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Insteon (company)

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This redirect is about Insteon the home connection technology company. For Insteon technology, see Insteon.
Insteon
Company typePrivate
FoundedIrvine, California (2012)
Headquarters16542 Millikan Ave,
Ste 800,
Irvine, California
USA
Key people
Joe Dada, Founder and CEO
ProductsProprietary dual-band home automation and lighting control systems using radio frequency (RF) and powerline technology
ParentSmartlabs, Inc.
Websitehttp://www.insteon.com

Insteon is an Irvine, CA-based developer of home automation (aka domotics) hardware and software. The technology, also called Insteon,[1] allows light switches, lights, thermostats, motion sensors, and other electrical devices to interoperate through power lines, radio frequency (RF) communications, or both.[2] The company produces over 200 products featuring the technology.[3] The company partners with Microsoft,[4] Google,[5] Apple,[6] Amazon,[7] Logitech[8] and others to deliver home automation functionality to customers.

Insteon is a subsidiary of Smartlabs, Inc., also based in Irvine, CA.

History

Insteon was founded in 2012 in Irvine, CA by CEO Joe Dada.[3] Dada had previously founded Smarthome in 1992, a home automation product catalog company, and operator of the Smarthome.com e-commerce site. In the late 1990s, Dada acquired two product engineering firms which undertook extensive product development efforts to create networking technology based on both power-line and RF communications. In 2004, the company filed for patent protection for the resultant technology,[9] called Insteon, and it was released in 2005. In 2012, the company released the first network-controlled light bulb using Insteon-enabled technology, and at that point Dada spun Insteon off from Smarthome.[3][10]

Technology

Main article: Insteon

Insteon technology uses a dual-mesh networking topology[11] in which all devices are peers and each device independently transmits, receives, and repeats messages.[12][13]

Products

Insteon produces over 200 products using its technology,[14] including LED bulbs, wall switches, wall keypads, sensors, thermostats, plug in modules and embedded devices, along with central controllers for system management. Most devices are either wire-in, plug-in, or battery powered.

Central controllers

Insteon devices can function without a central controller or they may be managed by a central controller to implement functions such as control scheduling, event handling, and problem reporting via email or text messaging. A computer can be used as a central controller by connecting it to a power line modem, which serves as a communication bridge between the computer and the Insteon device network.

Insteon markets two different central controllers: its own brand, called the Insteon Hub, and a newer HomeKit-enabled Insteon Hub Pro designed for Apple HomeKit compatibility.[15]

LED bulbs

In 2012, the company introduced the first network-controlled light bulb.[16]

Wall switches

Insteon wall switches replace conventional wall switches to allow remote control of the switch's electric load. With mesh functionality, the wall switches allow every wall switch to control every other wall switch without the addition of extra wires.

Wall keypads

Wall keypads have multiple, programmable pushbuttons that are used to set preprogrammed control levels, which the company calls "scenes". The scene buttons can be used to control individual devices like an LED Bulb or other wall switches, or groups of devices.

Wall outlets

Insteon manufactures two different remotely controllable outlets: a dual on/off outlet credited as the world's first of its kind,[17] and a dimmer outlet, on which one outlet offers remotely controllable dimmer functionality, and the second outlet plug is always on.

In-line modules

In-line modules are mounted inside or behind a fixture or electrical junction box, and are used to provide Insteon-enabled lighting circuits that don't have a directly accessible wall switch. Miniature in-line modules include switch-sensing technology that can be used with an existing wall switch connected to the micro module.

Plug-in modules

Plug-in modules provide Insteon functionality by allowing the plugging in of a lamp or appliance into the bottom of a unit that then plugging the module into a power outlet.

Sensors

Insteon wireless sensors include motion sensors, contact-closure sensors, water leak sensors, and smoke detectors. Wired magnetic contact sensors can be added to wireless open/close sensors.

Thermostats

Insteon thermostats work with most heating and cooling systems found in homes and many businesses.[citation needed] When installed and linked to a central controller, the thermostat can be remotely controlled from a smartphone or tablet.

WiFi Cameras

Insteon HD WiFi Cameras are equipped with 614,400 pixels, video capturing speeds of 1280 x 720, 16:9 widescreen video options and an HD video sensor. Indoor cameras feature full pan and tilt and come with a ring of darkness-illuminating infrared LEDs.

I/O Linc low voltage plug in module

The Insteon plug-in module, I/O Linc, can monitor and control low voltage devices such as alarm sensors, electric door strikes, and contact closures.

