Smart Appliance / May 03-21 Home Automation via the Web

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Smart Appliance / May 03-21Home Automation via
the Web

• Client
• Senior Design
• Faculty Advisor
• Doug Jacobson

• Team Members
• Mark Melville (EE)
• Brendan Hickey (CprE)
• Scott Reeder (CprE)
• Brian Thorp (CprE)
• Mike Fernholz (EE)

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Presentation Outline

• Introduction to Project
• Project Activities
• Resources and Schedules
• Closing Materials

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List of Definitions
API Application Program Interface. Interfaces between the operating system and application programs.
Host Controller Device that attaches between a wall plug and a computer that sends and receives X-10 signals.
Smart device Any piece of electronic equipment that is highly automated, or imitates human intelligence.
X-10 A communications protocol that allows compatible products to talk to each other via the existing 110V electrical wiring in the home.
X-10 Module Hardware that facilitates communication between appliances and an X-10 controller. A module would plug into an outlet, and a lamp, for example, would plug into the module.
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Project Introduction
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General Problem Statement

• GOAL Develop a home automation system that is
  accessible via the WWW
• Users include vacationing or security-conscience
  homeowners
• System is designed to enable a homeowner to
  operate lights, appliances and other devices and
  check if their garage door is open or closed via
  the web.

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General Solution Statement

• Software
• Programmed in Java
• Three parts to the software
• GUI application that can be run on the home
  computer that controls the X-10 devices from that
  computer
• Java applet that can be run from any web-enabled
  device that connects to the home computer to
  control the home network
• Java server that controls the devices when the
  applet has connected to the host computer
• Hardware
• Garage door monitor

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Operating Environment

• Software
• Platform independent
• Client applet must run on a browser that supports
  Java applets
• Hardware
• Host computer must have a serial port to talk to
  the X-10 controller
• Garage door sensor must be able to withstand
  moderate vibration and seasonal temperature and
  humidity changes

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Intended Users

• Person who currently owns or will purchase a
  CM11A host controller
• Small businesses that desire the same
  security/monitoring requirements that our system
  provides

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Intended Uses

• Control appliances and lamps locally
• Control appliances and lamps remotely
• Automate control via timed events
• Allows user to check if their garage door is open
  or closed

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Assumptions

• Device shall be easy to install, configure, and
  use
• User is familiar with operating a computer
• User will have a computer with a serial port and
  continuous internet access.
  (dial-up not recommended)
• Home environment will comply with the specified
  operating environment
• X-10 system will not experience outside
  interference from other X-10 systems

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Limitations

• Limited to 16 different X-10 controlled devices
• Server must be running on the home computer when
  the client desires to connect and control
  remotely
• Device response time is limited by the speed of
  the users Internet connection

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End Product Description

• Installable software package
• Installation instructions
• User software
• Software Documentation
• Source Code
• X-10 Hardware
• Must be purchased separately (CM11A devices
  required)
• Garage Door Sensor
• Monitoring module
• Mounting hardware
• Installation instructions

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Project Activities
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Present Accomplishments

• Software
• Created local control software
• Created remote Java applet
• Implemented server into local software
• Hardware
• Created sensor circuit

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Approaches Considered and Ones Used X-10
Hardware

• FireCracker
• Advantages smaller, no dedicated serial port
  required
• Disadvantages less functionality, no 2-way
  support
• ActiveHome CM11A
• Advantages 2-way capable, more uses
• Disadvantages more expensive
• CM11A chosen because of 2-way functionality

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Programming Language

• Java
• Advantages Familiar designing GUIs using Java,
  X- 10 API, cross-platform
• Disadvantages Slower
• C
• Advantages Speed, flexibility
• Disadvantages Not familiar with GUI design,
  could not find anything like the X-10 API found
  for Java.
• Java chosen because of X-10 API and familiarity

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Networking architecture

• Stand-alone client/server
• Advantages More secure and stable
• Disadvantages Requires software on each
  machine
• Java Applet
• Advantages Most familiar, easy to use and
  implement
• Disadvantages Requires Java-enabled browser
• Java Applet chosen because it was the best fit
  for the project

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Garage Door Sensor

• Buying base sensor and building off of it
• Advantages Quicker and more reliable.
• Disadvantages Cost and less known about the
  circuit.
• Making entire circuit
• Advantages More knowledge of entire circuit.
• Disadvantages Time and troubleshooting
• Entire circuit was created from scratch, but
  commercial kit used for testing purposes.

