Smart Home Security and Automation System

 Home security is a very useful application of IoT and we are using it to create an inexpensive security system for homes as well as industrial use. The system will inform the owner about any unauthorized entry or whenever the door is opened by sending a notification to the user. After the user gets the notification, he can take the necessary actions. The security system will use a microcontroller known as NodeMCU to interface between the components, a magnetic Reed sensor to monitor the status, a buzzer for sounding the alarm, and a Wi-Fi module, ESP8266 to connect and communicate using the Internet. The main advantages of such a system includes the ease of setting up, lower costs and low maintenance. Wireless Home security and Home automation are the dual aspects of this project. The currently built prototype of the system sends alerts to the owners using the Internet if any sort of human movement is sensed near the entrance of his house and raises an alarm optionally upon the user's discretion. The provision for sending alert messages to concerned security personnel in case of critical situations is also built into the system. On the other hand if the owner identifies that the person entering his house is not an intruder but an unexpected guest of his then instead of triggering the security alarm, the user/owner can make arrangements such as opening the door, switching on various appliances inside the house, which are also connected and controlled by the micro-controller in the system to welcome his guest. The Same can be done when the user himself enters the room and by virtue of the system he can make arrangements from his doorstep such that as soon as he enters his house he can make himself at full comfort without manually having to switch on the electrical appliances or his favorite T.V. channel for example. Thus using the same set of sensors the dual problem of home security and home automation can be solved on a complimentary basis. The alerts and the status of the IoT system can be accessed by the user from anywhere even where Internet connectivity may not be readily available (since it is not necessary for the mobile phone to be connected to internet only board is required to have an access to Wi-Fi). In this project, we are using a Motion sensor which is called PIR sensor, Temperature and Humidity sensor which is called DHT11 sensor, Flame sensor, Ultrasonic sensor, Gas Sensor, Buzzer, and relay for controlling AC appliances such as Fan, Light, Air conditioner and Machines.

Applications and Advantages 

1. Crime Deterrence :- Having a home alarm system is one of the best deterrents available to prevent burglaries and home invasions. Unfortunately break-ins are on the rise in our community. Joblessness, drug and alcohol addictions, and gang activity all fuel residential break-ins. Law enforcement advises installing a home alarm to help deter burglary attempts. 

2. Family Protection :- The most common reason why a person has an alarm system installed in their home is for protection of their family. It provides peace of mind knowing that your family and home is protected. An alarm system will help you evade home invasions! 

3. Manage and monitor security :- IoT provides smart home security by combining AI to enhance the performance of devices such as CCTV cameras, smart lights, doorbells, and fire sensors. Everyday use cases of IoT smart security solutions include data loss prevention, secure connections, and device authentication and management. 

4. Visitor identification :- Smart IoT devices enabled by video allow you to communicate with visitors. You can see the visitors from your smartphone and talk to them without unlocking your door, even when you are away. It ensures complete security and convenience. 

5. Alert and attempt :- Remote monitoring keeps you informed about every minute detail of your house in real-time and raises the alarm if the IoT-connected devices detect any unusual activity. 

6. Fire Protection :- A fire can be devastating to not only a home, but also to a family. If a fire breaks out in your home, the security system will notify the monitoring station. Once the monitoring station is alerted, they will then notify the proper authorities. Early detection can help reduce the damage to the home. More importantly it gets help to family members or pets who may be in the house and unaware or unable to call for help. 

7. This low cost system with minimum requirements takes care of both home security as well as home automation. 

8. This home security system does not use any smart-phone application or any type of user interface instead uses digits from the keypad on the phone, the system is platform independent and hence can be accessed from a wide range of phones with different operating systems. 

9. To operate a home security system the user need not have data connection enabled in his phone. The system runs fine with the launchpad connected to Wi-Fi at home/office. 

10.The optional smart phone application takes care of the fact that the user may also wish to control his home appliances without sensors being triggered. 

WHY DO I NEED A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM? 

Proactive not Reactive – A home security system should be installed as a standard appliance in a home. Unfortunately many people don’t install one until they have been victimized. Returning home from a night out or a vacation and encountering an intruder in your home can be a frightening experience. 

Minimize losses – If your home is broken into, your monitored alarm will summon help which will limit the time a burglar has available and the damage that can be caused and the valuables taken. Many times the alarm going off causes the criminal to flee the scene quickly without even entering. Save 

Money – Insurance companies offer discounts to policy owners who install security systems. FBI studies have shown that a home equipped with a professionally monitored security system is 15 times less likely to be burglarized. 

No Phone Line Needed – Cell phones have resulted in a number of homes where there is no longer a basic landline or home telephone. Technology has introduced a more secure form of monitoring through a wireless signaling device. We call ours the Gillnet. It allows a home security system to be monitored without a home phone line. 

Warning – A home security system also offers helpful warnings. If you have left a door or window open you will not be able to arm your system when you leave the house. This prevents human error from leaving your home vulnerable. Doors and windows also chime when they are opened which alerts you that someone is coming into or leaving the house