Android Application for Home Appliances Abstract Home application automation generally entail the use of software and hardware components run through various options in order to carry out various tasks in a home when away or inside the home. The technology has predominantly been referred to as the smart home technology and offers an accommodative way to explore and manage applications as well as devices from a common unit. Because of the continued advancements in technology, smart home automation systems can now be run from most hand held devices such as smartphones and tablets. The operability of such systems is made possible through the android operating systems found in these devices. Android systems allow for the development of customized applications that users can purchase, download and use to carry out myriads of functions. In this project, the aim is to develop an android reliant application that can then be tethered to the various home appliance to allow for a centralized operability. Essentially, the project targets families living in urban areas and who have challenges in balancing household tasks with employment responsibilities. This means that such families can be able to remotely schedule the tasks and have them completed with utmost precision while at work. This basically eases life in that once the users will not have to wait as the task will have been carried out much earlier. List of Figures Figure 1: An overview of general home appliance automation system……………………... 11 Figure 2: The Arduino Uno Board………………………………………………………….…16 Figure 3: Bluetooth connection aid to the Arduino Uno microcontroller ………………...…20 Figure 4: Relational structure between the gadgets …………………………………………..24 Figure 5: USB cable ……………………………………………………………………..… 26 Figure 6: Electric bulb……………………………………………………………………...….26 Figure 7: Adapter electric Sockets …………………………………………………………26 Figure 8: Sample bulb holder……………………………………………………………...… 26 Figure 9: Tightening nuts ………………………………………………………………..……27 Figure 10: A relay adapter (left) and Arduino UNO (right)…………………………….…….27 Figure 11: The Arduino Home Automation Circuit Diagram……………………………………….29 Figure 12: Code of the work system in Arduino……………………………………………...30 Figure 13: Fritzing the Arduino……………………………………………………………….30 Figure 14: The Arduino Pinout …... ………………………………………………………….31 Figure 15: Relay schematic……………………………………………………………….…..33 Figure 16: Sample connectivity of the appliance sockets, relay disc and the Arduino.....….34 Figure 17: An overview of appliance system…………………………………………… …..34 Figure 18: Assembled model showing a home appliance automation system………………36 List of Tables Table 1: A Comparison of the Arduino series boards………………………………… 15 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background Life in major cities across the world has lately become busy with an upward surge in the cost of living. Economic concerns have made families to get more engaged in various employment opportunities and various income generating activities. In addition, because of the movement of people to most urban areas in search of employment opportunities to enable them lead decent lives, more pressure has been put on the resources and amenities within such urban centers. Houses have not been left behind either. The price of renting or owning a house in most towns has gone up. This has made most people to seek for alternatives in the outskirts of these towns cities where cheaper alternatives are more available (Weber and Puissant, 2003). As a result, workers who labor in major cities like Auckland and various other major cities around the world who also happen to live in the outskirts of such cities have had to make day to day travels to and from their workplaces. This remains exasperating owing to a number of issues such as traffic jams. Balancing daily house chores, family affairs and work becomes a challenge in such situations. Because of the difficulties faced in balancing family social ties, household tasks and performing them to the required levels, having in place devices that can relieve people from some of these duties remains very essential. Ideally, technological advancements and innovations have become more applicable in giving solutions to a number of concerns that people have. This owes to the fact that harsh standards of living in the recent days place more demands on most families. The pursuit of the applicability of intelligent, convenient and automated technological systems to aid in undertaking tasks and bridging gaps for most homes has become a key subject of interest for most people in Information Technology (Yang, Beaubouef, and Chiu, 2015). The possibilities of combining communication technology and smart devices provide a viable alternative to fulfilling a number of needs. For instance, Android application, which is currently a common feature in the hands of most people using hand held and portable phones, offers an ideal way to develop solutions to a number of problems that we experience at home. As a result, this project is aimed at developing an android-based application that can help families to manage some task and in the process contribute to bringing family members together. Ideally, mobile applications, which are commonly referred to as apps, remain as the fastest growing technology within the Information Systems industry used to give solutions to various challenges that individuals face in their daily lives. Smart mobile phones allow a number of users to enjoy various features as well as services without the need to introduce unnecessary and complex designs. Mobile phone application for cell phones provides a popular interface through which people can interact at various levels hence its use in providing home solutions. They are in actual sense more convenient than web applications that are often accessed only through website browsers. In addition, developing applications for mobile phones can now be carried out on various platforms that allow for a rapidly building, testing, as well as deployment to users through their tablets or cell phone (Agarwal, 2015). 