Basic Home Automation via xAP BSC enabled devices (updated 9-01-2008) (1 Viewer)

[patrick]

Hi, Sorry it took so long to reply, busy/distracted with the holidays.

Patrick, now it works well !
It's a very useful plugin... now I'm looking to automate all my x10 and 1-wire devices....

Great

Two questions:

- first, I'm pretty new in xAP technology, can you explain me how can I trigger an OSD event from another xAP node?

The OSD is pretty "experimental", I will see if I can write an xAP message that can be displayed.
It "should" be able to display xAP OSD messages for tivo:
http://www.xapautomation.org/wiki/index.php/On_Screen_Display_(OSD)_Schema
Or display messages:
http://www.mi4.biz/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=9

- second, can you post images to configure your plugin? Now I've found only icons for leveling dimming modules but in your screenshot you've many many more!

Many are modified from commercial clip art so I cannot post.
I will see which if any I can.
Some are from http://www.openclipart.org/

I had a very hard time with this too, and asked in the skins forum for help but no one offered. https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/showthread.php?t=13718

Thanks and best wishes to all !!!!
Marry xmas.

Thanks, you too!

patrick

 

[lukxz]

Thanks Patrick.
I'm configuring your plugin.....
A question, how can I setup buttons for switch on/off devices?
I've seen in plugin configuration form all images for display status and devices but nothing for setup buttons images.
Now when I open plugin with mediaportal I can switch on off devices but I have to click near the device status (no button are displayed).

Many thanks again!
Lukxz.

 

[patrick]

Thanks Patrick.
I'm configuring your plugin.....
A question, how can I setup buttons for switch on/off devices?
I've seen in plugin configuration form all images for display status and devices but nothing for setup buttons images.
Now when I open plugin with mediaportal I can switch on off devices but I have to click near the device status (no button are displayed).

Many thanks again!
Lukxz.

Man, I really need to test more before uploading...

Forgot to include the button images....

Just attached them to the first post..
You should be able to extract them to you MP folder and it will put them in
the folder skin\BlueTwo\media



Thanks,
patrick

 

[patrick]

Not sure anyone is interested but...

Updated the first post with v0.1a and submitted the update to the MP downloads.
-Includes the missing images
-Has its own log file now (level adjustable in config)
-Changed some internal code for control and display to use interfaces

Thanks,
patrick

 

[patrick]

Not sure anyone is interested but...

Updated the first post with v0.1a and submitted the update to the MP downloads.
-Includes the missing images
-Has its own log file now (level adjustable in config)
-Changed some internal code for control and display to use interfaces

Thanks,
patrick

Just fyi, I submitted the update two times in two days to MP downloads section
but it still does not show the new version.
So just download from the first post in this thread.

patrick

 

[juan pablo]

Patrick,

Keep up the good work with this plugin. Its definately something ill need when i move into my new flat. Ive posted a reply to your other forum post about icons.

 

[patrick]

Patrick,

Keep up the good work with this plugin. Its definately something ill need when i move into my new flat. Ive posted a reply to your other forum post about icons.

Thanks!
I was starting to wonder if it was of use to anyone


patrick

 

[Marcusb]

Hi Patrick, I'm really looking forward to using this too, but I have to track down some good sources for x10 or any other power control systems.
Any suggestions or links to hardware that this plugin can control would be great.
I have been to all the web sites you link to, but can't find a lot on any specific hardware for controlling regular appliances except x10. Unfortunately x10 isn't very popular so the gear is quite expen sive and rare here.
Since the voltage and frequencies are different it's not even a matter of grabbing some x10 when I'm next in the US.

Thanks for the plugin. I'm sure you'll get a lot more feedback once the holidays are over and people have to start finding things to entertain them while at work ;-)

 

[TritonT]

Thanks for starting this plugin, apart from the new TV Engine this is the next most important feature to me. So much so I was about to start work on this plugin myself. My goals were a bit more limited though.

I wanted to be able to send commands and see status of devices and sensors (both binary and variable sensors eg. temperature). From this I wanted to be able have a screen-pop appear in MediaPortal (like the Caller-ID Plugin) when an item changed state or reached a pre-defined threshold, eg when my front door PIR is triggered I would get a screen-pop telling me there is someone at the door.

Using the My Programs plugin I can already turn my xAP devices on/off/bright/dim by using xap-send.exe and a number of text files. This functions well but stops the Video/Audio while I am in My Programs sending the command, this is a real pain!

I have been trying to test your plugin, this is what I've got so far.

Using Edward's X10 Connector (which supports both xAP X10 schema and xAP BSC schema v1.3)
http://www.edjo.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/edward/xAP/X10/x10_main.htm
The following command from your plugin does not register in the x10 Connector, but I can see it on the network:

xap-header
{
v=12
hop=1
uid=FFABCD00
class=xAPBSC.cmd
source=MEPO.BHAConn.Abit-ic7
target=ERSP.X10.Shuttle-sk41g:BedRoom.Blanket
}
output.state
{
id=*
state=TOGGLE
}

By changing "output.state" to "output.state.1" the command works. I don't know enough about the BSC schema and it's interpretation to understand which is correct, but I do know which one works.

I also use Edward's Quasar 3145 Temperature Sensor Connector
http://www.edjo.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/edward/xAP/quasar3145.htm
It does not use xAP BSC schema, I assume because BSC has no mechanism for values, limits and units. This is where TSC is supposed to come in, but that might happen this year, might not, might not even happen at all! It produces xAP in the following format:

xap-header
{
v=12
hop=1
uid=FE123401
class=xap-temp.notification
source=ERSP.telemetry.Shuttle-sk41g.com2ensor1
}
temperature.current
{
temp=24.19
seq=2
location=Sensor1
unit=C
}


Anyway my questions are:

Can you have a look at the "output.state" issue?

Do you plan on implementing event driven screen-pops?

Do you plan to allows devices and connectors that do not use strict BSC schema? as we could be waiting a very long time for TSC and every connector to be rewritten to the new schema.

A big thank you for starting this plugin.

 

[patrick]

Hi Patrick, I'm really looking forward to using this too, but I have to track down some good sources for x10 or any other power control systems.
Any suggestions or links to hardware that this plugin can control would be great.
I have been to all the web sites you link to, but can't find a lot on any specific hardware for controlling regular appliances except x10. Unfortunately x10 isn't very popular so the gear is quite expen sive and rare here.
Since the voltage and frequencies are different it's not even a matter of grabbing some x10 when I'm next in the US.

Thanks for the plugin. I'm sure you'll get a lot more feedback once the holidays are over and people have to start finding things to entertain them while at work ;-)

Thanks!
I do not know any links off hand, I will keep my eyes open and if I run across some I will post it.

Thanks,
patrick