Ten and one more way to control a smart home. Universal switch: control of light, climate and other smart home functions

How the Smart Home system works and what it consists of - overview of types and reviews

A comprehensive smart home system is complete automation of device control in all areas of a house, apartment or office. It allows you to manage both individual blocks and the whole thing. This can be by pressing a button on the touch panel locally, or it can also be remote transmission of commands using a smartphone or tablet.

Various audio, light and video scenarios are pre-prescribed in the program, thanks to which the controller, that is, the brain of the Smart Home, operates. This significantly saves home owners time. The possibility of emergency situations is also excluded.

The smart home system allows you to set up various modes when the owners are at home, on vacation, or receiving guests. The plot of the script is to create comfortable conditions for people. This could be playing your favorite music, changing the temperature in the room, turning on a movie at a given time.

A smart home automatically turns off electrical appliances and puts them into sleep mode when there are no people present. If necessary, the system allows you to switch automatic equipment control to manual mode at any time.

Contents

The very first system announced itself in 1961. It was very primitive compared to modern technologies. People in all eras of their existence tried to make their lives easier by improving various devices. This is how the idea of ​​remote control of equipment appeared.

Man constantly strived for comfort. Some of the first “smart” houses were the homes of the rich in America. They were equipped with various household appliances and electronics. Over time, ideas began to be implemented for the combined management of all devices from one place. “Intelligent” buildings began to appear, displaying complex solutions to assigned problems. The Smart Home system was built using structured cabling.

The official year of the appearance of the Smart Home is 1978. At the same time, the term Smart Home was born. American systems operated at a frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 110 V, so they did not take root in Russia.

One of the first features of smart automation was smooth lighting control. Initially, the idea was implemented using dimmers (or dimmers). They made it possible to dim the light in the room, reducing the illumination in it. This mode is convenient for watching movies and saving energy consumption.

With the development of new technologies, dimmers were replaced by programmable controllers, which took on the role automatic control not only lighting, but also other systems necessary for a person’s comfortable stay in the building.

Installing a Smart Home system is very popular. It controls the operation of all devices in the premises of a cottage or office. The control complex is built on the basis of sensors that monitor current parameters. Information from the sensors is sent to control elements, which, according to a given program, give commands to actuators and devices. Using the Internet it is possible remote monitoring all equipment located in the building, as well as remote control them.

A smart home can control the following:

• interior and exterior lighting, architectural lighting, advertising;
• ventilation, air conditioning;
• space heating (underfloor heating system, radiators);
• all types of alarms (burglar, fire, emergency);
• permission to enter the building;
• video surveillance (local and remote);
• distribution of video and audio signals (multiroom);
• heating of steps, stairs, paths and storm drains;
• alternative sources of electricity (diesel generators, batteries);
• energy consumption (distribution of loads across phases, limitation of exceeding maximum loads);
• various pumps (drainage, sewerage, watering of the territory);
• entrance gates;
• roller shutters, curtains, blinds.

What types of smart home systems are there?

To implement the system, all equipment used must be compatible with each other. To this end, the Electronics Industry Alliance was created to develop a unified electronics standard. This solution allowed various companies to produce universal equipment used in the Smart Home.

Classification of systems according to main criteria:

• centralized/decentralized;
• wired/wireless;
• with open/closed protocol.

Ready-made Smart Home systems help save time when managing various entertainment and engineering systems in the premises.

Centralized and decentralized home management - number of modules and their operation

Centralized management represents one logical module. Its role is played by a programmable controller that has large number exits. An individual program is written for a specific object for such a computer. Based on this software, all engineering networks and actuators are managed.

The advantage of a centralized system is the ability to manage the entire building from one place and in a single interface. Using a central controller, you can create scenarios of varying complexity, linking them to specific actions, time of year or day. This option allows you to connect a large number of different equipment. Companies such as AMX, Crestron, Z-Wave, Ectostroy, Bechoff specialize in this.

When constructing a centralized system, the performance of all equipment will depend on the controller and the program embedded in it. If the computer fails, then all modules connected to it will cease to function. It is optimal to connect this complex through an uninterruptible power supply.

