Using home networks to create atmospheres in the home

The Atmosphere Controller is an implementation of home networking technology that could make life at home a totally new experience. An atmosphere is created by combining light (intensity and colour), music and wallpaper projection. To find out if is this type of experience fits into everyday life of people, we studied the current experience of creating atmospheres by conducting interviews and probes studies in people's homes [5]. The same people were later invited to test the application in a Lab environment. Although the lab tests showed that the Atmosphere controller offers a positive sensorial experience further research should be conducted in a more realistic setting. © 2004 ACM.