implementing a toggle function in x10

[bcboy@thecraftstudio.com]

I'm pretty sure this isn't possible, but just in case, is there any way
(short of dedicating a PC or other high-end device) to implement a
"toggle" function with one x10 code, so a single button will do on and
off (sorta like a garage door opener).

The problem I'm trying to solve is implementing lights on/off commands
from a Homelink unit in a car. It will learn one x10 code on a single
button. I would like to use the same button to alternate between "on"
and "off", i.e. one press should issue the off command, and the next
press (after release) should send the on command. I have a cm11a,
however it appears to be stateless, so it won't solve this problem as
far as I can tell.

I haven't been able to find much detail on the Homelink, but I suspect
the buttons are only capable of sending a single code.

Obviously if I dedicated a PC I could store a state and write a "macro"
that alternates, but that's not really an option for me.

[Mark Thomas]

> I haven't been able to find much detail on the Homelink, but I
suspect
> the buttons are only capable of sending a single code.
>
> Obviously if I dedicated a PC I could store a state and write a
"macro"
> that alternates, but that's not really an option for me.

Is a low-cost controller an option? For $150 you can get an Ocelot,
which would allow you to set up your toggle, and as a bonus it would be
able to do many, many other things as well.

- Mark.

[Jack Ak]

<bcboy@thecraftstudio.com> wrote in message news:1115102598.780929.199910@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...
> I'm pretty sure this isn't possible, but just in case, is there any way
> (short of dedicating a PC or other high-end device) to implement a
> "toggle" function with one x10 code, so a single button will do on and
> off (sorta like a garage door opener).
>
> The problem I'm trying to solve is implementing lights on/off commands
> from a Homelink unit in a car. It will learn one x10 code on a single
> button. I would like to use the same button to alternate between "on"
> and "off", i.e. one press should issue the off command, and the next
> press (after release) should send the on command. I have a cm11a,
> however it appears to be stateless, so it won't solve this problem as
> far as I can tell.
>
> I haven't been able to find much detail on the Homelink, but I suspect
> the buttons are only capable of sending a single code.
>
> Obviously if I dedicated a PC I could store a state and write a "macro"
> that alternates, but that's not really an option for me.
>

X10 modules should be considered stateless devices. Knowledge
of the current state is not necessary for operation.

My wife's car has the Homelink 3 button transmitter. One button activates
the garage door operator. The other two are dedicated to a macro which
controls a couple of WS-467 wall switches. One button sends the macro
On command and the other sends the Off command. The macro will turn off
the lights two minutes after the Macro On command if no Off command is received.
This provides on/off control of the lights using a single Homelink button, while
the third Homelink button provides an immediate Off.

ActiveHome software is used to download the macro commands to a CM11A
so the PC isn't running all the time.

[Dave Houston]

"Mark Thomas" <mrt@thomaszone.com> wrote:

>> I haven't been able to find much detail on the Homelink, but I
>suspect
>> the buttons are only capable of sending a single code.
>>
>> Obviously if I dedicated a PC I could store a state and write a
>"macro"
>> that alternates, but that's not really an option for me.
>
>Is a low-cost controller an option? For $150 you can get an Ocelot,
>which would allow you to set up your toggle, and as a bonus it would be
>able to do many, many other things as well.
>

How will an Ocelot allow this? I can see ways to do it using an Ocelot PLUS
something to sense whether the light is on or off (e.g. a Bobcat light
sensor) but that adds another $40-50 cost and the Ocelot will also need a
TW523 ($30-35) to communicate with the X-10 modules.

I've always thought the Ocelot offers the most bang for the buck of any HA
controller but it's still a bit pricey if you don't need a lot of bang.

[Robert L. Bass]

> I can see ways to do it using an Ocelot PLUS
> something to sense whether the light is on or off...
> --- snip ---

You're making this more complicated than it needs to be.

For a simple toggle operation like this it is unnecessary to have the Ocelot
sense the state of the light. In practice as the user approaches the house
he presses the HomeLink to toggle the light on (or off). If he doesn't get
the desired result because the Ocelot happens to be out of sync with the
light he simply presses the button again.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34231
877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

[Sylvan Butler]

On 2 May 2005 23:43:18 -0700, bcboy@thecraftstudio.com <bcboy@thecraftstudio.com> wrote:
> I'm pretty sure this isn't possible, but just in case, is there any way
> (short of dedicating a PC or other high-end device) to implement a
> "toggle" function with one x10 code, so a single button will do on and
> off (sorta like a garage door opener).

Tricky.

Probably could do it with various combinations of appliance modules and
possibly needing some 120v relays. But ouch, it makes my head hurt. :)

> I haven't been able to find much detail on the Homelink, but I suspect
> the buttons are only capable of sending a single code.

I think so. :(

> Obviously if I dedicated a PC I could store a state and write a "macro"
> that alternates, but that's not really an option for me.

Someday...

sdb

--
Wanted: Omnibook 800 & accessories, cheap, working or not
sdbuse1 on mailhost bigfoot.com

[Ian Shef]

bcboy@thecraftstudio.com wrote in news:1115102598.780929.199910
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:

> I'm pretty sure this isn't possible, but just in case, is there any way
> (short of dedicating a PC or other high-end device) to implement a
> "toggle" function with one x10 code, so a single button will do on and
> off (sorta like a garage door opener).
>
> The problem I'm trying to solve is implementing lights on/off commands
> from a Homelink unit in a car. It will learn one x10 code on a single
> button. I would like to use the same button to alternate between "on"
> and "off", i.e. one press should issue the off command, and the next
> press (after release) should send the on command. I have a cm11a,
> however it appears to be stateless, so it won't solve this problem as
> far as I can tell.

A JDS Time Commander can do this, but may be a little pricey unless you use
it for other purposes as well.

I implemented this to save buttons on an RF remote control. The command went
from the remote to the receiver and then X-10 to the Time Commander. A macro
on the Time Commander keeps track of state and sends the correct On or Off
command to the light. Note that this doubles the delay between the key press
and the result.


--
Ian Shef 805/F6 * These are my personal opinions
Raytheon Company * and not those of my employer.
PO Box 11337 *
Tucson, AZ 85734-1337 *