If you need to reprogram the Smart Home, and the programmer is not around, then the algorithm will have to be written again. That's why important criterion The choice is to select a reliable and high-quality controller.

Decentralized system can also be called distributed. In this case, each element of the system (executive device) is an independent microcontroller that has a type of memory in which information is retained even in the event of a loss of mains power. This factor increases the reliability of the complex as a whole. If any element fails, the entire system of the apartment or house continues to function, with the exception of the “dropped out” link.

The decentralized system is reliable, with the ability to connect additional “smart” blocks to create special scenarios. There is a wide range of instrument control panels on sale, varying in functionality and design. Leading manufacturers in this area are: ABB, Scheider Electric, HDL, Berker, Gira, Vimar.

The disadvantages of the complex include the large amount of equipment that is included in the shield. It may break down from time to time, which will entail material costs for replacement.

Use of conductors and wireless technologies

Wired system Smart home is built on the principle of transmitting all signals from control devices to executive units via an information bus. Such a bus can be special conductors or twisted pair.

The advantage of a wired system is its reliability, thanks to the use of shielded conductors. This eliminates interference and interference in the network. This data transmission system also has high speed response. When issuing a particular command, there are no delays due to interference or other factors.

So, when organizing a wireless system, the command response may be delayed. The person repeatedly presses the button and tries to get the device to operate. The information bus becomes clogged with duplicate signals, which can lead to the entire complex freezing.

To organize a wired Smart Home system, a varied selection of control elements, which are smart switches, is offered. Such mechanisms are multifunctional and have a stylish design. In such systems it is easier to implement some new element multimedia or climate control.

The wired system is fireproof and has long term operation without inspection. The disadvantages include the lack of mobility of the location of the switches. Also, cable exit points to control panels must be provided in advance.

Quality installation is important information networks for reliable operation of the system. Organizing a Smart Home is possible only in new housing or at the beginning of renovation. With classic electrical wiring installed, it will be technically impossible to organize the system.

Wireless system is built on the principle of transmitting a radio signal from the main device (control panel) to the executive body. This solution allows you to reduce the number of wires laid in the room and the time for installing devices. Wireless equipment very suitable for installation in a wooden house, where it is necessary to minimize the integrity of natural materials. The main manufacturers of this type are: Z-Wave, Berker, HDL, Zamel, Vitrum, Gira.

The advantage of such a complex is the possibility of installation in buildings with ready-made repairs and conventional wiring. Each wireless control panel communicates with other panels and can send commands to them. This interconnection of equipment allows you to create different lighting scenarios in different rooms.

Mobile control panels can be located in places convenient for owners. They are manufactured in two types: built-in and overhead. The radio system does not require any special preliminary design. Therefore, such a Smart Home system can be easily implemented with your own hands.

The operation of all smart devices depends on the quality of the radio signal. The disadvantage of the wireless complex is that many household electrical consumers cause interference with passing signals. Also, when operating devices on batteries, they will require regular replacement.

Wireless Smart Home is limited in functionality due to the instability of transmitted signals. Therefore, the security of such a complex is lower, since it is possible for hackers to jam the signals.

Open/closed automation system protocol

A protocol is a code system for interconnecting all devices with each other, on the basis of which the Smart Home operates. In Europe, the KNX protocol is considered the most popular. The advantage of this type is the interaction with the non-volatile memory of devices, as well as the independent operation of each device.

The KNX protocol is open. This data transfer standard is very popular. Therefore there are no problems with service such a system if necessary. The products of many manufacturers work in this “language”. It is tested for compatibility with each other.

The advantage of an open protocol is a large selection of devices with different designs or a suitable set of functions. Leading manufacturers are: KNX, Wago, Bechoff. Competition between manufacturers is increasingly causing the release of updated and improved models. The cost of such devices with an open protocol is higher than a closed one.

Due to the inflexibility of open communication devices and their dependence on certain standards, new products running on a closed proprietary protocol began to appear on the market. This resulted in a reduction in equipment manufacturing costs and a simplification of the programming process. Many manufacturers began to have their own line of products that other companies did not produce. Equipment operating on a closed protocol is manufactured by: ABB, HDL, Vimar, Bticino.

