Re: Newbie - controlling lights and creating scenes (Ocelot?)

["Dan" <dtoma@xxxxxxx>]

Hi,

> With the expiration of X-10 patents, the X-10 system
> protocol is effectively an open home automation system with published
> detailed technical information on the X-10 protocol.

When it will expire?

Thanks,
Dan


----- Original Message -----
From: "K. C. Li" <li@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 11:12 PM
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Newbie - controlling lights and creating scenes
(Ocelot?)


> On Sat, 31 May 2003, Ian Davidson wrote:
>
> > current, however X10 is. Yes I agree it can be made better,
improved
> > sensitivity, and a little improvement to options but it is so
limited.
>
> Apart from the transmission speed, what exactly are the limiting
factors?
> The X-10 command set? The X-10 products themselves? Others?
>
> > Speed is a big issue with a lot of users and this simply can not
be
> > improved upon, in fact as extended codes are used it actually
gets
> > slower.
>
> I agree the speed of signal transmission cannot be improved by much
> without disobeying the X-10 protocol timing. However, apart from some
> situations when faster response time is required (eg. auto switching
of
> lights based on occupancy), the slow speed of X-10 signal transmission
> shouldn't matter that much. For everyday automatic light and appliance
> scheduling, the delay of a few seconds is hardly critical.
>
> > X10 is so well established with millions of units out there, and
> > supported by every HA system I know, but that should not allow us
to
> > continue to use and develop it when it can not deliver much of
what we
>
> Why not? Apart from the speed limitation, almost everything else can
be
> made to be better. And better modules are coming to the market from
3rd
> party suppliers. With the expiration of X-10 patents, the X-10 system
> protocol is effectively an open home automation system with published
> detailed technical information on the X-10 protocol.
>
> > need today. Look at the interest of the group over the last few
weeks of
> > C-BUS, I believe that is because people can not achieve what they
need
> > with even the latest breeds of X10. Imagine a cross between C-BUS
and
>
> The group has also been very interested in a number of other things in
the
> past. It doesn't necessarily mean much as a reliable indicator for the
> future. In my opinion, the negative image of X-10 is sometimes more to
do
> with the bland styling of its products than the functionality of them.
>
> > X10, the flexibility, style and reliability of C-BUS with the no
special
> > wiring needs and affordability of X10.
>
> I agree.
>
> > Yes I am biased, but only in the sense of the fact that I could
not get
> > what I needed from X10 and other options were to expensive. That
is the
> > sole reason I embarked on designing a replacement. I still do not
know
> > if it will be marketed, I needed the product and decided to give
it a
>
> I am not questioning the reasoning behind your decision to design your
own
> system. If you have the technical ability and desire to do so, then
why
> not? However, any resultant products will be judged not purely by its
> technical capability but other factors such as reliability, cost,
> appearance, availability and range.
>
> > go. It proves the point that PLT can work more reliably than
people
> > experience with the older X10. I do think it is important not to
group
> > X10 and other PLT.
>
> But X-10 is a form of Power Line Technology, may be even the first,
and
> X-10 can work reliably with improved modules.
>
> > X10 does suit some people, but I do believe now is the time to
start and
> > improve things.
>
> As we have also found ourselves, it is not that difficult to improve
on
> the X-10 products but the cost per unit might go up proportionally.
One
> advantage of X-10 (if you can call it that) is that the latest
products
> are still backward compatible with X-10 products of, say, 10 years
ago.
>
> Regards,
>
> Kwong Li
> li@xxxxxxx
> Laser Business Systems Ltd.
> http://www.laser.com
>
>
>
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