| Electronics equipment can be purchased very | | | | systems can be controlled to minimise wastage. |
| cheaply these days and can help with security, | | | | Lighting can be controlled to take advantage of |
| communications, automation, labour saving and | | | | natural light or to automatically 'turn up' in the |
| many other tasks around the home. | | | | evening. |
| Home Networks | | | | Home entertainment systems can be controlled |
| Up until a few years ago you needed to have | | | | automatically to be available in whichever room |
| wires trailing around for your communications and | | | | you are in using sensors to 'follow you around the |
| internet connection. Now you can connect | | | | house'. |
| wirelessly through WI-FI functionality. | | | | You can even use this technology to switch on |
| Most routers offer wireless connections and it is | | | | the oven when you are just setting off home |
| as simple as plugging in a wireless card (most PCs | | | | after work so you have a hot meal ready when |
| ship with this card) and configuring a security pass | | | | you walk through the door. The possibilities of |
| key to access your network and the internet. | | | | electronics equipment are endless when you |
| This makes for a much more enjoyable surfing | | | | consider the development of domestic robots, |
| experience and it can be shared with other users | | | | you may never have to do housework again! |
| around the home. There are some issues with | | | | The Next Era Of Home Automation |
| security with this method over wired connections | | | | With the advent of Radio Frequency Identification |
| but correctly configured electronics equipment | | | | (RFID) we can benefit from 'smart' electronics |
| using the highest level of encryption should prove | | | | equipment. Tags have electronic data stored that |
| relatively risk free. | | | | identifies them with RFID compatible hardware. |
| Home Security | | | | This technology has been adopted by companies |
| Home security can be made easier with the | | | | involved in supply chain management who are |
| utilisation of the right electronics. Equipment such | | | | using it to track products through their systems. |
| as CCTV, Digital Recorders and Sensors are | | | | An RFID tag could contain information like product |
| inexpensive and they can greatly improve the | | | | type, destination address, size, weight etc, this |
| security of your property. | | | | information is read by machines (within a certain |
| A simple wi-fi cctv camera setup can be | | | | radius - no line of sight needed) which can then |
| integrated with your home or small business | | | | redirect the parcel in the relevant direction. This is |
| network for less than £100 and this can be | | | | now moving into shops (to remove the need for |
| monitored through your PC and even remotely if | | | | checkouts) and then homes so an example of this |
| you are away. You could then place sensors | | | | could be: |
| around your property to automatically switch the | | | | - RFID refrigerator monitors which products are |
| camera on and digitally record footage to a hard | | | | used. |
| disk, which could be invaluable in the event of a | | | | - It then creates a electronic 'shopping list', then |
| break-in. | | | | once a week it will connect to the internet and |
| Home Automation | | | | transmit the weekly food order. |
| Home automation products can then be | | | | - The food is delivered and the new delivery is |
| connected to the network to automatically open | | | | automatically 'checked in' to the fridge's stock list. |
| curtains, switch on lights, unlock doors with a | | | | - A RFID enabled oven could automatically select |
| simple command from your PC or mobile phone | | | | the correct temperature and cooking time for |
| or automatically to make your property look like | | | | your meal. |
| it is being used, deterring any potential intruder. | | | | There are many uses for automated electronics |
| With the focus on reduce carbon footprints, this | | | | equipment this is just the beginning of an |
| type of electronics equipment can be invaluable. | | | | automated home. |
| Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) | | | | |