Krill Labs - SKYNET

About:
I've done a lot of projects over the past several years. Two of which included home automation systems, which were huge endevours
but most were just little projects that did their own thing and had no prospects for integration with other projects... until now.
With SkyNet I can finally begin to integrate many of my independant projects into one unifying system. Before, I had a different
computer program for every one of my pc projects, or a different communications protocol for all my robotic devices, but now,
combersome set ups and complicated controls are a thing of the past. SkyNet not only can interface with many of my projects,
but it also allows them to communicate between each other, almost like a hub.

What Exactly is SkyNet?
      Basically, SkyNet is a computer program running on a computer controlling other computers that control my various electronic
projects. The main 3 projects being my 2 old home automation modules, and my new Home security module. These 2 elements are
almost synonamous to SkyNet's abilities and senses. The home automation modules, SkyNet's 'abilities', allow for the control.
They allow me to control electrical appliances, lighting, window blinds, etc, but each version, alpha and beta, used their own
special software, so they were never used together, one was always packed away. The Home security module, the 'senses', is not
only a souped up burger alarm, because of all it's inputs and the various sensors that can be attached to them, it's how SkyNet
knows what's going on around it.
      So why is it named, SkyNet? Because it's the first time that I'm giving complete and utter control of all my systems to a single
program. So what movie computer name could be better than the software in Terminator? I mean sure that one went a little off the
deep end and decided to kill all humans, but lets face it, what all-powerful hollywood created computer didn't? Besides, following
in the footsteps of Isaac Asimov, my system is 'Three Laws Safe'.
      Why give so much power to one program? I did this intentionally for several reasons, actually. As it turns out, for a system such
as this, it truely is more efficient to grant control of each element to one piece of software. In short, the key reasons are that
it's faster, more reliable, energy efficient, cost effective, requires less hardware for interfacing, and most importantly, it now
allows all the devices to talk to each other. To keep it simple, most of these devices interface to a computer via either the
parallel port or the serial port. A computer only has 1 or 2 of these. So to run several of my devices would require me to run
several computers at once. That right there is more time to set up, more electricity, and loads more hardware to manage.
Even if I would daisy chain the devices to one pc, only one program at a time could have access to the ports, so by integrating
all the programs into one, one program on one pc could effectively control everything!

Home Security Module:
This unit was the first to be integrated into the system. Capable of operating completely independantly from any other module or
computer, this device actually offers it's best features when paired with the SkyNet software. Like most home security systems,
it monitors all the zones tied into it's inputs, if any zones are breached while armed, the onboad AC outlet activates, the other
AC outlet toggles on/off, and the string of sonic sirens around the living quarters are engaged. Currently the onboard AC outlet
is connected to a blue lamp, and the blinking outlet is connected to a red notification lamp. I plan on latter adding strobe lights
to the constant-on outlet. The module is armed and disarmed via either the pin pad or the wireless remote. The pin pad can also
command the module to lock and unlock doors.
Now all these features are built right into the module and are available as soon as it boots, but when connected to SkyNet, it
can do even more! When connected, the module will report to the computer any and all detected activity. Armed or not, any changes
in any of the zones are constantly fed back to SkyNet. If any doors or windows are opened, they are logged. Also, any of the
commands that can be sent from the pin pad or wireless remote can also be sent from the computer. From SkyNet the module can be
told to arm/disarm, lock/unlock doors, or even to sounds the alarms.

External Input Control Devices:

This is the pin pad for my workshop door. Each number-button illuminates white, and there is a bright green light for disarmed
and 3 bright red lights for armed. The Home security module can support 2 pin pads.

The wireless remote was part of a package from ebay that included the handheld transmitter and a 4 channel receiver. The
receiver portion has dry contact relays that can be set to momentary or latched. I have 2 of the relays set to momentary and
tied them to the home security module's arm/disarm pins for wireless entry.

External Input Monitoring Devices:
Here are some of the door sensors used through out the living quarters.

Other Attachments to the Security Module:

Here are some of the red and blue lamps that blink and illuminate during an intruder event.

This is the bolt lock actuator that allows the home security module to lock and unlock doors. The module can support
up to 3 of these. The motor that drives this mechanism is actually the power lock actuator from a car door.

Alarm Sirens. Each emits a 90~100 db squeal. These were actually bought at the dollar store for just $1 each. They were
personal alarm keychains, those little things you carry with you so if you get mugged you pull the pin so the sound can
scare away the bad guys. Will all I did to modify them was to mount them to a hard surface to directionalize the sound,
take the pin out perminately, and connect the battery terminals to a wire so I can control when it turns on and off.

Additional Software Features:
Because of this newly found level of control, I discoverd that it also inadvertantly provided a whole new spectrum of possibilities,
macros. Something that ocurres on one device could trigger a set of actions spanning across several devices, not just the one it
was caused on. For example: Someone opens the front door. Some lights could turn on. Music could start playing, and maybe the
drapes get lowered. The posibilities are endless. And with the use of some software plug-ins SkyNet can also accept voice commands
such as, 'Skynet, Lights' or 'SkyNet, Barry White Mode'. And because there are cameras, it can even see how many people are in
a room or detect motion. One of my favorites is it's ability to text-message you. When I'm at work or away on business, SkyNet
can text me when the maintenance guy gets there.

SkyNet Screen Shots:
Here are some screen captures of some of SkyNet's control pages.

Devices Attached to Skynet:

This is the camera in the living room pointed towards the front door. It's infra red so it can see in very low light conditions.

Home Automation Alpha. It's filled with X-10 modules so it's responsible for the controlling of the appliences and fluorescent lights.

Home Automation Beta. This was my more advanced Auto-Home system because it was solid state and accepts sub modules ranging from
motor controllers to x-mas lights. With this I can control the windows, make strings of lights dance in different patterns, etc.

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