In-Line Services and Intelligent Devices

Article Sections
	Description Of Service / Technology In-Line Service/Intelligent Devices & Home LANs. On July 19, 1996 the term "home LAN" was found to be descriptive terminology representing in-home networks.
	Business Application How intelligent devices are beneficial and profitable. The demand for intelligent devices and technologies will increase as the "information society" grows. The nature of this technology makes it especially useful to the elderly and people with disabilities. Home LANs will give manufacturers a new market for their products.
	Comparison of Existing Technologies The players and devices. Currently, there are three competing standards for home LAN technologies. The most important technical features of smart home technology are the channels that the signals need to travel, the "language" used to communicate and the devices that control them.
	Economic/Cost Impact of Applying Technology Breaking Even and R.O.I.s. Smart home technology has certain features that save money, for many homeowners, a savings of 40% or more is possible. Establishing guidelines for interoperability will help expand the consumer electronics market by introducing new categories of control and communications products and enhance existing products with new network-ready features.
	Strategic/Future Developments of Service or Technology. Market Forecasting. Once standards have been established, integration of intelligent devices will expose a market to upgrade current homes and implementation in new homes. The "plug-and-play" concept is the key to establishing a broad market for home networks.

Description Of Service / Technology.
In-Line Service/Intelligent Devices & Home LANs.

What are "network products" in homes? "Networks" are formed when two or more things connect or intersect to form, or function as, a common unit. Advanced home electronic products can now connect with each other throughout the home to form a Local Area Network (LAN). More and more homes are integrating such technologies in the family environment as we move into the next century (figure 1). The future of the smart house is very bright. The consumer need exists for the technology, industries have already invested billions of dollars into the technology that will comprise the smart house. However, the industry and technology still lacks firm guidance and standards.

An interactive home network reduces the cost of having more than one computer in the home. It allows multiple computers to share data and software with one another, as well as just one central printer, ISP or home PBX. These in-home networks are known as home LANs. In a ruling issued by the United States Patents and Trademarks Office on July 19, 1996the term "home LAN" was found to be descriptive terminology representing in-home networks and therefore reserved for public domain use by industry. It is non-protectable terminology.

Though out this article, the terms of" home LAN," "smart home," "intelligent home," "in-line devices," and "intelligent devices" will be interchangeable. But it should be noted, such in-line or intelligent devices are applicable in the home, automotive, and commercial environment.

As we draw closer to a new century, we can look back at the changes in home designs that produce a more convenient, comfortable, safer, and efficient way to live. However, the home electrical systems has seen little change in almost 50 years, that is until now. An automated home can give control over any light or appliance from anywhere in the home. In-line and intelligent devices are among the developing technologies that will form a "smart home." Devices that allow appliances to be networked to a home LAN system will provide consumers with conveniences, energy management options, and safety and security, as well as having added benefits for disabled individuals. Safety features in a smart house might include turning off potentially dangerous appliances and warning the occupants or service contractors. Energy management features in smart houses can help reduce energy bills for the home.

The most important technical features of smart house are the channels that the signals need to travel, the "language" used to communicate and the devices that control them. In a conventional home wiring system there are many independent subsystems such as; low voltage for door bells, thermostats, smoke and alarm systems, cable televisions, intercom, telephones and more. By making better use of these subsystems, an automated home can offer new levels of comfort, convenience, control, safety, security, and energy management.

The demand for intelligent devices and technologies will increase as the "information society" grows. There has been an exponential increase in the information sector of the economy since 1941 while agriculture has decreased (figure 2). There has also been a decline in the industrial sector as technological advances increase productivity in that sector. These shifts indicate a growing trend for devices and services that will be expected or standard features in homes and autos of the next century.

The "information age home" premise stems from the current phenomena of the contemporary workforce moving towards teleworking. More and more services are being out-sourced in today connected society (figure 3).Strategic/future development of information service or teleworking technology is made possible by advances in digital technology.

