Functions

	Voice (Home Voice software)
	Infrared remote (with or without viewing a TV)
	Phone (touchtone inputs with voice response via StarGate)
	Any X-10 controller
	PC screen (AS-4000 software)
	Hard-Wired Contacts
	Automatically by time or event

Here's a sample of what the AS-4000 schedule does: 
 

	Voice recognition and voice response throughout the house. Voice recognition performed by Home Voice software. Voice response performed by both Home Voice and by sending serial commands from AS-4000 to StarGate (using StarGate's voice output).
	Occupancy sensors automatically turn lights and A/V equipment on and off based on room occupancy.
	Outdoor motion sensors trigger video cameras to be recorded on the VCR and are also noted in the event log. Video cameras are prioritized in order of importance in case several are triggered simultaneously. VCR tape can be automatically rewound and viewed on any TV.
	Vehicle detector announces arrivals by voice and turns on the TV in any occupied room to view the camera. If the TV is already on, picture-in-picture is used. The homeowner can then say "Open garage door" or "Unlock back door" to have these functions performed automatically.
	Garage door automatically closed if no motion is detected for prescribed time.
	Mailbox sensor detects mail delivery and turns on indicator light in kitchen and logs it to event log.
	Kids can page Mom or Dad by dialing *mom or *dad from any phone.
	When the master bathroom shower light is turned on, the exhaust fan starts automatically. The fan automatically turns off several minutes after the bathroom is no longer occupied.
	The TV and stereo automatically mute when phone rings. If the master bathroom shower is in use, the exhaust fan is temporarily turned off so the ring can be heard.
	Callers' name and phone number are displayed on all TVs and entered in event log.
	Alarm clocks set from any TV. Parents can verify their children set their alarms.
	"Alarm clock" in child's bedroom works by ringing phone. If he doesn't get out of bed in three minutes (detected by motion sensor), phone rings again. If he doesn't get up after three tries, it rings the phone in the parents room.
	HVAC system controlled automatically using RCS TX10-B thermostat. The AS-4000 periodically reads the thermostat's status via X-10.
	HVAC schedule can be viewed and changed from any TV.
	Numerous voice commands to perform macros, control A/V equipment, turn fireplace on, etc.
	Variable speed ceiling fan automatically controlled based on temperature set points. Temperature set points can be changed from any TV.
	"Sleep mode" turns off interior lights and A/V equipment, arms security system, adjusts HVAC system for occupied rooms. If someone gets out of bed while in the sleep mode, the appropriate lights go on at 20%.
	If you approach an exterior door while the security system is armed, you get a voice message reminding you the system is armed.
	"Away mode" automatically turns off interior lights and A/V equipment, arms security system, adjusts HVAC system, and puts lights on automatic schedule.
	When homeowner returns home, TV event log is automatically displayed showing what happened while away.
	If the water heater or any pipe breaks, the AS-4000 detects it with water sensors, shuts off the water supply, announces it over the speakers, then pages the homeowner.
	Rain guage measures rainfall and tracks daily, weekly, monthly, and annual amounts and displays data on TV.
	Temperature sensor detects if refrigerator or freezer gets too warm and provides a warning. If no one's home, the homeowner is paged. It's also logged to the event log.
	Every 15 minutes, certain outdoor lights are turned off unless they should be on (based on whether certain timers are running or not).
	Numerous actions are triggered by sending X-10 sequences from an X-10 controller.
	In-wall speakers can be individually selected using relay outputs.

 

Dan Cohen is president of The Automation Store, a home automation retail store to debut soon. Here's a description of his automated home, which is the most automated home around. For more information, contact The Automation Store at 800-242-7672. 

Hardware

	1 AS-4000 controller
	1 StarGate controller (for phone interface)
	1 computer running AS-4000 and Home Voice software
	22 Leviton 6400 wall mounted controllers
	25 X-10 devices
	7 PCS Smart Switches
	8 temperature sensors
	2 ultrasonic motion detectors
	17 infrared motion detectors
	15 Sure Action pulsors (floor sensors)
	26 magnetic reed switches
	1 Cartell vehicle detector
	2 TV sniffer probes
	3 water detectors
	8 smoke detectors
	1 Macurco Inc. gas detector
	1 Pama Electronics carbon monoxide detector
	3 water solenoid valves
	1 Alarm Lock digital lock
	1 variable-speed ceiling fan
	1 remote-controlled fireplace
	1 ACT coupler/repeater
	1 Caddx 32 zone security system with digital outputs
	1 RCS TX10-B bidirectional X-10 thermostat
	8 RCS motorized HVAC dampers
	4 Channel Plus 2100A infrared wall interfaces
	1 Channel Plus infrared cable panel
	4 infrared receivers
	8 infrared mini-emitters
	4 outdoor video cameras
	3 3-channel digital A/V modulators
	6 wall-mounted speakers for voice output
	2 Crown PZM microphones for voice input
	1 Panasonic electronic modular switching phone system
	1 Davis weather station / weather talker
	1 rain bucket rain guage
	Various A/V equipment