Smart home systems information for reference. Smart home - capabilities, functions and composition

“Smart Home” is a unique intelligent system that makes life more convenient, comfortable and safe. The system ensures the harmonious and coordinated operation of all life support systems of the home: heating, air conditioning, water supply, lighting. In addition, the system can be connected optional equipment- audio Video-, Appliances, security systems, control of curtains, roller shutters, doors, gates. All home systems are controlled remotely using stationary or portable control panels. The functions of the control panel can also be performed by a computer, smartphone, tablet or other electronic device of this type. Internet-based management and control technical equipment houses or apartments are produced from anywhere in the world.

Number of systems included in the " smart home", depends on the desires, needs and financial capabilities of the customer. First of all, the main systems - heating, air conditioning, ventilation and lighting - are connected to intelligent control.

Heating

Automatic heating control allows you to create optimal temperature regime in an apartment or house, the intelligent system makes it possible to configure different temperatures indoors, as well as change the microclimate in the home depending on the time of day, which significantly reduces energy consumption. Saving energy with the " smart House» reaches 40%.

Ventilation and air conditioning

Ventilation and air conditioning systems provide a comfortable microclimate in residential premises by regulating the air temperature depending on the temperature environment. In addition, ventilation equipment is endowed with the ability to eliminate various unpleasant odors, as well as filter the incoming air, preventing dust particles and other contaminants from entering the house. Climate systems are often equipped with air humidifiers, which is especially important in winter time when the air becomes too dry due to the heating system.

Lighting

Carried out centrally in accordance with pre-configured scenarios. The control system allows you to adjust the lighting level according to various rooms depending on the time of day, providing the most comfortable environment in the house. According to a given scenario, the lighting can be turned on in the absence of the owners in the evening, creating the illusion that there are people in the house, which is especially important in country houses where they do not live permanently. usually equipped with motion sensors that turn on the lights when a person enters the room and turn them off when the owners leave the room. You can connect to the control system both the interior lighting of the house and the lighting of the garage, utility rooms, gazebos, and area.

Multiroom

A very convenient, but not the most necessary subsystem of a “smart home”, this system controls a device that transmits audio and video signals to all televisions in the house. A single control complex allows you to listen to music, watch movies or TV shows in any room; using the control panel you can adjust the volume level, turn the image on or off, and program the inclusion of audio or video systems at a certain time.

Safety system

The intelligent security system is designed to quickly respond to all emergency situations that arise in the house - fire, smoke, water or gas leaks, the penetration of strangers into the protected area. In case of danger, the system sends an alert to mobile phone or the computer of the owners of the house, as well as to the security console. If a fire occurs, “smart” equipment not only signals this, but also determines the source of the fire and turns on the fire extinguishing system.

CCTV

A video surveillance system makes it possible to monitor what is happening in the house and on local area in order to ensure the safety of residents and the safety of property.

A smart home is a building in which all equipment (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) and various devices merged into shared network, allowing residents to experience next-level features and services. A smart home system includes many factors.

In most cases, these devices can be controlled remotely via the Internet. Sometimes the phrases “smart housing”, “electronic home” and so on are used to denote this concept (from the English smart house, smart living, e-home).

The most important advantage of the Smart Home system is more efficient use energy carriers - heat, electricity and water.

For example, if you load information about the cost of energy into a home management program, the system can automatically create the most economical consumption plan - without any participation from the home owners.

It will, if necessary, turn off the boiler or turn on the washing machine or electric boiler at a time when cheaper electricity tariffs are in effect.

Another useful feature is monitoring security using tools such as home monitoring. The smart home concept also makes it possible to create an environment for independent living of persons with disabilities. disabilities, for example, the house can be adapted to the needs of older people.

Smart automation systems will allow you to minimize the effort required to maintain utilities and equipment at home, and will help organize protection against water or gas leaks, fires, and burglar intrusions.

In a word, a smart home is able to take care of both itself and its residents. At the same time, it is possible to equip a building with intelligence both at the stage of building a house and after completion of major work.

