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(Last updated: Sunday, April 19, 2009)
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TCF 2011 Home Automation Presentation & Demonstration

Status: I'm currently working on putting together all the hardware, software, and presentation material for my TCF Presentation. I intend to be much better prepared than I was last year. This year I will be doing an actual HA demonstration with Misterhouse on a Plug computer (only uses 4 watts of power).

My todo list

  • Plug computer: up and running
  • Linux: installed
  • Misterhouse: installed (still needs further trimming)
  • ARM Java & Groovy installed
  • Floor Plan (working)
    • Documentation
    • Rooms with title on hover (Works on Firefox, partially unsupported on others)
    • Alternate icons
    • Extended css and html attributes
    • SVG & AJAX version
  • RS232 (FTDI & PL2303: installable modules)
  • X10 & Insteon (in progress.)
    • Lamp
    • Appliance
    • RF
    • Rain 8
    • Insteon EZIO2x4
  • ZigBee (in development)
  • EIO: writting the driver
  • UIO: planning
  • Tweet-A-Watt: parts purchased, needs to be assembled, tested and a driver written
  • Misterhouse modifications: ongoing.
    • User web pages: documented, need to build reasonable examples
    • fix up various code
    • Document development work
    • Documentation: updated wiki pages, need to work on install procedures and tips.
    • Code writting (ongoing)
  • Doll House
    • Built
    • wiring
    • paint
    • furnishings
  • Presentation: planning
    • Previous presentation reviewed
    • Organized
    • Test run on a local user group

My other todo list

The above represents the list of things I need to get done so I can do a proper presentation at TCF in April. This next part is what I want to have but won't let stop my presentation. The following are in no particular order.

  • Linux cross-compile tool (various processors)
    • Compile distribution
    • Compile needed languages (like Perl & Java)
    • Compile needed libraries (like LibUSB)
    • Compile native tools and apps (like POTM)
  • Contiki RTOS - various processors (like the 3 AVR Ravens)
  • My own HA/Linux distribution
  • DollHouse 2.0 (based on Java/Groovy)
  • XBee or Raven wireless demo thermostats (802.15.4)
  • Lutron Linux interface
  • MisterHouse Mobile interface (for Android, iPod Touch and iPhone)
  • MisterHouse JavaScript Floor Plan editor
  • MisterHouse AJAX Plan (like dynamically updating the bottom bar for Temperatures and current mode)

The above represents quite a few man-hours worth of work. It's really hard to appreciate what goes into something like this until you actually do it.

Click here to start

Table of contents

Author: Neil Cherry

E-mail: ncherry@linuxha.com

Homepage: http://www.linuxha.com/

Description: SB-225: Home Automation Demonstration, Neil Cherry, Author/AT&T Research Lab

Abstract: A discussion and demonstration of home automation technology for the DIY ethusiast. The demonstration will consist of Linux, a Plug computer, a doll house and Misterhouse (written in Perl) being used in actual and simulated usage of common home automation tasks.

Bio: Neil Cherry is the author of Wiley's "Linux Smart Homes For Dummies." He has been working with computers, computer electronics, and software since 1978; has been playing with X10 since 1982; and began automating his home in 1992 when a friend gave him an X10 computer interface. Neil started the Linux Home Automation web site http://www.linuxha.com in 1996. When he is not riding his bicycle or playing with home automation, he works for AT&T Research Labs as a Test Engineer. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering Technologies (AAS) and Computer Science (BS)

Further information:
2010 Trenton Computer Festival (TCF) Home Automation presentation by Neil Cherry.

Download: the 2011 Home automation Presentation (PDF - not available until April)