Among the advantages of closed protocol technologies are non-standard, interesting solutions at reasonable prices, and mobility in the market. The disadvantages include the factor of buyer dependence on one manufacturer.

What are the benefits of a smart home system? Is it worth buying?

Intelligent complexes are becoming increasingly popular and affordable. The market offers a large selection multifunctional devices for organizing home automation. Saving resources is manifested in their consumption only at the necessary moments, when people are at home. In other cases, the system transfers the house to energy saving mode. This is especially true for private housing and cottages with a large area.

A smart home can also take care of pets. According to a given program, it turns on the supply of food and water, adjusts the light in the aquarium, or opens the doors for animals to leave the house. You can watch your four-legged friends on your tablet. If there are animals in the house, it is advisable to organize wired network, hiding all the wiring behind the walls. Control panels must be built-in. This will protect the system from damage.

In the case of children, the Smart Home system will allow you to control their behavior in an apartment or house. You can limit the turn on of the TV and computer. Or provide Internet access if they meet certain conditions.

The most important advantage of an “intelligent” home is remote monitoring and control of housing. The system protects against intrusion by thieves. Also this good way preventing emergency situations. In a critical situation, you can turn off the water, turn off the power supply, or transmit a fire signal. All notifications and warnings are sent as messages to the building owner.

The Smart Home system determines its prices due to its versatility. For the budget option, purchase basic logical modules, and over time, additional ones are purchased, which will expand the capabilities of the complex.

Video about the smart home system

Miracle technology, how to make a budget smart home?

The Art-In company offers intelligent solutions for your home or apartment, allowing you to control all equipment from one device. You can set up scenarios, answer telephone or intercom calls, control lighting and security systems. And all this can be done remotely from an iPad, iPhone or other device, for example, while at work.

What we offer

Control unit " smart home» necessary for proper operation GUI. He will become single center working via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. You can choose suitable option executions:

• push-button remote control with screen and software from the equipment manufacturer for " smart home»;
• touch panels for “smart home”, which can be desktop, wall-mounted or portable. Typically these touch devices located in the hallway or hall. So you can ask required parameters systems immediately after arriving home;
• Wi-Fi gadget on operating system Android or iOS with the Art-In application installed. Allows remote control of the house from iPad, iPhone, etc.

More about control units

Touch panels for smart home. Universal smart home control panels – modern gadgets with an intuitive Russified interface. On this device you can select a room and control all the equipment located in it. Turn on home cinema, answer the intercom, close the curtains or start a scenario with just a few touches on the screen. The display of the touch control unit also shows various useful information. For example, this could be indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, weather forecasts, data from smart home video cameras, and traffic information. Also, some touch panels make it possible to independently create, delete and adjust scenarios, and program an alarm clock. The smart home control system from Art-In offers several options touch panels: tabletop, wall-mounted and portable. Choose the option that is most convenient for you.

Push-buttonremote controlswith screen. These smart home remotes are somewhat reminiscent of traditional switches, but have much more functionality. The main advantage of such blocks is the programmability of each key. This means that our specialists will record on them required functions and scripts in the order convenient for you. The settings of the smart control unit buttons can be changed if necessary. The LCD screen displays useful information about the weather, the status of the smart home system and current tasks. Visualizing your commands makes working with intelligent systems much easier.

Have you heard? They say, artificial intelligence already created! And this miracle of the world is engaged in... No, not in predicting earthquakes. And not even weather forecasting. The world's first AI named Jarvis (as in Iron Man) “works” as a house manager for a certain Mark Zuckerberg. And although it seems to me that a real AI could find a more worthy occupation than caring for Zuckerberg, making your home “smart” today can not only creator of Facebook. I've tested several Rubetek smart home devices, and I have to say that for me, like Mark Zuckerberg, the future has already arrived.