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Garage Door Circuit

• Have the circuit be an X-10 module
• Advantages More compact, easier to use
• Disadvantages Much more time to design and
  implement
• Have the circuit attach to an X-10 module
• Advantages Easier to design, more flexibility
• Disadvantages Requires an external module to
  function
• The circuit will attach to an X-10 module because
  it allows the team to focus on the garage door
  circuit itself instead of the X-10 circuitry.

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Research Activities

• X-10 protocol
• X-10 hardware CM11A
• X-10 APIs and programming
• X-10 2-Way functionality
• Secure web sites
• Trusted Applets
• Sensor modules

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Design Activities

• General System Design
• Local Software
• Remote Software
• Server
• Custom Hardware

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General System Design
Remote PC
Java-enabled PDA or Phone
Java Applet
Web server
Control Server
Key Team-created Hardware or Software Commercial
X-10 Modules
Local PC
Local Software
Computer Interface
Lamp Module
Appliance Module
Custom X-10 Hardware
Living room Lamp
Television
Sensor
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Local Control Screenshot
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Local Software Add a Device
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Trusted Applet
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Receiver Circuit Schematic
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Transmitter Circuit Schematic
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Integration with X-10

• Original Approach
• Send signal to 2-Way X-10 module
• Modified Approach
• Create a new power signal from X-10 module based
  on sensor circuit signal

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Implementation Activities

• Software
• 1) Create local software
• - Create GUI
• - Send X-10 commands
• - Add/Modify/Remove devices
• 2) Create remote applet
• - Create GUI
• - Add code to send commands
• - Store on web site with login screen
• 3) Implement server into local software
• - Add remote operation functionality into
  local software

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Implementation Activities

• Hardware
• 1) Create Infrared Transmission Circuit
• - Design oscillator
• - Combine with Infrared LED
• 2) Create Infrared Receiver Circuit
• - Design amplifier
• - Design filter
• - Combine with Infrared Phototransistor
• 3) Combine Transmitter and Receiver Circuits
• - Create Infrared switch
• 4) Combine infrared circuit with X-10 module
• - Create proper integration hardware or
  circuitry

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Testing and Modification Activities

• Software testing
• Test GUI
• Test local control functionality
• Test remote control functionality
• Hardware Testing
• Test infrared circuit
• Test circuit with X-10 module
• System testing
• Test local control
• Test remote operation
• Test garage door sensor with software

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Other Project Activities

• Software
• Local control software.... (90)
• Remote Java applet...........(100)
• Web Site with log in....... (100)
• Server implementation into local
  software..(100)
• Add macros to software. (75)
• Show status of 2-way devices...... (75)
• Hardware
• Sensor circuit(100)
• Implement circuit with X-10 module. (75)

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Resources and Schedules
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Total Financial Resources
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Final Personal Budget
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First Semester Schedule
Project Planning and Technology Selection
Develop Project Plan
Implement Project Design (Hardware)
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Second Semester Schedule
Software Coding and Testing
Product Revision
Documentation
Product Demo
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Conclusion
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Project Evaluation

• Identify possible designs to implement,
• and choose one fully met
• Hardware and software specifications
• fully met
• Code software by specification
• nearly met
• Design hardware
• fully met
• Test hardware and software
• nearly met
• Documentation
• fully met

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Commercialization

• Production Costs (sensor) 20
• Selling price (sensor) 40
• Selling price (Software) 20
• Market vacationers, security conscience
  homeowners
• plus a monthly fee for using web service

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Recommendations for Additional Work

• Commercialization
• Add support for additional X-10 devices
• Secure website with a database
• Write a java X-10 Api

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Lessons Learned

• What went well
• Communication
• Teamwork
• What didnt go well
• Unspecific project
• Procrastination
• Technical knowledge gained
• X-10 protocol
• Non-Technical knowledge gained
• Time management
• What to change
• Start Earlier

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Risk and Risk Management

• Anticipated risks
• Team scheduling
• Loss team member
• Finding parts
• Finding a java API
• Anticipated risks encountered
• None
• Unanticipated risks
• X-10 API incomplete
• Integrating sensor with X-10 module

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Closing Summary

• Need for project
• No software available for remote operation
• Didnt have a garage door sensor
• Original software was horrible
• Software for Windows only
• Chosen Solution
• Java application and applet
• Garage door sensor
•  Effectiveness of solution
• Allows for remote operation of devices
• Easy to use

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Questions?