1.2 Purpose of the project The purpose of this project is to assess the need to develop a mobile based android application that can facilitate or coordinate certain basic tasks at home for families that live in first paced environments and who face work commitments that only allow them limited time to be at home in order to carry out the house related tasks. Families form an integral part of society for a good part of life and as a result, the developing of features that can address some of the constraints to effective family associations by handling the various basic household chores remains crucial. This project is therefore aimed at finding solutions through the development of applications that can effectively aid in performing or facilitating some of the basic chores including food preparation, managing electric devices such as heaters, lights and so on. 1.3 Project objectives This project effectively relied on the following objectives in a bid to understand and initiate the development of the mobile based android application for use at home: ⦁ To understand the difficulties faced by families in handling employment and family-related issues. ⦁ To analyse the viability of developing an android application to help in solving the challenges. ⦁ To analyse the features needed to develop a viable android based product that families can utilize to perform tasks at home. ⦁ To develop, test and implement the designs of the model to help families. 1.4 Outcomes of the project The product of the project is expected to be the development of an android based application to assist families in carrying out various tasks at home. This is given the little time that most families especially those living in urban centers have to spend at home in carrying out such tasks by themselves. 1.5 Beneficiaries of the project The beneficiaries of this project are expected to be families in fast paced cities or other environments around the world. This will be by means of the ability to facilitate and coordinate tasks at home through mobile based android applications. Consequently, families will have to be engaged only at minimal levels in undertaking house based chores when they are from work. 1.6 Scope of the project The coverage of this project entails preliminary studies and reviews on the subject of concern, the need for developing a mobile application to aid in giving a solution and finally the process of development of a feasible and suitable mobile application that will be tested and implemented to aid in solving the aforementioned family issues as well as the attributable benefits. 1.6.1 The rationale for an android based product As earlier outlined, various activities in life are becoming challenging given the extent of commitment at work for most people living around major cities. Because the needs of life have to be met irrespective of the rising cost of living, the head of a family still has to create some time out of his or her busy schedules to also attend to the basic tasks back at home. Ideally, because parents are committed in their employments, without house servants, it becomes a challenge to even have proper meals prepared back at home for their children. Exhaustions carried from work make it difficult to offer appropriate guidance to children in such circumstances, leading to loss of focus and indecent lives by the kids. In a bid to deter such issues, the development of smart phone applications that can be able to coordinate and run a number of home appliances remotely can aid in providing such situations. The android application interface will allow instructions to be relayed to home appliances on the tasks to be carried out by a mother soon after leaving work such that by the time they are home, a portion if not all of the tasks shall have been carried out. Appliances that are considered operable through this technique include heating and cooling devices, cooking devices as well as various other electric devices and house appliances. In addition, the reliance on applications run on mobile phones is that most people have access to them and are easy to carry around. The interface is also easy to operate just like any other application to allow for the remote management of household tasks. 1.7 Limitation of the project Despite the viability and the ability of the project to solve the concerns already mentioned, there are various limitations to the extent of development and implementation. These include: ⦁ The commercial viability of the product for sale in terms of affordability by most families. ⦁ The challenge of obtaining exclusive patents may be a challenge especially given the challenges of having new products protected under Trade Mark, Patents, as well as copyright Acts. The limiting aspect is the acquisition of lawyers to have this effectively carried to given the costs of having to hire lawyers. ⦁ Technical aspects involved in having to carry out feasibility studies through primary and secondary data collection and covering vast areas of New Zealand given the limited financial resources. 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1 Introduction Generally, the idea of automating appliances and pertinent tasks in homes has existed for a long time. Most of these systems came into existence during the periods in which the industrial revolutions took place. This section will therefore give a detailed description of the system to be implemented under this project. The arrangement of this chapter is described as follows. It begins with a review of the proposed system, discusses the essential components and the reasons for their use before finally assessing and discussing the layout and linkages between the components. 