ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Updated: 01/08/04

I am now using one of the Stargate's COM ports to control what is displayed on the touch screen. Inputs from the Touch screen eventually get sent to Stargate for processing. I have finally integrated a Basic II Stamp Controller (BS-II, by Parallax Inc)) such that is acts as a "Gateway" between the Stargate HA controller and the Touch screen.

 Using simple ASCII messaging, I have Stargate sending predefined ASCII messages to the Basic Stamp II, such as "MAINMENU". Once the STAMP receives this message (1 of 100 or so messages possible), the Stamp sends a bunch of ASCII commands/strings to the Touch Screen display via separate serial interface. This commands sent by the Stamp are basically a bunch of ASCII strings which tell the touchscreen to draw series of boxes, lines and text on the display (such to draw the Main Menu). A sample of code required to draw a filled box in the center of the display is:
                BF200100400200,1
The display has a resolution of 600x300 pixels. In this example, the "BF" stands executes the "Box Filled" command, the box's upper lefthand corner is at 200 (x) and 100 (y), and the box's bottom righthand corner is at 400 (x) and 200 (y). The box's dimensions are therefore 200 x 100. Since the display is monochrome, the box can be filled either Black (0) or White (1, as in this example).

 Now that I have won a SECANT Cardio system (check out : http://hometoys.com/tips/tips07.htm#Entry No. 2), I am integrating it with the Stargate X-10 system. Although the Cardio system has built in X-10 feaures such as scheduling and macros, I have decided to allow the "more-robust" Stargate to be my main X-10 controller and therefore use the Cardio system as my dedicated Alarm system controller (seeing that it has a nifty digital key made by Dallas iButton which activates the alarm and also features direct interfaces for up to 16 wired Passive Infrared (PIR) detectors). The Cardio and Stargate systems will use a dedicated housecode (all 32+ commands) in order to send information back and forth to each other (such as alarm Status, Zone Status, etc...). For security reasons, the alarm can not be activated or deactivated by Stargate via X-10. The Alarm can only be controlled by either one of two Dallas digital keys or via the Touchscreen interface of the Cardio System (located just inside the foyer where you enter the house).

• Pentium 133 MHz motherboard with 6 EISA/2 PCI slots (Full Tower case)
• 32 megabytes of EDO RAM
• 1 Gig IDE hard drive
• 8x CD-ROM
• DITTO 2 GB Tape Backup
• 1.44 megabyte floppy drive
• VGA card and 14" color VGA monitor (not really used!, only for TV/monitor modulation)
• IDE Hard disk/floppy/IO Controller (with 1 parallel {LPT1}, 1 game, 2 serial ports {1&2}
• Standard 2-Serial (COM1-2) and 2-parallel ports {LPT1&2})
• 8 Com Port Serial Card (COM3-10, DigiBoard ClassicBoard 8 /16554)
• Custom Analog-to-Digital (8)/ Digital-to-Analog (8) EISA I/O card
• Custom Serial Controlled Relay EISA Card (16 relay, 4PDT contacts ea.)
• NE2000 compliant ethernet card
• TV Coder - VGA-to-Television Converter (by Creative Labs)
• Sportster Data/fax/voice modem (28.8 Kbps)
• Soundblaster compatible 16-bit Sound card, CD-ROM interface
• Generic UPS Backup
• Marrick's LynX-10 powerline carrier interface box (kit)
• Custom Telephone interface to LPT2 (Touch tone decoder and phone hook/ring status)
• DBI 640x480 pixel Touch Panel Display (EL) {The heart of the whole system!}  MANUFACTURER NO LONGER EXISTS! (1/04)
• BIRD Programmable IR Transmitter{used to control A/V System}



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• X-HOME!
• This is the software which initially starts up all other modules systematically.  This module can also be thought of as the "CORE" module in that it is the main module which manages all messaging traffic within the system.
• X-TONE!
• This is the software which communicates with the Telephone Interface via the LPT2 port on the computer.  The LPT1 port is continuously polled for data and any data is analyzed by the software for action.  This module communicates solely with the X-HOME! and X-LYNX! modules. It allows the user to locally or remotely control any X-10 device (on/off/dim/brighten) , allows for remote operation of alarm system and IR system. The interface also allows for phone status logging such as #'s dialed, duration and onhook/offhook status (all w/ time stamping)
• X-LYNX!
• This is the software which communicates with and controls the Marrick LynX-10 Coprocessor Interface.  This module will either send or receive data via the coprocessor which is connected to the TW-523 Powerline interface.  The timing nature of this module is pretty tricky at first but was eventually mastered via software.
• X-TOUCH!
• This is the module which communicates with the DMS EL Touch Panel Display. It allows for display of X-10 control screens and manages all user-touch operations (which buttons pressed, button highlighting and all other Touch screen graphics which are displayed. This module send ESCAPE delimited messages to the touch panel and the touch panel deciphers the received codes. Communications is sent/received at 9600 bps via the computer's serial COM port.
• X-IO!
• This is the module which communicates with the custom A/D, D/A EISA plug-in card.  This module polls the 8 separate analog inputs (1 analog output) and 8 separate digital input and output lines (expandable to 256). This code allows for the periodic polling of the mutiplexed analog inputs and digital inputs. Analog/Digital output commands are sent as required. All data has 10 bit accuracy and are scalable via software.
• X-IR!
• This is the module which communicates with the Infrared Interface (HAS-8002STD BIRD RS232 Controllable Learning IR Remote found at http://www.smarthome.com/8002.html). This module is responsible for sending ASCII data (defining which pre-recorded IR pattern) to the interface and is used to primarily to control various Audio/Video system components.
• X-RELAY!
• This is the module which communicates with the custom Relay/Contact-Closure EISA Plug-in card.  This modules polls for contact closure status and also controls the status of the 16 individual relays (4PDT). One use of this system is the Audio/Video Switching System (AVSS) which consists of 8 sets of stereo speakers, 4 separate amplifiers, 6 different video sources (cable boxes, VCRs and 2 AUX inputs) and 6 video monitors/TVs.
• X-VIDEO!
• This is the module which communicates with the VGA monitor where then, the display is routed to the TVs and monitors throughout the house.  This output signal is modulated on channel 4 (where cable is modulated on channel 3, VCR output is modulated on channel 5 and AUX video inputs are modulated on channel 6)

