A Typical Day with D.A.D.
or
Living in a Science Project

D.A.D. (David's Automated Domicile) is our home automation control system. DAD resides in the basement on a control panel and is made up of numerous programmable controllers, input/output modules, networking circuits, and nearly a mile of CAT5 cable and I/O wire. DAD operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week controlling various functions including lighting, security, entertainment systems and a variety of miscellaneous home applications. DAD executes control functions by following a conditional logic program stored in its processor's memory. The program is basically a list of instructions which tell DAD to turn output devices on or off based on specific input conditions being met. An example program segment could be describe as follows:

If front porch motion sensor turns on, then play voice message #2 ("There is someone at the front of the house"), energize porch security camera, and display video image on PIP (picture in picture) on family room TV.

Daily Control:

DAD silently monitors household systems night and day. Each morning at a predetermined time it turns on the TV in my bedroom, selects my favorite news channel and adjusts the volume to a comfortable level. DAD then monitors the bedroom motion sensor and turns on my night stand lamp if no motion is detected within 15 minutes. After motion is detected, DAD sends a signal to a kitchen electrical outlet, turning on the coffee maker.

As I move through the house DAD receives signals from motion sensors and turns on lights when my presence is detected.

Throughout the morning, similar control functions occur based on the schedules and movements of other family members.

At 9 am and everyone has left for the day, DAD checks for any lights or appliances that may have been left on and turns them off.

Security:

DAD also monitors home security devices. If security is breached or some other unusual event happens while we are away DAD's telephone interface allows him to call both my office and cell phone and alert me of the circumstance.

Mail Call:

DAD monitors a wireless sensor located in the mailbox. When the mail carrier opens the mailbox door, DAD announces "you've got mail" through the house audio system.

An Electronic Daytimer:

In addition to DAD's daily activities, he also performs weekly, monthly and annual control functions. I no longer have to worry about forgetting to set out the rubish on collection day. I programmed DAD to remind me the night before. Every Thursday at 6 pm DAD announces "tomorrow is rubish collection day". This message is played every half hour until I take out the rubish and press a cancel message button on one of DAD's wall mounted touch screens. DAD also reminds me when it is time to change the furnace and water purification filters.

Never forget an anniversary:

All the important dates have been programmed into DAD's memory.
DAD wishes everyone "happy birthday" on the approriate day. DAD calls and leaves me a voice mail message a week before my anniversary and valentines day.

Automated Gardening:

I'm a big fan of home grown tomatoes, but they're a little difficult to find during the winter. Applying automation technology to hydroponics I now have tomatoes year round.
Hydroponics plants typically grow in a soiless medium such as clay stones or rockwool and receive nutrients in a liquid form. I built a hyroponic garden in my basement for growing tomatoes. It is made from PVC drain pipe, an electric pump and a high intensity metal halide lamp that rides back and forth on a rail. DAD runs the pump for ten minutes every half hour. The pump cycles a nutrient solution out of a storage tank, through the PVC pipe to feed the plants. DAD controls the trolley that moves the high intensity lamp over the garden and switches the lamp on for sixteen hour periods. DAD also monitors and controls the nutrient and air temperature.