Security is no longer a stand alone system. Through the integration of automation interfaces, basic security panels have become home managers rather than home protectors. An intelligent security system discourage intruders and call for help when it is needed. This will helps protect life and property from intruders, as well as from such things as fire, flood, radon, monoxide and power outages.

Standard features for homes and cars will be those that support emergency necessities and other services that improve the safety of the general public, such as access to "911" systems. Automobiles will have such features as "blind spot" warning devices, thermal imaging heads-up displays and glare elimination as standard features as much as rearview mirrors and backing lights are now.

Automotive systems, such as On Star by GM, include features such as a geographic database and CPU for route information, a "mayday " system with satellite location, security features that automatically notifies the GM center on collision, and remote control car functions from the center in event of emergency.

The nature of this technology makes it especially useful to the elderly and people with disabilities. Because smart houses are automated, they can help people with disabilities maintain an active and productive life. It can make communications with friends, relatives, and doctors easier. More and more smart house systems are incorporating telecommunications features, which provide the global connectivity between the home, office and auto.

Home LANs will give manufacturers a new market for their products. However, to pursue this market manufacturers must produce products that inter-operate with products made by others.

Currently, there are three competing standards for home LAN technologies: X-10, CEBus, and LonWorks. There are also many other key players in the industry: AMP, Molex, Echelon, Honeywell, Detroit Edison, IBM, Microsoft, Leviton, Motorola, Toshiba, and Apple Computers. Even though intelligent devices and appliances are already possible, they are unlikely to become widespread until a standard is agreed upon.

X-10 was the first module system to come to the market, but remains very limited in its range of features and functions. X-10 can only address up to 256 nodes with limited functions. CEBus (Consumer Electronic Bus) developed by the EIA (Electronic Industries Association) overcomes the lack of functionality of the X-10 standard by using spread spectrum modulations. CEBus can address up to 4 billion nodes with advanced functions and features. CEBus is an open standard which means anyone can develop products using this communications protocol. The standard covers communication via 110V AC power line (PLC), twisted pair (TP) cable, coax cable, RF and Infrared. The primary advantage of CEBus over X10 is the data transmission speed. CEBus transmits data at 10,000 bits per second regardless of the transmission media. This enables devices to stay" on-line" for a much shorter period of time thereby minimizing collisions and producing more instantaneous response. LonWorks systems is very similar to CEBus, but can only address up to 32,000 nodes.

The most important technical features of smart home technology are the channels that the signals need to travel, the "language" used to communicate and the devices that control them. They range from very slow wiring such as power-line carriers (PLC) and low voltage wiring to faster channels such as coaxial cables, infra-red (IR), radio frequency (RF) and fiber optics. Smart home technologies will need to be modular and function as plug-and-play systems for integration into a home LAN.

Devices and controls that are currently incorporated in smart home technologies include sensors, motion detectors, and remote controls. There are many types of sensors available. Mechanical sensors are typically a magnetic reed switch and are commonly used for doors and windows. Motion detectors come in two varieties. The most common type of sensor is the PIR (Passive InfraRed). Another type of motion detector isa sonic or microwave sensor that works like a radar.

Infrared motion detectors can be falsely tripped by other heat sources, and they are most sensitive to objects moving across their path. Sonic motion detectors can be falsely tripped by movements of inanimate objects such as draperies, and are most sensitive to objects moving toward or away from them. Consequently, many manufacturers produce motion detectors which involve both technologies and are often more reliable than either one is on its own.

Wireless sensors are typically easier to install and therefore less expensive; however, they are more conspicuous and they are powered by batteries which must be changed periodically. Many people choose hardwired sensors when convenience and aesthetics are most important, and wireless sensors when initial cost is most important. Both work well and most controllers can work with either one.

Security systems are not just designed to detect people. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, freeze, and flooding detectors are also common with many security systems, and seismic sensors can be placed outdoors and used to detect approaching vehicles.

