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Consumer Requirements in ICT standardization - 2003
Smart Houses

Disclaimer: The "interim ICTSB response" is a collection of opinions which does not necessarily represent a consensus view of the ICTSB

Generic Consumer Requirements in ICT standardization extracted from the ANEC report	Interim ICTSB response
1. Standardised definitions of basic services: It is easier for the consumer to choose the desired services and options according to the desired functionality and his/her own personal wishes if there is a standardised list of choices. This is particularly true because the concept of a Smart House is new.	A CENELEC Workshop called WS-SMH and Open Standardisation Approach has been established in May 2003 with emphasis on the concept of Design for All and Assistive Technologies in ICT. This workshop is organized under the ombrella of CENELEC TC 205 with involvement in some national co-ordination in the area of CENELEC TC 205, SC 205A, CEN TC 247, ISO TC 205 and other concerned Technical Committees in the field of ICT. For more information, you will find here the reports (the Smart Houses Interim Report has been published in June 2003 and the Final Report in July 2003).
2. Consistent user interface for different BUS systems: This is necessary if consumers are to choose confidently between the different BUS systems.
3. Standardising the user interfaces of the Smart House systems: Assuming that Smart House systems are compatible, the main consumer issue is ease of use. This can be achieved by standardising the user interfaces.
4. Interoperability between BUS systems: Interoperability should be standard between components, appliances and systems. This should also include ordinary home electronics that could be BUS compatible. Otherwise the consumer must buy conversion devices or software that can sometimes cost as much as the product itself.
5. Flexibility and modularity: The technology needs to be easily upgraded, modified and reprogrammed, (preferably by the user him/herself with average PC knowledge) as needs change through a life cycle. Modularity is one of the benefits of Smart Houses that provide flexibility. If the user cannot do it service contracts should be standard.
6. Standards for installation aspects of Smart Houses: This will ease the decision processes in each project, and ensure the basic requirements for a consumer-friendly installation with a minimum of ugly components showing. This is particularly important when installing BUS systems with cables. A standard position for the conduits (either by the floor, by the ceiling or at a certain height on the wall) makes the cable accessible for future installations and servicing.
7. Standardised training for installers: This should include understanding user aspects and co-operating with user representatives.
8. Control devices: Consumers have different requirements regarding the control devices necessary to operate their Smart House. The variations can be in vision, dexterity, reaction time and ability to understand interfaces (cognition). The control devices are vital for the consumers' perception of function and ability to use Smart Houses, because they are what the user meets. Different suppliers deliver completely different switches and other control devices, and they have shown little interest in standardising them. There should be standard basic switches that are tested and easy to understand and use for different user groups (Design for All). Standardised (local language) text and or symbols to indicate functions on switches and on displays would assist. These should be compatible with other consumer electronic symbols;
9. Reliability: Consumers are often (and quite rightly so) sceptical about new systems that theyhave not used before. The systems should be fail-safe to allow the consumers to rely on theirsystems and components. This is of importance to homes as well as for commercialbuildings. In the event of a power failure, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) or some otherbackup system should be installed as a standard to secure heating, light and other vital functions. This is particularly important in hospitals, nursing homes and houses for elderly anddisabled people. In addition manual override must be standard.
10. Safety: One particular concern relates to how individual products will function when linked into a complex control system. At present, no one 'standard' form of communication or system control has been agreed upon, so although individual items may be safe in themselves, their safety systems may be compromised when they become connected to a particular control system. The risk that appliances and devices controlled by a Smart House may presently lie in the following areas: Heat (burning and scalding) Water control (flooding/scalding) Gas control (explosion, asphyxiation) Mechanical (unexpected operation or movement of appliances/devices) Fire (alarm control) Physical access (door and window lock control);
11. Safety systems concerning unauthorised access (e.g. hacking into a domestic gateway) needs to be standardized.
12. Interference: The system as a whole, and its individual components, should not cause electrical interference and should be immune from electrical interference to a level that guarantees satisfactory and safe performance.
13. Performance standards: Performance standards for signal transmission quality over cabling, hand-held remote controls, radio links need to be enforced so consumers can be confident that an installation will work as expected.
14. Standardised and compulsory quality assurance procedures before systems are set in operation. This includes standardised procedures for testing each function and component before the system is delivered to the consumer and for testing each component for compatibility with other manufacturers systems or components. The providers and installers of the systems should have an interest in and knowledge about the particular consumer's' needs, and respect these throughout the planning and implementation process. These professions should require such knowledge as a standard part of certification requirements.
15. Consistent and user-friendly documentation and service procedures: Information, documentation and training in user aspects and operation of the systems must be standard procedure on implementation and before operation. This is particularly important to the consumers because Smart House technology represents an entirely new way of using your electrical appliances.
16. Standardise the interface between remote receptors and environmental controls: This can save expensive double installations in the homes of people who need IR environmental controls (e.g. physically handicapped), because the BUS installation can communicate with the IR sender.
17. Mechanical access: With respect to external access, Smart Houses may incorporate a mechanical system to allow the delivery of goods without the occupants being present. For example, this could be a locked compartment accessible from the outside by the suppliers and accessible from the inside by the occupants. The system could be operated with a simple locking system or with some alternative interlocking mechanism that provides a secure system. A standardised system needs to be defined.With respect to internal access, internal door and window locks may be controlled automatically (e.g. bathroom door may automatically lock when a person is present). Such systems need to be standardised for fail-safe use and allow for emergency access.
18. Personalised controls: Smart House systems and appliances may be personalised for individual occupants. Standardisation in the means of occupant identification, the configuration of the system and the security and privacy of the occupant's data will be required. Such systems should also be fail-safe, for example if an occupant loses their identity tag.
19. Standardise the control and metering of gas, water and electricity supply: This can make it easier to save energy through using Smart House systems. If metering is done remotely, standards are a help.
20. Energy: Standards or targets for total energy consumption need to be set for the Smart House system as a whole (not necessarily for individual components).
21. Transparency of costs and contracts: A standardised form of presenting costs and services provided is necessary to allow consumers to compare systems in an easy to understand form.