Integrated smart home control system

The main advantage of smart automation systems is the ability to control engineering systems. The entire large and complex control system is reduced to one remote control. It is usually a touch screen with a logical and accessible interface. That is, in order to change the air conditioning or heating mode, you do not need to perform complex algorithms.

The smart home system uses so-called “scenarios”, where the roles of all connected devices are clearly described. By pressing just one button, a pre-programmed set of actions is triggered.

So, when choosing the “Evening” scenario, the curtains are closed, the overhead light is dimmed by 80% and the floor lamp is turned on. And when leaving the house, just press the “No one is there” button, and the lights will turn off everywhere, the taps will close, the climate control will switch to economy mode, and the security alarm system will turn on.

You can manage your home remotely. To do this, just run special program on a computer, tablet or smartphone, enter a password and gain access to the control panel or, say, home surveillance cameras.

Well, another undeniable advantage of the “smart home” system is its flexibility. Here it is not necessary to install all the components at once: you can first organize, for example, only smart lighting, replacing numerous switches with one remote control, but at the same time provide for the possibility of further development.

In this case, the house will “get smarter” gradually, which will allow expenses to be distributed more evenly.

Smart home - a comprehensive solution

The main advantage of smart home systems is their complexity, the integration of all vital engineering networks of a building into one interactive one. When choosing a company that offers to implement automatic control home, you should pay attention to the history and number of completed projects. It is also necessary to take into account the range of equipment provided by the seller.

Networks in smart homes are connected by logical automation systems.

So, one company may offer you high-quality light control, but it may not have a multi-room system (for more details, see the “Power over media” block).

Or, conversely, the company provides good home theater control and switching of audio and video signals, but does not provide full control of lighting, climate, or curtain systems. Of course, it is more convenient and reliable to work with those who implement all the components.

Smart home technologies: basic operating principles

To use the intelligent capabilities of technology, devices must be combined. Today, there are dozens of technologies for organizing a smart home.

Among them are:

• solutions using a system bus - a special cable that is laid in a building to transmit control commands for smart devices;
• technologies where control commands are transmitted via electrical wiring;
• wireless radio systems.

Bus technology usually involves the use of three types of devices:

• sensors and detectors (light, temperature, motion, etc.);
• executive modules that execute commands from devices of the first group;
• system devices (control units, power supplies, logic automation modules).

A smart home bus system can be controlled constantly or only for setup from a single center, or it may not have a central module at all.

In the second case smart system will work under the control of distributed intelligence, when devices themselves detect the presence of other intelligent devices and offer certain operating scenarios.

Tire technologies, which are usually used during the construction phase, are distinguished by their reliability, ease of modernization, but also high price. If it is necessary to equip an already built house with intelligence, it makes sense to use other solutions.

In systems where signals are transmitted via electrical wiring, it is possible to equip any outlet with a transceiver - a receiver of radio signals from wireless devices remote control.

Transceivers connected to sockets, as well as automatic or controlled controllers, form commands for executive modules, which activate smart home equipment.

In the case of wireless systems, smart modules built into the equipment (controllers, control devices, sensors) can exchange signals, receive information from control panels and relay commands.

Photos from the Privatny Dom magazine were used in preparing the material.

Today it is difficult to imagine a world without technology, the achievements of scientists, engineers and designers, because they make our lives easier. In case of breakdown washing machine you feel like a medieval washerwoman rinsing rags in the river, and without a refrigerator you need to eat the mammoth immediately before it spoils. It is not difficult to predict that after a while it will be indecent to open the curtains yourself, water the flowers and feed the fish. Soon this system will be a familiar part of our everyday life, so it’s better to quickly understand this concept: What is a smart home?

