In order to address the mentioned issues of flexibility and functionality in the literature
survey, we designed and implemented a novel, flexible and low cost
home controlling and monitoring system using PHP, JSON and MySQL based
Web services as an interoperable application layer. The system consists of a Web
– client based on Arduino Ethernet, hardware interface modules viz. Gas Sensor,
Motion Sensor, Fire Sensor, Sound Sensor, Light Sensor and Relays in addition
to the Android compatible Smart phone app. The architecture presented in this
work can be customized in different ways in order to accommodate different
application scenarios with minimum recoding and design i.e. each time a new
device is replaced in the relay, the device is automatically inherits the switch state
of the old device in the Smart phone app and the online database. Hence, the aim
of the proposed work is not to incorporate expensive components such as high
end personal computers. This system allows authorized home owners to
remotely control and monitor connected devices at home using a high speed WiFi
or 3G/4G enabled Smart phone which supports Java. The android smart phone
app provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for accessing and controlling the
devices at home.