Project Abstract
The Home Automation and Remote Controlled System (HARCS) is a system for
controlling devices in the home. This system will use a home computer to
communicate with modules that interface to devices and allow the user to
manage these devices manually, automatically, or remotely. Manual operation
will be through a graphical user interface on a computer that will allow the
user to select a device and then view its status and change its state.
Automatic operation will allow actions to be performed based on a schedule
entered into the software on the computer. Remote operation will allow a
user to place a call to the home and perform an action based on a key code
entered from a touch-tone telephone.
The modules will use TCP/IP as the communication protocol to the computer
over an Ethernet cable. The software will be designed in such a way that
adding additional modules will be a simple procedure thus making the product
flexible and easy to expand. Modules must specify their inputs and outputs
using a specified file format. This will allow our software to control many
different types of devices without any updates.
A module for controlling an electrical outlet will be designed first. The
modules will plug directly into a standard 2-port AC outlet and will have
their own outlets built in. Any appliance such as a lamp, television,
stereo, or anything that can be connected to an outlet can be powered on and
off from a home computer.