What the Rubetek smart home can do

“Smart home” is a system that relieves a person from daily routine actions and informs about all the events happening in his home. If in your absence uninvited guests enter the house, windows, cabinets and doors open, smoke occurs, water leaks or gas leaks, in each case you immediately receive a notification and run to urgently fix the problem. And with the help voice commands you can turn on and off “smart” relays and sockets, set the house on security, find out the level of temperature, humidity and light in the room, etc. Even if you don’t need such advanced monitoring all the time, you must admit, at least during the holidays it won’t hurt be sure that you haven’t flooded anyone and that thieves haven’t broken into your apartment.

The Rubetek company produces a variety of devices for the “smart home”, which can be assembled from individual devices, or can be purchased in ready-made kits.

Installation and configuration

“Control Center” (for brevity we will call it CC) is similar to Wi-Fi router a device that you can communicate with from your phone or tablet (Android or iOS) after you install its application. Unfortunately, there is no such application or web interface available for a computer, but access to the control center can be given to other family members by installing the same application on their smartphones.

Next comes the stage of integration of the control center in the home local network- this can be done via Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n is supported, but only 2.4 GHz), or you can connect the control center to the router directly with a cable. If there is no local network (for example, you want to secure a detached garage), you can directly connect a 3G USB modem to the control center so that it can access the Internet via cellular network. If you follow completely clear instructions, no problems should arise - everything is extremely simple here.

Having created a new “Smart Home” in the Rubetek application (and there may be several of them: garage, apartment, cottage, etc.), we begin connecting auxiliary devices - these can be home and outdoor video cameras, video intercoms, smart sockets, temperature and light sensors , smoke, gas leaks and water leaks, as well as relays for controlling blinds, curtains, roller shutters, heated floors, household appliances or gates.

First, you need to equip all the sensors with fresh batteries - in my case these were 23A batteries for the leak sensor and Krona batteries for the gas and smoke ones. Next you need to “make friends” of the sensors with the control center. One way is to scan the QR code from each sensor directly from the Rubetek application by clicking the “+” button in the “Devices” section.

Finally, you need to make sure that all sensors are working. To do this, you need to press or press and hold the “Test” button for a couple of seconds on each of them, with the exception of the leakage sensor - there you will have to put a wet finger on the sensitive plates. You need to check the sensors both near the control center and right at the place of their installation to make sure that the range of the sensors is enough to “finish off” the control center. The sensors we have operate according to the RF 433 MHz standard, and their range of action, as it turned out, is quite wide and noticeably exceeds (due to the low radio frequency) the radius Wi-Fi actions. Thus, in a three-room swing apartment of a panel house, it was possible to separate the control center and sensors to the maximum possible distance, and communication through several reinforced concrete walls was never lost. However, in a difficult situation (for example, if your neighbors often have some devices operating at a frequency of 433 MHz), the picture may be different, which is why checking is necessary.

433 MHz RF sensors only produce a radio signal when triggered (at which point, if you open the sensor properties in the app, you can see the signal level), so the battery should last a long time. In addition, the control center can also operate according to the Z-Wave standard (869 MHz), also used in some sensors (for example, in smart sockets). Supports CC and Bluetooth.

The RV-3404 home security camera, which I also had, connects to the control center via Wi-Fi and is added to the Rubetek mobile application in the same way. But even without a control center, the camera can be fully used by recording video on microSD card. A DCU is necessary if you want to record video to the cloud.

Now that all the devices have been added, you can go through their properties in the application and customize something to suit your tastes. For example, in the properties of the control center, you can specify the phone numbers to which SMS should be sent about sensor activation. It is highly advisable to do this, since Push notifications are sent to the smartphone only if there is mobile internet, and SMS almost always arrives instantly.

Convenience and functionality

So, all the sensors are connected and hung in the right places in the apartment. Gas in the kitchen, smoke in the hallway, leaks in the bathroom. The camera is aimed at the front door. The sensors have been tested - their signal passes to the control center without problems, they also respond to water, gas and smoke properly (yes, I had to smoke a cigarette and even open the burner). Some also emit a very loud siren. That is, the Smart Home has started working. Now, if an alarm is triggered, you will immediately receive a Push notification and SMS on your smartphone. You can go on vacation.

