X10 Ackis Module

Creator: Omegix Status: Code Completed, Awaiting Install Born On: 16:52, 21 January 2010 (CST) Last Updated: 11:42, 05 February 2010 (CDT)

Overview

Latest Version

Version 1

Version 1.0

• Accepts the following commands
  • PrimaryON - Turns on the RF Lamp Module (hardset to A1 by manufacturer)
  • PrimaryOFF - Turns off the RF Lamp Module (hardset to A1 by manufacturer)
  • ModuleON [A-P][1-16] - Turns on any lamp module A1 through P16
  • ModuleOFF [A-P][1-16] - Turns off any lamp module A1 through P16

Version 1.1

Change log:

• Added password protection of X10 Modules.
• Added capabilities to run as an external module (running on a different system than ackis_core)

Materials

• X10 Firecracker (jeff has) (Valued at $6.92)
• X10 RF reciever (jeff has) (Values at $10.00)
• Machine to host module
  • Brimstone has a machine at the shop with a serial port that can host the ackis module. The machine hosting the ackis_core does not have a serial port. Omegix 12:48, 3 February 2010 (CST)
• Ackis Server (in place)
• Ackis Module (this is what's being created)
• X10 Flourescent Switch (jeff has) (Valued at $11)

Resources

Software Resources

• http://www.linuxha.com/bottlerocket/
  • Note: If using in Ubuntu, you will need to follow these instructions to make the serial connection persist after reboot
  • http://www.computechgroup.com/?p=245
• http://wish.sourceforge.net/index1.html (This will likely not compile, it was not supported in Kernel 2.5, and we're on Kernel 2.6 now)

Hardware Resources

• http://kbase.x10.com/wiki/Fluorescent_Lights

Progress

• Changed module access from an ACL to password protection. Omegix 10:29, 5 February 2010 (CST)
• Decided to add some potential functionality to Version 1. Can comment out if it's not ready by the time the swtich arrives. Tried to implement an ACL for individual modules. Startingout by hardcoding the ACL. the getVariable ackisComponent function is causing my method to return early. Omegix 23:46, 31 January 2010 (CST)
• Have ordered flourescent light switch for $11. Spacefelix is going to help me install it when it arrives. Omegix 10:44, 29 January 2010 (CST)
• Resolved !help issues (client_dirc needed a recompile) - Jan 29th
• Functionality of Version 1 is complete (libackis needed some code fixed for 64bit systems). Need to resolve issues with !help not responding. Omegix 17:35, 28 January 2010 (CST)
• Got the Ackis Core, and IRC client up and running. Currently the bot\module can turn on or off an X10 hardware module... once. The core is sending the module the triggers correctly, need to figure out why can't process the trigger more than once. Omegix 23:58, 26 January 2010 (CST)
• Ran into a strange dsss build error. Kinsey found an unterminated string (no end quote). For some reason the compiler didn't report it. Omegix 10:31, 26 January 2010 (CST)
• I've downloaded bottlerocket and got it working with my X10 system. Bottlerocket seems to loose track of the firecracker\serial port after a reboot of the computer.
• Started How_to_write_D_modules
• Kinsey helped me setup a D programming environment. I have D module examples to work with.

Future Functionality

May be needed for Version 1

• Need to be able to set optional Module passwords at Run Time

Other

• Need to pull X10 Module password protection from a config file instead of hardcoded, or set at run time
• If user enters in bad request, have Ackis respond with error message from shell
• Allow users to custom name their X10 modules so that no ackis module maintenance needs to be done to add things like "!Toaster OFF"
• Support for Motion detectors. Could use this as a shop occupancy indicator of some sort.

Misc

• I have posted my collection of X10 equipment here if anyone needs an X10 device: X10 Equipment