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Home Automation Info
For the Disabled Most solutions can be implemented within a reasonable budget using X-10 and infrared. The are several other PC interfacing devices besides HomeISA™ that HomeVoice™ can use to issue the automation control signal that is created by a spoken voice command. Additionally, home automation control solutions can include electronic door locks, door actuators, video cameras, visitor identification, special purpose relays intercoms and telephone systems. |
Mike Elder is President of Applied Future Technologies, Inc. which offers the HomeVoice and HomeISA products. AFT can be contacted at 800-790-3353, aft@appliedfuture.com or http://www.appliedfuture.com |
Applied Future Technologies, Inc. offers and recommends the use of common home automation products to create a customized assistive technology solution for environmental control that is tailored to the specific needs of a disabled user. Products from the home automation industry, including HomeVoice™ and HomeISA™ are commercially available, versatile in function, and competitively priced. These products most often provide state-of-the-art technology at prices that are applicable to all users, disabled or not. The following provides some basic home automation information and discusses how our products can provide either a simple or elaborate environmental control solution that significantly improves independence and quality of life for the disabled user.
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X-10 Powerline Control
Powerline control is often referred to as X-10 after the company that developed the standard and makes many of the products that use powerline signals to control devices. The X-10 standard allows compatible devices throughout the home to communicate with each other via the existing 110V wiring in the house. X-10 is used to control:
Virtually any other electrical device from anywhere in the house can be controlled with no costly rewiring necessary. Via X-10 control, a coded low voltage signal is sent superimposed over the 110V power. Any X-10 receiver device (such as a light switch or lamp module) plugged into the household 110V power will see this signal. However, the receiver device will only respond when it sees a signal that has its address. Up to 256 unique addresses are available. The
HomeVoice™ software can recognize a voice command, for example, "turn on the living room light", and transmit the specific control code through a PC interface controller, such as HomeISA™, onto the home’s electric wire to make the living room light turn on.Infrared Control
Infrared control is more familiar to most consumers since TVs and VCRs usually provide a remote control that uses infrared signals to change channels, adjust volume, etc. Many other products are available with infrared control including audio amplifiers, CD players, DVD players, tape players, DSS, lighting controls, motorized drapery rods, and more. Like X-10 control,
HomeVoice™ can recognize a voice command such as, "turn TV volume up", and send it to a PC interface controller, such as HomeISA™, to emit the infrared signal to turn the volume up. Infrared control users must provide a means of getting the infrared signal from the emitting device, such as the HomeISA™, to the room where the TV, VCR, etc., is located. If the unit being controlled is close to the HomeISA™, then an infrared emitter can be placed directly on the infrared signal receiver of the TV, VCR, etc. If the unit being controlled is in another room, the infrared signal must be relayed from the emitting device to that room. This can be done several ways, but the simplest way is to use a product called a Powermid. The Powermid has a transmitter unit that is placed close to the infrared emitting device. The Powermid transmitter takes the infrared signal and converts it to an RF (radio) signal that passes through walls. The Powermid receiver unit is placed in the room where the unit being controlled is located and it converts the RF signal and emits the desired infrared signal as if a remote control button had been pushed in that room. Powermids and other infrared distribution products are available from home automation distributors.Other Controls
Most solutions can be implemented within a reasonable budget using X-10 and infrared. The are several other PC interfacing devices besides
HomeISA™ that HomeVoice™ can use to issue the automation control signal that is created by a spoken voice command. Additionally, home automation control solutions can include electronic door locks, door actuators, video cameras, visitor identification, special purpose relays intercoms and telephone systems. The capability for home automation is extensive and is growing everyday with innovative companies such as ours providing new technology products for use in the home. For additional info call: Applied Future Technologies, Inc. 800-790-3353