Smart Crib

Posted on by Steven McDermott

Team Name

Smart Crib IoT

Timeline

Summer 2024 – Fall 2024

Students

  • Don Dang – Computer Science
  • Luis Del Rio Carrillo – Software Engineering
  • Zait Martinez – Computer Engineering
  • Pranav Pujar – Computer Science
  • Ethan Debnath – Computer Science

Abstract

The Smart Crib project integrates hardware and software components to provide users
with a seamless and efficient smart home management solution. The system features
smart lights, a smart door lock, and a smart fan, all of which can be controlled remotely
through a user-friendly mobile application. The application serves as the central
interface, allowing users to adjust light brightness, lock and unlock doors via a keypad
or app controls, and set fan speeds. Communication between the app and devices is
facilitated through an Azure Virtual Machine (VM) server, which processes HTTP control
commands and maintains device statuses in real time.
The hardware layer includes an ESP32 microcontroller for the smart door lock & light
and a Raspberry Pi Pico for the smart fan, enabling autonomous operations and
network communication. The smart door lock features a keypad for local passcode
input, providing an additional layer of security. The smart fan allows speed adjustments
for customized comfort, while the smart lights support dynamic brightness levels for
personalized lighting. By leveraging cloud-based infrastructure and efficient task
management on microcontrollers, the Smart Crib project ensures reliable, responsive,
and secure smart home control, blending convenience with cutting-edge IoT technology

Background

The Smart Crib project was conceived as a comprehensive smart home management
solution aimed at enhancing everyday convenience, security, and energy efficiency. The
concept emerged from the growing demand for integrated smart home systems that
offer centralized control over various household devices through a unified interface. The
project leverages cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, cloud computing,
and mobile application development to create a reliable, scalable, and secure smart
home ecosystem.
Smart home devices have seen rapid adoption due to their ability to automate daily
tasks, reduce energy consumption, and enhance home security. However, many
existing solutions are limited by fragmented ecosystems, lack of interoperability, and
inconsistent device communication. To address these challenges, the Smart Crib project
integrates multiple IoT-enabled devices under a single control system, ensuring
seamless interconnectivity and centralized management.
The system architecture was designed with scalability and flexibility in mind. An Azure
Virtual Machine (VM) serves as the cloud server, enabling real-time data
synchronization and remote control. Microcontrollers such as the ESP32 and Raspberry
Pi Pico were selected for their versatility, low power consumption, and extensive
community support. Each microcontroller manages specific devices, ensuring
autonomous operations even when network connectivity is temporarily unavailable.
The mobile application, built using React Native, functions as the primary user interface.
It supports features such as device monitoring, remote control, and customizable
settings, allowing users to personalize their smart home experience. Key design
principles guiding the project included security, reliability, and user-friendliness.
As smart home technologies continue to evolve, the Smart Crib project lays the
groundwork for future expansions, including enhanced security protocols, advanced
automation features, and integration with emerging IoT standards. By bridging hardware
and software components through cloud-based infrastructure, the project demonstrates
the potential of connected devices in creating a smarter, more efficient living
environment.

Project Requirements

  • Device Integration
    • The system shall allow for integration with DIY solutions like Raspberry Pi-based devices
  • Unified Administration Platform
    • The system shall provide a single administration platform accessible via a web or mobile application to configure, control, and monitor all connected devices.
  • Edge Processing
    • The system shall process and analyze data locally to reduce latency and dependence on external cloud services
  • Secure Connections
    • The system shall use encryption protocols to establis secure communication between devices and the administration platform
  • Automations and Scenes
    • The system shall allow users to creat automation rules and scenes involving multiple devices
  • Ease of Use
    • The system interface shall be intuitive, requiring minimal technical knowledge for setup and operation
  • Compatibility
    • The system shall store user data locally or on user-approved cloud platforms, ensuring compliance with privacy standards.
  • Prototype Delivery
    • The prototype shall demonstrate integration of at least three devices, secure communication, and have a user-friendly interface for control and monitoring

Design Constraints

  • Economic:
    • The cost of the server hardware should be kept within budget constraints to ensure affordability.
  • Environmental:
    • The server should have a low power consumption design to minimize the environmental footprint.
  • Social:
    • The system should be user-friendly and accessible to all household members.
  • Political:
    • Compliance with local and international data privacy regulations is mandatory.
  • Health & Safety:
    • The server should meet safety standards to prevent overheating and electrical hazards.
  • Manufacturability:
    • The server design should allow for scalable production.
  • Sustainability:
    • Use of recyclable materials in the server’s construction is encouraged

