Software

Software Hardware Touch Screen Voice Recognition Examples

 

Software is an important component of the Home Automation system.  After researching and evaluating at least a dozen different packages, I chose HomeSeer from HomeSeer Technologies.  HomeSeer provides an excellent platform for your Home Automation system and allows for easy setup with great flexibility.  The software is actively developed and is supported with one of the most informative message boards I have seen.

HomeSeer ties all the hardware & software that is running on the Home Automation server together to fully integrate the different systems.  Additional Plug-ins are available from HomeSeer Technologies and 3rd Party developers that allow you to expand the capability of the software in a module fashion.  Plug-ins help you connect devices such as Security Systems, Touch Screens, RFID, Irrigation Controls and Thermostats.  Plug-ins are even available to gather weather information and randomize events & voice announcements to make the house seem more "alive".


 The picture below shows the HomeSeer Web Interface:

Devices can be controlled and monitored in a number of ways:

  • You can access them from the PC itself.

  • Through the web based interface from any PC in the world that has internet access.

  • By voice commands which can be given using the installed microphones or by telephone either remotely or from within the house.

  • By touch screen, keypad or panic button.

  • Using web enabled mobile devices like Blackberry or other PDA.


Click here to see my User Profile on HomeSeer's web site

 

Another software application that I have found very useful is MainLobby from Cinemar.  Cinemar provides a whole suite of products that allow customizable graphics to interface your computer with multi-media such as DVD, MP3, XM Radio, TV listings, Weather Information and Home Automation.  I've integrated Mainlobby into my system to provide a simple and elegant touch screen interface that is so intuitive anyone can use it.

 

MainLobby interfaces with HomeSeer using a third party plug-in.  This plug-in facilitates communication between the two software packages and allows you to control lights, security, and all the other Home Automation features from the touch screen.

Please click the picture to the left to see more information about the touch screen and examples of the different screens created using MainLobby.

 

If you wish to see Home Automation in action, please visit the web interface that monitors and controls my house.  You'll be able to view the status of the lights, fans, music and much more.  This will log you in with 'guest' access and only allows you to view the status... you can't control anything!

To view the web interface, please click on the link below and type "guest" for both the username & password:


Click here to log into my house

 

Contact:
Paul Koslowsky
paul@pksweb.com