rkmossm@PacBell.COM (Richard Mossman) (04/19/91)
I just realized that this may not strictly be about HOME control, which is
the reason for the cross post between the Mac and Video newsgroups.
Can anyone give me (or point me toward) information about controlling
external devices via the MAC? I know about the X-10 stuff, but all the
Mac is used for there is to program the controller. Then the controller
is removed and it controls the modules. I want to directly control devices
(such as motors, switches, timers, etc.) getting input from the environment
and controlling something in response. I realize this is kind of vague, but
I hope you're getting my drift.
This question was caused by the editorial letter that I just read in this
month's Audio/Video Interiors magazine where the proliferation of remote
control devices for audio and video units is discussed. So, my thought is
to be able to control my TV, A/V components, lights, etc. via the Mac, maybe
even to the point of using a Voice Navigator unit to be able to simply speak
the phrase "It's showtime!" and have the Mac respond by closing the drapes,
dimming the lights, turning on the TV, laser video, surround sound, sub-woofer,
etc.
I know this kind of stuff is being done on the (excuse my language) IBM, so
why can't it be done on a real productivity machine. (Just kidding, to each
their own) Can enough signals be generated via the Modem/Printer port to
control some devices or could the SCSI port be used (maybe the external disk
drive port??)?
Maybe enough discrete signals could be generated to be used to simply tell
another device (like the smart controllers from ADA, Audioaccess, AudioEase,
etc.) what you want done and then they could actually talk to the devices.
This would be more expensive. Maybe the good old (cheap) X-10 stuff could
be adapted.
I don't know enough about the Mac hardware or software development to handle
this (I'm just an idea man). 8-) But, if anyone wants to build this, I'd
sell them the idea. 8-) 8-) Actually, this might be another great little
project like the Sound Input Device (SID) stuff from a while back. Real
grass roots stuff.
One of the reasons for this letter is to be able to do something relatively
inexpensively. I already own and am familiar with using the Mac (as a matter
of fact, I have a spare Mac + being totally underutilized). It would be nice
to be able to start small and expand it without having to use a professional
installer.
Thanks in advance for any information.
--
Richard K. Mossman {att,bellcore,sun,ames,decwrl}!pacbell!rkmossm
415/823-0974
=========================================================================
"I need to put some distance between overkill and me!" -- E. John (1988)leue@galen.crd.ge.com (Bill Leue) (04/19/91)
In article <5966@pbhyb.PacBell.COM> rkmossm@PacBell.COM (Richard Mossman) writes: >I just realized that this may not strictly be about HOME control, which is >the reason for the cross post between the Mac and Video newsgroups. > >Can anyone give me (or point me toward) information about controlling >external devices via the MAC? I know about the X-10 stuff, but all the >Mac is used for there is to program the controller. Then the controller >is removed and it controls the modules. I want to directly control devices >(such as motors, switches, timers, etc.) getting input from the environment >and controlling something in response. I realize this is kind of vague, but >I hope you're getting my drift. > I am also interested in such things. I'm aware of the National Instuments LabView stuff, but that seems overkill and overpriced for what I need. I am interested in: -- environmental monitoring (furnace duty cycle, inside/outside temp, etc.) -- security (perimeter monitoring, motion detector, etc.) -- fire alarms -- auto dialers for reporting trouble and similar stuff. It seems to me that some pretty low-perfomance A/D's switch open/closed sensors, and some A/C relays ought to be plenty for jobs like this, and the overall bandwidth certainly wouldn't strain a serial port, or even an ADB port. Anyone have any ideas? -Bill Leue leue@crd.ge.com
jcocon@hubcap.clemson.edu (james c oconnor) (04/20/91)
From article <18656@crdgw1.crd.ge.com>, by leue@galen.crd.ge.com (Bill Leue): > I am also interested in such things. I'm aware of the National Instuments > LabView stuff, but that seems overkill and overpriced for what I need. > I am interested in: > -- environmental monitoring (furnace duty cycle, inside/outside temp, etc.) > -- security (perimeter monitoring, motion detector, etc.) Better include a UPS if you want good security! My electrical service disconnect is easily accessible from the outside of my house. Other than that - it is something I've been wanting to do for a long time. Jim
mrn@eplunix.UUCP (Mark R. Nilsen) (04/20/91)
article <18656@crdgw1.crd.ge.com>, leue@galen.crd.ge.com (Bill Leue) says: > [ home computer controll ideas ... ] > [ queries ... ] > Anyone have any ideas? We have just purchased an ADB device from a company called Ansan Industries. (815) 874 - 6881 = voice. (815) 874 - 6885 = fax. 4704 American Rd, Rockfor, IL 61109 The device has 8 digital inputs, 8 digital outputs, 8 analog inputs, and 1 analog output. It runs on a 9v (?) power supply. It comes with a Hypercard programming interface, Pascal and Basic function libs. One can also extend the capabilities with an additional unit. The price for either unit is is 479.00 (?). They offer educational discounts. We are going to use our device in research, but plenty of examples and sample diagrams are given for home use, security, irrigation etc. One of the excellent features is that the unit can function when not connected to the mac (if your program is small enough). All you do is download the instructions and then disconect it. I have not done a whole lot with the unit yet, but it seems to be able to deliver on it's promise. --Mark. -- "To skilled assembly language | Mark Nilsen. programmers, the 8088 is perhaps the | most wonderful processor ever | mrn%eplunix.UUCP@eddie.mit.edu created, ..."-Dr Dobb's Journal, 3/91 |
chai@hawk.cs.ukans.edu (Ian Chai) (04/20/91)
I wanted to do this, too, and so last year or so, I did some looking and found a hypercard-driven thing that let you turn stuff on & off in your house, as well as some other things. But considering that my specific task was that I wanted my radio to record programmes that I miss because I'm at work or class, the price (circa $200?) was not really worth it... I eventually settled on a Radio Shack gizmo that turned it on at the appropriate time and turned it off again... which costed circa $20... 10% of the price. Of course, this couldn't change the station on the radio, but then, I doubt if the mac thing could, either. I wonder why they don't make radios with the functionality of VCRs? You can program a VCR to record from an abitrary number of channels across an arbitrary time period... maybe I just don't have an upscale enough radio setup? -- Ian Chai | "God loves you just the way you are, but Internet: chai@cs.ukans.edu | He loves you too much to let you stay that Bitnet: 2fntnougat@ukanvax | way." - Harry Poindexter