Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpcc05!col!hpldola!hp-lsd!davem
From: davem@hp-lsd.COS.HP.COM (Dave K. Martin)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: "Real world" interfaces
Message-ID: <7470025@hp-lsd.COS.HP.COM>
Date: 17 Jan 91 19:57:45 GMT
References: <1991Jan12.104807.26069@canon.co.uk>
Organization: HP Logic Systems Division - ColoSpgs, CO
Lines: 49

This may not be available to you in the UK, but in the US there is a 
nifty little wireless controller called X10.  (There are other brand
names but they mostly work the same.)  

The system consists of a control unit and one ore more remote units, 
typically up to 255 remotes per contoller.  The controller sends bursts
of high frequency codes into the mains wiring.  Any remotes on the same 
side of the main power transformer 'listen' to these codes.  When a remote 
detects its specific code, then it will turn on or off depending on what 
it was told to do.  Installation is as simple as plugging the modules in
at the desired locations.

There is a large variety of contoller and remote modules.  There are 
indivudual plug in controllers for:

   Lamp module   - plugs into a wall outlet and turns an incandesant lamp
		   on, off, or act as a dimmer.
   Switch modules - essentially the same as a lamp module but packaged 
		    as a wall mounted switch.  These are also available 
		    in three way switch versions.
   Appliance module - plug in module also, used for heavy duty and inductive 
		      loads such as motors, heaters, coffee pots, etc.  
		      These are available in 110 and 220 volt versions for 
		      air conditioners.
   Outlet module - same as appliance modules but replaces the wall outlet.
   Thermostat module - works in conjunction with your regular thermostat 
		       to control when the house furnace is on or off.

   There are several controller modules ranging from a simple on/off/dimmer 
   for up to 8 remotes to larger controllers with programable timers and up 
   to 255 individual remotes.  There is also a contoller with a RS-232 
   interface that works with Amigas, Macs, IBMs, C-64s or just about anything
   else.  This has a microprocessor and battery backed ram.  The computer is 
   used to program the unit to turn things on and off at various times.
   Once the controller is programmed, the computer can be disconnected.
   More than one controller can be used with the remotes, ie a controller 
   in each room to control lights throughout the house.

   The Amiga software for the programmable contoller has an ARexx port which 
   allows for some pretty creative things to be done with the X-10 system.
   Create an ARexx job to turn things on and off based on time or, say what
   someone entered in response to an AmigaVision question.

   The remote modules usually run about $15 -$25 US, and then controllers 
   are usually about $15 - $150 US.  The programable goes by the name of 
   POWERHOUSE and is about $80.


   hope this helps.....