2.2 An overview of the proposed system Typically, a home automation system permits house owners to have control over house hold appliances via some centralized control unit. In most cases, the appliances whose management and control is automated include air conditioners, lighting systems, fans, security cameras, television sets, electronic doors, and so on. This project will give attention to the automation of lighting systems that is commonly used in houses. The design essentially ensures compatibility of the lighting systems as well as the automated controls to that of the basic and commonly available lighting systems in our homes. The project will demonstrate how certain modifications to the electrical systems in a building can allow the wirelessly control of lights and other appliance supposing that they are plugged on an outlet on the walls. In the design, an android based application will be used to control the appliance while an Arduino microcontroller will act as the server. The Arduino microcontroller will be enhanced to aid Bluetooth connectivity for the relay of commands to the appliances. This will ensure that the cost of hardware as well as the cost of installation is kept at minimum. Ideally, users own the key hardware component which is the smartphones. The developed of android mobile applications linked to a wireless access point through a Bluetooth-enabled connection will allow the mobile devices to operate the system by sending messages as commands. Figure 1: An overview of general home appliance automation system 2.2 An overview of system components 2.2.1 The Arduino microcontroller kit Ideally, the Arduino microcontroller forms the basic component of the system. This owes to the fact that it is able to control the home appliance which is the lighting system in the user’s home. The access points or links are used in establishing communications between the smart phone device held by the user and the Arduino microcontroller. The Arduino kit basically refers to an open-source platform for prototyping that has been designed from simple hardware and is usually run on the basis of a shared knowledge of software development (Sarik & Kymissis, 2010). The kits contain microprocessors which are usually able to manipulate inputs and turn them into an output. In addition, the inputs may consist of sensors or buttons based on a figure or some messaged command. The possible tasks that will be carried out by the output actions include turning off or turning on bulbs, instruction to publish something to the internet or even activating and running motors. The input instructions are usually relayed the microcontroller’s board which is translated into instructions. The instructions are usually embedded on the Arduino’s programming language that generally rely the Arduino Software (IDE). All these form part of the central processing unit (Badamasi, 2014). It is worth noting that the Arduino software has been relied on by a number of projects undertaken at various levels of complexity. These are such as the day to day objects to the more complex instruments and even machines that people interact with every day. A lot of people can utilize this invention globally including students, artists, experts, lobby groups as well as senior programmers and has led to various contributions to this open-source software turning it into the significant tool it is today. As a matter of fact, the contributions brought on board through such interactions have led to the accumulation of a library of vital information necessary in assisting learners as well as experts in undertaking projects and even in getting to learn more about the platform (Di Gennaro et al., 2014). The Arduino platform ideally is utilized to develop interactive items that take inputs from different sensors, switches and control platforms such a smartphone to control various lighting systems, engines or even physical outputs or appliances. On the other hand, the activities of the Arduino may be solitary apart from also being linked to other programs that are enabled through a personal computer of other machines. The Arduino board generally comes preassembled or in forms that can be assembled by hand. Open-source IDE are also downloadable at no charges. 2.2.2 The types of Arduino There are various types of the Arduino and the different features are discussed below. 2.2.2.1 The Arduino Uno The Arduino Uno is also referred to as the classic Arduino. It is the commonest of the Arduino system boards. Basically, it is considered the ideal pack for starters and new users or even learners who ideally wish to know more on the Arduino technology. Learners, technicians as well as other people who may be interested will be able to learn more knowledge on the electronics that can be incorporated as well as the programming techniques with Arduino. The Arduino Uno is easily accessible in the market as a complete pack ready for use (Soliman eta al., 2013). 2.2.2.2 The Arduino Leonardo The Arduino Leonardo is generally usable in instances where a person needs to have more outputs as well as input ports above that offered by the Arduino Uno but with a guaranteed equal processing speed as well as capabilities. However, the Arduino Leonardo is not preferred by many people as compared to other Arduino series. Its board possesses an equal power level of 5V just as with the Arduino Mega and Arduino Uno. Compared to the Arduino Due, Leonardo comes with a lower processing power as well as memory. However, one key notable variation with the Uno is the micro-USB adapters used apart from the other variations in the ports possessed (Margolis, 2011). 