Wish List
How about a wish-list thread, for future Idratek modules & software ? Must say, I think the current set is pretty versatile, and there are rumours of some sort of display unit being on its way ... still, don't we always want more ! To start things off, how about :
a module to feed a shortish sequence of images to one of the hi-res digital photo-frames that are around nowadays ... that could be used to display a smart clock - by which I mean, one that shows not just time & date, but also the weather (Met.Office internet radar- & pressure-maps, with current images shown large, ideally 400 pixels square & 600x400 respectively, and previous twenty / next ten shown smaller, as repeating short movie-sequences ... all of this shown simultaneously & updated fairly infrequently - half-hourly, perhaps hourly) ... plus a few other things, too, perhaps a calendar and a picture of who's at the front-door ... it might need larger varieties of 'frames, maybe with basic video capability, but bandwidth requirements ought to be be quite modest, 'though - if more were needed - ISTR one of the twisted pairs in the Cat-5 cable is free - failing which a second cable could be used ... the displays could be distributed around the house, as needed ... using digital photo frames might help make it all affordable (prices will surely come down from the current levels, and second-hand prices ought to be low, given continued technoloical progression) ...
anyway, that's one idea, for something I'd be keen to have !
Last edited by chris_j_hunter; 20th December 2007 at 09:50 PM. Reason: clarity
Two wishes from me:
1. An Idratek built modem which is capable of BT CallerID and good quality voice response. I believe the closest solution is a Zoom modem but the voice quality is not that great.
2. Current sensor module to detect when items are / aren't running i.e. washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, etc Then messages can be broadcast once complete and other actions taken.
I too am eagerly awaiting the visual display modules
Wish List
yep, good ones ...
wonder if it would be possible, with some suitable interface module, also to read the display on the washing machine (ours has a small LED display that shows roughly how much longer the programme has to run) by tapping across the display terminals ... might be useful on other things, too ! ?
Current sensor, and a more stylish MFU (pardon me but the current one isn't the best looking) would be nice.
Oh and a 16-channel dimmer would be quite nice too!
Support for multiple Skype accounts through cortex (Think this may be harder to achieve than first imagined)
Last edited by Andrew Millne; 20th December 2007 at 11:09 PM. Reason: Removed list
I'd like to see more external integration ..
I'd prefer VoIP integration via SIP (eg Asterisk) rather than Skype, can then use external FXS/FXO device which can also sort the caller id.
I'd like some kind of generic Cortex logic module that can be used to accept and parse text input and convert to a usable value, eg parse a stream of data from a weather station, or a web page or a CLID device - I'm assuming the API might allow this when I get a chance to look at it.
Actually - what I'd really like is a plug-in API that allows user generated Cortex logic modules to be added in as plug-ins, including icon animations etc. You could imagine these plug-ins being shared ...
I've had slightly more joy with tuning up the internal modem, but still have a problem with auto-answering. It's all in the modem.inf configuration I think. What I may have to do is set up the modem with some other software and probe the comms between them .. got all the bits, just not got the time ..Originally Posted by Paul_B
Also the Crucible devices could reliably solve the caller-id, but need interface support ... hence my generic module idea.
I think we should start a new thread about voice modems and especially the Zoom ones.
Perhaps a reference design for a suitable amplifier to feed current sensing into standard analogue input module would provide a solution ?
Very interesting and useful to have, but I'm not sure how much this requires integration with Cortex/Idratek. I believe some of the frames have WiFi now, in which case there's probably a standalone program to do some of what you want already.
Wish List
>not sure how much this requires integration with Cortex/Idratek ...
maybe, 'though think I'd include a Cortex heart-beat, and use them to display simple Idratek messages & images (who's calling, mode of system, CCTV image, occupancy status / where people are, and software version, update availability, whatever), plus some sort of house heart-beat graphic (sub-system status - heating, lighting, etc - & fault indication), and use them as a house-hold message-board ... all of which might be the better for being managed as part of the overall HA system ...
well, anyway, it's something we'll be wiring-for ... running some extra Cat-5 cables to the locations, to allow flexibility in implimentaion !
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