Engineering Standards

  • IEEE802.11: For Wi-Fi communication.
  • IEEE802.3: For Ethernet connections.
  • NISTSP800-53: For data security and privacy controls.
  • UL60950-1: Safety standards for information technology equipment.
  • IEEE802.15.1 (Bluetooth): Defines wireless communication protocols for short-range device connections, useful if Bluetooth-based device pairing is integrated into the Smart Crib system.
  • ISO 9126 (Software Quality): Establishes a framework for evaluating software quality, ensuring the mobile app and cloud services meet performance, usability, and reliability standards.
  • IEEE1686 (Cybersecurity for Intelligent Electronic Devices): Focuses on providing cybersecurity capabilities in intelligent devices, ensuring secure device communication and data integrity.
  • IEEE1149.1 (JTAG): Specifies a standard for testing and debugging hardware components, essential for troubleshooting hardware-related issues in microcontroller-based devices.
  • ISO/IEC 29100 (Privacy Framework): Establishes guidelines for protecting personal data in information systems, supporting secure user data management in the cloud-based server.

System Overview

The Smart Crib project is an integrated smart home management system designed to
provide seamless control of connected devices through a mobile application. The
system comprises three main components: the mobile app, cloud server infrastructure,
and IoT-enabled devices, ensuring efficient communication and real-time
responsiveness.

  1. Mobile Application

    The mobile app acts as the central user interface, allowing remote control of smart devices. Built using React Native, it supports features such as:

    ● Smart Lights Control: Adjust brightness and color.
    ● Smart Door Lock: Lock/unlock doors via keypad or app commands.
    ● Smart Fan: Set fan speeds for customizable comfort.

    The app communicates with the cloud server through HTTP requests, sending device control commands and receiving real-time status updates.
  2. Cloud Server Layer

    The cloud server, hosted on an Azure Virtual Machine (VM), manages system-wide communications, processes incoming HTTP requests, and ensures data synchronization across devices. Key server functions include:

    ● Request Handling: Multi-threaded request processing to maintain continuous
    system availability.
    ● Data Management: Real-time updates of device statuses stored in a secure
    database.
    ● Security Protocols: Secure data transfer through encrypted channels.
  3. IoT-Enabled Devices

    The hardware layer includes microcontroller-based devices designed for robust and
    autonomous operation:

    ● ESP32 Microcontroller: Powers the smart door lock and smart lights. It
    manages device states, keypad inputs, and direct server communication.
    ● Raspberry Pi Pico: Manages the smart fan, enabling precise speed control and
    efficient power management.

System Workflow

  1. User Command: The user sends a command through the mobile app.
  2. Cloud Server Processing: The Azure VM receives the request, processes it, and updates the device status in the database.
  3. Device Action: The respective microcontroller executes the command, updating its state and confirming task completion.
  4. Feedback Loop: The updated status is sent back to the cloud server and reflected in the mobile app, ensuring real-time synchronization.

By combining advanced hardware capabilities, cloud infrastructure, and a user-centric mobile interface, the Smart Crib project delivers a reliable, secure, and scalable smart home management system.

Results

Future Work

To further expand on the Smart Crib project’s overall performance and user experience, future development will focus on strengthening the application’s security features. This includes implementing end-to-end encryption for all data transmissions between the mobile app, Azure VM server, and connected devices. Additionally, integrating multi-factor authentication (MFA) for app access and employing more robust cryptographic protocols for passcode storage will ensure heightened protection against unauthorized access. Expanding network security measures such as secure socket layer (SSL) certificates and real-time threat detection will also be prioritized to safeguard user data and maintain the integrity of the entire system. These improvements aim to provide users with a more secure, resilient, and trustworthy smart home management experience.

Project Files

Project Charter
System Requirements Specification
Architectural Design Specification
Detailed Design Specification
Poster

References

Johnson, M. T., and Zhang, H., “Optimizing IoT Device Communication for Smart Home Applications,” IEEE Transactions on Internet of Things, 2021, Vol 8, pp 1457-1468.

Gupta, R., and Singh, A., “Energy-Efficient Lighting Solutions for Smart Homes,” International Journal of Smart Systems and Technologies, 2020, Vol 12, pp 89-103.

Brown, C., and Miller, J., “Enhancing Security in Smart Locks: A Comprehensive Review,” Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, 2019, Vol 15, pp 45-56.

Smith, L., and Davis, R., “Cloud-Based Control Systems for IoT Applications,” ASME Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 2022, Vol 22, pp 112-120.

Patel, V., and Kumar, N., “Integration of ESP32 Microcontrollers in IoT Systems,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 2021, Vol 7, pp 3342-3350

Steven McDermott

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