Device-type handlers for remote control and monitoring of devices through a data network

A central server arranged for use in a system for providing automatic control of one or more devices in an environment, the system including the central server and a hub paired with the one or more devices, the central server comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled with the processor;
• an automation application installed on the central server and configured to execute in response to the receipt of a normalized event message from a source device and to issue a normalized command in response to the normalized event message;
• and
• a first device-type handler installed on the central server, the first device-type handler configured to receive the normalized command and to generate a device specific command to a target device among the one or more devices paired with the hub;
• and
• wherein the memory is configured to provide the processor with instructions which when executed cause the processor to:
• receive a normalized event message, the normalized event message received from a second event handler associated with a source device, the normalized event message being generated based on a device-specific message from the source device;
• in response to the normalized event message, execute the automation application on the central server to cause the automation application to issue a normalized command in response to the normalized event message;
• use the first device-type handler installed at the central server, to generate a device-specific command based on the normalized command;
• and
• send the device-specific command to the target device through the hub without requiring use of any device-type handler installed at the hub to generate the device-specific command.