Re: FIRM Pics + Questions

["Dan" <dtoma@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Shane,

Thank you very much for your encouraging words.

>... Hopefully a few more questions (probably more for Dan) might
help
> me understand how far away I am - hoping you're not getting tired of
the
> questions !
> 1) In order to get IR commands to say AV equipment in a cabinet I
would
> need not only IRM & FirM but Auto8it, to do event processing
effectively
> - is that correct ?

If you need event based processes, then you need AutoM8it to do it.
With standalone IRM application you get the whole functionality, but not
an
event engine.
You still can send any command you want(from the application of from a
web
interface), learning new commands, but to define let's say.. macros based
on
events, then you need AutoM8it to do it. I do not intend in the near
future
to make my application work with other home management systems.


> 2) In order to use IR commands as an input to a PC controller (to
> control the Linet (lights) network)I would need LIRC.

Why?? You can build your own interface in a couple of minutes. Then use
my
infrared plugin for monitoring infrared signals. Zoning is supported in
my
standalone application and in the infrared input plugin too.
I think that you have understood something incorrect.
With only AutoM8it, FirM and IRM you can do anything infrared related...
no
need for something else.
Lirc is only something compatible at the interface level with my
application
and this is all... In the near future you will be able to import Lirc
configuration files in my application too.

> Unfortunately
> that does not support zoning i.e. where did IR come from ?

Fo Lirc/Winlirc is true, but my application support it for both send
and
receive.

> It looks like
> I need something in between LIRC and IRM or what I suggest in 3)
below.

No.. read the last answer. You don't need LIRC to operate it.

>3) If answer to 1) is yes, then is the IRM API open ?
I do not intend to open the API, just to keep it as a freeware (as long
as
possible).

> That is, could I
> interface it to something else other than Auto8it for the event
>processing e.g. a socket interface to another controller, or xAP I
guess

xAP is on the way as a plugin for AutoM8it.. ask Jim about that.
xAP is on my list too for compatibility. Unfortunately, my free time is
not
enough to read all I need about xAP.

> 4)Alternatively, My Linet network is controlled by a Linux PC. 
How
> difficult would a port of IRM to Linux be Dan - perhaps not the
user
> interface but the basic decoding and encoding side of it.
Unfortunately, my Linux skills does not permit to port the application
there
and I have no plans for the near future to develop it under linux.

> The user
> interface and setup side of things could still be done as a Windows
app
> and simply transfer that information using config files that the
Linux
> "transport" code could read.  Not asking for you to do
this Dan - just
> an opinion on how difficult it might be given current code structure
and
> your willinginess for perhaps someone to do it ?

I can do this.. just give me more details in how we can interconnect
things
(protocols, etc.) and I will do the best to make it available for your
interface.
As I understand by now, your application use Lirc (software-linux and
hardware) to read infrared commands and then make them available on the
Lirc
server. It is true? If yes, I do not intend to do something similar (as
an
IRM server). If you want events, then you can use AutoM8it for that.
A good idea for you is to try to build an output plugin for your
interface,
then everything will work together.


> Realise these are MY problems, again you guys have done a great job
to
> solve things you are motivated to solve and really appreciate
that.
> Hopefully answers to the above will give me an understanding of how
much
> work I would need to do to fit it to my application.

If you can point me to a source of information related to what your
application does, then I will be able to help interconnecting them.

Thanks,
Dan


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dan [mailto:dtoma@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: Saturday, 26 October 2002 12:39 a.m.
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ukha_d] FIRM Pics + Questions
>
>
> Hi Shane,
>
> As part of the questions are related to my application
> (IRM).. I'll try to answer you:
>
> >  Now the serial interface board actually has to decode
the
> IR (HV used
> > to
> do that
> > for you) and generate an ASCII command string - is that right
?
> > Actually I guess what would make it clearer to me is the
> serial to PC
> > protocol if you are willing to release it.
>
> The signal decoding is now a PC task, inside the IRM application
>
> > Finally - what are the limitations of FirM that you are
> aware of.  I
> >am  a newbie to IR and a bit confused but have thoughts
like:
> >1) Different remotes use different frequencies - any problem ?
>
> For the moment the application is compatible only with the
> remotes using a carrier between 30-40KHz. The old ITT ones,
> using small pulses and no carrier ar not supported. Anyway, I
> think that the majority of the actual remotes use a carrier.
>
> > 2) Some keys send multi command sequences etc - any problem ?
>
> What do you mean by multi command sequence? Multiple commands
> transmitted in a sequence? If yes, then I'm not aware of such
> remotes...Anyway, the application is able then to consider
> the multicommand sequence as a single command, so is not a
> problem... Please give me more details about this type of
> remotes and I will take care of...
>
> Best regards,
> Dan
>
>
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