Home Information Technology – That's a joke son (look at the acronym) :­)
 What can you do with HA?

With HA you control and monitor devices
and information
− Sprinkler system (device)
− monitor your email (information)

trigger things based on time,
temperature, email or something else.
(information)

Security
− monitoring doors and windows
− fire, smoke, water & CO 8
 HA (continued)

Entertainment
− music

Streaming/Juke box

Internet Radio

Podcasting
− TV

live

recorded (VCR, DVR)

Streaming video

video casting (YouTube)
− Radio 9
 HA (continued)

Weather
− prediction
− recorded history
− current temperature, humidity, wind,
barometric pressure, rain fall, sunshine.
− phase of the moon
− tides
− Internet
− Thunderstorm/Tornado/Tsunami/Earthquake
warning
10
Home Automation Introduction

Home automation, Double-click to add graphics

It often starts with

holiday lights

You don't need a
computer for this

A simple timer or a
remote and some
modules will do ...

... but where's the
fun in that?! :-)
11
 HA Introduction

Typical hardware you'll start with:
− Lamps modules
− Computer interfaces
− A desktop control is not a bad idea also

You expand to control other appliances
typically lights

Has a very high 'Geek factor'

Wild ideas begin to fill your head

Reality sets in when gremlins strike
12

SAF is very important!
Simple X10 Setup (cont'd)

13
2011, the year of convergence

Disruptive technologies
− Open Source/FOSS community
− Linux / GNU utilities
− X10 patents expiring
− Touchscreen technology
(resistive/capacitive)
− ARM processors & cell phone usage
− Apple iPod/iPhone
− Android
− The App Store 14
 2011, the year of convergence


Disruptive technologies (cont'd)
− The flood of Insteon, Z-Wave, ZigBee
and others
− Plug computers
− Energy usage awareness
− Cloud computing
− M2M

15

•
 2011 has been an interesting year! The year started with a large number of HA vendors showing off 
Plug based products that would interface with their products and things like Z­Wave (very popular), 
ZigBee and Insteon. The end of 2010 saw the US government standardizing on ZigBee for it's energy 
initiatives. With tablet style devices becoming more common place we've seen a lot of Apps for home 
automation.
 Currently Z­Wave has a nice lead on ZigBee and I'd say that it's become the standard of the day for 
•

home automation. Z­Wave appears to be one of the first to bring out a product line that measures 
energy usage in the device modules. ZigBee also has such features but it lags Z­Wave's availability. 
Insteon also appears to be getting into this part of the market but is late to market.
 Of course they would love if we had a house full of their products but I don't see that happening for 
•

a while so to monitor the home's power you can get devices like kill­a­watt, TED or my favorite: the 
Brultech ECM­1240 which can monitor the mains and 5 circuits.
 The plug computer seems to made the biggest difference as it's small, quiet, low powered and can 
•

basically be ignored and hidden away. I'll speak more about this later.
 We're seeing more and more applications being moved into the cloud. We're already familiar with 
•

email (Gmail, Yahoo, etc), shared documents (file sharing, Google Docs, Flicker) and of course 
storage but now processing power (databases) and software services (SOAP, REST and Web 
Services) can be purchased via the cloud. This leads to more being done in the cloud. One such 
service is image processing from cheap home IP cameras. The service processes the images from the 
cameras and provides motion detection and security services to the customer. All handled in the 
cloud.
 M2M, think OnStar for your home except you don't hit the Blue button. Things like your appliances 
•

communicate with services for your benefit. If you have a Nook then you've experienced M2M which 
 Technology

PLC – Power line carrier or
communications
− X10
− Insteon
− UPB

Z-Wave & ZigBee (900 MHz/2.4GHz) both
are wireless mesh

Direct IO (Digital and Analog)

Networked (IP, RS485, IButton, SPI,
wireless)
16

PC Interface (USB, serial, PCI board)
 What can you do with it?

Lights and appliances (direct, power line
or wireless)

TV, VCR, DVD, Tivo (IP network/IR)

Monitor weather

Temperature

Thermostats

Internet Information

Monitor Energy
17
 Computer Interfaces

Lots of different
vendors, interface
types and
communication
protocols

Serial, USB, and IP

Some are plug like
some a USB stick
like (Z-Wave for
example)
18
Modules

Lamp module

Appliance module

Digital/Analog I/O
module
(Sprinklers)

Universal module
(digital input)

Wireless module

19
 Wall Switches

Some control loads

Some only transmit
a command

some do both

They do come in
different colors and
styles

20
KeypadLincs

Some only send
commands

some can control
one load
(appliance control)

the ones with a
load can receive
commands

21
 KeypadLinc w/Dim

Controls an
electrical load

Sends commands

can send group
commands.

on/off

dim/bright

22
Wall Outlets

Insteon OutletLinc

on/off

X10 Super Socket –
I don't recommend
this product

23
Z-Wave Lock sets

24
Wireless Thermostats

25
Table top controllers

Ugly but useful

Smarthome has a
lot of useful
features

Mini console – 4
buttons (useful for
testing)

Maxi Console - 16
buttons
26
Insteon Remote

27
 Misterhouse (MH)

http://www.misterhouse.net/ 28
 Misterhouse (MH)

MH is written entirely in Perl.

