Monitoring and Control of Home Environment Using Web-Based Wireless Network

The first objective of this study is to develop a web based intelligent system, consists of home environment monitoring, home appliance on-site/web based remote control, home security, and emergency alarm system. The second objective is to build a scale-down house demonstrating above mentioned functions.
This demo system utilize PIC network interface card (PICNIC), sensors, IP camera and wireless access points, and use VB as platform to develop user interface software. Environmental factors monitored including: CO2, CO, natural gas, air temperature, air relative humidity, light intensity, temperature and moisture ratio of potted-plant growth media. Home appliances controlled including: lamps for illumination, lamps for disinfection, air conditioning, heating, air exchange inlet, humidifier, dehumidifier and watering pump. Integrated systems demoed including: door/window break-in alarm for home security, indoor/outdoor video monitoring, emergence SMS alarm, drip irrigation control, indoor temperature and humidity control, disinfection in air-duct, air exchange, local and web-based remote control of home appliances, etc..
Totally 8 types of sensors and 8 types of home appliance provided with on-site control and web-based remote control capabilities were successfully integrated in the scale-down demo house. A software served as the user interface was developed to combine above mentioned system with the security and emergence alarm system, which can send simple message, text or voice, to system manager. Although all system was integrated in the scale-down demo house, they can be used in real world applications.