RE: Re: Displays round the house - architecture...

[Robert Chasmer <robert.chasmer@xxxxxxx>]

Ian Lowe [mailto:ian@xxxxxxx] wrote:
> But realistically, as soon as I see the passion for IP, I think
it's
> basically doomed. Using TCP-IP seems to wipe out all of the
low-end
> (ie cheap) PICs, and takes you into ?50 module country, plus anoher
> healthy chunk for the display.

To keep the project alive we need to break it down into smaller bits. 
This
way more than one of us can actually start to build these, start using
them
at home, then look to the future together.  I guess I start of with a
very
simple device in one room, and if it worked well, start thinking of
expanding.

I know I'm repeating what others have said, but lets try to keep within
the
realms of reality.  The cheaper the project starts out the more
people
involved, and the less damage if the project goes to the dogs.

Maybe as a start
1) Try to agree on a simple display which has the features most of us
would
like.  Thinking of cost, size, VFD/LCD, interface electronics
2) Find a way of mount the display in some sort of nice SWMBO approved
panel
3) Connect the display using serial (if thats what the display has) to
your
PC.  You can use your existing CAT5 leads for this.
4) Develop some simple software to display "hello world"
messages
5) Roll out to a few more members possible as part of a limited bulk
buy
6) Enhance what the display displays!
7) Add a simple keypad to the display
8) Develop code to make use of this, menu systems etc.
9) Consider adding a new board to interface the Displays serial interface
to
TCP/IP, possibly with local inteligence if available for zero cost.


Like the IR project this started very simply
* We had a circuit design that allowed us to recieve and transmit the
same
signal in another room.
* Several members of the group then built these on breadboards and they
worked.
* Next up someone designed and built simple PCBs people could use.
* We built or own modules, and boxed them up ourselves
* End result several list members have simple IR distribution.

Looking to the future these have been geting enhanced by various list
members for things like Zoned IR control, PC IR control etc.

-- 
     ______   __   _  
______   ______ 
    / ___   / /  /  / __    / _____
HOME: chas@xxxxxxx
   / /  /_/ / /__/ / / /__/ / / /__    http://www.kaosuk.co.uk/
  / /  __  / ___  / / ___  /  \__ 
\           
----           
/ /__/ / / /  / / / /  / / _____/ / Rob Chasmer, MMT
Computing
______/ _/  /_/ _/  /_/ ______/ robert.chasmer@xxxxxxx
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.
If you have received this email in error please let us know by e-mail
reply
and delete it from your system; you may not copy this message or
disclose
its contents to anyone.  Please note that any views or opinions
presented in
this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent
those of MMT Computing plc.  Finally, the recipient should check this
email
and any attachments for the presence of viruses.  MMT Computing plc
accepts
no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.

Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ADVERTISEMENT

For more information: http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx 
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx 
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx 
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.