Functions and scalability

Below you'll find information about some of the functions available in Switch King and the different possibilities to set up the system (scalability).

Functions

Switch King supports both Telldus TellStick and TellStick Duo (but not TellStick Net).

You can use Switch King to schedule when you want your devices to be on and then a TellStick is used to send signals to remote power switches to achieve the desired result. The TellStick is a transmitter.

The TellStick Duo can also receive signals from sensors and the data can be collected in Switch King. You can pull in data from for instance temperature sensors, motion detectors, remote controls, dusk relays and more. This data can then be used to set up rules for when you want your devices to be turned on. You can also use the collected information to monitor your home. The TellStick Duo is both a transmitter and a receiver.

You need either a TellStick or a TellStick Duo together with Switch King.

Switch King supports most of the devices supported by the TellStick, but with a few exceptions. The following devices cannot be used or only partially be used together with Switch King:

  • Hasta blinds
  • Roxcore projector screen
  • KingPin
  • Ecosavers (*)
  • Goobay (*)
  • IKEA (*)

*) These devices cannot be added in Switch King, but are possible to control if added in TelldusCenter.

Examples of functions implemented in Switch King:

  • scheduling of devices (on/off/dim) supported by Telldus TellStick
  • turn on and off devices on sunset and sunrise
  • devices take holidays and weekends in consideration when calculating schedules
  • devices can be triggered on data from external sources - for example temperature sources
  • possibility to set up scenarios
  • cilent/server solution with network support
  • possibility to put the computer to sleep and wake it up to send scheduled commands
  • calculation of the total energy consumption per year
  • add/remove devices from Switch King (no need to use Telldus Center)
  • synchronization of devices
  • graphical presentation of all units and their schedules
  • future events and historic events shown
  • presentation of data collected from external sources
  • available in Swedish and English

Clients available for several different platforms:

  • Windows
  • iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch (iOS)
  • Android
  • Windows Phone 7 (3rd part)
  • Windows 8 app (3rd part)
  • Web browser (open source och 3rd part)

Switch King Live:

Switch King Live makes it easier to access your Switch King Server using for instance your mobile device from wherever you are. You don't have to struggle with IP addresses, port forwarding, firewalls or dynamic DNS when using Switch King Live.

More information about Switch King Live

Schedules

A schedule for a device is configured with on and off commands. A schedule defines when a device is to be on or off.

It is possible to create group schedules that can be tied to multiple devices. You can even connect multiple schedules to a single device, causing the schedules to be "added" and the result to be visible in the resulting timeline view.

Example:

Two schedule are created, "Lights in the morning" (turns on at 06:00 and turns off at 09:00). and "Lights in the evening" (turns on at 16:00 and turns off at 22:00).
Device A is to be turned on only in the morning and Device B is to be turned on both in the morning and in the evening.
You connect the schedule "Lights in the morning" to Device A, and both schedules to Device B.

Group schedules are very efficient if you've got many devices. If you make adjustments to a group schedule, all devices tied to the schedule will be affected.

Sunset and sunrise

By providing Switch King with your coordinates, Switch King can calculate the sunset and the sunrise for your location. This can be used to determine when devices are to be turned on or off. Each device can also have it's own offset, in relation to the real sunset or sunrise.

This function overrides the device's schedule, meaning that the device will be turned off after sunrise even if it's schedule is actually indicating that it should remain on.

Holidays

It is possible to enter holidays for the year and define which devices that should take holidays into consideration. A holiday will use the schedule for saturdays and the day before will be handled as a friday.

Scenarios

Switch King includes the functionality of creating scenarios and define which devices that should be on, off or run according to their original schedule. You can easily select the scenario in the client.

It is also, to some extent, possible to program scenarios. You can define for how long time a scenario will run and also define the scenario to be triggered when a specific scenario ends.

Example 1:

A scenario, "Away", is created. You define that device A should be on, B off and C run according to schedule. When initiating the scenario, the devices will be turned on or off according to the settings stored in the scenario. When you get home, you can set the devices to "All automatic".


Example 2:

A scenario, "Party", is created where you define which devices that should be on, off or run according to schedule. You set the scenario to end at 03:00 and that all devices will go to "All automatic". When defining the scenario this way, starting the scenario "Party" is enough and you don't have to pick a different scenario when the party is over since Switch King will initiate "All automatic" at 03:00.

Data sources and rules

Switch King can collect data from external sources. Data collected can be used to control your devices with the help of rules you set up. Rules are created and connected to the data sources in Switch King. Rules and conditions decides when a device is to be on or off. It is possible to tie multiple rules to a single schedule.

Example:

You want your heater in your car to be on between 06:00 and 07:45 on weekdays when it is colder than 8°C outside. A data source to collect values is created. After that, a group schedule with the times 06:00 and 07:45 defined. A rule is then created that is bound to a condition that the outside temperature has to be below 8°C. The group schedule is then connected to the device that represents the heater.

Client/server and networking

It is possible to run Switch King on a single computer, but Switch King also provides support for running over the local network. It is possible to connect several clients to one server.

More information about this is found further down on this page.

Energy saving mode

You don't have to have your computer on 24/7 to be able to control your devices with Switch King. The server calculates when signals are to be sent to your devices and can use this to put the computer to sleep and wake it up to send the signals.

Energy saving mode is controlled through the client, which has to be running.

Limitations

We recommend that you run Switch King within your local area network protected by a firewall. Support for authentication and certificates to encrypt information is not yet implemented.

Scalability

Single computer

You can install Switch King on a computer where you've got a Telldus Tellstick installed.

The computer does not have to be running 24/7. Switch King can put the computer in sleep mode (standby/hibernate) and wake it up in time to send signals.

Example of cost for a simple home automation system:

  • Computer
    Already in possesion
  • Telldus Tellstick
    ca $75
  • 3 relay switches
    ca $19
  • Switch King
    Free (for up to 5 devices)

Client and server on different computers


Switch King is a client/server solution. The client contains the graphical user interface (GUI) where you configure and administer the system and the server is the "engine" sending the signals to your devices. You can run the client on one computer and connect the client to another computer on your local network where the server is installed.

The functionality in Switch King is not limited due to that you run the server and the client on different computers. The user interface is the same.

The server is running as a service (Windows Service) and no user needs to be logged in for the system to work. The service is automatically started when the computer is turned on. Telldus Tellstick must be installed on the computer running the server.

Multiple clients - one server


You can also run multiple clients on several different computers connected to the same server.

If a change is made in one client (a device is added, a schedule changed etc), the change will be reflected in the other clients.

It is also possible to use apps and web browsers to control the devices through Switch King.

Multiple clients and multiple servers


Switch King also supports multiple servers on different computers (each with their own Telldus Tellstick) and multiple clients. When the client is started, you select the server to connect to.