But, of course, the functionality of the Rubetek system is not limited to this. IN mobile application There is a “Security” mode and the ability to create scenarios. For example, if you have a door sensor, it makes no sense to activate it when you are at home, just like the motion sensor on the camera. For this purpose, the “Security” mode is provided. You leave the house empty - turn it on with one press of a button on your smartphone or even with a voice command full mode protection. Now even in case of opening front door or, say, a safe, you will receive a notification.

Scenarios are intended for something else - primarily to create comfort. They also make sense in the event of a further upgrade of the “brains” of your home. For example. We install a smart relay on the garage door and several smart sockets. Now, when approaching the house, it is enough to give a voice command to automatically open the garage, turn on the lights in the yard, in the garage and in the house, turn off the security mode and turn on the air conditioning. They parked the car - another command to close the garage and turn off the lights where they are no longer needed. Everything is limited only by imagination and the available list of “smart” devices.

Compatibility

Another important advantage of the system from Rubetek is that it is open for connecting devices from other manufacturers (the compatibility list is quite decent: https://rubetek.com/compatible-devices), and the control unit is compatible with Apple HomeKit. True, cheap RF 433 MHz devices from other manufacturers are unlikely to be used due to the lack of a unified standard. So it’s best to immediately focus on Z-Wave.

Restrictions

A few words must be said about the limitations of this system, which is, after all, a household one. First of all, this is the temperature regime. Please note that you cannot install the control unit in a room where the temperature drops below zero: operating temperature+5 ºС.+40 ºС. Other devices have approximately the same range (the gas sensor, however, works from -10). Another important point: RF 433 MHz sensors need to be checked from time to time for functionality, since eternal batteries have not yet been invented (in more advanced Z-Wave devices, remote status polling is possible).

Resume

However, the advantages of the system, in my opinion, clearly outweigh all the limitations. The main one is its availability. To install the Rubetek “smart home” and use it, not only is a specialist not needed, but even knowledge English language not required - everything and everywhere is only in Russian. The system, once installed (which takes about 30 minutes), does not require any subscription fee. The installation does not require any wiring, re-equipment of the home or similar work - any person who is more or less versed in technology can handle it. And, in fact, there is no need for maintenance - except, perhaps, to wipe the dust off the camera. True, there is a high risk of becoming addicted: it will be extremely difficult to resist upgrading the system. And then, you see, real AI will mature...

Help article based on expert opinion author.

“The owner must pronounce commands in an even voice, clearly and moderately loud. If the task is not completed the first time, you need to calmly repeat the order without raising your voice.”

Sounds like a dog training manual. This is actually a guide to managing "".

All our intelligent and unreasonable assistants need guidance, guidance and command. In a word, in management. A “smart home”, the intelligence of which is still far from the human concept of true intelligence, is nevertheless capable of learning and self-learning.

By speed of adoption simple solutions he surpasses us, his creators, hundreds of thousands of times. In addition, he does not suffer from sclerosis. And does not put off until tomorrow those things that can be done today.

Intelligent systems building management systems are able to monitor parameters of the external and internal environment, recognize situations involving humans in real time, and monitor engineering systems. A “smart home”, in accordance with the algorithms embedded in it, reacts to changes, providing its owners with a comfortable microclimate.

He must fulfill all the current wishes of the inhabitants of the house and predict future ones:

Bake hot buns for breakfast and make coffee;
- show a news program on TV;
- charge the battery of the robot vacuum cleaner and send it to restore order while the owners are not at home;
- Prepare a hot bath in the evening.

An advanced “smart home” is capable of a lot, the capabilities depend on the equipment included in it, software and, of course, funds.

Alas, home intelligence is still not smart enough to predict absolutely all our desires and needs guidance. To do this, a number of methods and control devices of various levels are used.

Level one

Limited control of individual functions without interfering with algorithm settings and software environment.

Infrared, photoelectric, laser, temperature, weather, etc. These are sensors ending " nervous system"smart home". Some of them react to environmental parameters and control the operation of equipment, many watch people. We unconsciously and constantly participate in control, simply by being or not being at certain points in the building.

