(11-23-2009) IR Support! I wish...

Worked on infrared remote (IR) support using my own software as well as trying WinLIRC to do the job. With my own software I don't seem to be able to get reliable, repeatable codes from the remote, while WinLIRC seems to think it does. Either way, when I try to send a command to the Roomba to initiate cleaning, it does nothing. Checked visually with my cell phone camera and the IR diode is flashing on the transmitter, but maybe the signal is too weak or not the right signal. I was really hoping to get scheduling of the Roomba put into the home automation system tonight, but it wasn't meant to be...

(10-14-2009) Motion detection example

The last few days I've been working on a passable version of motion detection. Here is a sample of my attempt. It still needs some more features, like the ability to block out certain areas from detection (like the television in the background of the picture). Another piece of the home-automation puzzle is done. This current version only works with a weird camera (IP Kamera), so adding support for other cameras will be coming.

If you're looking for a turn-key solution for web-cams and with good motion detection, I recommend WebCam XP. It's a great software product, but it was a little lacking on Home Automation features, so I had to roll-my-own in this case.

(10-02-2009) My home and it's automation...

This is a screen-shot of my CM11A prototyping application. Still need to add date/time and macro saving, but it does the bit of controlling X10 devices very well.

Right now my home automation setup is very simple. I have an array of X-10 devices installed in and around my home. I have a few X10 door/window switches, motion detectors and various lamp/appliance modules. I also have a CM11A and a Weeder W800RF for monitoring and issuing commands from my PC. I also have a CM17 that I plan to add into the works, but it's not in use at this time.

For software, I've decided to roll my own and it's all written in Delphi for the Windows platform. My software's current features are: CM11A, W800RF support - although CM11A support isn't completed at this time. Currently the software only has X10 events, so for example, when a movement is detected then a sound can be played, or a light turned on, or even synthesized speech - or any combination of these things. This is handy for reacting to things that happen, but there is definitely a need to add timed events (example: turn on bedroom light at 6 AM, Monday-Friday) and delayed events after a reactionary event has occurred (example: 5 minutes after movement, turn off the light).

There are two modes of software operation for now, those modes are "home" and "away". When "away" is flagged, then all home information is logged and passed on to the outside world via Twitter ("dons_house" on twitter, but the account is private). Also, monitoring of 2 security cameras with motion detection are forwarded on to my cell phone / e-mail account when this mode is set.

One of the problems with the motion detection system is that, on cloudy or windy days, shadow movement gives you LOTS of motion detection. This is something I need to address by either moving the cameras and motion detectors, or changing the amount of noise, blocking out certain areas from view or some combination of these.