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From: munck@mitre-bedford.arpa
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: Computer interfaces for BSR modules
Message-ID: <3154@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 13-Nov-85 08:35:23 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.3154
Posted: Wed Nov 13 08:35:23 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 15-Nov-85 08:13:03 EST
Sender: news@brl-tgr.ARPA
Lines: 32



My RS CoCo has been running my house through BSR modules for about
four years.  I've got about 30 modules, mostly the built-in wall
switch and outlet type.  They control lights, appliances, fans, and
the heating system (directly, not through a little heater under the
thermostat). They used to control the various audio and video systems,
but I've gradually given the CoCo more direct control through
imitating IR remote control devices and actual wiring into the
microprocessors in those units. My driver program calculates/knows
about/senses weekends, holidays, local sunrise and sunset, interior
and exterior weather (interior, exterior, and boiler temperature, as
well as exterior windspeed and wind direction, are used in the furnace
control algorithm.), bed occupancy, and phone off-hook.  I'm working
on giving the CoCo control of the phone system, so that I can enter
commands through touch-tone phones.  I'd also like to be able to
receive the BSR signals, so that I could use the various Plug n' Power
consoles to enter commands to the whole system.

  Just as a quick example, the system wakes me up by selecting a
classical station and raising the volume over fifteen minutes. In
winter, the temperature is also brought up from the night set-back. If
the sun isn't up yet, it also slowly turns on the lights. If I don't
get up, it switch to soft and then hard rock stations and raises the
volume even more.  If I'm still in bed, it connect the voice
synthesizer through the hifi and YELLS AT ME.

  I've gotten so used to the system that I'm considering building a
little portable version that could control a hotel room, to take with
me on trips.
                    -- Bob Munck, MITRE
                       Munck @ MITRE-Bedford.ARPA