Smart Home Hacks. Tips & Tools for Automating Your House (e-book) Gliwice

So much of what is commonplace today was once considered impossible, or at least wishful thinking. Laser beams in the operating room, cars with built-in guidance systems, cell phones with email access. There's just no getting around the fact that technology always has, and always will be, very cool.But technology isn't only cool; it's also very smart. That's why one of the hottest technological trends nowadays is the creation of smart homes.At an increasing rate, people are turning their homes into state-of-the-art machines, complete with more switches, sensors, and actuators than you can shake a stick at. Whether you want to equip your home with motion detectors for added security, install computer-controlled lights for optimum convenience, or even mount an in-home web cam or two purely for entertainment, the world is now your oyster. Ah, but like anything highly technical, creating a smart home is typically easier said than done.Thankfully, Smart Home Hacks takes the guesswork out of the process. Through a seemingly unending array of valuable tips, tools, and techniques, Smart Home Hacks explains in clear detail how to use Mac, Windows, or Linux to achieve the automated home of your dreams. In no time, you'll learn how to turn a loose collection of sensors and switches into a well-automated and well-functioning home no matter what your technical level may be.Smart Home Hacks covers a litany of stand-alone and integrated smart home solutions designed to enhance safety, comfort, and convenience in new and existing homes. Kitchens, bedrooms, home offices, living rooms, and even bathrooms are all candidates for smart automation and therefore are all addressed in Smart Home Hacks.Intelligently written by engineering guru and George Jetson wannabe, Gordon Meyer, Smart Home Hacks leaves no stone unturned. From what to purchase to how to use your remote control, it's the ultimate guide to understanding and implementing complete or partial home automation. Spis treści: Smart Home Hacks SPECIAL OFFER: Upgrade this ebook with OReilly Credits About the Author Contributors Acknowledgments Preface Why Smart Home Hacks? What Is Home Automation? Crossing Platforms How X10 Works X-What, You Say? How This Book Is Organized Conventions Used in This Book Using Code Examples How to Contact Us Got a Hack? 1. A Foot in the Front Door 1.1. Hacks 124 Hack #1. Know the X10 Address 1.2.1. Setting an Address 1.2.2. Planning an Addressing Scheme 1.2.3. Addresses to Avoid 1.2.4. Final Thoughts Hack #2. Turn On a Light 1.3.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #3. Master Your Appliances Hack #4. Send X10 Commands Hack #5. Send X10 Commands Wirelessly 1.6.1. Key-Chain Remotes 1.6.2. Palm Pad Remotes 1.6.3. Transceivers 1.6.4. The Wireless Delay Hack #6. Keep Watch with Motion Detectors 1.7.1. Selecting Addresses 1.7.2. Positioning Motion Detectors 1.7.3. Other Motion Detectors Hack #7. Turn On the Lights When You Enter a Room Hack #8. Turn On the Lights When Theyre Needed 1.9.1. The Code 1.9.2. Hacking the Hack Hack #9. Ring a Bell to Alert the House 1.10.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #10. Sense What's Happening 1.11.1. Using Dry-Contact Switches 1.11.2. Using Low-Voltage Switches 1.11.3. Selecting a Switch 1.11.4. Connecting to the Powerflash 1.11.5. Setting the Powerflash House and Unit Code 1.11.6. The Powerflash Modes 1.11.7. Robustness Considerations Hack #11. Control the Uncontrollable 1.12.1. Setting Up 1.12.2. Final Thoughts Hack #12. Groom Your Home for X10 Hack #13. Set Addresses for Modules Without Dials 1.14.1. HomeSeer 1.14.2. XTension 1.14.3. Indigo 1.14.4. Final Thoughts Hack #14. Increase the Spousal Approval Factor 1.15.1. Use Better Modules 1.15.2. Program for Politeness 1.15.3. Final Thoughts Hack #15. Unplug Your Computer 1.16.1. Advantages of a Standalone Controller 1.16.2. Programming the Controller 1.16.3. Hacking the Hack Hack #16. Add a Brain to Your Smart Home 1.17.1. What You Need 1.17.1.1. Computer. 1.17.1.2. Computer-to-X10 translator. 1.17.2. Hooking It Up 1.17.3. Choosing Your Software 1.17.3.1. Applications for Macintosh. 1.17.3.2. Applications for Windows. 1.17.3.3. Applications for Linux. 