This is a modern fairy tale in reality

From time immemorial, the ideas of a smart home have excited the people's consciousness, which is colorfully reflected in numerous fairy tales. Particularly noteworthy is the character of Baba Yaga, without whom hardly any narrative can be completed. Despite the ascetic appearance and underground worldview, this lady knew a lot about beautiful life. Let's leave her love for good fellows for another story, and admire the old lady's progressive gadgets. A hut on chicken legs, able to move independently, turn, and even carry out voice commands, has surpassed even the wildest ideas about the smart home of the future. Further, Yaga acquired a global video surveillance system in the form factor of a saucer with an apple (the latter is especially symbolic). A smart broom is an unexpected hybrid of a cleaning tool and an aircraft, the carrying capacity of which would be the envy of modern quadcopters. Well, for those who prefer business class, luxury transport is Stupa. However, intellectual technologies were actively used by many fairy-tale characters: Morozko, Old Man Hottabych, Emelya and others. And how nice it is to realize that dreams from fairy tales have finally “stepped” into our everyday lives.

Definition of the term "smart home"

The stable term “smart home” comes from the English “smart home”. I immediately remember a smartphone (smart phone), translated as a smart phone. Similar to the telephone, the house now has more features and opportunities. However, just as the presence of eyelid muscles that allow us to open and close our eyes does not make us intellectuals, so the presence of a motorized drive for curtains on the windows does not transfer a home to the “smart” category.

– in short, this is a centralized automated system control of lighting, water supply, heating and ventilation, multimedia and other systems for the purpose of comfortable, safe and economical living of a person in his home.

You need to understand that sensors are the sense organs of a smart home. If the system “senses” water with a leakage sensor, then it closes the pipes using a valve drive. Thanks to such reflexes, accidents can be avoided. And to achieve more challenging behavior You'll need a brain. In our case, it is a controller unit that receives signals about what is happening from sensors, and communicates with the owner via the Internet. Unlike Skynet from the movie Terminator, our smart home does not come up with tasks for itself, but receives them from a person.

How does a smart home system work?

Let's say you set the target temperature in the bedroom at 20 °C using a special application on your smartphone. This command enters the controller and the following happens:

• if the sensors say that the temperature is lower, then additional heating is turned on;
• If the sensors signal a temperature above the desired 20 °C, then the heating power is reduced or the air conditioning is turned on.

You can also create an individual scenario in which in the evening the room is cooled to comfortable levels. better sleep 18 °C, and in the morning it is heated to 22 °C to make it easier for you to get out from under warm blanket. And if we live in an ordinary house, then all this will have to be done manually. And if in a smart one, then it’s enough to press one button or program an action scenario in advance. The numerous conveniences of such a system answer the question: “ "more than obvious.

Smart home – dreams come true!

Thus, our hut on chicken legs turns towards us in front, and towards the forest with its back. Warms us when it's cold and cools us when it's hot. And on a silver saucer with an apple you can see any point of your property in live. Previously, all this was a fairy tale, now it is reality!

The desire for comfort has always been one of the most important desires of man. Over the past decades, many innovations have appeared on the market that can provide comfort and optimal conditions. At the same time, the sheer number of such devices created the problem of managing them. If you equip the house modern heating, air conditioning, lighting and other equipment, you will have to spend too much time adjusting them. “Smart home” is a technology of the future that allows you to create your own infrastructure for interaction and management of all systems in the house and in the surrounding area.

What a smart home can do

Almost everything that is connected to the control complex. Smart home functions are based on the coordination of various equipment.

IN standard set includes management and control functions:

• lighting;
• microclimate;
• executive systems;
• fire and burglar alarm;
• anti-flooding and gas leakage prevention system;
• access to the house and territory;
• multiroom, media center;
• video surveillance and warning.

Design and principle of operation

The system has a modular configuration, so it can be designed for any home, apartment, budget and vary in functionality. The heart of the entire complex is a server connected to WI-FI. Receiver and transmitter modules are connected to the server, which will interact with sensors and power units via wireless communication.

The “smart home” is controlled in three ways: push-button or touch switches, a remote control or a smartphone from anywhere in the world where there is access to the World Wide Web. As a rule, the creators of smart devices have a resource of a set of applications, access to which is provided to users free of charge via the Internet. Thanks to the proposed applications, various modes are configured, equipment operation algorithms are programmed and scenarios are created. In addition, all personal settings are copied to cloud storage and in case of an accidental failure they can always be returned.

The simplest “smart home” is controlled sockets. They can connect equipment, set the operating mode and control via the Network.

