Home Automation is defined as a process or system which provides the ability to enhance one's lifestyle, and make a home more comfortable, safe and efficient.

I started working with Home Automation in January 1996 after purchasing my first home.  Home Automation can link lighting, entertainment, security, telecommunications, irrigation, heating and air conditioning plus much more into one centrally controlled system.  My system has been gradually expanded and refined and can now monitor and control many things including the ceiling fans and window blinds.  It will even let you know when the laundry is dry or the mail has been delivered!

Each room in the house is outfitted with stereo speakers and a microphone built into the walls as well as motion sensors.  The Home Automation computer can control lights, music, security, door locks and much more by time, motion, voice command and now even by occupancy which is determined by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.  The computer is able to speak throughout the house and provides personalized greetings & reminders, weather status, Caller ID and lots of other useful information.

Voice commands can be spoken from any room in the house or remotely by telephone.  Microphones installed in the walls let the Home Automation system know which room you are speaking from so simply saying "light on" will cause the lights in that room to turn on. 

RFID tags carried in your wallet or purse can automatically turn on the lights, unlock the doors, disarm the security system and start playing your favorite music as you arrive home.  A tag placed in you car can also open the garage door as you approach the house without pressing any buttons.  The same technology can let you know if you forgot to put the trash or recycling out, alert you if a pet gets out of the yard, or even let you know if a child has entered an unsafe area like the pool or wandered too far from home!  It will even turn the lights and television off, lock the doors and arm the security system if no one is home.

You can access the Home Automation system using keypads, touch screens, panic buttons, computers, telephones, handheld remotes and even mobile electronic devices.  With all these options, you can monitor and control the house from almost anywhere in the world!

If you wish to find out more, please follow the links at the top of the page.  These will take you to more detailed information about the hardware and software I'm using to accomplish all this.

Contact:
Paul Koslowsky
paul@pksweb.com