TALKING TO YOUR HOUSE: An Introduction to Home Automation by Tom Robinson (TOM.ROBINSON) (Portions reprinted from various publications by the author on GEnie*) Lots of people, including myself, like to stay in their easy chair once they get there. And when people go on vacation, they like their homes to look "lived in" to ward off burglars and keep things cozy and secure. Many have turned to X-10 equipment for the solution. The GEnie X-10 RoundTable (or X-10 RT for short) is built around various pieces of equipment that send and receive signals over your existing house wiring to turn on & off electrical items and/or dim lights, either at various times (specific or randomly set) or immediately on command. And best of all, your computer can optionally control the entire setup to give you infinite control over your home or office. One of the best ways of providing security is psychological -- trick the scum that wants to run off with your stuff. One of those X- 10 units can turn lights, radios, etc. on and off at random times to make a place look occupied. The timer is as easy to set as an electronic alarm clock. The controllers either use graphics to show you what's going on or have a control pad that's clearly identified as to what unit you're controlling and what action you're taking. Remote and timed dimming operations are included for lights to set a mood or simulate activity in the home or office. For warning when somebody DOES break in, there's a Burglar Alarm Interface (BA284) that can be triggered by a dry contact closure or a low voltage input (6-18v AC, DC, or audio). It can be set to turn on all the lights, flash all the lights, or just turn on selected lights and/or appliances. So hooking it to the output of your burglar alarm system or alarm panel can let you flood the place with light and sound -- even trigger a device to drop a brick on the person's head! (Just kidding -- heh, heh. But applications for it would be limited only by your imagination.) It can be activated by a magnetic window switch, photocell, moisture sensor, motion detector, pressure switch -- anything which gives a switch closure or low voltage trigger. Then there's the radio transmitter/transceiver combination. It would allow you to never have to enter the place in the dark again. Or provide for a "panic switch" that you carry around with you. Matter of fact, to look at "convenience" features for a moment, you could dim the lights in the evening, turn on the stereo or TV, and make the heater or air conditioner come on. Or have those things timed to happen when you usually get home. Oh, did I mention doing all that by telephone, too? The Telephone Responder lets anyone with *your password* control the system. There's a device called the GE HomeMinder that also lets you password protect all your settings -- although I must say, that particular part of the security isn't tough to beat if you know the functions of the device. I won't give it away here, though. The HomeMinder also has a telephone line interface built in, so you're as close to your system as a touch-tone phone. The original list price of that unit was $500 (!) but nowadays if you can find one they generally sell for $70-90. That, my friends, is a real bargain for all it does. (I haven't even gone into things like its "memo pad", which flashes a red light and beeps when a reminder comes up for the day you scheduled it for.) The standard configuration includes a number of Lamp Modules and Appliance Modules. The difference is that Appliance Modules are relay-operated, while Lamp Modules use a dimming circuit. Electrical outlets are available that act like Appliance Modules (one outlet of the two is controlled), and wall switches are available that act like Lamp Modules (it's not advised to control an electrical outlet with one; you don't want to try to "dim" a TV set for example). The wall switches provide a pushbutton for local control and a mechanical switch to disable it to allow for changing light bulbs, etc. Due out by the third quarter of this year is a setup by MAX Systems called MAX-10. The basic concept behind this setup that sets it apart from the others is the high level of options available to you, depending on how much of the system you buy. It'll do things like calibrate its clock using one of several computers hooked up to an atomic time standard around the country, or base its actions on external events with greater versatility than many other systems. For example, say you usually want hot coffee waiting for you when you get home, and the TV set ready on your favorite channel. But today you have to work late -- what to do? Well, if MAX-10 isn't told that you're home, it'll either shut the coffee, etc. back off again or never turn 'em on in the first place. Quoting from the system's creator: --------------- "The MAX-10 system is designed to be left in communication with the X-10 Interface at all times, although it... will work perfectly fine in a "program it and forget it" manner. This constant connection and communication between the computer and the X-10 Interface will