Lighting

To control the light there are power blocks, which can perform the function simple switch or dimmer. Lighting can be adjusted via a motion sensor. The user has the opportunity to turn on and off all or individual lighting points at the touch of a button. Select different brightness modes and program them according to time or depending on the situation. For example, you turn on the TV and the lights automatically dim. You can also choose a gradual fade in sleep mode or a constant brightness indoors that takes into account sunlight.

When connecting lighting through a motion sensor, the light will turn on automatically when a person appears in the room, and go out if there is no movement after a configured period of time. It is possible to choose your own lighting scenario for a party, a romantic date, or create the effect of presence while you are away. Settings allow you to notify the user if he forgot to turn off the light or turn it off automatically. Manufacturers claim that it is not only convenient and comfortable, but also economical. With well-designed lighting control algorithms, up to 30% of electricity is saved.

Microclimate

This function is provided thanks to temperature and humidity sensors. In this case, the devices are installed in those rooms where adjustments need to be made. The user can set different modes: select constant temperature and humidity for the entire home, for each room individually, and also set variable modes by hour and day of the week. In accordance with the specified algorithm, the system will regulate climate control devices (heating, air conditioning, humidification, dehumidification, ventilation). The apps have many additional features. For example, " open window" or "guests". In the first case, the heating will be turned off so as not to waste excess electricity or gas, and in the second case, when there is a crowd of people, the ventilation intensity will increase. On average, automatic microclimate control can save up to 40% of energy costs and create favorable conditions for the health of household members.

Executive systems

These include power devices that open/close doors, gates, barriers, curtains, blinds, and roller shutters. These can also be automatic valves on water supply, heating or gas pipelines, watering and fire pumps, and video camera rotations. Using these devices, you can close the curtain or open the door for a guest without getting up from the sofa. The possibility of settings allows you to program the automatic closing and opening of curtains/blinds according to the time of day or depending on natural light. You can set up watering of flower beds and lawns using external weather sensors. Gates, doors and shutters can work in tandem with security alarms and close in the event of unauthorized entry.

Multiroom and media center

This is the ability to distribute sound and video throughout the house and even around the local area. Moving around the room, the user uses a remote control or smartphone to switch sound and/or image to other devices. The function is also performed using motion sensors.

Among the latest developments, leading manufacturers offer Acustic systems voice controlled. At the same time, the device is able to adapt to the voice and pronunciation features of the owner. In addition to music and videos, it answers questions using and filtering information from Wikipedia.

Access Control

In a “smart home”, even the door locks are connected to a system that “recognizes” only one owner, indicating the status of the other residents. In addition to the key, special locks can be opened using a smartphone, but only the owner has unlimited access. For others, access can be granted or denied, and can be timed or for a specific period.

Fire and security alarms

For safety, it is important to equip a “smart home” fire alarm. It includes smoke and fire sensors, which are located in fire hazardous areas. When fire and/or smoke is detected, the device notifies the owner by default, and optionally the concierge on duty, security, or sends a message to the fire department, including an audible alarm. If there is a fire extinguishing system, the smart home itself suppresses the source of fire.

The security alarm system is based on motion sensors, opening of doors and windows, and video surveillance. In the event of unauthorized entry by an outsider, the system blocks entrances and exits, activates an audible alarm and, as in the case of a fire, notifies the owner and the appropriate security services. How additional functions a remote control can be installed to enter an access code after opening the doors or an alarm code to call security.

Preventing flooding and gas leaks

To determine an emergency situation at installation sites gas equipment gas analyzers are attached, which, when detecting any hydrocarbon in the air, send a signal to the server. As a result, a command is given to the automatic valve to shut off the gas and at the same time notifies the owner. The rest of the household will learn about the leak through a loud alarm. If desired, notification of the emergency gas service can be configured.

To detect water leaks, a special sensor is used, installed at the lowest point of the room with plumbing equipment. The operation algorithm of the anti-flooding function is similar - the water is automatically shut off, and the owner is notified.

