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

["Mal Lansell" <mlansell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I started something along these lines a couple of weeks ago.  I've been
getting into xPL, and decided to xPL-enable my PDAs to use as remote
controls.  So far I have the xPL part working - I just need to add the
graphics, and an editor to allow the customisation of the display!

Rather than go to the expense of new PDAs, I just bought wifi cards for my
old HP Jornada 520s.  The SH3 processor is a bit slow, and it only has a
256
colour screen, but it's perfectly adequate for this application.  There are
usually a few of these Jornadas available on Ebay - IME, they can be had
for
around £50, plus another £25 for the wifi cf card from Ebuyer.com

I'm not sure a PDA would make a good replacement lightswitch unless it was
always on - if it's dark you want the lights to come on as soon as you
touch
the screen, not after it's connected to the access point.  Perhaps it would
be possible to connect some local control via the serial connection.

Mal




----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Laurence" <andy@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Proposal for iPaq Touchscreen systems (in place of
CBUS Switches)


> From: "Gareth Cook" <g@xxxxxxx>
> > 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 !
>
> Not sure I fancy sending 2A over CAT5, but the IPAQ will use virtually
none
> of that anyway.  I'd be amazed if it ever required more than 500mA.
>
> > 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 you're running cable toit, why not use the serial/USB interface? 
Saves
> buying a network card, and saves on space too - solder the connections
> directly to the PCB.
>
> > 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).
>
> Sounds good.  Have you measured an IPAQ and a double gang hole?
>
> > 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.
>
> Agreed.
>
> > 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.
>
> Sounds more than feasible.  Of course, the usual caveats of mains
> electricity apply - don't electrocute yourself!
>
> > 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 :-)
>
> I like that method too!  Of course, you still have to change the
wiring
from
> standard to get the dimming module going.
>
> > Comments appreciated - have I had a mad moment or is this
workable ?
>
> I'd say that's more than workable!  It's also something that software
like
> Xlobby would cope ith well - build a landscape skin!
>
> Cheers,
> Andy
> --
> http://www.andylaurence.co.uk
>
>
>
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