Proposal for iPaq Touchscreen systems (in place of CBUS Switches)

[Gareth Cook <g@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I've been having a think, and it's woken me up early so here goes. I=20
started off by asking about using touchscreens (in addition to CBUS=20
switches) I started to think of the practicalities of getting these into=20
the walls as a replacement for the CBus switches - the costs are=20
comparable (iPaq =A3150 / CBUS Switch =A3150).

Using a colour touchscreen would give infinitely more variations of=20
control that a static switch could, and if we assume at this stage the=20
process of web browser control back to the CBUS network (and others) is=20
achievable we need to work on the logistics of such an install - if it=20
can't be done neatly, I won't do it at all.=20

Assumptions here=20

...There is a standard light switch there already, it will be
"CBUS"ed.
...iPaq will be flush mounted in the wall - requiring a large area
behind=20
to be knocked out.


Firstly, we know we need to run a CAT5 cable to the CBUS Switch to deliver=
=20
data and power. Now, what if we used this cable to deliver power and
data=20
to the iPaq ?=20

1. Looking at the iPaq website, one of the units states it needs 5V @
2A.=20
This is achievable, and eBuyer do a generic PoE adaptor which will deliver=
=20
5V @ 2.5A. We can remove the inbuilt lithium battery as if the iPaq
needs=20
a kick, we can do it from Node0. You don't want to have to keep pulling it=
=20
out of the wall !
2. Network you think would be easy - but this will require a CF card to=20
RJ45 - will have to get a unit to look at the space needed for this in the=
=20
wall.

If an iPaq were to be used, then this will require a fairly deep hole in=20
the wall - but at least it may be possible to dig out a British double=20
gang standard hole which could be then retrofitted back to a British light=
=20
switch of sorts (as opposed to a J box that CBUS requires).

3. An alternative network source is of course a built in wifi or CF wifi=20
card - but hey if a cable is there, I'd prefer it.

Another idea struck me - but the electrical bods out there may have to=20
confirm this - we have a standard light switch there already delivering=20
power to the light (and the light is going to be changed to a star wire,=20
hence rendering the power to the light switch out of commission)

4. Use the lighting ring to power the ipaq - the iPaq needs 12V @2A -
can=20
we mount the PSU for the iPaq in the wall and connect to the light ring to=
=20
be powered ? May need some hacking to the PSU module itself.
5. With the method in point 4, we would need to use a WiFi card - but that=
=20
means NO retrofitting of CAT5 for CBUS. I like this method :-)

Comments appreciated - have I had a mad moment or is this workable ?=20

G.

Gareth Cook
SWG EMEA North Account Manager
IBM SWG - BTE Office - Lotus Park, Staines, TW18 3AG
Office: +44 (0)1784 445166 - Mobile: +44 (0)7980 445166
AIM Chat : TheBoyG - MSN Chat : chat@xxxxxxx
email: g@xxxxxxx

=20

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