Possible Uses For Sensor Network Technology

Sensor networks have been in use for a very long time. The most common sensor networks found today are those used in the home alarm systems we are all familiar with. Many homes have the common PIR (Passive InfraRed) Sensor hiding in the corners of rooms. These detect movement and set off the home security system if tripped. Similarly, magnetic contact break points are often used on doors and windows so that when the contact is broken the security system is activated.

Applications to Home Care

The main use for a Sensor Network within the home will be to gather data on the user unobtrusively. Sensor Networks have proven to be use for home care only when they are used in combination with a multitude of sensors. For example, a PIR detector can detect if someone is moving in the room, but on its own it offers extremely restricted feedback. To be useful, it needs to work in collaboration with other sensors and feed this back to the system which can take account of a number of factors.

A further example would be a light beam mounted across a doorway to let the system know if the user has entered or exited a room. The PIR detector in the corner would respond to movement within the room. Contact switches on drawers or cupboards would let the system know roughly what the user is doing. For example, if one cupboard only contains tinned food then the system can guess that the person is about to cook something.