I use occupancy detection like most people, but my system also tracks which occupants are home and I control things besides lighting based on this information.
Roommate leaves:
*Her bedroom lights turn off
* Her monitor turns off
(bigger point is they will not turn back on if I went in there. They are her lights and will not work unless she is home.)
When I leave:
* Monitors, TV and lights in my room turn off.
* Computer room shuts off lights and monitors.
* Downstairs workstations all have monitor power cut.
(non of these will turn back on for company or roommates, they are tied to me, this offers powersaving, but also a level of security)
If we both leave, all lights, TVs and Monitors are turned off.
If we both are sleeping, downstairs items like the Security DVR monitor, TV and monitors turn off.
Also in sleep mode, some lights will not turn on automatically and some will use lower dim settings and most TTS announcements are supressed.
General occupancy works to turn on closet lights when doors are opened and instantly turns then off when the doors are closed.
I also use custom occupancy timers based on Door status, so like the bathrooms have a 1 minute occupancy timer, unless the door is closed, then occupancy timer is upped to 15 minutes. This allows me to have tight timers to turn the lights off fast, but also insure that that do not turn off on you when the rooms are in use, but no motion is detected.
To supliment motion detectors, almost anything wired up can extend occupancy timers. Like in the Kitchen, the fridge door, over door and washer door all update the occupancy timer to represent occupancy even if the motion detectors do not see you.
The tracking of who is home also ensures that pets are not turning lights on, etc.
Lastly, If I had one of these interfaces, I could use it to develop support from my custom HA software, which I give away for free. Currently I am using an Insteon PLC for all Insteon access. =)
Vaughn
www.vcrib.com