Embedded Devices

Insteon embedded modules can be used to control lights without a directly accessible switch, such as Malibu or recessed lights. In-line modules are designed to be mounted inside an electrical junction box or behind a fixture to control the lights from any location in the home. Insteon’s embedded devices include fan controllers, dimmers and load controllers.

Door Locks

The Insteon lock controller allows remote entry or exit by locking or unlocking compatible door locks and deadbolts from California-based keyless lock manufacturer MiLocks, at the press of a button.

Compatibility

Older Insteon chip sets manufactured by Smartlabs can transmit, receive, and respond to (but not repeat) X10 power line messages, thus enabling X10 networks to interoperate with Insteon.[18][19]

In 2014, Insteon released a home automation system compatible with the touch-enabled Metro interface, with devices appearing as "live tiles",[20] and later added voice control via Microsoft Cortana.[21][22]

In 2015, voice control was added via compatibility with Amazon Echo.[23] That same year, Logitech announced the Harmony Hub-based remote would support Insteon devices when deployed with an Insteon Hub.[24] Also in 2015, Insteon announced an initiative to integrate the Google-owned Nest learning thermostat with the Insteon Hub.[25]

Insteon was one of two launch partners for Apple's HomeKit platform, with the HomeKit-enabled Insteon Hub Pro.[26] In 2015, Insteon announced support for the Apple Watch, allowing watch owners to control their home with an Insteon Hub.[27]

Product distribution

Insteon products are sold through Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, Target and other brick and mortar retailers, as well as online through Amazon.com and the Microsoft Store.

References

  1. ^ "INSTEON - Trademark Details". Justia.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  2. ^ "How to Control Your Home with your Cell Phone". Popular Mechanics. October 1, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Wired Innovation Insights". Wired.com. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  4. ^ "Microsoft's Home Automation Deal Is More Proof It's a Whole New Company". TIME.com. 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2015-05-13.
  5. ^ "'Works with Nest' program gains traction with 15 new smart device integrations". techhive.com. 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  6. ^ "New Insteon Hub and App Works with Apple HomeKit, Available on Amazon". electronichouse.com. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  7. ^ "'Alexa, hit the lights': Amazon Echo adds Insteon support". CNET.com. 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  8. ^ "Logitech and Insteon Team Up For Easier Home Control". smallnetbuilder.com. 2015-09-13. Retrieved 2015-12-04.
  9. ^ "Network of intelligent devices communicating via powerline and radio frequency US 8081649 B2". US Patent Office. 2004-12-15. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  10. ^ "Insteon Partners With Nest". Orange County Business Journal. January 6, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  11. ^ "Refresh!: Insteon Technology". Electronic Design. Penton Media, Inc. April 5, 2006. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  12. ^ "What is Insteon?". Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  13. ^ "Can we talk? Internet of Things vendors face a communications 'mess'". Computer World. IDG. April 18, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  14. ^ "New Insteon Hub Makes 200+ Products HomeKit Compatible". smarthome.reviewed.com. 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
  15. ^ "Insteon HomeKit Enabled Hub Reviewed". SmallNetBuilder.com. July 14, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  16. ^ Molly Oswaks, "Here it Is: The World's First Remote-Controlled (LED) Light Bulb", Gizmodo, June 20, 2012
  17. ^ "Control more than lights with Insteon Dual On/Off Outlet". technologytell.com. November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  18. ^ "X10 Programming for Insteon Devices". Smarthome. Smarthome Inc. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Home Control 101: Insteon vs. X10". EH Network. EH Publishing. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  20. ^ Hachman, Mark (15 May 2014). "Microsoft teams with Insteon to sell connected-home kits". pcworld.com. IDG Consumer & SMB. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  21. ^ Ochs, Susie (16 July 2014). "Insteon's Cortana integration will let Windows Phone users talk to their house". techhive.com. IDG Consumer & SMB. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  22. ^ Darryl Taft, "Insteon Taps Microsoft Cortana for Windows Phone 8.1 Home Automation App", eWeek, July 16, 2014
  23. ^ Crist, Ry. "'Alexa, hit the lights': Amazon Echo adds Insteon support". CNet. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  24. ^ "Logitech and Insteon Team Up For Easier Home Control". smallnetbuilder.com. 2015-08-13. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  25. ^ Brown, Michael (5 January 2015). "'Works with Nest' program gains traction with 15 new smart device integrations". www.techhive.com. IDG Consumer & SMB. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  26. ^ Ricker, Thomas; Kastrenakes, Jacob. "First HomeKit devices confirm Apple TV's limited role in home automation". theverge.com. The Verge. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  27. ^ "Insteon ships its HomeKit-enabled hub and app". macworld.com. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
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