allow, perhaps for the first time, the full potential of the X-10 Interface System to be realized. MAX-10 will, in effect, increase the memory of the X-10 Interface to 64K or more and give it the ability to make "intelligent" decisions based on input." --------------- For those that already have the hardware, there will be a freely distributable version of the software to control it. Those that like it and/orwant more features will be able to buy the commercial version. The system is designed to be a fully windowed operating environment with support for keyboard, joystick, Atari ST mouse or Commodore 1351 mouse. It'll have remote access via modem to change its settings. Since the X-10 may be controlling security systems, there will be multiple passwords and other forms of security on this path. MAX-10 will have the ability to track the "local time of day" and to detect when the time makes the change between standard time and daylight saving time. This will allow MAX-10 to "adjust" the timing of certain events based on the real time, not what the X-10 thinks the time is. For example, in the Winter months, you may want the porch light on at 5 PM, but this would a waste in the Summer. MAX-10 will adjust with NO user input needed. MAX-10 supports external program modules. These are small programs that maybe loaded into the computer and run to do special tasks that are not built into MAX-10. There will be provided to all MAX-10 registered owners a "MAX-10 Programmer's Guide" that will fully document how to program modules for MAX-10. An Automatic Alarm Mode is provided such that, if a security system is connected to the X-10 Interface, when an alarm is sounded, MAX-10 will automatically call the local emergency telephone number and play a pre-recorded message. Various messages are possible depending on the nature of the alarm. This was just a quick overview of some of the features MAX-10 will have. Details are available in a press release from MAX Systems in the X-10 Library. The secret of all this electronic magic is how X-10 uses the wiring in your home. Equipment that uses the X-10 protocol sends out digital pulses over the same wire it gets its power from. While normal house current uses the 60 Hzfrequency, these coded pulses are sent at a much higher frequency. That way, equipment that's "listening" for those pulses can't get confused by the regular powerline "hum". It's just filtered out. The only X-10 equipment that would actually be wired would be portions of the security system. Window contacts, the BA284, and other related items either use small wire or radio transmitters to send their signals (depending on the installation or unit). The protocol can control 16 different unit codes. Well, really more like 256 codes, but they only mention 16 in case you have neighbors or other businesses on the same electrical transformer. The X-10 powerline signals won't travel beyond the transformer. But each code doesn't have to be unique to one light or appliance -- a truly unlimited number of items can be controlled simultaneously on ONE unit code -- for example, if you wanted half a dozen lights all over the building to come on if you push one button, but you don't want ALL of 'em on (there's an "all on" button for that anyway). There's also one button to turn off everything controlled by the system if need be. Some folks get intimidated by the fact that a system like that can be very technical-sounding. Don't let it scare you! In most cases all you do is just plug it in anywhere, and it works. End of setup. That's the kind of thing we provide online support for over at the X-10 RT (and by extension, the CP/M RT). And I've really only scratched the surface! There are so many possibilities that you'd be reading for DAYS if I tried to describe all of 'em. But being able to control anything electrical from anywhere in the world is heady stuff! And the components are available just about everywhere. For those with elaborate requirements, there's even a unit with a battery-backed memory that you can plug into your computer and program (from scratch or using existing software). You can find the components at any Radio Shack store, larger Sears stores, and I think even Heathkit stores & catalogs (they're handled by Heath/Zenith). Others handle the units too, like Stanley and Leviton. Mail order outlets handle various items as well -- DAK comes to mind as often having good prices on modules and controllers. A company called Dyer's Electric also provides discounts on X-10 equipment if you mention the X-10 RoundTable. When you call Dyer's, ask for Jim Wilson at (818) 983-0371. DAK can be reached by calling 1-800-DAK-0800 for orders. For info only, please call 1-800-888-7808. DAK, too,will be glad to know that you found out about 'em from folks with the X-10RoundTable. Unity Systems out of Redwood City, California manufactures a complete home automation setup that incorporates a touch screen controller. This screen will display a floor plan of your home and indicates various activity. Here's a capsule description in the words of a