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

["Shaf Ali" <shaf@xxxxxxxx>]

Very bad idea ..... Go back to sleep mate.(soz not meant to be offensive :)

I've been an ipaq user since 1st gen and use it on a daily basis....
Personally I don't think it is fit for this application.

Concerns :
- Wifi Acqusition , LAN tcp/ip stack initiation (from switching the device
on - can be a bit slow).
- Soft resets (sure theres software out there).
- This solution is good for a couple of years before the ipaq dies.

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24772 Work Units processed as of Sat Sep 11 09:10:02 BST 2004



----- Original Message -----
From: "Gareth Cook" <g@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 7:56 AM
Subject: [ukha_d] Proposal for iPaq Touchscreen systems (in place of CBUS
Switches)


I've been having a think, and it's woken me up early so here goes. I
started off by asking about using touchscreens (in addition to CBUS
switches) I started to think of the practicalities of getting these into
the walls as a replacement for the CBus switches - the costs are
comparable (iPaq £150 / CBUS Switch £150).

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

Assumptions here

...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
to be knocked out.


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

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

If an iPaq were to be used, then this will require a fairly deep hole in
the wall - but at least it may be possible to dig out a British double
gang standard hole which could be then retrofitted back to a British light
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
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
confirm this - we have a standard light switch there already delivering
power to the light (and the light is going to be changed to a star wire,
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
we mount the PSU for the iPaq in the wall and connect to the light ring to
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
means NO retrofitting of CAT5 for CBUS. I like this method :-)

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

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



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