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didi
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| Posted: January 31 2002 at 10:33 | IP Logged
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Hi Dave,
Could it be possible that, maybe in the future, PowerHome will be able to control the Velleman I/O Board K8000.
www.velleman.be
Maybe you've never heard of it but it's a cheap and realy great diy interface board that works with I2c via the printer port.
It is expandable up to four boards wich gives you a total of 64 digital in/outs, 32 analog outs (6 bits),
4 analog outs (8 bits) and 16 analog ins (8bit)
It's very popular here in Europe and it would be great if Powerhome could interface with it.
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dhoward
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| Posted: January 31 2002 at 20:30 | IP Logged
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Didi,
I checked out the website and I see that the K8000 is not available within the US. Ive emailed them for any technical info / documentation that would allow me to possibly add support for it. Based upon what I read on the site, it looks like it can be easily interfaced via Pascal, C, Basic, etc. so it should be doable. If you have any programming docs or info, I would appreciate you passing it on and I can take a look at it.
Dave.
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didi
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| Posted: February 02 2002 at 08:04 | IP Logged
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Dave,
At the Velleman site, click "Velleman Kits" and then "Downloads". There are Visual Basic examples, Turbo Pascal listings ect. I am not shure what you need.
Thanx a lot for looking into this Dave.
DiDi
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didi
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| Posted: February 28 2002 at 07:32 | IP Logged
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Have you found anything usefull there Dave.
I've asked the Velleman people to give you all the support you need.
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dhoward
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| Posted: February 28 2002 at 13:41 | IP Logged
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DiDi,
Ive downloaded all the relevant files for the K8000. Ive only had a chance to give them a cursory look however but from what Ive seen so far, should be doable. When this next release is out, I'll have more time to look deeper and see what I can do about adding the necessary support.
Dave.
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TerryKing
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| Posted: November 09 2002 at 10:08 | IP Logged
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Dave, There are a number of interesting available I/O devices, especially the "1-wire" sensors etc.
WhatIf you could figure out how to allow "Plug-Ins" to be written by users who want to dig deep enough to write .DLL's etc.?? This kind of open interface seems to be successful in various software environments.
__________________
Regards, Terry King ...On the Mediterranean in Carthage, Tunisia, North Africa
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dhoward
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| Posted: November 10 2002 at 17:39 | IP Logged
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Terry,
The latest release of PowerHome version 1.02.1 supports this. While it doesn't have a specific Plug-in interface, two methods for controlling PowerHome were exposed in the case of the Socket Server and the Windows Messaging Interface. Any user willing to "get dirty" can create a program, DLL, or activeX control and interface with PowerHome via 1 of the two methods. Using this techinique, a user could write virtually any hardware interface they would like.
While the Socket Server and Windows Messaging Interfaces are documented, they are not for the faint of heart. In a future version, I will release some controls with the Windows Messaging and Sockets communications embedded within them to make it easier. If you need help with any of the above, just let me know and I'll do what I can to make it understandable.
Dave.
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TerryKing
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| Posted: November 12 2002 at 23:26 | IP Logged
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Dave,
OK, this sounds interesting. I have to dig into the WSH stuff I suppose! Or maybe sockets: I once did something with sockets.. Hmm..
Two (somewhat conflicting) models come to mind: (1) Data oriented, in which external sensors and code 'connect' to PowerHome and set global variables, and (2) A more event-driven, messaging oriented approach, in which sensor data is associated with "When". Hmmm. again...
More stuff to think about!
__________________
Regards, Terry King ...On the Mediterranean in Carthage, Tunisia, North Africa
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dhoward
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| Posted: November 13 2002 at 10:10 | IP Logged
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Terry,
I know what you mean about digging into the stuff  . I would probably tend towards option 2 with the event driven messaging approach. You could do this by using either sockets or messaging. Both methods allow you to fire PowerHome triggers directly and also allow you to evaluate any PowerHome Formula.
The manual is a little brief on these new features but if you start to delve and have any questions, just ask away.
Dave.
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didi
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| Posted: December 05 2002 at 09:43 | IP Logged
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Dave,
Could you help me get started on how to write a DLL or ActiveX to have PowerHome communicate with the K8000 (Velleman)
Socket Server or Windows Messaging Interface ? It'll be a steap learning curve but i'll get there. :-))
I plan to write the code in VB6
Thnx
DiDi
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didi
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| Posted: December 05 2002 at 10:29 | IP Logged
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Good news for the entire US of A.
I just noticed "The I/O board" K8000RS is now available in the USA.
www.velleman.be goto Velleman Kits / Kit Products/ interface systems / K8000RS
Cheap DIY board with great interface options. (+- 90$)
Easy upgradable with a cheap stand-alone controller (+-65$) in case the computer crashes (for the vital home functions : alarm, occupancy simulation ect..)
Excellent (and more reliable, i think) alternative for X10
Start writing the support code Dave, so us "Euro Guys" can use Powerhome to :-)
Keep up the nice work
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dhoward
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| Posted: December 06 2002 at 09:42 | IP Logged
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Didi,
Ive taken a look at the sample software for the K8000 and will add support for it in the upcoming release.
If you're still interested in writing something as well, let me know and I'll get you started. The best choice would probably be the Windows messaging interface as it should be easier than the socket programming.
You'll have to be the test case however for the new support 
Dave.
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didi
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| Posted: December 09 2002 at 05:48 | IP Logged
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Thnx Dave
Test case ?, no problem at all, i'll give you all the feedback you need.
Look forward to the next release
DiDi
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PowerHome Messageboard : PowerHome Feature Requests
Topic: I/O Board