2.2.2.3 The Arduino Due The Arduino Due is generally considered to be one step above the Arduino Uno. Basically, it is a simple upgrade of the Uno Arduino versions and therefore offers extra features to users. It is also arguably faster that the common starter package, the Uno. The users general benefits from an advanced provision of extra ports for input and output as well as extra memory. When contrasted to the Uno, it has the capacity of supporting more shields. In addition, it relies on a 3.3 voltage of power supply to run its Central Processing Unit as compared to the 5V supply of power needed by the Uno or others in the series. The power supply however leads to a limit for the number of devices that can be supported by the Due during its operation (Margolis, 2011). 2.2.2.4 The Arduino Mega The Arduino Mega is also an upgrade of preceding versions of the Arduino package. This usually occurs in two versions including the Mega ADK and the Mega 2560. The two share great similarities. Programmers usually need to be aware of the slight differences the two versions of the Arduino Mega possess in order to be able to harness the features and optimize on high performance. Ideally, the distinguishing factor is the chip for programming the USB host normally installed on the ADK version. Nevertheless, the mega utilizes 5 units of volts in power supply hence making it equally versatile like the Uno considering the shields which are usually compatible given the pin and power configurations. Its only limitation comes in at the differences in pin placement for the Mega making only some few shields to be usable with it (Margolis, 2011). Table 1: A Comparison of the Arduino series boards Arduino Series Processor Memory Digital I/O Analogue I/O Arduino Uno 16Mhz ATmega328 2NK SRAM 32KB flash 14 6 input, 0 output Arduino Due 84MHz AT91SAM3X8E 96KB SRAM 512KB flash 52 12 input, 2 output Arduino Mega 16MHz ATmega2560 8KB SRAM 256KB flash 54 16 input, 0 output Arduino Leonardo 16MHz ATmega32u4 2.5KB SRAM 32KB flash 20 12 input, 0 output It is worth noting that the project at hand utilized the Arduino Uno board. Its specifications are outlined below as highlighted by Fransiska et al, (2013): ⦁ Operating Voltage - 5V ⦁ Input Voltage (recommended) - 7-12V ⦁ SRAM - 2 KB (ATmega328) ⦁ EEPROM - 1 KB (ATmega328) ⦁ Microcontroller - ATmega328P ⦁ Analog Input Pins - 6 ⦁ Digital I/O Pins - 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) ⦁ DC Current for 3.3V Pin - 50 mA ⦁ DC Current per I/O Pin - 40 mA ⦁ Flash Memory - 32 KB (ATmega328) of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader ⦁ Clock Speed - 16 MHz Figure 2: The Arduino Uno Board 2.2.3 The rationale for using the Arduino microprocessor It is worth noting that various types of microcontrollers as well as microcontroller programs can be relied on in physical computing under such scenarios. These are such as the Netmedia's BX-24, Parallax Basic Stamp, MIT's Handyboard, and Phidgets amongst other microcontrollers. There are various comparative usefulness that these have to offer. Nevertheless, this project will fully rely on Arduino microcontrollers owing to a number of advantages that the platform presents. The advantages that instructors, students as well as other interested person will benefit from include: 2.2.3.1 Cross-platform operability Arduino programming platforms are essentially able to run on a number of operating systems such as Macintosh OSX, Linux and Windows. The ability to operate the Arduino microcontroller across various platforms gives it an edge over the other identified microcontroller frameworks that are largely constricted to work with Windows. 2.2.3.2 Reasonable pricing Arduino boards are comparatively less expensive compared to the various other microcontroller platforms. In addition, Arduino modules also offer cheap ways of having the controllers amassed by hand. 2.2.3.3 A direct and clear programming technique The Arduino programming platforms on the other hand offer an easy way through which learners can utilize the platform. Educators on the other hand find it favorably to interact with the processors programming environment. 2.2.3.4 An extensible and open source hardware Ideally, the Arduino platform is centered about the Atmega8 as well as Atmega168 microcontrollers as outlined by the official Arduino Website. These module plans are distributed under the Creative Commons license. As a result, an experienced circuit designer will be at a position of making their particular interpretations of these modules, have extensions implemented as well as give room for enhancements. Ideally, inexperienced clients can always build various breadboards of such modules. 2.2.3.5 Extensible and open source programming The programming language for the Arduino can be obtained as an open source. This can be accessed by various experienced engineers for use in designing their products. In addition, reliant on C++ libraries, individuals committed to pursuing various purposes as well as interests will be able to utilize the Arduino platform on the basis of its programming language, the AVR C. 2.2.4 The Bluetooth technology Bluetooth refers to a standard wireless technology relied on to exchange communications and data especially over short distances. The technology relies on UHF radio waves that are usually contained in an ISM band with a frequency of between 2.4 GHz to 2.485 GHz. It substitutes the need for wired connectivity between various electronic gadgets such as personal computers (PCs), Laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile or cell phones, and a number