1.17.4. Final Thoughts Hack #17. Get to Know XTension 1.18.1. Getting Connected 1.18.2. Adding a Unit 1.18.3. Adding Pseudo Units 1.18.4. Events Scheduling 1.18.5. Responding to Events with Unit Scripts 1.18.6. Using Global Scripts 1.18.7. Creating Groups of Units 1.18.8. Using the XTension Log 1.18.9. Learning More Hack #18. Get to Know Indigo 1.19.1. Getting Connected 1.19.2. Adding a Device 1.19.3. Adding Variables 1.19.4. Scheduling Events 1.19.5. Responding to Events with Trigger Actions 1.19.6. Defining Action Groups 1.19.7. Using Scripts 1.19.8. Using the Indigo Log 1.19.9. Learning More Hack #19. Get to Know HomeSeer 1.20.1. Getting Connected 1.20.2. Adding a Unit 1.20.3. Adding Virtual Devices 1.20.4. Scheduling Events 1.20.5. Responding to Events with HomeSeer 1.20.6. Triggering Sequences of Events 1.20.7. Triggering Scripts 1.20.8. Using the HomeSeer Log 1.20.9. See Also Hack #20. Sync with the Sun 1.21.1. Actions at Sunset 1.21.2. Actions at Sunrise 1.21.2.1. Sun events and XTension. 1.21.2.2. Sun events and Indigo. 1.21.2.3. Sun events and HomeSeer. 1.21.3. Hacking the Hack Hack #21. Choose the Right Controller 1.22.1. Teasers and Appetizer Controllers 1.22.1.1. The FireCracker (CM17A/CM18A). 1.22.1.2. The CP290. 1.22.2. Mainstream Controllers 1.22.2.1. ActiveHome and HomeDirector (CM11A). 1.22.2.2. The LynX-10 kit. 1.22.2.3. Ocelot. 1.22.3. Expensive Controllers 1.22.3.1. TimeCommander-Plus. 1.22.3.2. Stargate. 1.22.4. Final Thoughts Hack #22. Maintain an X10 Library Hack #23. Shop for Secret X10 Devices Hack #24. Welcome to the State Machine 1.25.1. Who's Home? 1.25.2. Environmental States 1.25.3. Tracking and Changing States 1.25.4. Final Thoughts 2. Office 2.1. Hacks 2536 Hack #25. Remember Important Events 2.2.1. Deciding How to Be Reached 2.2.1.1. An email is sent to one or more addresses. 2.2.1.2. A message is spoken aloud by your home automation computer. 2.2.2. Scheduling with Home Automation Software 2.2.3. Scheduling with Calendar Software 2.2.4. Sending Email Reminders with iCal 2.2.5. Hacking the Hack Hack #26. Keep the Lights On While You Work 2.3.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #27. Know Who's Calling 2.4.1. Final Thoughts Hack #28. Broadcast Announcements to the Whole House 2.5.1. What You Need 2.5.2. Planning 2.5.3. Examining Your Wiring 2.5.4. Wiring the Speakers 2.5.5. Amplifying the Announcements 2.5.6. Making the Computer Connection 2.5.7. Putting the Voice Announcements into Action Hack #29. Announce Events with Recorded Announcements 2.6.1. Creating a Recorded Announcement 2.6.2. Playing the Announcement 2.6.3. Hacking the Hack Hack #30. Send Pager Messages Hack #31. Broadcast Messages on Your Home Network 2.8.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #32. Control Your Printer from Afar Hack #33. Phone Your Home Hack #34. Control Your Home with Phlink 2.11.1. Installing the Phlink Scripts for Indigo 2.11.2. Phoning Home 2.11.3. Custom Status Reporting 2.11.4. Remote Notification 2.11.5. Final Thoughts Hack #35. Forward Phone Calls 2.12.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #36. Silence the House when You're on the Phone 2.13.1. Hacking the Hack 3. Kitchen and Bath 3.1. Hacks 3746 Hack #37. Brew Your Morning Coffee 3.2.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #38. Detect the Beer Thief 3.3.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #39. Install a Kitchen Terminal 3.4.1. Final Thoughts Hack #40. Install a Home TV Server Hack #41. Control Your Heating Remotely Hack #42. Monitor the Refrigerator Door Hack #43. Heat the Toilet Seat 3.8.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #44. Detect Flooding 3.9.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #45. Monitor the Litter Box 3.10.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #46. Avoid Battery Memory Problems 4. Bedroom 4.1. Hacks 4753 Hack #47. Educate Your Alarm Clock 4.2.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #48. Put the House to Sleep for the Night 4.3.1. The Evening's Announcements 4.3.2. Lights Out 4.3.3. During the Night 4.3.4. In the Morning 4.3.5. Hacking the Hack Hack #49. Lighting for Insomniacs 4.4.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #50. Adjust Lights as the Sun Rises 4.5.1. The Code 4.5.2. Hacking the Hack Hack #51. Simulate a Sunrise 4.6.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #52. Motorize Your Window Blinds Hack #53. Outdo Big Ben 4.8.1. The Code 4.8.2. Hacking the Hack 5. Garage and Yard 5.1. Hacks 5468 Hack #54. Monitor Your Driveway 5.2.1. The Sensors 5.2.2. Positioning the Sensors 5.2.3. Reacting to the Sensors 5.2.4. Hacking the Hack Hack #55. Know If the Garage Door Is Open 5.3.