 |
December 1998
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
December 1998
|
| |
|
|
|
|
As part of the Anywhere in the Home Initiative, Intel Architecture Labs is one of the founding members of the newly announced Home API Working Group. Home API plans to define and develop an open industry specification that can accelerate the deployment of software applications that monitor and control home devices.
Compaq Computer Corporation, Honeywell, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corp., Mitsubishi Electric and Philips Electronics today announced they are working together to define and develop an open industry specification that will foster the development of computer applications for home systems and appliances. These applications will enable the control of home electronics such as televisions, VCRs, set-top boxes and other home devices including security, indoor/outdoor lighting and temperature control systems. These new applications will enhance the entertainment, comfort, and security of consumers.
The companies are collaborating and leading an industry effort called the Home API Working Group (Home API). The goal of the group is to provide a foundation for supporting a broad range of consumer devices by establishing an open industry specification that defines application programming interfaces (APIs). These APIs are protocol and network media independent, enabling software developers to more quickly build applications that operate these devices. In addition, they will allow both existing and future home network technologies such as HAVi, home phone networks, Home RF*, CEBus*, Lonworks*, and X-10* to be more easily utilized.
To support developers, the group intends to provide a Software Developers Kit (SDK) that will implement these APIs on the Microsoft¬ Windows¬ operating system, with availability expected in the first half of 1999. In the future, the group expects SDKs to be available for other operating systems as well.
"Control of multiple home devices is a natural extension of the computing power that consumers have brought into their homes," said Ed Arrington, manager of Intel Architecture Labs Anywhere in the Home initiative. "Home API will stimulate the development of hundreds of new applications that integrate those devices in a way that adds real value to family and home life. This is a great opportunity for the growth of automation in the home."
Users will benefit from new applications in the areas of home entertainment, security and home automation. For example, for home entertainment, Home API will help simplify the set up and operation of A/V devices and home theaters, and will be compatible with other emerging digital A/V network initiatives such as Home Audio/Video Interoperability (HAVi).
"We believe that Home API and HAVi complement one another and target different clients," explained Eddy Odijk, Philips Consumer Electronics technology director working on home networking initiatives. "Home API addresses the full spectrum of home devices and will initially target Windows-based applications. HAVi focuses on IEEE 1394 A/V devices such as TVs, VCRs and set-top boxes and targets platform-neutral applications." Philips, Sony, Intel and Microsoft are working together to define a bridge between HomeAPI and HAVi that will enable each to use the other's services to expose home devices to their respective clients. (Philips and Sony are both members of the HAVi Working Group.)
Home automation and security are other areas that can greatly benefit from Home API. House modes, such as Away, Asleep and Entertaining, can be defined to control the status of the home security, sprinkler, heating/cooling, lighting and entertainment systems according to user-defined criteria. These modes can be modified either within the home or remotely, and can be tied to a calendar or even the current weather forecast. This level of home automation can increase security and comfort, as well as save money through energy conservation.
"We believe the establishment of an API specification for PC-controlled home devices will usher in a whole new industry resulting in the unprecedented control of residential environments," said Deb Massof, vice president of Home Vision, Honeywell Home and Building Control. "For example, with Home API technology, manufacturers can offer users products that will allow them much greater control over their home environment, both locally and remotely."
Initial Home API SDK Users
Initial users of the Home API SDK include software vendors who will use the Home API to write applications that monitor or interact with home devices. There are currently no standard APIs for home devices, so application developers are currently faced with the prospect of writing all aspects of home device control from scratch, including the handling of network interface hardware and device control protocols. With Home API, the application developer can ignore these low-level details and focus instead on adding the features that provide direct benefit to the user.
Vendors of home networks and controllable home devices will provide Home API compatible driver software to expose features of their hardware to developers of home applications. Since Home API does not define communication protocols but rather provides a framework for integrating and exposing existing protocols, it is not necessary for device or network vendors to modify their hardware products to enable them to work with Home API.
Timetable
The Home API Working Group expects to complete the Version 1.0 Specification in the first half of 1999 with a Windows SDK available shortly thereafter. Specific product announcements will be made by individual manufacturers in accordance with their own product launch schedules.
About the Home API Working Group
The Home API Working Group includes Compaq, Honeywell, Intel, Microsoft, Mitsubishi Electric and Philips Electronics. The companies are developing an open industry specification for application programming interfaces to enable developers to build more functionality and ease-of-use into home automation software and to allow the operation of home devices from anywhere in and around the home. In addition, the group will develop and deliver a Windows SDK based on this open specification. The groupÍs goal is to accelerate the development and deployment of software applications that can monitor and control home devices.
For more information on the Home API Working Group or to find out how your organization can participate, visit our website at www.homeapi.org.
Home
Newsletter
Calendar
Previous
Index
Next
Contact
