Other systems
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Much can be accomplished in terms of
automation and it all depends on your lifestyle and habits.
Below
we list some of the more unusual applications we have encountered.
From automating pool maintenance, lighting and sound; garage doors
and more unusual requests such as remote-controlled telescopes
and tower bells!
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Pool at William R Hearst Castle (California)
[NOT one of our pools!] |
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Gates and garage doors
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Gates, security bollards and garage doors
can be closed and open automatically at the touch of a
button
or triggered
by underground sensors.
For instance, with the house occupied, a
positive signal from the vehicle sensor may open the gate
in to the drive and / or the garage door (if the car gets
parked in the garage).
Equally, a single touch "security armed"
signal can
close gates, activate outdoor security measures and garages,
disable the vehicle sensor as well as arming the the security
system.
This
locking
can
be
time-delayed
to
allow
you to drive
out, if required.
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Cellars
| Wine cellars require constant temperature
and humidity. While most cellar climate control systems
tend to
operate independently, it is relatively easy
to integrate the autonomous system into your overall network
of temperature
and climate monitoring. Because settings rarely
require any chance, the functionality may be just "read
only". |
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- Pools/Spas
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Fully equipped indoor swimming pools are becoming
more common in large residences and integration with the overall
lifestyle
automation system makes the facilities available even during
short breaks or at short notice while saving in heating and
maintenance bills.
Configurations may vary but the minimum
is to implement up to 3 heating zones: the actual pool
water, the pool room and the changing room. All connected
to the central
heating system and the lifestyle automation system. Thus
for instance, if you are away, you can activate the pool
the
night before
so everything is ready when you arrive.
Lighting (including underwater lighting),
sound (including underwater sound), automatic door locking
and CCTV can be included to provide for added comfort and
security
(for instance, if you have young children).
Sauna and steam rooms can also be controlled
remotely.
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Astronomical
Observatories and Bell Towers
Small astronomical observatories (up to
16" aperture)
can be installed in domes in suitable locations and controlled
remotely from a personal computer in your home network.
Images can be displayed in your video system. For instance
in a
large plasma screen during a dinner party.
An unusual request (but common in old
houses) is to have the bell tower controlled remotely. The
bell can be made to ring at the touch of a button or to mark
the
pass of the hours. |
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Room conversions
Perhaps you want a room that can double as many: a living room,
a home cinema and dance floor. Given adequate space (check with
your architect) and furniture arrangement the room can be changed at
the
touch of a button. Screens can pop up or down, shelves can be recessed
or covered and coffee tables can disappear. Another example of this
is automatic storm shutters.
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- Lifts
/ Elevators
Lifts can be installed
and monitored by the main control unit. It can also be controlled
so an event or sequence of events (security system unarmed
or first floor empty) sends the lift to the ground floor or if the
security system is armed the lift is deactivated. And lift
call
commands can be issued from any panel.
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- Solar
Panels / Wind turbines
Not an additional lifestyle
automation feature, but sources of regenerative energy
can be connected to existing systems so the best use of available
(free)
energy is made. This is becoming increasingly common to support
heating in indoor pools. Additional programming of the Main Control
Unit is required to anticipate actions to over and under supply.
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- People
with special needs
Last but not least, people with special needs may have specific
requirements which can be automated for increased comfort. These
may include auto-filling baths, wireless intercoms, mobile doorbells
and others. Please fell free to discuss your individual requirements.
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