Rules Engine Setup

Topics included in this article:

• Overview
  • Example Use Case
• Rules Engine Walkthrough
• Helpful Links
• Contact Support or Sales

Overview

The Rules Engine allows you to automate actions in the Rhombus Console based on specific events, devices or locations, and schedules. Using customizable "If-Then" rules, you can trigger actions such as playing an audio clip through an A100 or changing the state of an access control relay when defined conditions are met. This article explains how the Rules Engine works and how to create and manage rules in the Rhombus Console.

Example Use Case

A common use case for the Rules Engine is to create a rule that plays an audio warning when a person enters the premises after business hours. The following LinkedIn post demonstrates this use case:

• Rhombus Rules Engine Example

In this example, a person approaches the building and triggers an audio warning before leaving the property. The rule uses human movement detected by cameras outside the facility as the trigger. When human movement is detected after business hours, a text-to-speech message plays through a nearby A100 Audio Gateway.

Rules Engine Walkthrough

The Rules Engine uses "If-Then" statements to automate actions based on specific events. Rules can be customized by location, device, and schedule. Below is a breakdown of each segment:

• "If" - The event that triggers the rule, such as camera events (e.g., human movement or license plate alerts), door events (e.g., door opened or closed), environmental events (e.g., high or low temperature), and other sensor events.
• "At/On" - The locations or devices associated with the selected "If" trigger.
• "During" - The schedule that determines when the rule is active.
• "Then" - The action that occurs when the selected event is triggered for the specified device or location during the configured schedule.

To enable the Rules Engine in the Rhombus Console, you must have an A100 with an Enterprise license registered to your account and/or have Rhombus Access Control installed. The "Then" section of the Rules Engine allows you to play audio clips through the A100 or trigger AUX relays using Rhombus Access Control.

1. Log in to the Rhombus Console, navigate to "Settings," then click "Rules Engine."

2. The Rules Engine page displays all previously created rules and allows you to create new rules. Click "Add Rule" in the upper-left corner.

3. A rule template appears after clicking "Add Rule." Enter a name for the rule.

4. Click "Add Trigger" in the "If" section of the rule, then select a trigger from the available options.

5. Once a trigger is selected, navigate to the "At/On" section, then select the devices or locations where you want the trigger to apply.

6. After selecting the desired locations and devices, set a schedule in the "During" section.

7. Next, add an action in the "Then" section of the rule. Select an action from the available options.

8. Selecting "Play Audio" prompts you to select the audio clip you want to play when the rule is triggered and the A100 you want to play it through.

9. Finally, click "Save" in the upper-right corner. Once saved, the new rule will appear in the main list on the Rules Engine page, where you can pause, edit, or delete it.

Helpful Links

• Audio Gateway Walkthrough
• A100 Audio Gateway Setup
• Broadcast with A100
• Audio File Management
• Console Features & Licensing

Contact Support or Sales

Have more questions? Contact Rhombus Support at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 2 or support@rhombus.com.

Interested in learning more? Contact Rhombus Sales at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 1 or sales@rhombus.com.