Unique Perspectives HouseMate User manual

User Manual October 2015
©Unique Perspectives www.housemate.ie Page 1 of 74
the Smart way to control your world
App version 1.1
Features:-
Environmental control from your iPad or iPhone
Learn and transmit InfraRed codes
Control Z-wave devices over Wifi
Optional built-in EasyWave controller
HouseMate Switch drives iOS Switch Control
Full control over iOS device
Important Notes:
1. This manual assumes that you are familiar with the operation of an iOS device and should be read in
conjunction with its user manual.
2. Read this manual carefully before installing or operating your HouseMate.
3. Due to continuous product improvement Unique Perspectives reserves the right to update this Manual.
This Manual supersedes all previous issues which must not continue to be used.
4. Any attempt to gain access to or in any way abuse the electronic components of the HouseMate
renders the manufacturer’s warranty void and the Manufacturer free from liability.

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Contents
Page
Introduction
4
1.
Getting Started
1.1 Downloading the software
1.2 Enabling Technician Mode
1.3 Setting up your device
9
9
9
11
2.
Using HouseMate
18
3.
Editing your Project
3.1 Editing a Cell
3.2 Editing a Grid
3.3 Creating and populating a new grid
3.3.1 Importing a grid template
3.3.2 Using the wizard
3.3.3 Populating a grid one cell at a time
20
20
24
28
30
31
32
4.
Recording InfraRed Signals
4.1 Recording an InfraRed signal
4.1.1 Recording a toggle signal
4.1.2 Recording a macro
4.1.3 Recording a macro with OK command
4.1.4 Recording a push button code
4.2 Using the signal databases
4.3 Examining the InfraRed Macros
4.4 Erasing InfraRed signals
4.5 Advanced Settings
34
34
37
39
41
42
43
46
48
48
5.
EasyWave
51
6.
Z-Wave
6.1 Pairing your device with Vera
6.2 Controlling a Z-Wave device
6.3 Running a Z-Wave scene
6.4 Erasing a Z-Wave command
53
53
55
58
59
7.
Alarms
61
8.
Hardware Settings
62
9.
Saving your Project
9.1 Saving your project
9.2 Opening an existing project
65
65
66
10.
Connections
68
11.
Hardware specifications
70

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12.
Intended use, Safety and Misuse Warnings
71
13.
Maintenance
72
14.
CE Marking
73
15.
Warranty & Sales and Service Information
74

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Introduction
Imagine being able to do everything from one device: Turn on your room lights
and close the curtains. Change channels on your TV and turn up the heating.
Answer a phone call and send some texts. Browse the Internet, play some music
or watch YouTube. HouseMate hardware in combination with an iOS device
enables you to do this and much more. Read on and discover why HouseMate,
together with an iOS device is the smart way to control your world.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
HouseMate is a combined hardware/app solution that enables a switch user to
fully control their iOS device and use it to operate other equipment in their home
or work environment using InfraRed, EasyWave or Z-Wave signals.
TELL ME ABOUT
THE HARDWARE
The hardware is controlled using the built-in switch or by connecting an external
switch or joystick. It can also be interfaced to R-Net and DX wheelchair
control systems.
It is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery and contains a powerful omni-
directional InfraRed transmitter and a Bluetooth radio module.
The hardware communicates the switch presses to the iOS device. With Switch
Control enabled the user can use scanning to control their device. If the user
launches the HouseMate App a grid of environmental control options is
presented. If the user chooses an option then the HouseMate App will instruct
the HouseMate hardware to transmit the corresponding InfraRed code.
The Bluetooth connection between the iOS device and HouseMate is reliable and
fast. When the user presses their switch the device wakes up immediately and is
ready for use.
HouseMate can be fitted with a radio frequency Nurse call pager. This alarm can
be activated at anytime by pressing the switch for a defined period of time.
Importantly this feature is independent of the iOS device and Bluetooth
connection.

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A further possibility is the control of EasyWave or Z-wave devices. HouseMate
can be fitted with an EasyWave transmitter on request. Z-wave requires the
installation of a Z-wave enabled router such as a Vera 3 and Z-wave appliances
such as sockets, light switches, thermostats etc. The iOS device communicates
with the Vera using Wifi which in turn communicates with the appliances using Z-
wave.