of other devices that are now being built with the inclusion of the technology. On the other hand, Bluetooth technology is utilized in various places. These include and are not limited to homes, offices, cars, schools, as well as hospitals. Users are usually able to access instantaneous connections through a number of devices that are enhanced with this technology. Its mode of transmission when utilized in passing data or communications usually guarantees security from any external interference as well as a relay of the data in its exact form. The vital qualities of relying on this technology remain vast. To begin with, it offers a convenient and versatile way or remitting data between users through their gadgets. Secondly, it offers strong and low cost connectivity between users. The technology also consumes only some small amount of energy upon its use and low complexity issues that therefore presents its ease of use. Bluetooth technology is enabled through little microchips that usually run in some band of recurrent accessibly around the world. 2.2.4.1 How the Bluetooth technology works For Bluetooth connectivity to be established between any two devices, every gadget that is relied on needs to have some microchip installed within it. This will enable the reception and the transmission of the 2.4 GHz frequency. Apart from the transmission of data, there are also three voice channels that can be accessed. Transfers and receipts of data can usually be done with speeds of around 2 megabit in every second. On the other hand, there are also plans for hops of frequencies that usually permits gadgets to be comprehensively connected within places that have a lot of significant electromagnetic interferences. The remote innovation of Bluetooth technology has been designed and incorporated to be part of numerous devices such as mobile phones, cars, televisions, personal computers to even medical gadgets and headset. The technology allows its users to share pictures, texts, music, voice, and various other forms of data in a remote way between any two combined gadgets according to the official Bluetooth Website (2017). 2.2.4.2 The Bluetooth module For this project, it is important to note that smart phones usually come with an already established Bluetooth connectivity. However, to have the Arduino Uno boards lack the same. This can always be configured using a Bluetooth module that allows the Arduino interface to receive and relay data via Bluetooth. The module to be relied on in this project to allow for such connectivity is the JY-MCU VCC3.6-6V BT board will need to be incorporated. The Bluetooth assistive board or module is shown in figure 3 below. Figure 3: Bluetooth connection aid to the Arduino Uno microcontroller Ideally, associating systems such as the Arduino microcontrollers and mobile devices such as smart phones has been made possible by the advancing technologies and the fact that most people have access to smartphones. The board also allows the installation of various other types of associative devices used in identifying individuals for security purposes as highlighted by Misra, (2014). The specifications of the Bluetooth module the HC-06 model that will be relied are outlined as follows. ⦁ Bluetooth protocol: Bluetooth Specifications v2.0+EDR ⦁ Modulation: GFSK(Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying) ⦁ Frequency: 2.4GHz ISM band ⦁ Emission power: ≤4dBm, (Class 2) ⦁ Speed: 2.1Mbps(Maximum)/ 160 kbps; Synchronous: 1Mbps/1Mbps ⦁ Sensitivity: ≤-84dBm at 0.1 percent BER ⦁ Security features: Encryption and Authentication ⦁ Mode: Slave ⦁ Power supply: +3.3VDC 50mA ⦁ Working temperatures: -20 ~ +75C ⦁ Dimensions: 26.9mm x 13mm x 2.2 mm ⦁ Profiles: Bluetooth serial ports ⦁ Pin code (default) 1234 ⦁ Default pin code: 1234 ⦁ Default baud rate: 9600 baud rate 2.2.4.3 The significance of Bluetooth technology to home automation system Bluetooth technology remains to be one of the most critical innovations for automating appliances and systems largely referred to as the Smart Living. The remote control enabling technology is designed to replace wired devices that can then be operable in wireless means through gadgets such as cell phones as well as personal computers ad desktops. Bluetooth allows remote gadgets to acquire the ability of linking to various another gadgets within reach and use such connections to manage an appliance. Bluetooth connection systems for gadgets are usually termed as the picante system of connectivity and offers an ideal way to use technology in managing systems and appliances in our homes (Ming and Shi, 2013). 2.2.5 The Android technology Android basically is a platform designed by Google having its initial release in the year 2007 as highlighted by Rogers, Lombardo, Mednieks and Meike, (2009). In addition, android can be installed in a number of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. Users usually can access and download android applications of their choice through the Google Play service available in the mobile hand held devices including smartphones and tablets. Android is described by Njunjic (2012) while referring to what is Android (2012) as a software for mobile devices which is comprised of an operating system, a middleware, as well as certain key applications. Android generally offer various key applications that deal with features such as SMS programs, maps, calendars, browsers, email clients, contacts and various other customized apps to various needs and information. The feature offers an easy ad efficient way to operate various activities in a more virtual manner without having to rely on browsers. 