From: teemu@krkmoon.krk.fi (Teemu Hakala)
Subject: Re: Home Automation, X-10, IR questions
Organization: Radio Club of Kauniainen (OH2NRG)
Distribution: sci
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 15:44:56 GMT

QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE

   Hello there. I don't know if this is the right group for these
   questions so please excuse me if it is not.

   I just got a copy of the CIRCUIT CELLAR INK magazine.  They talk
   quite a bit about home automation.  Things like motion and
   audio sensors used to turn on lights, lower the heat/AC and
   turn things on and off via timers or remote control.  Being
    somewhat of a computer/electronics buff, I was wondering if anyone
   has used any of this equipment and how satisfied they are with the
   quality and reliability.

   From what I have read, there are basically two ways of sending signals
   from transmitters (hand held, sensors, etc.) to control units like
   lights, TVs, etc.  I think the X-10 protocol runs over the AC wires in
   your house.  You program this protocol woth a particular "house code"
   and the modules you plug in to your wall sockets will pick up on the
   codes and act accordingly.  Is this correct?  If so, two concerns come
   to mind.  One is, how far along the AC do these signals carry? If my
   neigbor happens to have some X-10 equipment, might they conflict? How
   about around the block or four streets over?  Also, are there any
   safety issues with using AC this way?  Will it affect the operations of 
   any appliances or my PCs?

   The other method I've read about is IR.  The transmitters send IR
   codes to the controller modules much like you TVs remote sends codes
   to your TV or VCR.  There are even converters offerred which convert
   IR codes to X-10 codes.  

   Most of this stuff is fairly cheap.  Is this technology mature
   enough for non-professional (like myself) to obtain good results?

   One company offered a book for about $30.00 US on how to automate your
   your home.  I think it's by a fella named David Gaddis.  Any good?

   Basically, what I'd like to do is have floodlights and the front port
   lights come on when someone pulls in the Driveway at night, floodlights
   come on in the back and side of the house if anyone is walking around
   there at night and I'd also like to be able to turn on various lights
   in the house when I'm not home to make it look like someone is home.

   A few companies also sell PC interfaces for this equipment. I'd like
   to take a crack at programming a nice user interface that people could
   use to customize their home automation (of course I'd share it with anyone
   who is interested).

   Thanks in advance for any comments, stories, suggestions, etc. If there is
   no FAQ for this, I will summarize and post my findings.

   Rich Holowczak
   holowczk@rwja.umdnj.edu

END QUOTE END QUOTE END QUOTE

I could imagine some passive IR sensors doing great job in and outside of your house.
Also normal timers (24h/7d) would be great in simulating "somebody home". Of course
if you have a cat (dogs go crazy if left alone, cats are alone naturally) you can leave
it (him/her) in the house and the movement sensors in rooms on, doors open, so when the
cat moves in your house, it switches lights on by its trail. Constructing those sensor-
devices should be relatively easy, any change in the voltage from the sensor itself
would trigger a time-relay (10min should be good for normal use). 
BTW, be careful with those X-10s and others, they MAY bother computers and so on, so you
should put filters in front of your computer.
--
Teemu Hakala     |     E-Mail to :     | These opinions are mine, and so are
Kasavuorentie 9B | teemu@krksun.krk.fi | all those *ing mistakes. Do NOT think
02700 Kauniainen | Teemu.Hakala@krk.fi | abt. Radio Club when I make a mistake