What is a whole-house automation system?
A whole-house automation system integrates the operation of various subsystems in the house through a common user interface. Examples of “subsystems” in the home are: security and alarm systems, heating and cooling systems, lighting and appliance controls, home entertainment centers, video surveillance systems, and media device centers. The heart of the “system” is an integrated controller, either a standalone hardware device dedicated to home automation tasks or a software package running on a home PC. The controller coordinates the desired response or reaction of the various subsystems based on time of day or events like sunrise/sunset or alarm activation. The sequence of commands comprising this response may be called a “scene”. Typical scenes include “good morning”, “at work”, “arrive home”, “evening”, “sleeping”, “party”, and so on. The commands that define a scene are programmed into the whole-house automation system by the installer or homeowner.