Switches, switches, regulators, and all sorts of other buttons on the walls. We are not always satisfied with the algorithms by which our “house” operates. For example, the current level is too low. We increase the brightness on the dimmer manually. According to given program The roller shutters, blinds and curtains are lowered at night, but we want to admire the full moon and stars. We press the switch button and open up a view of the clear night sky.

True, elements of manual limited control can still be involved in reconfiguring the system. For example, by accurately setting the lighting levels in a room with switches and dimmers, we can then enter these parameters into memory and use them as one of the standard lighting patterns.

Level two

Management of subsystems with the ability to configure their algorithms.

Subsystem control panels. For example, control panels, centralized control of roller shutters. We can turn on and off individual modes, change settings within a specific engineering function. The air conditioner cannot be turned on from the heating panel.

Subsystem control panels. For example, a home theater control panel or. He can do a lot, but only within the limits of his function.

Level three

Control of the entire “smart home”, setting up algorithms without the possibility of interfering with the program.

Stationary universal control panels. Push-button ones are no longer relevant; touch-sensitive ones, with a large and beautiful LCD screen, are more convenient. The location is chosen arbitrarily, usually it is a corridor, kitchen and other frequently visited places. From the universal panel, owners have access to all systems without exception, can change settings and interfere with operating algorithms.

Portable universal control panels. Practically complete analogue stationary, except that the screen is smaller. The same capabilities, communication via radio frequencies, infrared, Wi-Fi.

Usually located in places where there is a need for one or more remote controls. For example, near the TV, in the living room. In this case universal remote control will replace the “sloth” TV, DVD player, tuner, air conditioner. Allows you to see who pressed the intercom button and view the latest message without getting up from the couch email, use the organizer and much more.

The only drawback of a portable panel compared to a stationary one is that you can stick it somewhere and then search for a long time.

Computer or laptop. Any PC connected to your home local network via standard interface, including wirelessly, can perform the same functions as universal control panels.

Smartphone, tablet. Portable devices, on which any of the operating systems are installed, also provide access to management.

Voice control. “...say commands in an even voice, clearly and moderately loud.” For now, it won’t be possible to chat about abstract topics with your own home. Maybe this is for the best. Anyone who has read or watched “A Space Odyssey” by Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick knows what long conversations between humans and artificial intelligence can lead to.

However, in terms of verbal communication, our house has the intelligence of a chimpanzee and is able to remember and carry out a couple of hundred voice commands. The main thing is that we ourselves do not get confused.

Remote control. We are not at home. Let's say we are in the Bahamas, basking on the snow-white sand on the shores of the azure sea. Or we’ve been standing in a traffic jam for three hours after a long and hard day of work, inhaling toxic gasoline fumes and losing the remnants of our peace of mind.

At this time, the Russian national football team is bravely fighting with an experienced and dangerous team from Liechtenstein. We take out an iPod, tablet or laptop, connect to the network, enter a special “smart” program, then go to the menu interactive television, give the command “record”. When we get home, we'll see. At the same time we tell you to warm up the sauna, today is Friday.

Individual commands can be transmitted remotely and via SMS established codes, as well as through voice messages.

Level four

Administrator access.

Full access. Only the administrator has it. This is not a device, but a person, one or more. It is carried out from the central computer of the “smart home”, with permission - from any PC connected to the local network or the Internet. You just need to know the magic word, the password.

Restrictions on certain capabilities for different administrators can also be set. Often, not only the owners, but also the engineers of the company servicing the “smart home” have a full or limited fourth level. By the way, they need him more. The administrator has the right to intervene directly in the hardware and software environment of the building management system.

Large "smart home"

The principles of intelligent control of the engineering systems of a large building, be it an office complex, an airport, a hypermarket, a nuclear power plant or an intelligence department, are subject to the same laws as a small “smart” apartment.

The only difference is in the scale of the system, a significant number of subsystems, and higher security requirements. Accordingly, restrictions on access to all levels of management, starting from the second, are stricter. To confirm access, electronic and fingerprint keys, other biometric devices, and, less commonly, voice analyzers are used.