The most common type of remote controls for smart home and security systems are keypads. Some controllers include built-in keypads. Most are designed for external keypads and other types of remote controls. Hand-held remotes range from devices similar in size and style to a television remote, to smaller remotes which are a component of a key chain or pendent users can wear around their neck.

The most common communication system wiring involves basic coax cable such as many homes already have installed. The best communications wiring involves dual coax. Ina dual coax system, each wall plate includes two coax connectors. One is for output from the system to the user devices such as televisions, computers, and other entertainment equipment, and the other is for input from the user devices to the system.

Many of the outdoor equipment and systems can function with a home network. For example, landscaping and parameter lighting are usually controlled with electronic light switches. With the exception of lighting, the most common outdoor equipment and systems which are involved with an intelligent home include lawn sprinkler systems, pools and spas, and "anti-ice" systems.

There are two types of plumbing in many homes: gas and water. Gas plumbing is for primarily provided for HVAC, water heaters, stoves, clothes dryers, and barbeques. These devices can be controlled through the electrical connection which they require, so additional plumbing controls for gas plumbing are seldom necessary. However, gas plumbing is undergoing a few changes in new homes. One of the most significant changes involves the use of an electrically controlled shut-off valve where the gas service enters the home. Water plumbing can take advantage of "point-of-use heating systems for cost savings in water heating expenses. A burst pipe would result in the water being shut off and the occupants or contracted repair company being alerted. All of this is possible because of the interconnectedness of the various elements of intelligent devices.

The Home TEAM (Home Technology Education and Marketing), a multi-industry cooperative program, has begun to address the issue of an industry-wide standard for home automation technology. Home TEAM’s Home IQ is a program under development to "establish a standard for measuring the intelligence of homes and commercial buildings." Due to the relatively limited distribution and use of smart home technology, there have been no legal implications for the technology so far. As this technology increases, standards across industry lines will be needed. This includes installation practices and legal positions concerning damages caused by smart home malfunctions.

Few builders now are familiar with the technology, and those that are price it at a premium. There are licensed smart house dealers, though they are few and far between. Currently, it is at least twice as expensive to put these features into an existing house. However, smart home technology has certain features that save money, and are thereby advantageous. Having smart home technology provides security foremost people’s largest investment: their house.

Intelligent products can lower your utility bills by automatically turning off energy consuming devices when they are not in use. The amount of savings will vary from one home to another and depends largely upon the location and construction of the home and the habits of the user. However, for many homeowners, a savings of 40% or more is possible, and the initial cost for controls is recovered within the first few months of use

Intelligent products can enhance the efficiency of home systems, thereby lowering the amount of energy which must be produced to fulfill the needs of society. For example, a 10% reduction in everyone's energy use would also eliminate as much pollution and ecological damages. Of all of the systems in the home, the HVAC and water heater consume the most energy. According to figures recently released by the National Association of Home Builders, 55% of the utility expense is spent on heating and cooling a home and 15% goes to water heating. Smart home technologies provide for energy management that can reduce this cost and save energy.

According to figures published by Honeywell, when intelligent controls are added to the HVAC system, a simple 10 degree setback twice a day can produce savings between 18 and 30%. Adding zoned control can increase the savings another 5 to 10%. The averages of those savings is then24% for the setback and 7.5% for zoned control, or an average total of 31.5%.

Establishment of specifications on standards for electrical interfacing and protocol communications will create new product categories for intelligent communications and control devices in the home. Establishing guidelines for interoperability will help expand the consumer electronics market by introducing new categories of control and communications products and enhance existing products with new network-ready features. In-line devices will also create pull through sales of high margin accessories to major purchases such as big screen TVs or PCs. New installation service opportunities - services for DSS and home theater - will be created by consumers desiring professional installation and setup of networked products. Additionally, intelligent products will be able to notify the consumer and the retail service center when they require maintenance or repair, generating new service revenue opportunities.