It has a rather strange Object Oriented
method of coding because MH writes
some of it's Perl code at startup

Very flexible because it's able to take
advantage of the existing library of Perl
Modules.

Starting out is not terrible complex but
some knowledge of Perl is required.

Plenty of examples exist
29

Mail lists are very friendly and supportive.
Plug Computer

ARM (v5) processor

1G Hz

512M RAM

512M Flash/ SD slot

No math coprocessor

No fan

4 Watts of power

Linux based
30
 Misterhouse (MH)

Control & Interface
− X10
− Insteon
− Z-Wave
− UPB
− KNX/EIB
− Direct I/O
− 1-wire/IButton
− IP (TCP, UDP, HTTP, ...)

31
 Misterhouse (MH)

IR
− transmit
− receive

Wireless remotes (non X10/Insteon)

Macros

Triggers

Tables (.mht ->.mhp)

32
 Misterhouse (MH)

Speech – TTS

Listen – STT

Weather

News

On this day, fortune etc.

Comics

TV Guide

Home Layout – Floor Plan
33
 Misterhouse (MH)

Grocery list

Organizer/Calendar

Stocks

email

Home Security

custom Perl code

custom web pages

34
Web Interface & Demo

35
Floor Plan

36
Custom Web page

37
 MH .mht file
# Type Address Name Groups
#
X10A, 01, Holiday_Lights, Holiday|O,
X10A, O1, xO1, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, 01, Backup_Lights, Holiday|O,
X10A, O2, xO2, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, O3, xO3, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, O4, xO4, Holiday|Test|O,
X10A, O5, xO5, Holiday|Test|O,
38
 MH .mhp file

MH generates this code from the .mht file:

$Holiday_Lights =  new X10_Appliance('01', );
$Holiday        =  new Group;
$Holiday        ­> add($Holiday_Lights);
$O              =  new Group;
$O              ­> add($Holiday_Lights);

39
 User code
# Need to add Christmas time here
# Actually any Holiday.

if(state_now $Holiday_LightsOn) { # O1OOn was just sent
    # Holiday lights
                             set $xO1 ON;
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub {   set $xO2 ON; });
  Timer­>new­>set(2, sub {   set $xO3 ON; });
  Timer­>new­>set(3, sub {   set $xO4 ON; });
  Timer­>new­>set(4, sub {   set $xO5 ON; });

  run_after_delay 2, "print_log 'Ending delay test 1'"; 40

}
 More user code

if(state_now $Holiday_LightsOff) { # O1OIff was just sent
  # Holiday lights
                                            set $xO1 OFF;
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub { set $xO2 OFF; });
  Timer­>new­>set(2, sub { set $xO3 OFF; });
  Timer­>new­>set(3, sub { set $xO4 OFF; });
  Timer­>new­>set(4, sub { set $xO5 OFF; });
  run_after_delay 5, "print_log 'Ending delay test 1'";
}

41
 Macro code (Perl)
# LRicon is actually a LampLinc V2
# manually turned on ­ sends out E4EON ($LR_ON)
# manually turned off ­ sends out E4EOFF
# ($LR_OFF)
if(state_now $LR_ON) {
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRiLamp­>set(ON)};
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRicon­>set(ON)};
}
if(state_now $LR_OFF) {
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRiLamp­>set(OFF)};
  Timer­>new­>set(1, sub{ $LRicon­>set(OFF)};
}
42
 Questions & Answers

? Anyone? Anyone?

43
 Books & Podcasts

Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
− http://linuxha.com/FD/book/

Smart Home Hacks
− http://gordon.typepad.com/

Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks

Podcast presentation on HA
− http://laugks.org/news/2007/07/19/laug-podcast-0607-home-automation/

My Linux Link Tech Show visit
− http://www.tllts.org/dl.php?episode=162
44
 References

http://www.linuxha.com/

http://www.linuxha.com/FD/book/

http://www.misterhouse.net/

http://www.weedtech.com/

http://www.planetchristmas.com/

http://computerchristmas.com/

http://www.smarthome.com/

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/

http://www.x10.com/

http://home-automation.org/ 45
 Reference (cont.)

http://www.linuxha.com/athome/index.html#Documents

http://home.comcast.net/~ncherry/

My web site: http://www.linuxha.com/

My other web site:
http://ushomeautomation.com/

My blog: http://linuxha.blogspot.com/

My email: [email protected]

46
 Extra material
The material that follows was not meant to
be presented during this presentation. It
is meant as extra (bonus ;-) material to
give you something to think about.
If you have any questions they can be
directed to me at: [email protected].
I'll answer them as I get time.

