Environment control in The Grid 2

The Grid 2 allows you to integrate “environment control” directly into your grids. 

What is environment control?

Environment control is a term used for a range of technologies that allow people to control their home via their computer. 

Examples of devices that can be controlled in this way are:

• TV, DVD player or digital/satellite box.
• CD player or radio.
• Adapted electronic switches, such as light switches and heating controls.
• Motorised door, window and curtain openers.
• Remote control toys.

Which environment control systems are supported?

The Grid 2 supports a number if systems:

GEWA

The GEWA “prog” is a programmable infrared device from GEWA, a Swedish company specialising in home controls.  The prog learns from your remote controls, and you must train each button from each remote control individually.  Once you have done this, you can instruct the prog to mimic the buttons on your remote.
The prog is an optional extra on a number of communication aids.  GEWA also produce a range of infra-red operated home controls, such as light switches and power sockets.

Tira

The Tira is a programmable infrared device from Home-Electro, an American company.  Like the GEWA prog, the Tira, learns from your remote control and retransmits the signals from your computer.

Z-wave

Z-wave is a standard for home automation devices communicating via radio waves.  There are a number of manufacturers making z-wave compliant devices, although it is worth noting that a different frequency is used in European and US devices.
Unlike the GEWA prog and Tira, you do no need to train a Z-wave device.  Instead, you set up a network of Z-wave devices by programming your “master controller”.  You can then use The Grid 2 to activte any devices on your network.

B&J Perseo

The Perseo environment controller is created and distributed by B&J Adaptaciones of Spain.

UUIRT

This infra-red learning remote is included in some communication aids (such as the Powerbox from Smartbox).

Feature comparison

This table comares some of the key features of the different environment control systems.

(1) IR data is either stored in The Grid 2 or on the Environment Control Unit itself.
If they are stored in The Grid 2 then they can be copied easily (just copy a cell or a grid).  However, if the IR data changes (for example, if you get a new TV) you will need to modify every cell that activates this function.

(2) Glide functionality allows the user to "hold down" a button - such as a volume control - and choose when to release the button.  The Grid 2 supports this action with switches and other input methods.  Environment control systems that do not support this usually have the option to hold a button for a set time - e.g. 3 seconds - which is not as flexible as "glide".