HomeTroller-SE Getting Started Guide – rev 3.0 10/12/2011
Page 16
Security
In the
Add Device
screen (see page 15), select from the
Device Type
field the type of security
device you‟re creating, such as “Motion Sensor”. Give the device a name, such as “Porch
Sensor”; specify its location (front porch, sidewalk, etc.); and select its House Code and Unit
Code from the drop-down menus, if the security device is an X-10 device. Select any other
options you‟d like to enable for this device by checking the appropriate check box in the
Options
field. Click the
SAVE
button to finish creating the device. If a security panel is being used such as
an HAI or NAPCO Gemini panel, make sure the appropriate plug-in is enable for the panel you
are using. Select the panel from the Interfaces tab in Setup and enable the plug-in. The
HomeTroller-SE communicates with most panels through the serial interface. Once the interface
is enable, devices that represent the panels zones will automatically be created. You can view
and control these devices from the
Status
page.
Climate
In the
Add Device
screen (see page 15), select from the
Device Type
field the type of
thermostat device you‟re creating, such as “RCS TR15 Thermostat”. Give the device a name,
such as “Guest Room Thermostat”; specify its location (first floor, guest room, etc.); and select
its House Code and Unit Code from the drop-down menus. Select any other options you‟d like to
enable for this device by checking the appropriate check box in the
Options
field. If the
thermostat is connected to a COM Port on the HomeTroller, then specify the port number in the
Thermostat COM Port
field. Click the
SAVE
button to finish creating the device. Thermostats are
supported in 2 ways. The most basic support is through a script file. This file may be modified by
you if required. Once a thermostat device is created, one device appears on the status page and
displays the current status of the thermostat. Buttons are also provided for setting the mode
and temperature setback.
Some thermostats may also be controlled though a special software plug-in. Thermostat plug-
ins provide more control over the thermostat and also provide feedback to the HomeTroller. This
allows events to be triggered on changes made to the thermostat externally, such as a set point
change. Click on the Updater button to get a list of available thermostat plug-ins. Plug-ins are
available for RCS and HAI thermostats.
Virtual Devices
Virtual devices don‟t have a corresponding physical device, but hold values and states. For
instance, a virtual device could be created to hold the status of a motion sensor flag. An event
could then be created that increments the value of the flag when the corresponding motion
sensor detects motion. The number of visitors that approached the house could then be
determined by viewing the value of the virtual flag device.
To create a virtual device, go to the
Add Device
screen (see page 15) and select
Virtual
from
the
Device Type
field. Give the device a name, such as “Front Sidewalk Motion Flag”; specify its
location (sidewalk, driveway, etc.); and select its House Code and Unit Code from the drop-
down menus. Select any other options you‟d like to enable for this device by checking the
appropriate check box in the
Options
field. Click the
SAVE
button to finish creating the device.
This device can not be used in events. The most likely use is when applying a condition to an
event. The condition can look at the state of a virtual device and control whether or not the
event triggers. One example is a Home/Away device. Setting this device can alter events based
on whether the home owner is home or away.