Levels of Home Automation

Level 4 – Interactive

Up to this point, the manual control of devices comes from a controller consisting of buttons or switches. While the controller may be a keypad, remote control, touch panel, or a sensor, the interface is not interactive. Interactive interfaces comprise the Level 4 system.

With an interactive system, the user can not only give command, but also see status of the system. Level 4 systems include the ability to interface with the system via a computer, web site, voice recognition, instant messenger, email, telephone, or other system. There are only a few systems available that can do this type of interaction. These are almost always computer based. Again, HomeSeer is a fabulous product that can do all of these things.

Here are some exciting examples of what you can do with an Interactive controller:

• Access your lights and appliances via a web page (DSL/Cable Modem required), email, or MSN messenger
• Let the computer talk to you telling you the status of doors, windows, and motions sensors.
• Program your VCR through the Web
• Have the system dial a phone number based on a name you speak.
• Set a timer by voice command. ("Timer - Practice Piano, 30 minutes", "Timer - Check the grill, 10 minutes")
• Create a shopping list by speaking to the system as new items come to mind, then when you are ready to go shopping, ask the system to print the list.
• Ask computer to list what is on TV tonight.
• Receive an email at work when motion is detected inside or outside your house.
• Voice announcing that "There is someone in the driveway", "...at the front door", "... at the back door"
• Monitor activities in the house remotely via MSN Messenger.
• Call you at work if your child doesn't come home at the expected time.
• Monitor the activity of an elderly person remotely. (Using a network of sensors in the elderly's home, the system would be smart enough to detect un-ordinary patterns such as prolonged inactivity or absence, and keep track of ordinary ones like eating, sleeping, and greeting visitors.
• Announce not only the weather conditions from your own weather station, but contact the weather service via the internet and speak the forecast.
• Add Outlook appointments by speaking them
• Inform you of the current stock prices via voice, email, or MSN Messenger.
• Have your Outlook appointments read to you at your command.
• Ask the computer to list the day's news headlines.
• Talk to your computer and have it execute commands, like controlling lights, getting the weather forecast, controlling the home entertainment system.
• Pick up any phone in your house and interact with the system using the touchtone keys or your voice.

HomeSeer Web Page with Status and Control Capability - Click for larger image