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TELL ME ABOUT
THE APP
The HouseMate app that has been specially designed for switch access and can
be downloaded free from iTunes. It will run on any iOS device running 8.0 or
higher.
The HouseMate app communicates with the HouseMate hardware using
Bluetooth Smart. The app presents a grid of environmental control functions
using icons and text. When the user chooses and icon the app instructs the
hardware to execute the chosen function.
USE IT AS AN
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL...
30 grids fully customizable for size and
content. Comprehensive set of 600+
symbols with ability to import photographs
and other pictures. 250 IR codes can be
recorded into HouseMate or choose from
a database of commonly used codes.
USE IT AS A
MOBILE PHONE...
With iOS Switch Control and the
HouseMate switch you can fully control
your iOS device. Wake up the phone,
answer and make calls, send and receive
SMS text Messages. Manage and edit
contacts. View missed calls and check
your Voice Mail.

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USE IT AS A
PERSONAL
ORGANISER...
Use an app of your choice, such as
Reminders, to remind you of upcoming
events. Reminders can be scheduled to
go off at intervals before an event to
ensure that you have plenty of time to
plan and prepare.
USE IT FOR
FUN AND
ENJOYMENT...
Switch accessible MP3 player? Switch
accessible camera? Switch accessible
Internet? Yes, yes and yes! In fact you
can control any app installed on your
device using iOS Switch Control.

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WHAT ARE THE
KEY FEATURES?
Hardware features
Control of any device that can be operated by InfraRed signals including
light switches, power sockets, bed controls and door openers.
Powerful InfraRed learn/transmit hardware. Single codes, toggle codes,
macros and safety codes can be recorded.
Pre-recorded database of common InfraRed signals including GEWA,
Possum, Siemens KNX, FellerBeamIt, UPC and SKY.
Control of EasyWave devices with a built-in 32 channel RF transmitter.
Control of Z-wave devices over Wifi using a Vera Z-wave router.
Single switch, two switch and joystick inputs.
Interface cables for R-Net and DX wheelchair control systems.
Long-life rechargeable Li-Ion battery with mini USB charger.
Audible low battery warning, Bluetooth connection, InfraRed transmit and
charging status LEDs.
Software features
Comprehensive, graphic based, environmental control.
Large database of icons as well as the ability to choose images from the
camera roll.
Designed to be used in conjunction with the scanning features of iOS
Switch Control.
Control over third party apps using iOS Switch Control.
HouseMate can be downloaded free from iTunes with automatic updating
as new versions become available.
Can be installed on iPads or iPhones running iOS 8.0 or higher.

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1 Getting started
Note: If you have purchased a complete system from your supplier, including an
iOS device, then the steps below have probably already been carried out. In this
case all you need to do is confirm that your Bluetooth hardware connects with
your device when you press your switch or joystick. When you have done this
move on to Chapter 2.
1.1 Downloading the software
Install the HouseMate app from iTunes.
Search for “HouseMate Home Control”and click the install button.
After installation the HouseMate icon should appear on your home screen.
1.2 Enabling Technician Mode
Now, open the App. The example grid will appear.

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The first step is to enable Technician Mode. Press and hold the spanner icon in
the bottom right hand corner of the screen for 5 seconds until the Technician
Mode dialog appears.
Note: Every time you launch HouseMate the spanner icon will appear. However,
after 60 seconds it will change to a padlock icon, thereby preventing the user
from making inadvertent changes. If you run out of time return to the home

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screen and start HouseMate again. Technician mode can also be password
protected.
When technician mode is enabled a navigation bar appears at the top of the
screen with two buttons, the Project button and the Configure Button. When you
press either of these buttons on an iPAD you will be presented with a popup
menu. On an iPhone you will be presented with an action sheet as in the screen
shot below.
1.3 Setting up your device
Choose Project->Setup your devices->HouseMate hardware->Pair your
hardware. The Pairing wizard is presented. Read the instructions carefully as
these steps must be carried out manually within the iOS Settings page.

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If you intend to use the touch-screen only then you can click Skip and jump to
step 5 below.
Step 1: Pairing the HouseMate Switch
The first step is to pair the HouseMate Switch. The switch is used to drive the
iOS scanning.
When you are ready choose Settings and you will be brought to the iOS Settings
page. Navigate to Settings->Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth and then turn on your
HouseMate hardware by pressing it’s switch. After a moment you should see
HouseMate Switch appear.

