Home Automation systems can be categorized into 5 different levels based on several factors. | Action Home Automation - White Paper Levels of Home Automation January 7 2003 By Larry Kasevich Home Automation systems can be categorized into 5 different levels based on several factors. The factors are primarily complexity and functionality. These factors determine the level of sophistication the type of hardware and the software used. The levels are 1 - Remote Control 2 - Macros 3 - Conditional Control 4 - Interactive 5 - Learning Level 1 is the simplest and includes simple remote control of lights and appliances using a transmitter and a receiver. There is no intermediate hardware involved. For example you might have a controller and a lamp module. Level 1 may also include a timer type controller to turn on the device at a certain time of day. or it may even use an RF controller. Obviously the Level 1 system can be fairly inexpensive. But it basically consists of controlling one device at a time. Level 2 adds a macro capability. A macro is the ability to use one command to actually control several devices. A single touch could dim the lights close the drapes put on soft Copyright 2003 - Action Home Automation 55 Juniper Lane South Windsor CT 06074 Email Sales@ Website http music and start the Hot Tub. One macro can actually run another macro as well. Some type of programming is required to store the macros. This programming can be done from another controller or from a computer. These devices are in fact sophisticated controllers that do not require a computer to run normally. The Level 2 unit is a sophisticated transmitter but does not monitor actions or do conditional control. That is where Level 3 takes over. Level 3 has the ability to do conditional logic. For example turn on a sound device if the time is night time and the garage doors have been open for over 15 minutes. O PrLp9f j L cör V unijny Screen shot from HomeSeer Generally this device is computer controlled or is based on a dedicated processor
