Items Tagged With hardware

Cambridge Silicon Radio has embedded a tiny Web server into its Bluetooth chips, potentially allowing control of everything from DVD players to central heating from a Web browser. Bluetooth may be best known as a wireless technology for connecting mobile phones and PDAs to a PC, but it could become even more useful as a way of controlling home electronics and appliances from any Internet-connected device, according to Bluetooth chipmaker Cambridge Silicon Radio.

The company is already making Bluetooth chips for consumer devices that include a simple Web server, giving each device its own Internet address via the next-generation Internet Protocol, IPv6. A user in an airport for instance could simply type the address into a Web browser in a handheld computer, laptop or kiosk and program the video recorder...

"Hi Mark,

I spotted this on a recent surfing expedition. Essentially it's a keyboard encoder which would allow you to add your own button interface to a PC. Touted as an accessory for Arcade Game builders I think it could still have uses for HA, for example how about a PC based MP3 Jukebox? The unit has a passthru so you can have a keyboard connected too although a keyboard is not required - even at bootup. It has both USB and mini din interfaces"...

Have a look at OpenPic for a complete networking system based on the popular PIC 16F84 controller

Its still in its early stages but if there is enough interest then Ill do a complete suite of boards and kits...

Using X10 and Homeseer my brother controls HVAC systems in his greenhouse but he had no way of monitoring temperature to make it a closed system. He asked me to find and implement a temperature sensor using homeseer.

There is an X10 module available but it is expensive and so I started my search for a cheaper alternative. After a lengthy search I located a website that sold a small interface that connected to the RS-232 port on a PC with connection for up to 4 temperature sensors. I placed an order for the unit at a cost of £30, it comes complete with one sensor but I ordered an additional 2. In less than a week the unit was delivered and I was surprised how small it was. The picture below shows the interface and one of the sensors with a 50 pence piece. I used a small PCB to mount each of the sensors and used a waterproof compound to protect from moisture...

The World's Most Advanced All-In-One Solution for LIVE Internet-Based Security & Monitoring solutions. iWATCH is a turnkey system that will deliver live video from your PC onto the Internet for you to view remotely. Thus, you can view live video imagery of your home or office without navigational headaches, bottlenecks, or intrusive advertising. Includes a 1 year subscription to Personal Web Address"...