Video surveillance and notification

Video surveillance indoors and in the yard is carried out for two purposes. The first is the intercom function, which provides video communication with the visitor. The owner can see who rang the doorbell and record the communication session. The second purpose is video recording when the alarm is triggered. Video monitoring can also be carried out with the services of a nanny, housekeeper or technical specialists. Video cameras can be installed openly or hidden and have IR illumination for night video recording. The user can turn on the camera at any time and see what is happening in his home. In the settings, you can select the baby monitor mode, and the camera will react to the noise and crying of the child.

The notification function is carried out on the smartphone of the owner or several users. You can set up an alert to any number, email. The reason for the notification is also customizable, since by default a message will be sent for every action of the “smart home” and will “clog” the memory mobile device or mail. The owner can control the operation of all equipment and find out the temperature in the premises at any time from any point.

Outdoor systems

Intelligent home is not limited to control and management internal equipment. After all, the local area also needs lighting, often watering or street heating. Particularly relevant today are anti-icing systems on paths, steps and snow melting on roofs. All these functions can also be controlled by a smart home complex. As a result, a person may forget about everyday little things. While the “house” itself will solve all the problems, the owner can enjoy life with comfort and confidence.

Problems of "smart home"

The main problem of all intelligent systems is the lack of general standardization. Because of this, equipment from one manufacturer is not compatible with devices from another. Although in some cases there are exceptions. When choosing a “smart home”, the consumer is forced to take advantage of the offer of one specific manufacturer. If the selected company does not have some “interesting” function, then it cannot be supplemented with third-party devices. The same applies to applications, which are rarely universal. Even the means of wireless connection of modules varies.

For many, the main problem may be the cost of a smart home, but some of its elements are quite affordable.

Prospects

The developers believe that the capabilities of intelligent control systems are far from exhausted and are at the initial stage of development. Despite the wide functionality, the potential of such equipment is enormous. In the future, it is planned to expand technologies and capabilities to include monitoring not only technical and engineering devices, but also the physical condition of residents. Future systems will be able to hear a person’s heart and breathing, analyze his behavior, and, if necessary, independently call an ambulance or warn about a critical condition of the body.

Life hacker understands how to automate an apartment and why it is worth doing.

What is a smart home

Remember Ray Bradbury's story "There Will Come Soft Rains"? If not, then let us briefly remind you: we are talking about the life of a house left without owners. Automatic systems continue to work as before: the talking clock reminds you that it’s time to get up, the smart oven prepares breakfast on its own, and the weather box reports that it’s raining outside. It’s painfully reminiscent of modern technology, isn’t it? But the story was published in 1950.

A smart home is a set of solutions for automating everyday actions that will save you from routine. There are household appliances here - from robotic vacuum cleaners to devices controlled from a smartphone - and systems that control everything that happens in the apartment.

At its core, this is a story about improving the quality of life. Comfort consists of little things, and a smart home will take care of all the little things. If you wake up at night and go to the kitchen for a glass of water, you don’t have to make your way through a dark corridor looking for a switch: the light will turn on automatically. Have you ever worried that you didn't turn off the iron or TV? No more anxious thoughts: just send a command to the smart socket from your smartphone, and it will turn off the device that is powered by it.

Why is it needed at all?

Everything is obvious: to make your life easier and better. A smart home means peace of mind and significant savings.

Let's start with calm. If worrying about everything in the world is a common thing for you, a smart home will help you get rid of at least those worries that are associated with your apartment. Did you turn off the iron? No problem, send a command to the smart socket, it will quickly turn off the power. You are afraid that you are neglected before leaving home washing machine went out of order and set up a water park for the neighbors downstairs? It's OK. If it really is leaking, the leak sensor will instantly tell you about it.

The result: you worry less about non-existent problems and free your brain from unnecessary thoughts. You can check how things are going at home at any time using your smartphone.

Now about saving. To many, this advantage of a smart home will probably seem dubious. They say, what other savings can there be when you need to buy several sensors, sockets and a video camera? Believe me, it's tangible. Take the same smart socket - it can track how much energy the device connected to it consumes. As a result, you can identify the most power-hungry appliances and save a lot on bills. And it’s hard to imagine how much money you will save if the leakage sensor promptly reports an incipient flood.

