Terms and Definitions
Commonly used terms and definitions pertaining to HomeSeer
Glossary
| Term | Definition | Use Cases | Also Known As |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action | The end result or purpose for any event is to execute an action or sequence of actions. | Turn a smart product on, increment a counter, speak something, etc. | |
| Condition | A parameter that works in conjunction with a trigger to launch an event. Conditions are true over a period of time. | The day of the week is Wednesday, the time is after 4 pm, Garage Door is open, motion is sensed, etc. | |
| Device | Software entity that is designed to represent a physical smart home product. It may or may not be grouped with Features. | After adding a WD200 to your Z-Wave network, it gets listed as a HomeSeer device under the Devices page. | HomeSeer Device |
| Event | An action or sequence of actions set into motion by one or more triggers which may also include one or more conditions. | Turn on a light 30 minutes before sunset on weekdays, send an email if a temperature sensor report 80 degrees, etc. | Automations, Scenes, Robots, Routines, Applets, Recipes |
| Feature | Subset or attribute of a HomeSeer device. | For an HSM200, the features are Motion Sensor, Temp Sensor, Light Sensor, and Color Control. | Child Device |
| Interface | Hardware device that serves to link a technology (like Z-Wave) to HomeSeer Software | SmartStick+, Z-Net, 2413U, RFXCOM | Controller, USB Stick |
| Node | Unique identifier for smart product software address. | Z-Wave Node #12 | Address |
| Plugin | Software designed to integrate with HomeSeer software to enhance capabilities or add features. | JowiHUE, EasyTrigger, Harmony Hub | Add-on |
| Smart Home Hub | A computer running smart home software packaged and marketed as a unique product. | HomeTroller Pi, HomeTroller Plus, HomeTroller Pro | Home Controller, Controller, Smart Hub |
| Smart Product | Hardware device that's designed to communicate with and/or be controlled by a Smart Home Hub. | HS-WD200+ Dimmer, HS-FLS100+ Sensor | Device |
| Trigger | Anything that happens in an instant that can launch an event | The time is Sunset, Smart Product turns On, Counter reaches 5 | |
| Update | A minor revision or "point" release of software. | HS4 v4.0.0.0 to v4.0.1.0 | |
| Upgrade | A major revision or "integer" release of software. | HS3 to HS4 | |
| Virtual Device | Software entity that's designed to reflect the status or value or something not necessarily linked to a Smart Product | Occupancy, Daytime/Nighttime, Seasons, Defcon 2 | Status Device, State Device |
| Z-Wave Association | A linkage that causes Z-Wave products to communicate directly between themselves | Associating a Z-Wave motion sensor to a Z-Wave wall switch will turn the switch on (and off) when motion is sensed and then no longer sensed | Scene |
| Z-Wave Optimization | The process by which a Z-Wave smart product rediscovers its neighbors | After initial setup, running an optimization can help nodes discover the best routes back to your Z-Wave controller. Not to be run on large networks. | |
| Z-Wave Network | The wireless web or mesh created by Z-Wave devices where they can see each other and report back to the Z-Wave Controller. | Z-Wave Networks are managed from Plugins > Z-Wave > Controller Management | Mesh Network |
| Z-Wave Controller | An Interface specifically for Z-Wave hardware. | SmartStick+, Z-Net, UZB, Aeotec Z-Stick | Interface |