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WHAT WE NEED IS ...!
A new column for the HTINews ... What We Need Is ...! Send your needs to bobh@hometoys.com and we'll see what we can find or at least use this column to let those manufacturers and software engineers know what it is that we the consumers want to buy and use. Please let me know if these things are available, coming soon, good idea or just plain crazy. I'll keep the threads going as long as the feedback keeps coming in.
Bob,
What I really need is a way to arm and dis-arm my X-10 home security system using a
computer interface or a clock interface. For example I could set the timer to arm my
security system every night at 11:00pm and dis-arm it every morning at 6:30am. This way I
wouldn't have to worry about manually arming and dis-arming the system all the time.
Why is this not possible?
I sent this one to Dave Rye at X-10 and here's what he had to say ... "It is not possible because the computer interface and timer only send powerline carrier signals (over the house wiring) the only way to arm and disarm a security system is via an RF signal."
I really need a X-10 RF Reciever which is capable of recieving multiple X-10 Housecode signals. I know of one unit which can recieve on two consecutive Housecodes, but for my application, I need 4 Housecodes (and maybe not consecutively either!). Any ideas!?
From: Tom Laureanno
Again I asked Dave Rye this question. Unfortunately his response was "I am not aware of any. X-10 does not manufacture any." Can anyone out there help Tom?
Hi Bob, I just discovered your Home Toys web site. It's very good. I have a question for you or the forum, if you will accept it. I have several motorized window shades in the house and would like to control them with X10. Is there some type of 110VAC double pole/double throw switch that is X10 compatible?? I have thought of ganging 2 modules together but I'm afraid if an 'on' command for both the up and the down X10 modules gets sent at the same time it will burn out the motor. Does anyone have any ideas on how to best control the shades?? Just to make sure there is no misunderstanding, this project is to control window shades and not draperies with a pull chain. My email address is rgraham1@maine.rr.com .
Thanks in advance. Ron Graham
If you can help Ron out with this one let us all know.I'd like to see a device or program that connects to my television that understands what I mean when I tell it to find some interesting shows, ie I preprogram this device to search the channels to find the kind of shows I like to watch. This way I can come home and tell the tv to "search the channels and give me a list of all current shows that I like. Cartoons, animal documentaries, and sci fi etc... Whaddya think?
Frank & Terry Scramlin ftscram@dtx.net
You may think this is a long way off but don't bet on it. Have a look at the article "Using MASS and Dragon Dictate for Voice Control ... Larry Graham's House" by James Hunter in the June 1997 issue (under Misc Home Automation in the "Article Library" and you'll see what I mean. And, in case you think this is still a dream ... James demonstrated it to me over the telephone. It's impressive.
In addition, I have heard that HAL2000 will have similar capabilities and as James is now working with HAL I think we'll see something soon.
What we need is a chime module that produces different tones from different unit codes.
For example a module might respond to unit codes c1, c2 c3 and c4. Each unit code would
produce a different tone.
This would be a simple and inexpensive way to pass information. If 4 different motion
sensors were located around the home, a person inside could tell which sensor was
triggered.
Another use would be for computer control. If certain macros (I'm thinking of the
activehome package) were run, a tone could inform the person which macro had started.
Thanks Frank Speers
1422 W. Metz Rd. Perris, Ca. 92570
(909)940-9550 (voice)
Frank_Speers@bigfoot.com
Nice idea ... it could even play jingle bells while dimming the lights :-) Maybe Dave Rye will read this and put such a device on the list of things for X-10 to do in 1998.