In general, a smart home is an idea that fully justifies itself. A life without unnecessary worries is worth much more than a few sensors and sockets.

How to make your home smart

Easier than it seems. If you select correct technique, you don’t even have to call specially trained people for installation. For example, all Rubetek devices are equipped with simple and clear instructions, so you can handle it on your own without any problems. Let's figure out what's worth purchasing if you want to upgrade your home, but it's not very clear where to start.

This is probably the first thing you need to buy if you are serious. The control center will allow you to interact with all the smart devices you purchase: you can connect up to 300 devices to it. With its help, you can create operating scenarios for equipment. For example, if you leave home, you launch the appropriate mode. The lights in the rooms go out, the blinds or curtains close, and appliances powered by smart plugs turn off. No more running around the apartment, checking if you turned everything off.

The control center works in conjunction with a free mobile app, so it's easy to control from your smartphone. You can even give commands by voice.

Sensors

They will protect your home from intruders, floods, fires and gas leaks. The guys from Rubetek secretly told us that very soon they will go on sale cool thing- temperature and humidity sensor.

If you connect it to the control center, the sensor will monitor whether the apartment is too hot or cold. For example, if the temperature drops below a set limit, the sensor will report this to the control center, and it will send a signal to the heater.

The opening sensor will be useful for parents of overly curious children. If you have cabinets or drawers at home where your child should absolutely not look, install such a sensor on them. As soon as the child climbs where he shouldn’t, you will know about it. And if you attach a sensor to the door, you can monitor whether the child came home from school on time.

Cameras

What is your child doing while you are away from home, what is your pet doing right now, is everything okay with your elderly parents - a smart video camera will answer each of these questions. IN mobile application The Rubetek camera keeps an event log and saves screenshots; videos can also be recorded in an archive on Google.Disk or Yandex.Disk.

An outdoor video camera will be useful to car owners. Firstly, this way you will know for sure that everything is fine with your car. Secondly, it makes it easy to find out if there is a parking space near your house: you can do this right on the road. If someone damaged your car in this parking lot, you will identify the culprit in just a few minutes.

Smart plugs

A real find for anyone who doesn’t remember whether they turned off the iron or the TV. You send a command to the outlet - it immediately de-energizes the device powered by it. Sockets with a dimmer allow you to adjust the brightness of a floor lamp or wall sconce without leaving the sofa. You can install such an outlet in a children's room. If the baby is used to falling asleep in the light, the night light connected to it will go out gradually.

If your electricity bill surprises you every time, buy an outlet that measures your energy consumption. She will tell you exactly which device decided not to deny itself anything.

Smart technology

If you have been thinking about buying an air conditioner, you should definitely choose a smart option. It is worth purchasing a temperature and humidity sensor to pair it with. The sensor monitors the temperature in the room, and when it rises, it tells the air conditioner that it is time to correct the situation. Control the air conditioner from your smartphone, give it voice commands, integrate it into everyday smart home scenarios - in general, do not deny yourself anything.

Ready-made sets

In case you don’t want to think on your own which devices to buy, Rubetek has ready-made kits for specific needs. Great option for the first acquaintance with smart technology Moreover, such a kit is cheaper than the devices included in it separately. The “Video surveillance and access control” set is suitable for those who are concerned about protecting their home from intrusion by strangers.

The kit includes a control center, a video camera, an opening sensor and a motion sensor, which can be paired with a relay or smart socket so that the light automatically turns on when a person appears.

The “Smart Apartment” kit will save you from worrying about whether the faucet is leaking or whether the lights are off.

The set contains a control center, an opening sensor, a leakage sensor, a video camera and a relay for a two-key switch to turn the light on and off from a smartphone. For complete peace of mind, you can additionally purchase a smart intercom, socket, smoke and gas leak detectors.

Progress is not only about landing a man on Mars or transplanting everything that is possible, but also about solutions that help get rid of everyday worries. Yes, even if suffering about a leaky tap looks funny on a global scale, but if there is an opportunity to entrust the entire routine to smart devices, it would be a sin not to take advantage of it.