X10's ActiveHome™ Kit - Welcome to the 21st Century

31 Oct 1996

Seattle - October 1996 - X10 (USA) Inc., the first manufacturer to develop a way to use the existing AC wiring in your home to automatically control your lights and appliances, now has a way for Ward and Beaver to avoid June's wrath for leaving on a light, coffee pot or TV.

“Ward, Make Sure you Turn Off the Lights and Appliances Before Coming to Bed…” “Yes Dear, Beaver, Come Up Here Son…”

The ActiveHome Kit works with your computer to transform your home into a network of controls allowing lights, appliances and security systems to do what you want when you want. It only takes 15 minutes to setup and is certain to make you the talk of the neighborhood. Your friends will be green with envy when they see how you can make your home looked lived-in while you're away, create a romantic mood after a night on the town, even automate a morning or evening routine. Imagine how cool it would be to have your clock radio, bedside lamp, coffee pot, and garage door turn on and open based on your program and then turn off and shut without ever having to move a finger. All you have to do is drag and drop on screen modules to create a schedule. The macro can be started automatically via a timer or manually by remote.

ActiveHome communicates through your existing power lines (AC wiring) to control things in every room of your home. Once you tell the software what to do you can turn off your PC. All of the information is stored in the computer interface, which allows control from any outlet in the home even when your PC is turned off.

“There's no better way to neutralize the June Cleaver in your house than with the ActiveHome Kit,” said Alex Peder, president of X10 (USA) retail sales division. “All kidding aside, ActiveHome is all about giving people the tools necessary to start creating 21st century Wired Homes.”

Activehome Components

• ActiveHome software - This easy-to-use program empowers users to schedule times/days for lights and appliances to turn on and off, in addition to creating powerful routines called macros.
• Computer interface - The interface allows the computer to communicate with lights and appliances throughout the home remotely. Once programmed, the interface unit can be disconnected from the computer and still control functions from any outlet in the home.
• Ultimate Super remote - The remote acts as both a home automation and home entertainment tool providing controls for six different functions. Use the universal remote for your TV, VCR, cable, etc. Hit the X10 button, now the remote will control lights and appliances manually and activate programmed macros.
• Transceiver module - The transceiver module translates radio frequency signals from wireless controllers into a powerline signal that controls AC modules. This unit also functions at the same time as an appliance module.
• Lamp module - The lamp module receives commands from the ActiveHome software to turn on or off and brighten or dim any lamp.
• KeyChain remote - The keychain remote is a portable wireless unit that controls two modules from up to 100 feet away.

Availability

The ActiveHome Kit is now available at X10.com or by calling 1-800-675-3044.

Filed: Oct 1996, Home Automation, Co: X10, Tech: X10