2.2.5.1 Components of an android application Android applications are basically built using four key components that are noted by the Android architecture according to Rogers et al., (2009). The first component is activities which are the bits of executable codes that usually come and go over time. Activities can always interact with users and even make requests for services or data from other services as well as activities through Intents or even queries. Services are the next component which is defined as the executable bits of codes that normally operate in the background from time to time when a mobile handset is on. These generally do not feature as user interfaces. The examples include MP3 players which normally keep playing the files requested even if users are using applications. The other component is the broadcast or intent receivers which usually respond to system-wide event announcements. Such announcements may originate from the Android itself or example notifications on low battery or they could originate from programs that are running on your handset system. In addition, Activities or Services usually offer access by other applications to its functions through the execution of Intent Receivers. This is a little piece of code that can be executed to respond to the requests on services or data from various other activities. The last component is the Content providers. Usually, these are designed to share out data to other services or activities. Content providers usually use standard interfaces that come in form of URI’s for fulfilling any request for data by other applications. 2.2.5.2 Classification of android mobile application Because various uses or solutions often form the basis for developing android apps, the types of android applications developed also vary. The applications generally range from utility apps, entertainment applications, security application, finance and banking apps among various other types of android applications. Nevertheless, with reference to applications developed for home solutions, various types also exist. These include native apps, mobile web apps, client server apps or hybrid applications for web (Mahatanankoon, Wen and Lim 2013). 2.3 System design Under this system, users are able to control their home appliances using a smartphone. The design is made up of a smartphone running on an android operating system as well as an Arduino microcontroller that will be relied on to control the appliances in this case a lighting system by putting it on and/or off. Users will be able to control the lighting system in their homes by relaying commands from their android smartphones. The commands from the smartphones are to be relayed to the Arduino microcontroller through an access connection enabled by Bluetooth connectivity. The commands will be decoded by the Arduino processor into the precise action to be executed on to the appliances or the lighting system. The achievement of the project was on based on the hypothesized relational structure between the gadgets as depicted in the figure 4 below. Figure 4: Relational structure between the gadgets Figure 4 represents the relational aspect of the system to be implemented under this project. There are various relationships between the systems with various components include. These are such as the smart phone application, the Bluetooth module and power supply, the processing unit (PIC Arduino microcontroller), the relay drivers, as well as the house appliances or devices to be controlled through automation, in this case the lighting system. The working of the system is set to begin from the user who holds a mobile phone running on an android application. Because of technological advancements, mobile phones and especially smartphones are presently acquired having been enabled to allow Bluetooth connections. The users will rely on the Bluetooth enabled features on their smartphones to link with the Bluetooth module on the PIC microprocessor to relay the commands that need to be executed. The Bluetooth module to allow for connectivity I this project will be the JY-MCU VCC3.6--6V BT_BOARD model to configure the link and allow for the relay of communications from an android smartphone (Gurek, et al., 2013). Once the message reaches the PIC processing unit or the Arduino microcontroller, the commands are then decoded and sent further to a relay driver than will facilitate the auto actions to be implemented. Such actions include switching on or off of the targeted appliances or devices in the house which is the lighting system for this project. 2.3.1 Highlighting the different parts needed for the system It is worth noting that the major technological innovations and skills that will be relied on by the project have already been highlighted. This section will however give a list of the parts or various components for the system to be fully developed. These include: ⦁ Arduino Uno (figure 2). ⦁ Bluetooth module, the JY-MCU VCC3.6-6V BT (Figure 3). ⦁ An Android smartphone phone. ⦁ Android application (used to send commands to the Arduino platform through Bluetooth) ⦁ USB Cables (Figure 5). ⦁ Light Bulbs (Figure 6). ⦁ Adapter electric Sockets (Figure 7). ⦁ Bulb holder (Figure 8) ⦁ Tightening nuts (Figure 9) ⦁ Relays Module (Figure 10). Figure 5: USB cable Figure 6: Electric bulb Figure 7: Adapter electric Sockets Figure 8: Sample bulb holder Figure 9: Tightening nuts Figure 10: A relay adapter (left) and Arduino UNO (right) The project is hypothesized to be able to control every aspect of lighting systems in a house as the basic target appliance. At this basic level, light bulbs such as presented in figure 6 above can be controlled remotely using an android smartphone. Despite the basic focus being the lighting system in a house, there are provisions for other appliances to be remotely operable. For instance, by having fridges, cooler and heaters and even electric doors and various other appliances plugged into the provided sockets can be controlled through the system. To allow for such remote control of the appliances, the arrangement of the system is carried out such that there will be connection from sockets where appliances can be plugged to the relay drivers which are in turn connected to the Arduino board that relays the control signals. A sample is presented in figure 11. 