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The SmartLabs Design/SmartLinc Evolution
During 1993, Smarthome (then known as Home Automation Systems) partnered with Dan Cregg and his company HomeRun Automation to design and manufacture an intelligent, whole-house controller.
In 1996, PlatoTW (for smart, two-way X-10 communication) was released. With software that was cutting edge and an attractive price-point, the product took off and an upgraded version including infrared control was discussed. It became clear that many product development opportunities existed in the home automation industry and discussions to acquire Home Run Automation began.
In January 1997 a new company, SmartLinc was formed. SmartLinc immediately acquired HomeRun Automation, Inc. and Compco, Inc. (a small innovative home automation manufacturer) and their talented engineers merged into a larger team. | During 1998 SmartLinc released several enhancement products in the HouseLinc and TouchLinc product lines. These included sensor probes, connecting hubs, mounting hardware and the like.
SmartLinc began operations with several products from the pre-existing lines of Home Run and Compco. During mid 1997 SmartLinc released HouseLinc, an upgraded version of PlatoTW. Later that year, TouchLinc was released. TouchLinc was the first touch screen designed from the ground up to control and receive messages from X-10 compatible products.
In 1999, SmartLinc released SwitchLinc, the world's first two-way X-10 compatible dimmer switch. This allowed the switch to control other devices such as another lighting circuit (thus creating a 3-way circuit without wires) or triggering an intelligent controller to turn on/off a TV. SwitchLinc also contained a novel and very simple scene capability - scenes were simply setup and managed as secondary (and tertiary) addresses within the dimmer/switch. SmartLinc designed and tested the electrical circuitry, wrote the embedded software and contracted with Lightolier to build the dimmers and switches using Lightolier's pre-existing plastic and metal tooling/molds. Several versions of SwitchLinc have subsequently been developed, including a "switch" version to control non-dimmable loads, a more affordable version without transmit and a yet more affordable version without scenes and transmit. Also during 1999, SmartLinc developed KeypadLinc, a decora style multi-button X-10 compatible keypad controller. |
During early 2000, Smarthome acquired SmartLinc. Dan Cregg became VP of Engineering heading up the design arm of Smarthome named SmartLabs Design.
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Also during 2000 KeypadLinc was released and work on an upgraded version of SwitchLinc began.
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During 2001 overseas manufacturing partners were brought on, new hardware designed and tooling began.
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2002 was a break-out year for SmartLabs Design releasing the following products:
- SwitchLinc (version II) - A significantly upgraded version. The market quickly embraced the improved, higher-quality mechanicals and firmware.
- LampLinc/FilterLinc - The world's first lamp module and noise/attenuation filter with pass through outlets. LampLinc 3-pin was also the world's first X-10 compatible lamp module which plugged into, and accepted a ground pin.
- PowerLinc USB - The world's first USB based X-10 controller (patent pending).
- KeypadLinc - With an integrated dimmer, it replaces a standard wall switch or dimmer plus adds the functionality of a multi-button, label-able keypad to control other devices.
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| In 2003 Smarthome Design released BoosterLinc (patent pending), the world's first 110V X-10 signal booster. This simple, plug-in device easily fixes most signal strength problems - the #1 issue with X-10 installations. Multiple BoosterLincs can be installed in a home, allowing customers to implement much larger and more elaborate installations than ever before. BoosterLinc almost immediately became the best selling single product designed by the Smarthome Design team. |
Dan Cregg remains the leader of the SmartLabs Design team and promises to continue to develop the world's most innovative home control products and technology.
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The SmarLabs Design team is quickly growing and constantly looking for talented engineers and designers with an interest in home control products - Click here to forward your resume.
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