Comments on: Using Wireless Sensor Networks In the Home http://www.scottwarren.info/2008/04/26/using-wireless-sensor-networks-in-the-home/ A Blog About a Guy With Too Many Hobbies Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:24:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Scott Warren http://www.scottwarren.info/2008/04/26/using-wireless-sensor-networks-in-the-home/#comment-309 Scott Warren Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:19:23 +0000 http://www.scottwarren.info/2008/04/26/using-wireless-sensor-networks-in-the-home/#comment-309 ignisuti, I was thinking about looking into this a little more over summer break (if I have time). My plan was to purchase a couple X10 units to see how they work (same basic theory) and use that as a jump off point. That way I can build off what already exists and I don't have to reinvent the wheel. There might be enough background EM radiation to power the sensor but I don't think you could open/close the vents. Do you have any of your project files posted online anywhere? I would be interested in seeing them. ignisuti,
I was thinking about looking into this a little more over summer break (if I have time). My plan was to purchase a couple X10 units to see how they work (same basic theory) and use that as a jump off point. That way I can build off what already exists and I don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

There might be enough background EM radiation to power the sensor but I don’t think you could open/close the vents.

Do you have any of your project files posted online anywhere? I would be interested in seeing them.

]]> By: ignisuti http://www.scottwarren.info/2008/04/26/using-wireless-sensor-networks-in-the-home/#comment-303 ignisuti Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:24:41 +0000 http://www.scottwarren.info/2008/04/26/using-wireless-sensor-networks-in-the-home/#comment-303 Looks like we share some similar interests as I have many of the same hobbies which are quite too many! Regarding your blog on the wireless sensor networks saving energy in the home... I'm an electrical engineer and my senior design project back in 2006 addressed many of the issues you mentioned. My project was to redesign the home thermostat so that it would communicate wirelessly to each vent in the house. The main thermostat unit would instruct the vents when to open and close based on temperature, humidity, and motion data collected at the vent. I worked on the thermostat and got it working well enough to show and tell. My partners unfortunately fell through with getting the vents to work. I have seen several companies make motorized vents. I've attempted contacting a few of them over the last two years to inquire about a partnership where I'd be able to build-on to their motorized vents, but each company I've contacted either blew me off or asked for all my intellectual property with the promise to let me know if they're interested... :( One idea I've had since this was to use electromagnetic noise (common in every house which has electricity or is near a cell tower) to power the remote sensors. I'm fairly confident there's enough juice in the daily bombardment of electromagnetic waves to collect a few samples of data and transmit that data a couple times per hour. My hopes are that there's even enough juice to open/close the vents a couple times per day. Unfortunately, in order for me to get off my butt and do some more testing, I'll need to reduce my other hobbies or find a way to get paid for this one... :P Looks like we share some similar interests as I have many of the same hobbies which are quite too many!

Regarding your blog on the wireless sensor networks saving energy in the home… I’m an electrical engineer and my senior design project back in 2006 addressed many of the issues you mentioned.

My project was to redesign the home thermostat so that it would communicate wirelessly to each vent in the house. The main thermostat unit would instruct the vents when to open and close based on temperature, humidity, and motion data collected at the vent. I worked on the thermostat and got it working well enough to show and tell. My partners unfortunately fell through with getting the vents to work. I have seen several companies make motorized vents. I’ve attempted contacting a few of them over the last two years to inquire about a partnership where I’d be able to build-on to their motorized vents, but each company I’ve contacted either blew me off or asked for all my intellectual property with the promise to let me know if they’re interested… :(

One idea I’ve had since this was to use electromagnetic noise (common in every house which has electricity or is near a cell tower) to power the remote sensors. I’m fairly confident there’s enough juice in the daily bombardment of electromagnetic waves to collect a few samples of data and transmit that data a couple times per hour. My hopes are that there’s even enough juice to open/close the vents a couple times per day.

Unfortunately, in order for me to get off my butt and do some more testing, I’ll need to reduce my other hobbies or find a way to get paid for this one… :P

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