2.4 The modules and interface connectivity 2.4.1 Developing the circuit board on Arduino Uno Subsequent to the identification of the system specifications, the next stage is to develop the circuit for the Arduino before Fritzing process can begin. The code of the works system in arduino and the circuit outlay are presented in figure 11 and 12 below. Figure 11: The Arduino Home Automation Circuit Diagram Fig 12: Code of the work system in Arduino One key process of having the Arduino customized to meet the needs of the home appliance that is being developed by the current project is the designing of the circuit outlay before it can be taken through the Frtzing process. Figure twelve above gives a representation of the arrangement of the circuit and the components on the Arduino board. 2.4.2 Fritzing the Arduino As highlighted by Knörig, Wettach, and Cohen, (2009), Fritzing gives the means by which individuals using an Arduino can document their processes. This is usually an open-source initiative through which learners are able to develop CAD software designs for electronic hardware and allows for a shift from experimenting using prototypes to the development of permanent circuits. The process of Fritsizing the Arduino Uno to be relied on by the system given the system specifications is presented in figure 13 below. Figure 13: Fritzing the Arduino The detailed elaboration of the outlay is given in figure 14 below Figure 14: The Arduino Pinout 2.4.3 The Bluetooth module The Bluetooth module as depicted in figure 3 relied on the HC-06 model that is essentially relied on to enable the Arduino Uno to establish links with the smartphones of users in order to receive and pass on the messages. The module can be termed as a slave module. This implies that the connection needs to be established by some master Bluetooth module which in this situation is treated as the android smartphone held by a user. The module consumes little energy and therefore deemed compatible a number of microcontrollers especially taking up to 3.3 Volts of power. The specifications of the Bluetooth module were also highlighted earlier under the system specification (Bhagwat, 2001). 2.4.3 The relay module Relay modules are devices that run on electricity. The modules normally feature systems through which itself it can be controlled and a system that it uses to control other devices. Commonly, the device is utilized in automatic control or circuits. Ideally, the automated device can be relied on as a control switch and relies on low-current signals as well as high-current circuits as highlighted by Sachin, (2014). 2.4.3.1 The mode of use of a relay module The relay module will be connected the source of power and to the appliance or appliances to be remotely controlled. This having the connection completed connection can either be to the open pin or the NO for high activity. However, normally activity means that the connections s to the NC pin. The circuit diagram in figure 15 below depicts the arrangement or the relay module Figure 15: Relay schematic 2.4.4 Connecting the appliances to the Arduino Now that every item is set and all the connections outlined, the Arduino is linked to the various highlighted components as represented in figure 15. The home appliances that is to be controlled can be connected to any three of the free sockets connected to the system even as the lighting system itself can be managed by the fourth connection directly linked to the system. Notably, the connections between the Arduino board, the appliance sockets, the relay module uses wires with connector blocks used to connect the positive end serving the sockets for the home appliance. Figure 16 gives the up-close picture of the connection. The entire system is presented in figure 17. Figure 16: Sample connectivity of the appliance sockets, relay disc and the Arduino Figure 17: An overview of the entire connection for appliance sockets, relay disc and the Arduino and the lighting system The figure 16 above represents the entire home appliance automation system having been completed. The Arduino links to the relay module that is then linked to the appliance to be managed under the system. The lighting system is directly connected to the relay module for a direct control. Nevertheless, the appliances that are to be remotely controlled are connected to the system through appliance sockets that are in turn connected to the relay module. In this manner, the appliances can be switched on and off dependent of the signals relayed to the Arduino microcontroller from an android smart phone held by the users. The complete model is depicted in figure 18 below. Figure 18: The complete assembled model showing a home appliance automation system. 