Standards will allow consumers to enjoy all of the benefits of integrated home control and entertainment systems which have previously been the exclusive domain of the affluent. Instead of purchasing a custom designed and installed system, consumers will be able to buy network ready products at familiar consumer electronics retailers, department stores, and home improvement centers. They will be able to simply install the products into their home using plug-n-play technology. If a consumer has a PC, it will add another dimension of functionality as a "manager" of the other systems in the home. Consumers will be able to start with a few products on the network and add new ones as they desire, it won't be necessary to make large initial investment in equipment.

Currently, there are three competing standards to send and receive signals on available channels(X-10, CEBus, and LonWorks). Once standards have been established, integration of intelligent devices, appliances and home LANs will expose a market to upgrade current homes and implementation in new homes.

In 1984, members of the EIA (Electronics Industry Association) identified a need for standards that included more than ON, OFF, DIM, BRIGHT, ALL LIGHTS ON, and ALLUNITS OFF controls. So for the next six years, engineers representing international companies met on a regular basis and developed a proposed standard. They called this standard CEBus (pronounced "see-bus"), or Consumer Electronic Bus.

The most important technical features of smart home technology are the channels that the signals need to travel, the "language" used to communicate and the devices that control them. In 1992, the engineers released the CEBus standard to the world. In essence, CEBus is an open architecture set of specification documents which define protocols for how to make products communicate through power line wires, low voltage twisted pairs, coax, infrared, RF, and fiber optics. Anyone, anywhere can get a copy of the plans and develop products that work with the CEBus standard.

The "plug-and-play" concept is the key to establishing a broad market for home networks. It is critical that consumers be able to purchase network ready products at familiar retail outlets, take them home, plug them in or have them professionally installed, and immediately be able to enjoy the benefits of the product. It is also important because it allows the consumer to upgrade or add products to their in-home network as time and budget allow, one product at a time.

CIC (CEBus® Industry Council's) HomePlug and Play Specification (HPnP) is based upon a public domain standard produced by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA). The language itself is known as the Common Application Language (CAL). When separately published by EIA, then enhanced by CIC's harmonious application contexts for multiple industry sectors,all manufacturers pursuing the home LAN market can be expected to adopt CIC's HPnP Specification.

An enormous amount of effort has already been put into developing the specification to its current level by the original HPnP private sector Task Force. This effort will continue as they join CIC's Interoperability Technical Committee(ITC) to complete the Specification.

Since the goal of the Task Force was to enable a mass market for CAL based interoperable home LAN products, they recognized the need to garner broad support from multiple industry sectors. As a nonprofit membership organization, CIC membership includes the leading consumer electronics and home systems manufacturers. By joining forces with CIC, HPnP will be immediately exposed to leaders insecurity, environmental controls, energy management, consumer electronics, wiring devices & lighting controls, computers, and software. CIC also represents the organization with the greatest knowledge and expertise in the development and delivery of networked products for homes.

Research into the protocols and interconnections of home LAN systems is being conducted by universities such as MIT. MIT is working on TIM (Transparent Information Management) Architecture to coordinate all room systems of a smart home in a principled manner. The architecture features a clean interface between the application and the intelligent room to insulates applications from considerations of real-time sensing and action and to support portability. At the same time, the architecture is left open to enable user-written agents access to all levels of processing.

TIM has three layers. At the lowest tier are real-time motor-sensor programs that satisfy WHO, WHAT, and WHERE questions regarding room occupants and the room state. The middle layer reconciles the sensory motor perceptions. This layer provides coherent responses to questions such as `WHO said WHAT' and `WHO is pointing WHERE'. Applications sit on the top layer, querying and commanding the lower tier libraries as needed.

When traditional home electronic products are outfitted with HPnP "network features," they can work together to offer a new generation of functionality. Examples Include:

There will be few companies that can ignore this developing technology. High-tech companies especially, will need to keep a keen watch on this industry as it takes shape, else they will end up like the slide rule and typewriter companies that failed to change their market with the development of calculators and word processor. Consumer demands are there, the technology is being developed, and standards are being established. Within the next five years, this technology will be as common as computers are today.