New User: IR and X-10 usage

[Ron]

Hi Jeff,

Welcome to Girder.

Inexpensive IR sending/receiving hardware. Hmm, there is the redrat. Not really inexpensive though.

Check the status of an application: use the "Window Exists" action.

X10, I think most people use the commandline tools, and run 'execute' them from within girder. Mind the parameters (commandline switches) go into the stepsize box.

good luck,
Ron

[Ron]

Main window, OS Tab, Execute Action, et voila "Step size" box :smile:

[Ron]

Move information can be found here:

http://www.girder.nl/help/girderhelp/actn_os.php

[Ron]

http://www.girder.nl/serial.php

There is something about X-10 here. Since I never had the pleasure to meet a X10 device I cannot help any further, but there are some other users on here that do have an X10.

[Caffiend]

I'm going to quote myself quoting myself:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coppertone,

I've got a technique for using the CM11A with Girder that works pretty well.
Here's a copy of my post from another thread:

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Mark, I was wondering how your X-10 stuff was coming along. That file is installed with the X-10 Activehome software.
http://www.x10.com/home/offer.cgi?SOFT1,../software1.htm
Here's what I've been doing until now:
I run x10com32 on Windows start to load the "communication bridge".
Then use Girder's O.S.->Execute to send to x10com32.
The syntax for that is "x10com32 b2 on" or "x10com32 a5 dim to 050%". Which works great, but I was trying to figure out a way to use registers to simplify the 255 possible combinations, from the Pronto end and the Girder end.
I just realized I can only use registers to hold a numerical value, so it's not as simple as I wanted.
Ideally, I would push A then 5 then On and the command would execute, currently I have to have a discrete A5-On button, which would become extremely unwieldy, especially once you start throwing in Dim functions too.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I ended up using a batch file that can take three registers as parameters then convert them to the string that X10COM32 wants. (e.g. "x10exec.bat 2 3 1" becomes "x10com32.exe B3 On".) This works for me until there is native support. Let me know if you want to try it and need help.

-will


This is a little out of date, you can do a lot more with the new functionality of registers. You could use them instead of the batch file solution I used. I'm going to spend some time cleaning up my GIR file this weekend, need to get my new VFD setup, so I'll help you out if you need some more info.

-will

[Caffiend]

Hmmm... You have to load the X10Com32 bridge first, you should have an icon in your systray. I'd check it from the command prompt first. Try just typing "x10com32 a1 on" (change to fit your X-10 install) and verify that is working first.
Your syntax may be suspect. You need to use the OS -> Execute function like you are, but with X10Com32 as the "File" and "a3 off" (change to suit) as the "Step Size" argument.

-will

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Caffiend on 2002-03-04 00:17 ]</font>

[Caffiend]

Hmmm... I remember using X10comm.exe in the past, but mine set up with X10com32 now. That's the one that loads the Communication Bridge and resides in the systray. I think this is the later version of the X10 software that was supposed to be a Win2k fix (if I remember correctly). Did you download from X10.com or just install from the CD? What OS are you running?

-will

[HughMuir]

Jeff
Here is another alternative you might want to explore. ADI's (http://www.appdig.com/adicon.html) Ocelot/Leopard. A little more expensive but they do a lot. You can view the manuals from ADI's site.

Both the Ocelot/Leopard are stand alone Cpu's that don't require you to leave your computer on. The Leopard is an Ocelot with a touch screen pad. Both units recieve IR, transmit IR, transmit X10 and serial output to/from a computer.

I use my Leopard for controlling my Home Automation (lights, security, garage door, etc). I have an External IR receiver to capture IR from my living room back to the Leopard. A run of about 50 feet through Cat 5 cable. I am using Girder to control my computer to view Pictures, and Video with is sent back to the TV in the living room.

There is a good Home Automation forum that covers both ADI and X10 at http://remotecentral.com/ and the ADI mailing list at http://futurestandard.com/mailinglists.htm. Both places are a good source of information on X10 and Home automation.

Approximate Costs:
(current costs from http://www.HomeAutomationNet.com and http://www.Worthdist.com)
Ocelot : $149
Leopard: $348
X10 powerline interface: $18 (it uses a different interface than the CM11A you have)
External IR Reciever: $10

[jeffelliott]

Greetings to all! I am a new user (3 days) of Girder and so far am amazed that such a powerful application is free. At any rate, I could certainly use some assistance with my first Girder goal: Automating startup of my theater.

