THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 12, 1994 TAG: 9411100525
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Miles
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
David Hansberry, computer technologist at KIS Business Computer Center in Virginia Beach, began a journey in 1990.
With the help of Radio Shack's Plug-N-Power components (also known as X-10), he started exploring a road of sight, sound and imagination - a journey that would ultimately lead him to the . . . ``Home Automation Zone.''
What began with 4 modules and a controller, has now mutated into a myriad of monstrous modules. These modules in themselves are chunks of circuit board and solder. But, in the hands of Hansberry, they become ``Alfred.''
Alfred is more than solder, more than circuitry, and more than the sum of its parts. He is a DX-266 computer with an attached voice recognition and speech synthesizer.
Hansberry has replaced most of the light switches and electrical outlets in his home with Plug-N-Power modules, which are linked through existing wiring to his PC.
With simple voice commands directed to Alfred, David is able to turn on his lights and slow or speed up electrical devices throughout his townhouse.
Mark A. Davis, director of information systems at Lake Taylor Hospital, who has used X-10 components in his home for 10 years, cautions that voice automation systems can be unreliable, expensive and time consuming to program.
Each voice command must be pre-defined by the user. The user issues a command, and the computer searches its memory for a match. If a match is found, the computer will execute the pre-defined command such as turning on the Jacuzzi, lights, or heating up the water bed.
If the computer fails to find a match, or falsely identifies the verbal command, the command will have to be reissued or aborted. Mark compares the process to looking through a dictionary to find a word. If the word is not there, then it cannot complete the issued command.
A manager at a local Radio Shack stated that in the last few months there has been an increase in the requests for Plug-N-Power modules, although they have always sold well since their introduction at least 10 years ago.
``It's excellent,'' he says. ``A lot of people are just realizing what the system can do. It's extremely simple to install, even the alarm system. The security items sell best.''
Hansberry believes that voice automation systems would be great for handicapped people, allowing them to have greater control of their environment. Another advantage of the system is that it can be easily installed and removed.
Hansberry estimates the price range for a complete basic system (without Alfred or the PC) from $750 to 1,200.
For now, if you wish to journey to the Home Automation Zone, find the nearest computer store, and be prepared to have your mind expanded, wallet flattened, patience tested and imagination explored. by CNB