Smart Appliance / May Home 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)

Presentation Outline Introduction to Project Project Activities Resources and Schedules Closing Materials

List of Definitions APIApplication Program Interface. Interfaces between the operating system and application programs. Host ControllerDevice that attaches between a wall plug and a computer that sends and receives X-10 signals. Smart deviceAny piece of electronic equipment that is highly automated, or imitates human intelligence. X-10A communications protocol that allows compatible products to talk to each other via the existing 110V electrical wiring in the home. X-10 ModuleHardware 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.

Project Introduction

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 user’s Internet connection

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

Project Activities

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

General System Design Lamp Module Appliance Module Computer Interface Local Software Control Server Living room Lamp Television Custom X-10 Hardware Remote PCJava-enabled PDA or Phone Sensor Java Applet Local PC Web server Key: Team-created Hardware or Software Commercial X-10 Modules

Local Control Screenshot

Local Software “Add a Device”

Trusted Applet

Receiver Circuit Schematic

Transmitter Circuit Schematic

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

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

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

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

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%)

Resources and Schedules

Total Financial Resources

Final Personal Budget

First Semester Schedule Project Planning and Technology Selection Develop Project Plan Implement Project Design (Hardware)

Second Semester Schedule Software Coding and Testing Product Revision Documentation Product Demo

Conclusion

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

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

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

Lessons Learned What went well Communication Teamwork What didn’t go well Unspecific project Procrastination Technical knowledge gained X-10 protocol Non-Technical knowledge gained Time management What to change Start Earlier

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

Closing Summary Need for project No software available for remote operation Didn’t 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

Questions?