Re: [avr-gcc-list] Simulating x-10 controller and dealing with home automation network of simple nodes with AVR

[Robert Rozman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Reza Naima" <address@hidden>
To: "Robert Rozman" <address@hidden>
Cc: <address@hidden>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 1:13 AM
Subject: Re: [avr-gcc-list] Simulating x-10 controller and dealing with home 
automation network of simple nodes with AVR


> Ah, I'm working on a home automation system as well, though I've decided 
> to go the PC route to control the systems, as it's going to be fairly 
> complicated.  My linux-based system encorporates :
>
> so far:
>
>    *  X10 lights, using bidirectional PC gateway (does macros and
>      stuff, $35 off ebay - rs232 interface, linux based software to
>      control).  I've got all the wall outlets replaced with x10 stuff
>      -- check out http://automatedoutlet.com/home.php, good prices.
>    * 4x security cameras ($30/each + $100 4 port cctv capture card)
>      (zoneminder backend),
>    * 7" touchscreen LCD ($250, to be mounted in wall) (usb interface,
>      linux drivers included with it!!)
>
> need to add (will be atmega based device):
>
>    * temerature and humidity (?) sensors in rooms, running via phone
>      wires.  I'm thinking the dalas 1 wire bus, but not sure if they
>      support a humidity sensor.
>    * furnace control  (on/off for now, but will add butterfly valves to
>      ducts so I can control the level of heat i want in each room.
>    * need to reverse engineer the 2-wire bus my ademco alarm system
>      uses so i can interface into it, view status of sensors, and
>      remote arm/disarm as well as act on commands.  I've got a key-fob,
>      and I want to map a keypress to "turn off all lights in 2 minutes"
>      for when I'm leaving the house, etc...
>
> software wise, big project will be
>
>    * integration to mythtv frontend so that I can view security cameras
>      when motion is detected overlayed onto the TV I'm watching, etc...
That one is not so hard if you use motion instead of zoneminder. Motion is 
capable of creating another virtual v4l device on its output, so mythtv can 
see it as just another device that can be displayed with PIP feature. Did 
that on mythtv 0.15 and it was working (cam video was like hickup - but I 
guess this is corrected now )...

I have used similar componentes in my system, but I'm now putting a lot of 
efforts into Pluto system (www.plutohome.com). I guess this is "umbrella" 
project for all advanced open source tehcnologies in field of home 
environment, with great GUI capabilities. Take a look ...

I also tried Zoneminder, it has great web interface, easy to configure, but 
detection engine is worse that motion (motion.sf.net).

HTH,

Rob.


>    * frontend for LCD touchscreen to navigate climate control /
>      lighting / music / security cameras p


> Reza
>
>
>
> Robert Rozman wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > after quite some time I'm coming back to developing avrgcc applications 
> > for
> > Atmel Mega 103 and next step mega128can.
> >
> > I've designed prototype of custom home automation system (based on Canbus 
> > devices and rs232 Gateway).
> >
> > On top of home automation network there is main controller (based on 
> > small
> > microcontroller) with rs-232 interface that can be connected to PC. Now I
> > have several dillemas and would kindly ask for quick answers:
> >
> > - what free rtos could be best at the moment for developing applications 
> > ?
> > Is AvrX the best solution ?
> >
> > - I'd need to implement some sort of home automation state machine, that
> > would implement event based commands and also main loop that would be
> > checked in regular time intervals whether there are any timed commands to 
> > be
> > released. Any idea, similar code, pointer to more info ?
> >
> > - how to interface outside world to gain as much user freindliness for
> > configuration and control at low cost (preferably no cost) :
> > Main idea is to mimic some X10 two way controllers (to act exactly os one 
> > of them) - but they have ability to implement also  time or event based 
> > macros. What engine could be used to
> > implement this ? Is there any project on simulating x-10 controller with 
> > AVR ?
> >
> > - I'd like to have dynamic specification of all devices present in home
> > automation system - where each type of device has its own functions and 
> > data
> >
> > - I'd like to have some sort of dynamic descriptive data structure that
> > could be parsed few times a second for timed events to occur (operating
> > devices at some certain time) and also event driven parser that could
> > trigger actions according to event and also some other conditions (time,
> > state of devices, ...) that happend.
> >
> > I'd like to have above in flexible way to be able to easily reconfigure
> > system from PC or any other client with some simple set of commands...
> >
> > Any pointer, example code, more info ?
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > regards,
> >
> > Rob.
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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