I have X-10 controlled lighting, a receiver, a software DVD player, and an LCD projector to turn on and configure for viewing. Basically, I want to send an IR command and have Girder do the following:

-Send IR commands to turn on projector and receiver
-Send X-10 commands to open drapes in front of screen and lower lighting to viewing levels
-Check status of software DVD player: If open, play DVD; If not open, launch and play DVD

As far as available hardware goes, I have a cm11a (I think) that comes with the IBM Home Director kit (serial interface with on-board storage of macros). I know I will need IR hardware capable of Rx and Tx of IR signals.

So, my questions are:

-Can someone recommend the appropriate (and hopefully inexpensive) IR hardware? I have looked at the Slink-E but would prefer not to spend $250 if not necessary. Have also done some reading about UIRT but am not very handy with soldering iron.

-Any guidance on how to send the appropriate X-10 and IR commands would be great. So far, I can do basic stuff with Girder (launch notepad, send text, capture mouse actions, etc.) but nothing to advanced.

-How does one check status of an application?

I know this is probably more than I should try to tackle in the beginning. However, if I can get my arms around these tasks, I think I can handle most of the other tasks I need to perform in the theater automation arena. Thanks in advance for any and all help you can provide!!!

Jeff Elliott

[jeffelliott]

Please forgive the dumb question: Where do I locate the stepsize box? I'm using build 3.0.24. Don't see such a box under the command tab. Thanks

JE

[jeffelliott]

Sorry to be such a leach: Any idea where I can find additional info on the appropriate serial interface commands/parameters for the x-10 control? ie: A1 lights on, dim 50%, etc?

[jeffelliott]

On 2002-03-01 18:54, Caffiend wrote:
I'm going to quote myself quoting myself:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coppertone,

I've got a technique for using the CM11A with Girder that works pretty well.
Here's a copy of my post from another thread:

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Mark, I was wondering how your X-10 stuff was coming along. That file is installed with the X-10 Activehome software.
http://www.x10.com/home/offer.cgi?SOFT1,../software1.htm
Here's what I've been doing until now:
I run x10com32 on Windows start to load the "communication bridge".
Then use Girder's O.S.->Execute to send to x10com32.
The syntax for that is "x10com32 b2 on" or "x10com32 a5 dim to 050%". Which works great, but I was trying to figure out a way to use registers to simplify the 255 possible combinations, from the Pronto end and the Girder end.
I just realized I can only use registers to hold a numerical value, so it's not as simple as I wanted.
Ideally, I would push A then 5 then On and the command would execute, currently I have to have a discrete A5-On button, which would become extremely unwieldy, especially once you start throwing in Dim functions too.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I ended up using a batch file that can take three registers as parameters then convert them to the string that X10COM32 wants. (e.g. "x10exec.bat 2 3 1" becomes "x10com32.exe B3 On".) This works for me until there is native support. Let me know if you want to try it and need help.

-will


This is a little out of date, you can do a lot more with the new functionality of registers. You could use them instead of the batch file solution I used. I'm going to spend some time cleaning up my GIR file this weekend, need to get my new VFD setup, so I'll help you out if you need some more info.

-will


I tried your method of using the OS tab to send messages to the x10com32 interface to no avail. I have tried both launching x10com32 via the execute command with the "x10com32 b2 on" syntax in the stepsize box as well has repeating this with x10com32 already running. Am I (obviously) making a mistake? When I view the x10com32 log I can see commands when I use my stand-alone device controller but nothing when I try to send commands via the generic serial interface on Girder.

Also, I noticed you were working on using registers. I'm definitely interested in hearing more about this. Basically, I would like to send a series of x-10 commands based upon IR received as well as send additional commands (x-10, IR, command line, etc.) based upon x-10 messages communicated from the cm11A. Any ideas??? Thanks for your help!

Jeff Elliott

[jeffelliott]

On 2002-03-04 00:12, Caffiend wrote:
I'd check it from the command prompt first. Try just typing "x10com32 a1 on" (change to fit your X-10 install) and verify that is working first.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Caffiend on 2002-03-04 00:17 ]</font>


Tried the above with no success (from the command prompt). After the app (x10com32) launches, if I try to pass the arguments "x10com32 a1 on" I get a C++ error "cannot open the log file". Any suggestions???

JE

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: jeffelliott on 2002-03-04 02:31 ]</font>

[jeffelliott]

tried loading a different file "x10comm.exe" from command prompt. Passed in arguments after that and it worked. In the previous posts, were you using "x10com32.exe" or "x10comm.exe"? Thanks to all!

JE