The ACE Client interface consists of 30 buttons.  These buttons are grouped into functional units called PAGES and GROUPS.  Each button performs a different function depending on which page and group is active.  Each button can be configured to execute 1 or more commands, and/or to display information from your automation system.  Buttons can display text, a picture, or both.  A background picture can also be assigned to each group.

The ACE Client is written to support a touchscreen interface. This means that most buttons and other controls will be large enough to be easily used by pointing with a finger on a touchscreen monitor. However, this does not mean that a touchscreen is required. A mouse can also be used to access all functions.

To see what the ACE client looks like and to get some good design ideas, check out some more ACE Client screen shots.   Or click on the images at the right to see them full size.  The ACE Client has options to hide the window caption, menu bar and status bar, allowing you to fully customize its appearance. 

The ACE Client can be run on the same PC as the server, as well as other PC's connected by any TCP/IP network.   Multiple ACE Clients can simultaneously connect to the ACE Server in order to provide remote control and monitoring capability in multiple locations.

With the WEB Interface installed and a web server (such as Personal Web Server or IIS) running on the same PC as the ACE Client, you have access to all client screens from any web browser!  Click HERE to compare an ACE Client screen to an ACE Client web screen.

Get some great icons here!

Each button can be configured to do one or more of the following functions:

• Access various internal ACE functions
• Minimize the client's main window
• Change to another PAGE/GROUP
• More...

• Send an API command to the ACE Server
• Change to another PAGE
• Change to another GROUP
• Launch another Windows program
• Send a command to HomeVision (run a macro, change a digital output, send an X-10 command, set a flag, write to a variable, transmit an IR signal, etc.)
• Send a command to ECS to change the state of an item
• Automatically monitor the state of an ECS item
  • The text and color of the button can be automatically changed as the monitored item's state changes.
• Monitor the state of a HomeVision item
  • HomeVision can send a command to the ACE Client to change the text and/or color of any button in order to reflect the current state of an item.
• Monitor the state of anything in your system by having your system send a command to ACE Client to change the appearance of a button
• Send a string out a serial port on the client, server, or another client
• Send keys to another Windows program
• Write a value to an I/O port on the client or server
• Send a command to a program that you write - see the Developer Support page
• Send a command via DDE to any DDE capable program
• Send a numeric or text page if you also use the PageMaster program
• Forward caller id info from any PC to the ACE Server (requires ACE-CID)
• Each button can be password protected so that a password is required before the button's actions are performed.  This is useful, for example, if you want to configure a button to disarm your security system.
• Each button can display a picture and/or text (icon, bitmap or metafile formats supported)
• Each button can be set to take on the shape of a picture, have its border removed and have its background set to be transparent.  This results in a "floating" picture that can be clicked
• Each button can have its background set to TRANSPARENT so the picture behind the button shows through
• Each button can have its text set to one of several MARQUEE modes 
  • Scrolling up/down or left/right
  • Bouncing up/down or left/right
• Each button can have its text set to blink
• A picture (bitmap, metafile, jpg or gif) can be displayed behind all buttons
• WEB Interface allows any browser to view and control all client screens
• The ability to forward data from a client serial port to a server serial port and vice-versa
• HomeVision X-10 command window for easily sending commands such as A1 ON, DIM, BRIGHT, ALL LIGHTS ON, etc.
• Monitor windows to view all data to/from the ACE Client
• Support for serial LCD keypads
• Support for 16 serial ports
• Winamp control pages
   

Button Samples:

Basic button with text only (no picture)
Button with picture and text
Button with picture and text, transparent background and no border
Button with picture only, transparent background and no border - button is re-sized to size of picture
Button with picture only, transparent background and no border - picture is re-sized to size of button
Button with blinking text

Get some great icons here!