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

[Dave McLaughlin <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dave,

I am not sure what Mal is using, but for PDA development you can use
either C++ or VB. Both are free to download from the Microsoft website,
although I don't think VB is available anymore when working with CE.NET
4.X (Windows Mobile 2003)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/downloads/ce/default.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/embedded

If you can programme in C++ and understand Microsoft's MFC etc, then you
will quickly get something working. It took me a bit longer as I was a
Borland C++ Builder programmer and used to a proper visual environment
but I was able to get it working after a bit of playing about :o)

Regards
Dave...

---
Very funny Scotty, now beam down my clothes...!!
---
http://www.v8carlton.com
http://www.embeddedcomputer.co.uk
---



Ward, David wrote:

> Mal,
>
> What tools are you using to develop your PDA applications and was/is
it a
> steep learning curve?
>
> Dave
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mal Lansell [mailto:mlansell@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 13 September 2004 10:32
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Proposal for iPaq Touchscreen systems (in place
of
> CBUS Switches)
>
>
> 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
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