Home automation (also called domotics) is a field within building automation, specializing in the specific automation requirements of private

homes and in the application of automation techniques for the comfort and security of its residents. Although many techniques used in building automation (such as light and climate control, control of doors and window shutters, security and surveillance systems, etc.) are also used in home automation, additional functions in home automation include the control of multi-media home entertainment systems, automatic plant watering and pet feeding, and automatic scenes for dinners and parties. The main difference between building automation and home automation is, however, the human interface. In home automation, ergonomics is of particular importance: the control should be largely image-based and self-explanatory.

When home automation is installed during construction of a new home, usually control wires are added before the drywall is installed. These control wires run to a controller, which will then control the environment.

Standards and bridges

Specific domotic standards include INSTEON, X10, KNX (standard), System Box, LonWorks, Crestron, C-Bus, Universal powerline bus (UPB), UPnP, ZigBee and ZWave that will allow for control of most applications. Some standards use control wiring, some embed signals in the powerline, some use radio frequency (RF) signals, and some use a combination of several methods. Control wiring is hardest to retrofit into an existing house.

Home automation (also called domotics) is a field within building automation, specializing in the specific automation requirements of private homes and in the application of automation techniques for the comfort and security of its residents. Although many techniques used in building automation (such as light and climate control, control of doors and window shutters, security and surveillance systems, etc.) are also used in home automation, additional functions in home automation include the control of multi-media home entertainment systems, automatic plant watering and pet feeding, and automatic scenes for dinners and parties. The main difference between building automation and home automation is, however, the human interface. In home automation, ergonomics is of particular importance: the control should be largely image-based and self-explanatory.

When home automation is installed during construction of a new home, usually control wires are added before the drywall is installed. These control wires run to a controller, which will then control the environment.

Standards and bridges

Specific domotic standards include INSTEON, X10, KNX (standard), System Box, LonWorks, Crestron, C-Bus, Universal powerline bus (UPB), UPnP, ZigBee and ZWave that will allow for control of most applications. Some standards use control wiring, some embed signals in the powerline, some use radio frequency (RF) signals, and some use a combination of several methods. Control wiring is hardest to retrofit into an existing house.

Domotics represents a technological science which studies all the things employed in the houses or the buildings facilitating the work of peoples and increasing the comfort in their environment. The term DOMOTICS is a contraction of the words:

DOMUS (lat.= home or house) and INFORMATICS (=the science concerned with the collection, transmission, storage, processing and display of information). Domotics will become of importance to any application in the domestic environment where electricity and electronics are involved and also on recent developments such as: tele-shopping, tele-banking, tele-working, remote control of household and utilities in house, and tele-metering. All these new evolutions will also have influence on social live improving the "quality of life" for all the peoples, including peoples with disabilities or sick peoples too.

Elements of a domotic system Domotics come to reach three targets: 1. 2. 3. More comfort Higher convenience Better peace of mind. Often the researchers and engineers from this domain, try to define an ideal solution for all the requirements that contribute at the target above mentioned. They use the term Dream House for an ideal domotic system, which could present features, presented bellow: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Would be an integrator system of all the component systems existing in house, such as: Lighting system,Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Security and Access System, Audio-Video and entertainment systems, and the Motorized systems. The lighting system would offer an optimal illumination of rooms adequate with their destination. Must be a system, which will feel the presence of the people in the rooms and will order automatically commutation on/off of bulbs. Lighting control systems can be controlled without having to reach or push small toggle switches on the wall. The security of seeing and talking to the person at the door or gate before opening it. Electronic door locks can provide security as well as the ability to lock the building or allow emergency access with one command. The HVAC system will save energy by controlling automatically the inside air parameters by knowing when you are home adjusting it accordingly. The media room where the family can spend time together in a less formal entertainment setting. The primary difference between dedicated home theaters, and media rooms/entertainment centers is our ability to control the environment Voice recognition will provide the ability to control systems without having to press buttons or touch screens. Motorized door and windows and blind windows openers allow ventilation and access. Motorized window treatments can automatically open and close to allow sunlight and privacy as needed. Driveway ice melting systems can be automated to provide ice-free driveways and walks without shoveling. Remote vehicle starters provide a warm vehicle in the colder climates, and can open doors and ramps if the vehicle is so equipped.

Domotics is the application of computer and robotics technologies to domestic appliances.Most modern houses have appliances that allow some degree of remote control. Domotics aims to integrate and extend this throughout the house. A house with a domotics system installed might have many computers, perhaps built into the walls, to allow the homeowner to control applications in any part of their house from any other.A house with domotics is expected to be able to call the police or the firemen by itself, with more subtlety and a wider variety of allowances than normal alarm systems. On a daily basis, domotic systems are often supposed to be able to automachnologies to domestic appliances.Most modern houses have appliances that allow some degree of remote control. Domotics aims to integrate and extend this throughout the house. A house with a domotics system installed might have many computers, perhaps built into the walls, to allow the homeowner to control applications in any part of their house from any other.A house with domotics is expected to be able to call the police or the firemen by itself, with more subtlety and a wider variety of allowances than normal alarm systems. On a daily basis, domotic systems are often supposed to be able to automatically gather data from several sensors and do such things as adjust lights and music to the personal preferences of each member of the household, as they come into or leave a particular room. The simplest systems require that each person

wear a marker, such as an RFID tag, while the more sophisticated ones detect movement, body heat, and other individual characteristics Some tasks that domotics fulfills: Work with your utility company to take advantage of off peak electricity rates and provide choices for comfort, safety, and energy conservation. curtains, window blinds, and sun shades from one location, all day, without human interaction. Opening or locking and unlocking gates and garage doors, under either separate or global control. Controlling indoor climate. Press one button to set the heating to night mode; the lights go out, the gates close.... Control your hi-fi and home cinema from any room, using buttons, panels, orremote control. Ensuring that the right light is on in the right place; domotics can also ensure that the right lighting intensity and mood are achieved. Providing intelligent garden sprinklers and other plumbing; the lawn is watered only when it is needed, and you can enjoy a quiet stroll through your garden without risking a drenching. Provide personal task lighting at appropriate intensity for each user to address the health effects of lighting The convenience of domotics comes at a cost. Stically gather data from several sensors and do such things as adjust lights and music to the personal preferences of each member of the household, as they come into or leave a particular room. The simplest systems require that each person wear a marker, such as an RFID tag, while the more sophisticated ones detect movement, body heat, and other individual characteristics Some tasks that domotics fulfills: Work with your utility company to take advantage of off peak electricity rates and provide choices for comfort, safety, and energy conservation. curtains, window blinds, and sun shades from one location, all day, without human interaction. Opening or locking and unlocking gates and garage doors, under either separate or global control. Controlling indoor climate. Press one button to set the heating to night mode; the lights go out, the gates close.... Control your hi-fi and home cinema from any room, using buttons, panels, or remote control. Ensuring that the right light is on in the right place; domotics can also ensure that the right lighting intensity and mood are achieved. Providing intelligent garden sprinklers and other plumbing; the lawn is watered only when it is needed, and you can enjoy a quiet stroll through your garden without risking a drenching. Provide personal task lighting at appropriate intensity for each user to address the health effects of lighting The convenience of domotics comes at a cost. Some systems can be expensive to install, but not all of them require installation (see X10). There is also the possibility that a systems crash could leave the house without an effective heating or lighting system. These issues can be largely overcome, however, using newer technologies and techniques Reference: http://www.seminarprojects.com/Thread-domotics--2730#ixzz1W8SXg6Op