Re: XPL - XAP

[Kevin Hawkins <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris Hunter wrote:
>  >If you give us an idea of what sort of things you are trying to
> achieve ...
>
> Many thanks ... some specific examples, how about (!) :
>
> Before too long, we will need to buy appliances for the new house ...
> and Siemens have an offer to add EIB to some of their ovens, fridges,
> freezers, washing-machines, dishwashers, tumble-driers, etc ... 50Euro
> per item, for full control & status (on/off, open/closed,
start/stop,
> settings, etc) ... but our network will be Idratek, not EIB !
>
Interesting stuff, although more in a 'because I can' rather than 'need'
mode I guess.  Nice they offer this though.
( xAP does not have an interface to EIB or Idratek btw)
> Our cars have computerised everything, including SatNav, and it would
be
> handy to be able to check status (locked/unlocked, fuel & service
> situation, etc) & plan trips & download data from anywhere in
the house
> ... via Idratek.
>
>
I do some of this now - I have SatNav integration with the cars/home, so
I know exactly where the cars are at any one time, and can estimate
arrival time back home etc.  This could be achieved by a mobile phone
connection although in my case I have an easier / no cost always on
'packet radio' link.. I also saw a while back (a mention on this list
re)  a TomTom script that achieved this with map displays back home and
connection via GPRS.
> Our Pure DAB radio has USB ... and it would handy to be able to link
it
> to Idratek, for relaying about the house - to be able to listen
anywhere
> / everywhere, via Idratek MFP, and on lap-tops ...
>
Finding support for these devices is always problematic and whole house
multi zone setups are widely debated in terms of the sheer number of
ways of achieving such.  As always fallback tends to be on IR control as
most devices offer this interface, Moving to an RS232 or more lately IP
based interface , or in your case some EIB ones, provide a much greater
resilience though.  If you have some programming ability then for
supporting your own particular collection of devices xAP and xPL are
about as easy as it gets (direct serial support being another
alternative) . You will need a xAP/xPL capable controller though.
> Our ancient HP-41 / HP3421A data-logger, with HP-IL ...
>
> Nigel's Rafiki Twinflex fire-alarm system ...
>
These sort of unusual devices will undoubtedly need you to write a few
custom scripts...

Kevin