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A Voice Enabled Residential Automation & Networking platform

Deliverables

VRE comprises two major software components which are implemented during the HomeTalk project; the "Voice Service" (VSRV) PBX application module and the "Voice Communication Library" (VCL) browser-side component. The VSRV module is part of the software PBX and implements a simple protocol for communication with an external VoiceXML browser and ASR/TTS engine. This communication is done using TCP sockets and the client-server programming model.
Hermes is the core of the HomeTalk platform developed within the project. Rooted at the residential gateway, Hermes is able to deliver messages among entities within the converged residential environment that offers data, voice, control and later video related services. The converged environment powered by the HomeTalk platform will be able to integrate controllable home devices (devices, appliances, actuators, etc.), data networks elements (PCs, PDA, etc), voice elements (PSTN phone, GSM phone, microphone, speakers, etc) and management entities (browsers, custom applications, etc.). All entities are abstracted as virtual nodes with specific access methods and node profiling. Node type drivers then provide access to the real devices. To implement simple stand-alone services or parts of more complex services, Hermes can run internal programs written in a special language called CAL. Through a Control and Notification interface Hermes provides clean interface to clients. Using this interface, clients are able to manage the in-house devices delivered over the HTTP protocol. Hermes supports a variety of access methods, such as HTML browser, VoiceXML browser, and Java OSGi agent. The latter serves better for applications related with management and monitoring running in service provider's behalf.
The UHCP introduces two new protocol layers implemented specified in XML. A common application layer is implemented for accessing all nodes across different control networks, which is called the node access layer. According to that layer each node accepts commands and sends back responses in a synchronous manner. Furthermore it sends notification messages asynchronously upon events. The node access layer uses the node control interface (NCI) to send commands to a controllable device. The controller access layer is implemented below node access layer and it serves as a carrier for the NCI information elements. The controller access layer uses the controller command interface to deliver node commands to the HomeTalk control block. Apart from carrying node commands, the CCI allows a control client to take advantage of other resources and server functionalities such as browsing the home appliances or create macro commands.
CAL is a scripting language used for writing internal code inside Hermes. Stands for "Control Assembly Language". Third-party developers can use CAL to extend Hermes functionality. CAL is mainly used to add intelligence inside the server while eases the design and implementation of new innovative user services. CAL is a low level assembly language that provides a complete set of general-purpose (arithmetic, logical, flow control, etc) instructions as well as special instructions for command, response and notification handling through XML manipulation. The CAL scripts are compiled to binary form in order to optimise space and processing power requirements.
The results of the HomeTalk trials in both Greece and Spain installations were collected and analysed. Using the specified methods to collect data, and the methodology to analyse that data, a set of useful results for the home automation industry are delivered. Results are classified depending on the subject evaluated: usability, utility, usefulness, objective measurements of performance, voice and graphical interfaces design, etc. These results will be used in the future to focus next developments towards well-designed user-friendly interfaces from the beginning.
The appliance profiles describe in detail by using the XML language, the commands responses and notifications for each one of the white appliances as well as the sensors actuators and other nodes used within HomeTalk project. Apart from the XML profiles the device profiles provide also the corresponding node type driver implementation of each profile, which is part of the Hermes control server.

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