Thank you
47
 The dream since 1985!

48

Seems I'm not the only one to be dream of home automation. This picture is from an Italian computer 
magazine form 1985.
 Automating the Coffee Maker

RFC2324 – HTCPCP

RFC2325

Simply task

We turn on the
coffee maker every
morning at 5:30
AM

... or do we?

49

While the RFCs are meant as a joke I'm afraid I've taken them too seriously! ;­) But we should 
consider what goes into doing something as simple as making our morning coffee before we attempt 
to automate the task. Often when we consider what needs to be done it turns out that it's actually 
easier to not automate the task and to deal with it ourselves.
 When we make coffee ...

we fill the maker with water

we add a new filter

we fill it with coffee

we turn it on

we let it brew

Sometimes we set it up the night before
with the timer so it goes off before we get
up.
50

Much of the safety system is dependent on human intervention. Why would you turn on a coffee pot 
if there was no water in the pot? If you wanted coffee you'd first make sure that you have the machine 
setup for what you want before turning it on (or possibly using a timer to make sure it goes on after 
you've set it up). That little bit of setup can be very hard, expensive and difficult to do correctly.

Even something as simple as filling the pot with the correct amount of water requires smaller steps. 
Oh and if you are explaining this to your spouse may I recommend that you don't use the toilet float 
to explain how the pot fills with water. The analogy doesn't work well. ;­)
 Simple automation

We can just add an appliance module and
program the computer to turn on the
coffee maker

but we still have to setup the machine
and make sure it's on

this is no easier than setting the timer

51
 What we'd like it to do ...

Fill the coffee maker with water

turn on the machine

brew the coffee

turn off when there is no coffee


It would really be nice if it refilled water,
coffee and filter as necessary.

Reading my mind would be a good idea
too! ;-)
52
 What we have to do ...

Safely brew a pot of coffee
− make sure the pot is on the burner
− check the status of the pot (empty? full?)
− Check the machine for water, fill as needed
but not if there's a pot brewing
− don't overfill the machine
− turn off when empty or there's no pot (for n
amount of time).

53
What if devices could
communicate?

54
 What if devices could
communicate?

If we had one standard device
communications protocol it would be
easier

Do you set your coffee pot and alarm
clock for about the same time?

If devices could communicate we could
set our alarm in one place

and have the coffee ready in another

55
 What if devices could
communicate?

and a little code:
if(time_now($Wake_Up – 0:20) &&
$Alarm_OK) {
$CoffeePot->set(ON);
}
if(time_now($Wake_Up) && $Alarm_OK) {
$AlarmClock->ramp(GENTLE);
$AlarmClock->set(ON);
} 56

Some simple Perl code that could be used by Misterhouse. Of course this assumes that the  correct 
modules have been written before hand. Such as the Mr. Coffee module and Alarm Clock modules. 
Once this has been written then making use of these modules is much easier.
 Resource Management

Record usage history
− unusual patterns usual indicate waste

Find out what's using power
− with a history you can predict when an
appliance could break down

Tailor resource better to make usage
patterns

Use of AI (Intelligent software, not a
thinking machine) for better results.
57
Networking

58
 Future Homes

IP on Everything!

'nano-controllers' (not x86 devices) with
network support for lamps (4-8 pin 8 bit
controllers)

pico-controllers (maybe x86 but more
likely ARM (16/32 bit) size devices) for
larger appliances

pico-ITX (32/64 bit x86/ARM) like devices
for TV, Stereo

Companies will offer home system 59
monitoring like today's security offerings
 Future Homes

You may have less direct control over
your home. More of it will be under the
control of the Service company
(Good/Bad ? Depends on the service)

You'll get reports that you can determine
what's going on.

You may be able to determine when it's
cost effective to buy-up

Question of centralized control (the cloud)
or distributed intelligence (home/cloud).
60
 Where we're going

Control (actually we're here)

Monitoring

Services (Cloud Computing)

Telehealth

61
 Reliability or things that make
you go hmm ...

X10 has been said to work 90% of the
time

Insteon works better (99% of the time?)

90% of 364 is 36.4 days failed

99% of 364 is 3.6 days failed

99.9% - .364 days (~8.7 hours)

99.999% - .00364 days (5.2 mins)

62

While not strictly part of home automation, a rather important point to take into consideration when 
dealing with reliability. Some folks say that X10 works 9 out of 10 times. While I agree with the 90% 
number I don't agree with the 9 out of 10 times. I tend to see X10 and my other HA product work in 
long spurts with short bursts of failure.