Frequently Asked Questions

"Why are your systems different?"
Our systems are intelligent; we provide true one button control of complex systems. Our systems talk to all the pieces and select all settings automatically. This requires more time and complex programming, but the end result is that all you do is press one button.

"Why do I need an integrated system?"
To save time. A control system can provide the comfort and ease of use promised, but not delivered, by today's electronic systems. When you have all of these systems installed individually, you have to learn to use myriad types of controls and interfaces for each one. You are never truly comfortable in your own home, the one place where you should be. An integrated control system can give you that level of comfort and even automate several features so they happen without you even thinking about it.

"How does the system work?"
By the System Controller. This is the device that contains all the programming and controls the rest of your automation system. It takes information from sensors around your building, and commands from you through the user interfaces (touch screens, keypads, etc.) makes decisions based upon its programming, and controls the various devices and systems in your building or gives you information on the touch screens and other display devices or through spoken responses. It is the heart and brains of your automation system.

"How do your systems improve on "normal" security systems?"
Your system can issue spoken and visual screen messages to alert you and provide the intruder's location ("An intrusion has occurred in the Great room"). When an intruder is detected, the system can speak to inform him that he has been detected ("You have been detected and the police have been alerted"). The system can alternate between telling the intruder he has been detected and notifying you where the intrusion has occurred, until the security subsystem is reset. If a fire is detected, the system can tell you the location of the fire ("A fire has been detected in the east basement")

"How does the automation control system interface with the existing security system?"
Your system will interface with the security and fire detection subsystem to provide unsurpassed peace of mind and ease of use. The system will use keypads that have a plain English LCD display to lead you through system operation. You can arm the system with one button press, and should a door be open the system will tell you where the offending door is. Your system can have up to 99 user codes with fifteen levels of authority. This means that you can have a code for yourself that allows you to make changes or grant new codes, but another person may have a code that only allows access to the garage. We use the best sensors and equipment to provide years of reliable service and the best protection against false alarms, while maintaining the ability to reliably detect an intruder.

"How are the systems controlled?"
Touch Switches - The same decorative touch pads used for the architectural dimming lighting subsystem can be used to control system features. Or we can provide Crestron touch pads like those shown in the last section of this document that can control the architectural dimming system. Touch Screens, full color touch sensitive panels that range in size from 3.8 inches diagonally to 15 inches diagonally. These panels can be inwall units or can set on a counter or desk and can be used ans a vieo monitor and computer screen. Telephone control, you can call your system from any touchtone telephone anywhere in the world and have limited (how much do you REALLY want to do from a telephone keypad?) control of your system. Internet access, you can log onto your system from anywhere with an Internet connection and control your home as if you were looking at one of the touchpanels in the house. Voice Recognition, this works well in specific applications, please contact us for more information.

"How do your systems work outdoors?"
Outdoor security sensors can be installed to provide a warning of intruders approaching the residence. The control system could then make an announcement over the outdoor audio zones or through specific outdoor speakers warning the intruder that he has been detected. Outdoor lighting and security cameras could be activated as well. Outdoor sensors can detect intruders by means of seismic, video motion, microwave, or E-Field detection methods.

"How does the system work with the pool?"
The control system can include pool safety monitoring. When this feature is activated (automatically when the security system is armed), your system will provide a spoken warning over the inside and outside audio zones if somebody accidentally enters your pool area. If the entry should occur when the residence is unoccupied the security system can notify the proper authorities.

"Can I check on my home when I am away?"
You may use your telephone, touch screen, hand-held remote, or voice recognition to have your system report over the telephone or through spoken responses the status (armed, disarmed, violated) of your security subsystem.

"How does the system work when I am away on vacation?"
Before leaving on vacation, you may place your home in "vacation mode" with a single command. Vacation mode will set back your comfort control subsystem to predefined energy-saving temperatures for each room, and randomly turn on and turn off lights in rooms visible from the outside of your home to give it a "lived-in" look. It will also turn on entryway lights after dark if anyone approaches for a timed period.

"What features can be used at night?"
Pathway Lighting - Your control system can monitor the stairways and hallways of your home and automatically turn on dimmed pathway lighting at night to prevent you or your guests from tripping on an unseen item or falling on unfamiliar stairs. In addition the system can monitor approaches to the bathrooms and slowly brighten the lights to a low level so that night vision is unimpaired. If you desire, dedicated buttons can be programmed to light specific pathways and sequences of lights. Many clients have a button to provide sequenced pathway lighting for "midnight snacks".

Electronic Door Locks - Your system controller can lock doors for you automatically when you leave the residence or when you retire for the night. Your door locks can be controlled in groups or individually by any telephone in the residence or remotely should you desire it. This feature can allow you to answer the any door from any telephone in the residence and unlock the door to allow entry.

"How can I secure specific areas?"
An area or even one contact that is always armed on a security system. This is often used to protect vaults and gun cabinets. A code is entered into a keypad or access control reader to allow access to the area.

"What else can the system do?"
Your control system can interface with the multi-room audio subsystem to provide simplified control of the whole-house entertainment system. The whole house audio system allows you to play music in selected areas of the residence. Each area can play and control a different source as well as playing at different volumes.

"Why Use Dan Gilstrap?"
Daniel Gilstrap is an international automation control system design consultant. His specialty since 1977 has been designing systems that take the wishes of a client and turn them into reality. While that may seem like a pretty tall order, most everything anyone could want is available in one form or another today (with the unfortunate exception of world peace and defying the laws of physics as we know them today. Wait till tomorrow!). Where a production piece is unavailable, custom hardware and software can be designed.

We have worked on projects in Europe, the Middle East, and all over the U.S., including some major proof of concept projects for utilities and manufacturers. We have years of experience in finding and designing solutions to our client's every need. We also have close ties to other consultants, utilities, and manufacturers R&D departments that allow us access to services and facilities unavailable to most other firms.

We design overall control systems that integrate all the individual control systems in a building into a single system that passes relevant information among all the systems.