representative, Kevin Miller: "We make a product called the Home Manager. The hardware consists of a central unit, called the MCPU, which has computer hardware and associated relays, analog inputs, and switch inputs. A touch screen, about the size of a 19-inch TV screen, provides the main user interface. Other interfaces are provided by either direct PC, telephone-modem, or telephone-DTMF. LCD-display keypads, or simple, non-LCD keypads, provide a simple interface to the security subsystem. "The software that runs on the MCPU provides three functions: HVAC control, a security system, and general-purpose device control. The HVAC system provides room-by-room temperature control. This is accomplished by dividing the structures into zones, and monitoring each zone with a temperature sensor. The cooling and heating to each zone is controlled by a modulated damper, which we also manufacture; we also support some motorized dampers made by other firms. Our security system uses standard switch inputs to monitor the structure, and uses the attached keypads for access control. We provide a standard set of security functions. Finally, we provide general-purpose device control. We do this by using either the relays that haven't been used in controlling the HVAC system, or through our own X-10 compatible powerline interface. Devices can beturned off and on by a variety of events, including sunrise/sunset, sensor input, switch input, keypad input, time interval. "We sell mainly through our dealer network, numbering around 150 throughout the country. We currently have about 1000 installations, and we believe that we have the largest installed base of any general purpose home automation system in the country, if not the world." To locate a dealer near you, call 1-800-55-UNITY. If you're in California you have to call 1-800-85-UNITY. If all of that fails, the regular number is 1-415-369-3233. A recent event is the addition of X-10 related information in the CP/M RT, thanks to the courtesy of Bill Juliani (GE Mail address C128- BILL). We're located in Category 17 of the CP/M RT Bulletin Board. We also maintain several files with source code for CP/M machines in the X-10 RT -- while you can always search the RT Library, there's a list of 'em in that same Category in the CP/M RT. They'll let you control the CP-290 Computer Interface. One way to get to the CP/M RT is by typing CPM (but you have to be at a main GEnie menu for this to work). An easier way is to type M685;1 (and wait until the system takes you to the Bulletin Board). Then type SET 17 (you'll get a response that says "Category 17 Product Support: General Area"). Finally, type REA 6 NEW (you'll be reading Topic 6, titled "X-10 POWERHOUSE: For CP/MMachines"). Additionally, to get to the X-10 RT you can type M495 (the mnemonic for the RoundTable is X-10 or XTEN, so you can type those if they're easier to remember). At this writing, we're also gratiously hosted by various other RoundTables, so if you own other types of computers as well there may be a Category in the RT that supports your other models. Wherever you end up, we'll be glad to see you -- and hopefully we'll be able to lend a hand with getting started if you need assistance. Does this article leave you wanting more information? If so, there're a few things you can check. First, there're several newsletters that've been placed in the X-10 Library over the years by X-10 themselves. In addition there's a fascinating (and occasionally humorous) file called CONTESTS.TXT which can be read online, captured, or downloaded. CONTESTS.ARC is also available for those of you with the ability to unARC files; this'll roughly cut your download time in half. Although the X-10 RT Bulletin Board is about to undergo a "spring cleaning", it's always chock full of discussion by various X- 10 system owners and enthusuasts. Unity Systems is also online to support their products and discuss the emerging standards for CEbus and home automation internationally. And last but certainly not least: Bill Juliani, Brad Harris (PIPMAG publisher and CP/M RT regular, email BHARRIS) and many others stand ready to help you with computing hardware/software issues. Bruce Robin (the X-10 Roundtable chief sysop) and I aren't employees of X-10 or anything -- we're just enthusiasts or hobbyists. Both of us have technical backgrounds to some extent, and have contacts all over the industry. But with such versatile gadgets, you can see why we're so enthusiastic about 'em. We invite you to find out how convenient doing things with X-10 equipment is. Whether you use your computer setup or external hardware, you'll find you can get VERY used to having things run automatically and not having to fool with them! Tom Robinson, Sysop GEnie X-10 Powerhouse RoundTable GEnie is the General Electric Network for Information Exchange. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% The fine print department: "HomeMinder", "GEnie" and "RoundTable" are trademarks of General Electric, Inc. "X-10" and X-10 POWERHOUSE is a trademark of X-10 (USA), Inc. "Touch-tone" is a trademark of Bell Labs.