Re: Product Idea: X10 to UPB/Zigbee/Insteon translator

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bruce,

Thanks for offering. We'll be in touch.

The BASICX command set used by the Netmedia BX24-p( www.basicx.com)
includes specific controls for TW523, so output to that device is near
trivial.

I plan(ned) to initially use a different input command set than the TW523's
that has with a bigger vocabulary (dim rate, scene etc) such as Centralite
or a cue command set such as that used in theatre lighting control. But
different versions could be created for different applications.

Later ... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org

On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 22:05:41 GMT, "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
<Vsb9f.3147$Hs.2605@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

>Very interesting project there! I'd be interested in helping out on the
>translator if there's anything I can do.
>
>From:Marc F Hult
>MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 21:11:43 GMT, "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
>> message <jAR8f.2682$Jo3.347@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>>
>>> I don't know how big a deal it would be but I wonder about the
>>> feasibility and marketability of a device that would accept the same
>>> connection & signal input that the TW523 uses to then translate and
>>> issue a command in one of the newer HA formats. The device could be
>>> specific to one translation or could be a more universal device that
>>> could do all three.
>>> I think that such a device would be helpful in propagating the new
>>> technologies while enabling a user to use their "legacy" controller
>>> and support multiple formats rather than having to scrap everything
>>> and start over.
>>> Opinions? Dave H?
>>
>> The topic of translators/converters comes up from time to time. As
>> I've posted in comp.home.automation before, in my opinion what is
>> needed is a hydra-headed device that can input an X10 signal (either
>> TW523/TTL-level or CM11a/RS-232) and output said X-10 dialect  *and*
>> one or more additional protocols.
>>
>> Otherwise, it seems to me that the usefulness of a
>> converter/translator-only device would be typically limited to folks
>> willing to abandon all X-10 all at once based on limitations of
>> existing hardware and software in common use which typically allow
>> for one X-10 connection (Savoy's CyberHouse was one exception).
>>
>> A hydra-headed device would accept the input of choice and allow
>> routing of different addresses to different output devices by
>> reference to a routing table sent to the device. This would add
>> DMX512, UPB, Zigbee, UPB, whatever capability to an existing system
>> using software already installed without disrupting existing use of
>> X-10 (or other primary signal/protocol).
>>
>> I've been plugging away as time permits on a such a
>> translator/converter/controller for my ActiveKnob motorized
>> potentiometer system and have posted recent progress on the Netmedia
>> BX24p-based circuit board here:
>>
>> http://www.econtrol.org/16-pos_ak.htm
>>
>> I hope to get the board files out to the fabricator within the month.
>>
>> ... Marc
>> Marc_F_Hult
>> www.ECOntrol.org
>