Industrial News

For Inez Snyder, of Harrisburg, Penn., being there for the construction of her dream home – a luxurious log home more than 2,000 miles away in the mountains of Idaho – wouldn’t have been possible without the new technology now available from Boise, Idaho-based iBEAM Systems Inc.

Thanks to the iBEAM system, Snyder has had a front-row seat through all phases of her home’s construction, and she didn’t have to use up her frequent flier miles to do it.

Each morning Snyder sits down before her computer with a cup of coffee and checks the progress being made on her home that is taking shape in world class ski resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho.

The iBEAM system – a combination of a wireless camera, transmitting base station, and viewing software — allows Inez, with a few clicks of a mouse, to see in real-time right from her computer screen what’s happening with her new vacation home.

Unlike a web cam that is mounted in a stationary position, iBEAM’s portable camera and wireless transmitter allow the builder of the home to go through a project and point out specific items or zero in on problem areas.

While the builder is using the camera he can also be on the phone with the home’s architect or owner who is watching on the computer. Together they can work through any issue before it becomes a larger problem.

Somewhat skeptical about the iBEAM system at first, Snyder said she now would recommend that everyone include the iBEAM system into their home’s construction costs. Not only was the system easy to use, Snyder said it was also a big hit over the holidays when the whole family was able to view in real-time what the Sun Valley home looked like on Christmas morning.

But beyond the novelty and the comfort of knowing you can check on your home at any time, Snyder said the iBEAM system makes it possible for her to be involved in the final finishing details that go into building a home.

Snyder is actively involved in putting the final design touches on her home. Normally that type of involvement would mean frequent trips to the construction site, but making sure everything comes out just right is easy with iBEAM.

If she wants to check something specific in the home all Inez has to do is call her builder, who uses the portable iBEAM camera to give her a virtual tour on a moment’s notice.

“With the help of iBEAM we noticed a few times things that needed to be corrected and we caught them right after they happened,” Snyder said.

Tom Allen, president and founder of iBEAM, first developed the idea for such a system more than two decades ago. But at that time technology wasn’t at a point where a system like this was feasible.

In the mid 1980s, Allen, a professional architect, was involved in some of Boise’s larger commercial projects. It was during those projects that Allen would find himself going from job site to job site trying to resolve the latest problem.

“It was a daily situation we had to deal with because it was hard to verbally describe what you wanted over the phone,” Allen said.

Having to travel from site to site was a time-consuming endeavor, but one Allen said was necessary to avoid costly mistakes that would have to be corrected later.
Allen said what makes the iBEAM system better than a web cam or a camera cell phone is the ease with which the system can be installed and the ability to do everything in real-time.

All iBEAM needs to transmit is a working phone line to plug the base unit into. Antennas are then set up so the camera can transmit wirelessly to the base station. No broadband connection is required to view the video, but the faster the connection, the faster the image rate.

The software system allows users to view the video and capture still images to a “virtual white board” where drawings and notes can be added. The system also lets multiple viewers access a transmission at the same time, allowing for a virtual business conference.

Allen said iBEAM was initially targeted at the commercial construction industry as a tool to save busy architects and builders valuable time, but it is just as well suited for residential construction, especially for homeowners like Snyder who don’t have the luxury of visiting the construction site on a regular basis.

Allen said the uses for iBEAM also don’t end when the last nail on a project is pounded in. The system can remain in place as a security application, allowing homeowners and building owners the ability to check up on their properties at any time via the computer.

He also envisions iBEAM as a tool to broadcast events to others that can’t be there. Do you have relatives that can’t make a family wedding or special gathering? Allen says the iBEAM can bring that special event to those relatives as its happening. He also envisions iBEAM being used for medical uses such as showing a patient’s condition to doctors thousands of miles away.

But back home in Pennsylvania, Snyder isn’t thinking about the many uses of iBEAM, she’s just been enjoying watching her dream home become a reality.

“The iBEAM system has really made us feel close to the home,” Snyder said.

For additional information on iBEAM systems, please see website http://www.ibeamsystems.com