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #56. Control Your Garage Door 5.4.1. Locking for Security 5.4.2. Automatically Closing the Door 5.4.3. Indicating Status 5.4.4. Opening the Door Automatically 5.4.5. Hacking the Hack Hack #57. Control Your Home from Your Car 5.5.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #58. See Through Walls Hack #59. Use Indoor Modules in the Great Outdoors 5.7.1. Temporary Installations 5.7.2. Semipermanent Installations 5.7.3. Permanent Installations Hack #60. Control Outdoor Lighting 5.8.1. Making a Smart Light Timer 5.8.2. Getting Flexible 5.8.3. Final Thoughts Hack #61. Track Fuel Consumption Hack #62. Know When the Mail Arrives 5.10.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #63. Mow the Lawn 5.11.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #64. Get the Weather Hack #65. Safely Water the Garden 5.13.1. Final Thoughts Hack #66. Foster Green Pastures with a Smart Sprinkler System 5.14.1. Choosing a Controller 5.14.2. Setting Up the Hardware 5.14.3. Scheduling Irrigation 5.14.4. Hacking the Hack Hack #67. Stop Watering During Rainstorms 5.15.1. Feeding Indigo the Weather 5.15.2. Cleaning Up Nightly 5.15.3. Scheduling the Sprinklers 5.15.4. Hacking the Hack Hack #68. Adapt Sprinkler Schedules and Solar Water Heating to Available Sunlight 5.16.1. The Hot Water Schedule 5.16.2. The Irrigation Schedule 5.16.3. The Code 5.16.4. Final Thoughts 6. Security 6.1. Hacks 6982 Hack #69. Check for an Empty Home 6.2.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #70. Know Who's Home 6.3.1. Houseguest Settings 6.3.2. Last One Out 6.3.3. Welcome Back 6.3.4. Final Thoughts 6.3.5. Hacking the Hack Hack #71. Avoid False Intrusion Alarms Hack #72. Nobody Here but Us Ghosts 6.5.1. First Things First 6.5.2. Setting Up 6.5.3. The Ghost Walker Script 6.5.4. Hacking the Hack Hack #73. Send Notifications of Home Events 6.6.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #74. Who's There? 6.7.1. Detecting Visitors 6.7.2. Reacting to Visitors 6.7.3. Hacking the Hack Hack #75. Secure Your Construction Site 6.8.1. Driveway Warning 6.8.2. Fake Headlights 6.8.3. Video Recording 6.8.4. Alarm System 6.8.5. Solar-Powered Security Lights 6.8.6. A Driveway Gate 6.8.7. Final Thoughts Hack #76. Monitor Your Summer Home 6.9.1. Watching Weather Conditions 6.9.2. Monitoring for Water Problems 6.9.3. Monitoring for Power Failures 6.9.4. Watching for Outside Activity 6.9.5. Watching for Inside Activity 6.9.6. Notification Devices Hack #77. Protect Outdoor Cameras Hack #78. Know When Windows and Doors Are Open Hack #79. Bark like a Dog Hack #80. Unite Your Alarm and Home Automation Systems Hack #81. Instill Peace of Mind for the Elderly Hack #82. Monitor Your Home with a Network Camera 6.15.1. The Code 6.15.2. Running the Hack 6.15.3. Other Approaches 7. Advanced Techniques 7.1. Hacks 83100 Hack #83. Improve the Response Time of Motion Detectors 7.2.1. The Need for Speed 7.2.2. Improving Wireless Reliability 7.2.3. Improving Reception Hack #84. Check for Dead Motion Detector Batteries 7.3.1. The Code 7.3.2. Hacking the Hack Hack #85. Outsmart Motion Detectors 7.4.1. Location Matters 7.4.2. React Logically Hack #86. Improve X10 Reliability 7.5.1. Electrical Noise 7.5.2. Weak Signals 7.5.3. Phase Coupling and Repeating 7.5.4. Final Thoughts Hack #87. Avoid Common X10 Problems 7.6.1. Lights That Turn On Unpredictably 7.6.2. Lights That Turn On Regularly 7.6.3. Modules That Refuse to Obey Hack #88. Streamline Your AppleScripts 7.7.1. Attachment Scripts and XTension 7.7.2. Attachment Scripts and Indigo 7.7.3. Final Thoughts Hack #89. Harness Your Hamster to Power a Night Light 7.8.1. Hacking the Hack 7.8.2. Postscript Hack #90. Get More Out of Your Motion Detectors 7.9.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #91. Track Home Events with iCal 7.10.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #92. Chart Home Automation Data 7.11.1. Getting the Data 7.11.2. Saving the Data 7.11.3. Clean-Up Script 7.11.4. Generating a Plot Hack #93. Share Your Home Automation Mac with Other Users 7.12.1. Talking to XTension Using AppleScript 7.12.2. Hacking the Hack Hack #94. Remap X10 Addresses 7.13.1. Hacking the Hack Hack #95. Control Lights in a Group 7.14.1. Final Thoughts Hack #96. Block Units for Easier Scripting Hack #97. Calculate Elapsed Time 7.16.1. The Code Hack #98. Identify Trouble Spots Hack #99. Control Your Home from a Web Browser Hack #100. Which Way Did She Go? Index About the Author Colophon SPECIAL OFFER: Upgrade this ebook with OReilly