Janebot

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Janebot is a DIY Smarthome- a computer that is in control of every aspect of a home including security, lighting, AC/heat, home theater, cameras, locks-- all with a text to speech voice that sounds like a real person. Janebot can be controlled by many methods and can interact with objects inside (and some outside) of the smarthome itself.

Most of Janebot is programmed through Promixis Girder scripting GUI- my preferred smarthome software.


Janebot has many types of inputs that can control the smarthome.

janebot ati remote wonder
ATI Remote Wonder

ATI Remote Wonder

The easiest and most reliable input device used with Janebot is the ATI Remote Wonder. The ATI Remote Control can be used in conjunction with a program called Girder, which is a Windows scripting GUI. Girder comes with the driver to be used for the ATI Remote Wonder, and allows for HEAVY customization of the remote control and its functions. The single remote control has over 200 functions associated with buttons (5 sets of buttons, with about 40 in each set). The remote can switch modes to control each of the smarthome systems individually. Similar to switching a universal remote from TV to DVD control, switching the remote to control other devices is a simple push of the button.

Janebot Inputs

Janebot has other types of inputs, including but not limited to:

  • Speech recognition (regular microphone or a portable phone connected to jane)
  • Fingerprint scanner (each finger triggers a command)
  • Numeric keypad (each button has a function)
  • Motion detectors (usb webcam based, motion in areas of the house trigger events)
  • SMS/Instant messenger (aol instant messenger using trillian)
  • Website controls (website with clickable buttons, accessible worlwide)
  • Infrared (using USB-UIRT, ANY infrared remote can trigger any command)
  • Bluetooth (iphone with Java app)
  • Desktop Icons (on all computers, just double click to trigger an action)
  • Telephone (any phone can call Janebot and use a voice menu to trigger actions, uses IVM software)

Janebot functions and devices

  • TV and stereo (using USB-UIRT to transmit infrared codes to home theater devices)
  • Lighting (x10 computer module used with Girder controls every light in the house)
    • Each light can be controlled individually, or lighting modes like twilight, and casual
  • Fans, coffee makers, and other appliances are controlled by Girder and x10
  • Music - Jane has an audio interface allowing for selection of music
    • Multiple surround sound systems are outputting Jane's audio using SPDIF (split 3 ways)
  • Media player - Select movies, tv shows, youtube and others, using only the remote control
  • Answering Machine - Jane has an answering machine that works with phone control systems
  • Fax - Microsoft fax, and VOIP used together to send and receive faxes
  • Alarm clock programmable by remote will be triggered if lights are not on at wakeup time
  • Artwork - when Jane is idle, artwork is displayed on all monitors controlled by Jane.
  • FTP server - access Jane's files from anywhere in the world
  • HTTP server - displays camera's linked to Jane on a webpage
  • Media Host - Stores digital media for all computers on the network
  • Website monitoring - checks hourly on business websites and notifies if the site is unreachable
  • Cameras - 3 USB webcams are placed in the house
    • Each webcams recordings are instantly uploaded to the internet as a backup of security footage
  • Door locks - triggered by any input are electronic door locks (using x10 technology)
  • Heating/AC HVAC control - Thermostat with computer interface can change the temperature from anywhere