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• X-VOICE!
• This is the module which allows the X-HOME! system to talk!  This modules communicates with the Sound card allowing for System control feedback,  Voice Response X-10 Controls, CD Control and other voice messaging needs. Sound card output can be mapped to any of the 8 speaker systems throughout the house
• X-MODEM!
• This is the module which communicates with the Modem/Fax/Voice mail card.  This module allows for Auto Telephone Dialing, Voice Mail, Fax/email retrieval & sending and other automated modem duties such as paging me when alarm system has sensed intrusion or alarm detections (sump pump, low fridge temp, phone messages, power failure, etc...)
• X-ALARM
• This module also communicates with the custom analog/digital IO and Relay plug-in cards.  Both of these cards are also used to communicate with the Wireless X-10 Alarm system.  The status of all sensors can be monitored and can trigger other macro X-10 events if required.  NOTE:  I do not reccomend using X-10 for a home alarm system !

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• The LynX-10, by Marrick Limited.

    This unit performs as the X-10 to PC interface. The LynX-10 input connects to a PC using a standard RS232 serial port while its output connects to the power line via a TW523 Powerline Interface module via standard RJ-11 phone cable. This was purchased as a kit, built and modified slightly.  This unit is very useful because you don't have to constantly poll the device it to see if an X-10 command has been received. The LynX-10 monitors the power line and when it detects an incoming X-10 command, it sends a 'text' message over the serial port to the PC.  To send an X-10 signal, you simply send a pre defined text string to the coprocessor via the same serial port.  The LynX-10 coprocessor then interprets it and sends the appropriate signal to the TW-523 powerline carrier device.  This coprocessor also handles collision detection (where two X-10 signals are modulated on the powerline at the same time), incorporates an AC power detection signal, optional digital inputs/outputs and much more.  Contact Marrick Limited for more information.
• The DBI Model T100 Touch Panel
    MANUFACTURER NO LONGER EXISTS! (1/04)
    The DDI Model T100 Touch Panel is a Electro-Luminescence (EL) Touch-Screen with a display resolution of 640 pixels by 450 pixels. The Touch panel resolution is a 62 x 25 grid. This panel is approximately 11" wide by 7" tall by 2-1/2" deep.  It has a built in controller which responses to ASCII text strings (escape characters delimited) and displays up to two separate full screen pages. These two screen page-modes allow for displaying a total of 12 different X-10 controlling screens.
• Communication Ports

2 Parallel ports and 9 serial ports are in use at the same time with the following functions:
Serial Ports
• COM1:   Lynx-10 Processor
• COM2:   Touch Panel
• COM3:   Mouse
• COM4:   Modem
• COM5:   IR Interface
• COM6:   DSP I/O Card
• COM7:   Relay/Driver Card
• COM8:   TV Coder Card
• COM9:   CD Changer Controller {PSR-4 by Winter)
• COM10:  ?
• Parallel ports
• LPT1: = Printer (for reports, graphs, etc...)
• LPT2: = Touch Tone/Phone Interface

 
• Audio/Visual Controls
• Intercom Controls
• Lights in upper floor of house
• Lights in lower floor of house
• Outdoor Lights/Fountains/Sprinkler controls
• Drapery Controls
• Thermostat Controls
• Alarm Controls

Aquarium Controls
• Workshop Controls
• Door Lock/Access Controls
• Plant Watering System
• Occupancy Sensors (10=RF, 8=Wired)
• Outdoor Yard Perimeter Laser System (custom built)
• ?

I have also modified all my X-10 light switches to allow for local dimming. Click HERE to see this X-10 mod link.
• I have also modified some Appliance modules which I use with fluorescent lights.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

MORE TO COME!!!!!!!!!!!!