Home Automation Control GUI interface in XBMC with API - Dimming the Lights and such?

My buddy has x10 modules hooked up to his lights which he can control through is harmony remote! nice easy solution.

Using X10 and a remote is a cool idea, but I'm firmly entrenched in the idea of getting this to work by having some code "listen" to XBMC. Thanks for the suggestion!

How about using one of these with X-10:

X10 Power Line Interface

Quote:If you know how to send and read RS232-type serial communication with your computer or from any other electronic device, you can develop and market your own software and/or hardware for use with X10-compatible systems without having to develop your own X10 communications hardware or having to go through costly UL approval. This module is optically isolated and UL approved. The timing-critical nature of communication with this device requires low-level hardware programming experience. It may also require dedicated microprocessor time. Thus, it is not recommended for casual programmers. Documentation not included. Request #1136 if instructions are required.

So all you have to do is when the "event" occurs in XBMC that you want, you send simple commands via RS-232 and make it happen.

Not bad for $20.

The caveat is that you'll need Windows or Linux, unless you can still buy RS-232 interfaces for Mac. (I'm sure you can, but it's less mainstream).

EDIT:

The InsteOn device that Rand Al Thor posted (http://www.smarthome.com/2412N/Smart...r-2412N/p.aspx) would be even better, as it appears to have a built-in web server. When the event that you are interested in occurs, your code submits a command to the device over HTTP and it happens. It's $120, though.

That defiantly has potential, i knew xbmc could some how be linked

Next semester, I'm not returning to my school as a full time student (although I will in the fall). During the spring semester, I'm pursuing web development and design. One of my professors in the Computer Science department said that I might be able to make my XBMC light dimming project an internship, provided I have someone to report to, clear well defined goals, and timelines. I'm willing to pursue lighting-XBMC integration beyond my limited goal (turning lights off when a movie starts), perhaps to the point where I approach a level of home automation. For all of this to work, I need a mentor, someone who has documented experience in XBMC or another prominent open source my project.

Here's how I see my project, there's three major soft components- the software that takes XBMC events and does something with them, the code that resides on the micro-controller, and the plugin that allows XBMC interfacing. The listening software I'm working on in Ruby. I'm working on developing a complete Ruby Gem for listening to and controlling XBMC. The micro-controller code is written in C for the arduino (although I do have some experience with assembly, if it comes to that). The plugin code would have be written in Python, I have no python experience, but I'm a quick learner.

Would anyone be willing to discuss being my mentor? If you are, drop me a line.

Nicholas Rowe
Nixterrimus at Gmail

Next semester, I'm not returning to my school as a full time student (although I will in the fall). During the spring semester, I'm pursuing web development and design. One of my professors in the Computer Science department said that I might be able to make my XBMC light dimming project an internship, provided I have someone to report to, clear well defined goals, and timelines. I'm willing to pursue lighting-XBMC integration beyond my limited goal (turning lights off when a movie starts), perhaps to the point where I approach a level of home automation. I have a thread about this here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=39550 I've already shown some progress. For all of this to work, I need a mentor, someone who has documented experience in XBMC or another prominent open source my project.

Here's how I see my project, there's three major soft components- the software that takes XBMC events and does something with them, the code that resides on the micro-controller, and the plugin that allows XBMC interfacing. The listening software I'm working on in Ruby. I'm working on developing a complete Ruby Gem for listening to and controlling XBMC. The micro-controller code is written in C for the arduino (although I do have some experience with assembly, if it comes to that). The plugin code would have be written in Python, I have no python experience, but I'm a quick learner.

Would anyone be willing to discuss being my mentor? If you are, drop me a line.

Nicholas Rowe
Nixterrimus at Gmail

not sure if u have done programming but its usually fairly easy to pick up new languages if u have the general jist of it.

sicon99 Wrote:not sure if u have done programming but its usually fairly easy to pick up new languages if u have the general jist of it.

I know and love java, my ruby is coming a long, I've written assembly and Lisp. So, I have some experience. The ruby community seems to feel that ruby and python aren't so dissimilar that it's impossible to make the leap, so I'm confident from that I could do it.

I have done bunch of java, bit of c, bit of php, tuns of html web stuff, bit ofperal ect.. not to much python, but im sure you could figure it out, im done school in a month so maybe ill plunk away at some of this with ya.

I've been using Insteon for over 2 years now. It's great and has improved over the 2 years I've been using it. More and more Insteon compatiable devices are being introduced, seems like every quarter now (i.e. thermostat control, keypads, light switches, contact closures for doors/windows, motion detectors, etc.)

I'm currently using the following with my 24/7 PC:
http://www.smarthome.com/2412S/PowerLinc...ial/p.aspx

with PowerHome(software to communicate with Insteon PLM):
http://www.power-home.com/

The great thing about this, is PowerHome has a UDP socket server for sending and listening to external applications - for example XBMC =)

All of the automation is accomplished with PowerHome, which can communicate with just about any home automation controller out there.

It would be great to have UDP integration with XBMC and PowerHome.

What I'd personally like to do is build a custom XBMC screen to control the lights and themostats, etc. from a touch panel PC running XBMC.

I'm currently running PowerHome to do my home automation, but I'm looking for a front end to control my music, video and have the ability to build a custom screens integrate lighting control.

A cool scenario that I've been able to accomplish with PowerHome and Insteon is -
I have a Insteon motion detector at the entrance of our home theater, so when the kids approach, I have PowerHome pause the current movie and turn the light from 15% dim to 60% dim. This is just one of my many scenarios, but once you start thinking of what to do next, the options are almost limitless.

Anyway just thought I'd add my 2 cents.