How do you set up a home automation system using a computer? Ideas and features

Question

A warm welcome to everyone. I’d like to suggest a topic that’s been on my mind ever since I bought my first (let’s call it) computer, which was an ATARI 65. It’s about controlling and regulating all the functions in the home – and beyond – using a computer. Wouldn’t it be nice to have everything...

elektryk · Answer

The Atari 65 doesn’t have enough processing power for voice analysis. I once tested the Voice Assistant programme on a 386, and it had a 1-second delay between speaking and the response. As for controlling the hardware, all you need to do is set up an RS-485 network and assign an address to each circuit. I would just consider whether it’s worth building this purely for the sake of it, as I don’t think it has much practical use.

diodak1 · Answer

The Atari doesn’t actually have much processing power. I’m talking about a specific device, but I reckon it’s still very practical.
For example, you leave the house, glance at the monitor and…all the windows are closed, the gas is turned off, the fish have been fed, the TV and radio are switched off, you arm the alarm – computer-controlled, of course – and you set off with peace of mind, leaving a message on the intercom saying when you’ll be back.
That’s how I see it – maybe I’m being naive, I don’t know.

simon71 · Answer

Usability depends largely on the actuators. It’s very convenient to be able to automatically close windows, lower blinds, control the heating in individual rooms, and so on. Unfortunately, the price of these components is many times higher than the cost of the electronics themselves, and that’s where I see a problem. It is possible to switch lights and other electrical appliances on and off, or perhaps control the central heating boiler, at low cost, but that seems a bit too limited.

diodak1 · Answer

Well, maybe you’re right – that’ll do for a start, but how do I connect 9 temperature sensors and about 15 relays to the computer, and what software should I use? That’s the question.

And also, how do I connect a dozen or so sensors, for example, to detect whether windows are closed?

simon71 · Answer

There are many possible solutions. It depends on whether you want to use off-the-shelf components or build everything yourself. The first question is what sort of temperature sensors you want to use. Dallas 1-Wire chips seem like a sensible option here. If you’re using analogue measurement, you could either use a ready-made measurement board or build your own circuit that communicates with a computer via RS232 or USB. If you have plenty of money, you could use a PLC and connect it to some kind of visualisation software. The possibilities are endless. Think about the sensors you want to use and your budget. That will narrow down your options.

diodak1 · Answer

I don’t have much money, but I’m really keen – I’d prefer to do most of it myself.The sensors are just ordinary thermistors, but what should I connect them to?

elektryk · Answer

I need to build some sort of measurement circuit to switch between channels. Examples of such circuits should be available on Elektroda. Perhaps it would be better to set up a network using Dallas chips? For example, install a control unit in a central location in the house to manage several independent 1-Wire networks (to extend the range).

diodak1 · Answer

Could a voltage-to-frequency converter be used as such a measuring system?
Should I build a single converter and switch between thermistors, or would it be better to build, say, nine converters?
I reckon it hardly makes any difference; the software is what matters most anyway. Do I need to learn a programming language, or is there already something like this available?
The second issue is how to get the computer to switch, for example, the LPT ports using voice commands?

techrys · Answer

In the Download section, you’ll find the software and a circuit diagram for a device used to control other devices via the LPT port. If you want to control it by voice, you’ll also need to write (though I rather doubt it) or find software to convert the signal from the microphone into a string of zeros and ones (a format the computer can understand), and connect it to the LPT control software. I don’t see much point in this – note that after a night out, your voice sounds a bit different , and if you say “light”, the radio might start playing

Kaban · Answer

Hello Delphi is ideal for this kind of application. It has a range of controls that resemble analogue measuring instruments.Best regards

diodak1 · Answer

Hello
As for voice control, everything is clear. I’ll therefore focus on controlling the central heating system, the alarm, the intercom and a range of other sensors.
My question is whether Delphi is suitable for this and whether it’s possible to get to grips with it relatively quickly.
I’d appreciate some advice. I’d also like some ideas on a sensor for measuring ambient temperature and how to connect 9 or more of these sensors to a computer.

elektryk · Answer

LabView or visualisation software for PLCs is very well suited to visualisation (incidentally, such a controller can manage an entire ‘smart home’)

diodak1 · Answer

And that’s exactly the point – where should we look for it?