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Click on the HouseMate Switch entry to complete the pairing process. After a
moment it should move into the list of My Devices with the word Connected
beside it.
Confirm that the blue LEDs on your HouseMate hardware are blinking.
Step 2: Add New Switch
You are now ready to set up the HouseMate switch to drive the iOS scanning.
Navigate back to Settings and then choose General->Accessibility->Switch
Control->Switches->Add New Switch->External and press your switch.
When the switch press is detected you will be prompted to enter a name for the
switch. Choose “HouseMate”.
Step 3: Choose a switch action
Now you must choose the switch action that will occur whenever you press your
switch. For scanning purposes this will be the Select Item action.
Under Switches choose the newly added HouseMate switch and then choose
the Select Item action.
Step 4: Enable & optimize Switch Control
This is the last step to set up the HouseMate switch to drive the iOS scanning.
Navigate back to Switch Control.
Tap Behaviour

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We recommend setting the Tap Behaviour option to Always Tap. In this
mode the option to carry out other actions is always displayed at the end
of a complete screen scan, rather than every time you press your switch.
Large Cursor
For high visibility of the scanning cursor we recommend turning on the
Large Cursor option.
Menu Items
If you only intend to control the HouseMate app with your HouseMate
switch then choose Menu Items->Top Level and select Hide All Items. In
this set up, after you launch HouseMate, there is no way for the user to
return to the home screen or control other Apps.
Switch Control
If you wish to start the iOS scanning at this point return to Switch Control
and turn on the Switch Control switch. iOS will start scanning the screen
objects and pressing your switch should select the currently highlighted
object.

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There are lots of other options under Switch Control that control the behavior of
the iOS scanning including Auto Scanning Time, Loops and so on. Take some
time exploring these different options so that the scanning can be optimized to
suit the user’s needs and abilities.
When you are finished, return to the HouseMate app for the final step of setting
up your hardware.
Step 5: Pairing the ECU Module.
HouseMate contains a second Bluetooth module, called “ECU Module”, that
communicates with the HouseMate App for transmitting and recording InfraRed
signals and other app specific functions. Pairing this module is the final step in
setting up your hardware.

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Make sure your hardware is on and then press Continue. A popup dialog will
display the text Scanning for HouseMate and after a moment this should
change to Found HouseMate and then Connected to HouseMate.
Your done! However, unless you want to start editing the grids and recording
codes, be sure to exit Technician mode by tapping on the back arrow in the

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bottom right corner of the screen. Notice that the icon should change to a
padlock symbol.
If you switched on Switch Control you can now confirm that you can use the
HouseMate switch to navigate the example grids and choose icons.
Although you have not recorded any InfraRed codes spend some time
familiarizing yourself with the iOS scanning, entering and exiting grids and
selecting cells.

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2 Using HouseMate
In conjunction with HouseMate hardware the Housemate App allows you to
control devices in your environment including lights, curtains, door openers,
television, CD player, intercom system and so on. HouseMate hardware contains
a powerful InfraRed transmitter and receiver that can record the signals from
other remote controls. Virtually any electronic device that can already be
controlled from a remote control can therefore be controlled from your iOS
device.
HouseMate can be supplied with a 32 channel EasyWave transmitter fitted
internally. This enables you to directly control EasyWave sockets, relays and
other appliances using radio frequency. A third option is the control of Z-wave
devices over Wifi by connecting your iOS device to a Z-wave enabled router such
as a Vera.
When you launch HouseMate for the first time a set of default grids and icons are
generated. These grids can be edited in technician mode and you can save your
project to memory. The grids can be inter-linked so that you can create a tree like
structure with one grid leading to the next. The bottom left cell of every grid is
always a back key bringing you back to the previous grid. As a rule of thumb, and
for ease of use, it is recommended not to create a grid structure more than 3-4
levels deep.
The top-level grid and the music player grid.

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Assuming that you have already recorded infra-red signals, transmitting an
infrared code is simply a matter of scanning to the desired key and selecting it. A
progress dialog will appear while the signal is being transmitted. If you are a
switch user the signal will be repeated as long as you keep your switch pressed.
Tip: The bell symbol in this default grid is Project Command 1, and as such will
trigger the output relay in your HouseMate hardware or activate the RF alarm if
fitted.

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3 Editing your Project
Note: Before you can make changes to the grids or edit the cells you must
enable Technician Mode. When you launch HouseMate press and hold on the
spanner icon for 5 seconds until the Technician Mode dialog appears.
3.1 Editing a Cell
To edit a cell press and hold on the cell for a moment until a popup window
appears. A different popup window will appear depending on whether you are
editing a blank cell, a link to another grid or a Project Command. In the example
below we are editing the cell that links to the Music grid.
Changing the Image
You can change the image for the grid by either importing a picture or
photo from your picture gallery or by choosing an icon from the pre-
defined list of icons.