Design a Smart Home Interface

has the potential to operate or access all components from a remote
location (whether this be inside from a central „hub‟ or more
remotely from outside the home) is what distinguishes the smart
home from a home merely equipped with standalone high-tech
features.
Consequently, four key aspects characterise a smart home:
i) A communications network through which different
devices talk to each other;
ii) Intelligent controls to manage the system;
iii) Sensors that collect information;
iv) Smart features (e.g., intelligent heating systems
adjusting automatically to external temperature),
which respond to information from sensors or user
instructions as well as the system provider (e.g.,
remote control of appliances).
Types of services that smart homes provide to the householders
may be categorised based on users‟ needs they target or types of
technical applications . A holistic approach reveals a broader
spectrum of services (see Ref. for a review) such as security,
assisted living, health, entertainment, communication, convenience
and comfort, and energy efficiency; which we group into three
broad, overarching yet interconnected categories (Fig): energy
consumption and management; safety; and lifestyle support.
Among these services, energy consumption and management
services will form the core of services supporting the development
of smart grids.
2.2 Key infrastructure for smart homes
We began by adopting a definition for a smart home which centres
on the notion of a network connecting sensors and domestic
devices, appliances and features, and facilitating the exchange of
relevant information between these and the user. This section
presents further findings of the literature review with respect to key
infrastructure required for the smart home, including new and
existing homes.