Kaban · Answer

LabView is HiTec – I don’t think you need such advanced technology. When it comes to temperature measurement, you can use the DS1820, which communicates via a serial bus, and you can theoretically connect an infinite number of devices.
I once used Delphi to write a central heating boiler controller, a small production line and a two-arm robot.

diodak1 · Answer

Hello Kaban, could you please send me a more detailed description of this driver, and do you think Delphi will be sufficient for my needs?Many thanks in advance

Kaban · Answer

As for the smart home and the Delphi programme, if you’ve got a fixed line at home, you can set up a hub – some sort of router – and connect the computer that controls the house to the hub; then, using the Indi family of controls (which are, of course, available in Delphi), you can control and monitor everything online via the internet.

Kaban · Answer

I can see you’re really keen on this – it’s a brilliant idea. I used a temperature-frequency circuit for my controller, and that wasn’t a good idea – I had problems with multithreading. I suggest having a look online; someone has written a programme that supports the DS1820. My programme is simple, but it has one drawback: it can only run on Windows 9x. If you can get hold of the libraries responsible for I/O, then you’ll be able to write programmes like this for NT-based systems.

diodak1 · Answer

And what about controlling, say, the heating throughout the house? I’m thinking of sensors in every room and actuators on the radiators.
I’ve already got the actuators and now I want to set up a proper weather-compensated control system.
I’ll just add that this is actually what I do for a living – i.e. controlling heating systems – but I simply can’t afford to spend around 2,000 zł on a weather-compensated system.
That’s exactly why I’m trying to work something out.

Kaban · Answer

Hi diodak, how’s it going over there?

Kaban · Answer

You know, diodak, I’m no expert, but a weather-compensated system has to be very fast (i.e. the system’s response has to be quick, and central heating isn’t really suited to that). As for controlling the fluid flow in the radiator, that’s a good idea – of course it’s feasible, but you’ll have to create an I/O map because the LPT has a single 8-bit data bus.
You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. We could work on this together.

diodak1 · Answer

I’ve read it, thanks, and I am actually keen – it’s just that why should I pay a lot when I can pay less? That’s why I’m asking for help; maybe something good will come of it

diodak1 · Answer

I know the characteristics of weather systems inside out, and I know that the new heaters are fast enough that everything will be fine. As for the electronics, there’s no problem – I can sort that out perfectly well on my own. My problem is the software and coming up with ideas for system solutions; a lot has changed recently

Sorry for posting one after another – I got lost in thought.

And which Delphi version should I install?

Kaban · Answer

I recommend Delphi 6, but version 3.5 is fine too. Don’t install version 4 – it has a lot of bugs.

diodak1 · Answer

Thanks for your reply – I’m currently trying to download DELPHI from the BORLAND website, but I’m having a few problems.Would it be possible for me to install, say, DELPHI 7.0?

simon71 · Answer

I use Delphi 7 and it works fine.

diodak1 · Answer

Right, I’ve got this Delphi project. I wonder what I’m going to do with it now.

wigor11 · Answer

Hi Diodak1. I’ve got a suggestion. Change your hairstyle, because your posts are hard to read. Thanks in advance.

kill · Answer

Hello!I’m talking, amongst other things, about voice control.Does anyone know of a programme of this sort?Something like Girder, except that one is for controlling PCs via infrared, whereas I’m looking to control a PCusing voice commands.

kuku · Answer

– a really cool and simple driver for up to 32 devices on the LPT port

How do you set up a home automation system using a computer? Ideas and features

How can I build a computer-based home automation system with sensors, relays, and possible voice control?

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