The Principle Research And Implement Of Linux-X10 Based Smart Home

Home automation and home network is a trend of the information technology development. 1. Home appliances are having more types and functions which are becoming more and more complex. 2.More and more computers need to be networked and managed. 3. All networks like phone network, cable-TV network, computer network and home-appliances network have to be managed. 4. X10 modules are becoming increasingly popular at home. An efficient, secure and stable software (even an OS) is eagerly needed to manage and control all these. All of these isolated "Info Islands" will eventually form a powerful multifunctional home network.X10 is a sophisticated protocol which transmits signals via power line. Although X10 products are widely used, smart home solutions using X10 cost too much. Meanwhile, X10 products can only control home appliances. It can not be used to control and manage computer or computer networks.This paper builds a small Linux OS which runs on home controllers (e.g. PC) for X10 network and computer network administration. It provides: (1) Concise & beautiful GUIThe light but powerful Xfce is used as the desktop environment in this paper. To achieve the aim of concise, a simple mode Xfce interface is programmed.(2) Easy-to-useThe new simple mode Xfce uses tabs to sort all the applications. It's very easy to switch between tabs and really easy to find and run applications. Except the default simple mode Xfce, users can switch to the traditional Xfce desktop by just one-click.(3) Useful, interesting applicationsAccording to the aim of home management, control and entertainment, many open-source softwares are installed. Home control applications like MisterHouse which supports X10 is integrated in the "Control" tab. Firefox, Skype etc. are in the "Internet" tab. Rhythmbox and MythTV are in the "Play" tab. Besides, all the softwares in the system are optimized and customized for users.The system is based on Linpus Linux and Fedora. It can run on LiveCD or from hard-disk. Customized Xfce is used as the default desktop environment. Many useful and powerful open-source softwares are integrated in the system. This Linux system is elementarily built for home using. With the OS(or exactly applications like MisterHouse), you can manage your house easily.In one word, this paper provides a Linux-X10 based smart home solution.