Cinnamon Cove Computer Club Using your PC to control Lights etc.
Why would I do that? If you have a security system the odds are that you were told that making your home looked lived in helped deter intruders. Making sure your driveway is free of snow and that flyers and other things dumped in your mail are cleaned out is one option. Having lights come on and go off in normal sequences is another.
Options There are several options available; Today we will talk about two; X10 manufactures and sells the devices; SmartHomeUSA sells devices from X10 and several other manufacturers
Fundamentals X10 uses the electrical wiring in your home as a network that can be used to carry information and instructions; X10 uses that network as well as wireless communication from controllers and from other wireless devices; ActiveHome software is used to program the controllers and will be demonstrated later.
Components – Controller
How many can I control?
Modules
Transceiver
Wireless Controls
Wireless Modules
Indoor Module
ActiveHome
Tricky Bits
Macros Uses X10 program called Macro Designer; Consists of Drag and Drop components; Select the Trigger and Location (Kitchen); Add control command (Coffee Pot -ON); Use a Delay of 10 minutes; Add control command (Coffee Pot - OFF); Can be stored in Controller or triggered by wireless – Motion Detector.
ActiveHome – Menu Bar
ActiveHome > Tools > Hardware
ActiveHome > Tree Pane
Module Display
ActiveHome > Modules > Lamps
ActiveHome > Rooms
ActivHome > Designer Pane
ActiveHome > Designer Advanced
Demo of ActiveHome Visit to Websites