Update

The phidget development under LMCE is going well.

Basic device is working, sends "Sensor trigger" Event on sensor change.

Great work DM.

And the alix3c3 arrived, very cool.

Update

OK, so phidgets arrived, temp, light, motion, force and slider.

A LinuxMCE developer is going to integrate the phidgets, very cool.

I have ordered a alix3c3, this will be the remote telemetry box that the phidgets are attached to.

PLCBUS

OK so automations systems can have problems with 240v, so PLCBUS is the way to go, I am going to order a PLCBUS-1141 USB Computer Interface and an appliance module.

The plan is still to use LinuxMCE.

I want to build a telemetry box that will sit in each important room, this will comprise a PC Engines board and Phidgets light, motion and temperature sensors as well as 802.11a wireless and a USB webcam (maybe a Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF). It may be tricky to get LinuxMCE to talk to this though.

Comments

Does anyone have any comments?

phidgets.com

Wondering out loud about the feasibility of getting the following from phidgets.com working with LMCE:

(prices in Canadian dollars)
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 $80.00
Light Sensor $7.00
Motion Sensor $45.00
Temperature Sensor $7.00
Dual Relay Board $19.00

PhidgetInterfaceKit 0/0/4 $60.00

PhidgetCircularTouch $60.00

All this stuff can be monitored and controlled through the PhidgetWebService and Linux is supported.

The top 5 devices connect up using USB to provide data for a single zone, lighting, motion, temperature and relays to turn stuff on/off.

The PhidgetInterfaceKit 0/0/4 is a standalone USB controlled relay.

The PhidgetCircularTouch is a USB controller, I was thinking there could be one in each zone, to control volume, light levels and so on...

Dual soundcards

OK so maybe dual sound-cards in a single PC is not so easy, I will use my Windows MCE as the living room Slimserver front-end and build up a SFF PC for the second zone with Linux, Squeezeslave on both should do the trick. Controlled by the N800.

LinuxMCE

LinuxMCE is a branch of Pluto Home, it looks good, need to investigate more into removing the GUI on the core though, some more info here.

It is based on Kubuntu and utilises Asterisk, Xine, MythTV, Firefox, VideoLAN and SlimServer.

To begin with I will install this on a spare PC with two sound cards for multi-room and have it operate my amp through serial.

I will probably pick up a USB thermometer and USB relay controller.

Also picked up on using RFID to allow your preferences to follow you around the house, this kit looks promising.