Control time switch with online calendar

Managing switching times using an online calendar

Unlike conventional timers the switching times for the Web-IO Time Switch are stored in electronic calendars similar to an appointment book system. A dedicated calendar can be created for each switching output. The corresponding output switches at the beginning of an entry and off at the end of the entry.

In the simplest case the Web-IO Time Switch can be configured such that it automatically opens the calendar files cyclically from an online calendar, without requiring any user intervention on the Web-IO.

The advantage of this approach is that changes to the switching times can be made conveniently from anywhere - in the browser or directly on a cell phone.

Flexible configuration of switching times

Most online calendars store the dates in the standardized iCal format (*.ics). Virtually all of the possibilities of iCal date management are ported to management of the switching times of the Web-IO Time Switch. These include among others:

• Automatic accounting for standard and daylight savings time
  
  

• Setting up series dates or repeating switching times, for example:

  • daily at the same time
  • only on certain days of the week
  • only on weekdays
  • only on weekends

• Determining exceptions to series dates, for example:

  • holidays
  • special events
  • vacation regulation
  • ...
• Specifying an end date for series dates (last time execution)

How does the calendar get to the Web-IO?

Opening online calendars

As already described, the Web-IO is able to open the needed iCal file directly from the web server of an online calendar provider. In the Web-IO simply configure the URL or internet address at which the calendar is stored.

You can also specify at what intervals the switching times of the Web-IO should be synchronized with the online calendar.

If there is no online access the Web-IO Time Switch continues switching according to the last received switching instructions - no continuous internet access is required.

Manual uploading of calendar files

Another way to specify the switching times for an output is to load the iCal files on the local hard drive into the Web-IO Time Switch.

Most calendar applications offer the ability to export in iCal format (*.ics). Using the web interface of the Web-IO Time Switch you can then upload created calendar files.

Possible applications:

• Switching lights on and off
• Controlling break gongs or horns
• Door unlocking for business opening times
• Activating church bells
• Lighting control in athletic facilities according to appointment times
  (tennis and squash courts, bowling alleys, ...)
• Watering in greenhouses
• and much more