2.5 The algorithm for the operation of the home automation system As highlighted, the Arduino Uno microcontroller is the key component of this home appliance automation project. A Bluetooth-enabled access point network will be relied on in establishing links and relaying communications from the smartphones held by users and the Arduino microcontroller. The algorithm can be summarized as shown below. Ha: Home appliance automation application Ea: Electric appliance Mc: List of commands via Messages. The commands include on and off. But there will be differences to cater for the various appliances to be controlled within the model specified above. For instance if the first device is to be controlled remotely, the command takes the form ONApp1 or OFFAPP1. On the other hand, an android application that allows the communication between users and the home appliance automation system was also developed. The application offers the option of linking the smart phones held by users to connect to the Arduino microcontroller via Bluetooth. As a result, the appliance can be managed or controlled by carrying operations simulating the on or off operations under a manual system. 3.0 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS This chapter gives a general overview of the system the achievements and a summary. The sections captured include the achievements as discussed under the outcomes of the project, the challenges faced, the conclusions as well as the recommendations. 3.1 The outcome of the project The outcome of this project has is ideally a home appliance control system that can be used in managing a range of appliances used in our homes. The system is run by an android application that links to the control unit, the Arduino microprocessor through the Bluetooth connections. Consequently, lighting appliances and various appliances connected via sockets can be controlled by the system developed in this project. With the appropriate management, the Android based home electrical appliance management system developed above is considered to be friendly to the users and easy to use. Besides, it is a cost effective system that can be purchased or designed easily. Learning the system for users is quite simple and by just clicking the screen of the android smartphone, the lighting system is switched on or off. The household appliances that can be plugged in the system include microwave ovens, rice cookers, water dispensers, television sets and various other house electrical appliances. Other systems that can also be automated includes gardens, fountains, automated irrigation systems and so on. 3.2 Challenges and limitations The implementation of any project presents its unique challenges and limitations and this project is not an exception. A few issues were encountered in the course of developing the system and having the project executed. To begin with, initial tests of the Bluetooth connectivity between the Arduino board and the android smart phone proved unsuccessful. However, the connectivity was later rectified to function as required. The issue resulted from issues in having the Bluetooth module connected to the Arduino Uno board. An extensive analysis and review of the system revealed the problem before its eventual rectification. The other challenge faced was the difficulties in effectively connecting and making use of the systems relay modules. Nonetheless, through extensive research and a review of the circuit outlay, the relay module was connected, tested and approved to be functional. The home appliance system hence became operational as expected. 3.2 Conclusion From the undertaking of this project, the following conclusions can be made on the development of a home appliance automation system. This system developed under this project is made up of an Arduino Uno board, an Android smartphone, a Bluetooth Module, home appliances, power sockets, and a relay module. The system is generally user friendly apart from also being easy to use. The identification of the commands to be messaged is generally simple as outlined in the algorithm. In addition, the reliance on android phones presents various merits including a customizable use, ability to modify and extend the applications, a good humane interface, as well as the versatility, commonness and ease of using an android run smart phone. The system still provides room for additional improvements in terms of the control functions and various other aspects. Android phones can allow the control of the system from anywhere at any time. However, because Bluetooth connectivity works efficiently over short distances, there is room for improvement of the system to rely on newer technology of point to point connections allowed by features such as Wi-Fi as well as fiber optic links and so on. Generally, the objectives as set out in the initial section have been successfully achieved. The project identified and elaborated on the difficulties that households faced while handling employment and house related tasks. The project then analyzed the viability of developing an android based home application control system to help in solving the challenges through automation of tasks. The needs and features of the system were then identified with extensive researches carried out to have the system running. After understanding the different components, the system was successfully develop, tested and is hereby recommended for implementation to suit families that may need such automations in their homes. 3.3 Recommendations The following recommendations can be made following the successful execution of this project. ⦁ Future projects may need to rely on enhanced versions of relay modules to allow for easy control. ⦁ Connectivity in this system relied on Bluetooth technology which covers only a limited range. Future projects may need to rely on other modes of wireless connections provided by avenues such as Wi-Fi connections and the various ways provided by the current technological inventions. ⦁ There may also be a need to have the signals from the Bluetooth modules enhanced to cover greater distances in instances where other modes or alternative wireless links cannot be accessed. 4.References Agarwal, T. (2015). Android Based Home Automation Systems and Its Applications. 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