I am trying to do an automation for my computer (like making it turn lights on and off, etc). For this I need something that will act like the Matrix Orbital GPOs. I need it to be plugged into the serial port. Can somebody give me an example of what I need to get this started? Like a chip number and a small schimatic.
http://www.quasarelectronics.com/3074.htm if 8 channels is enough... you can buy or you can make your own... the chematicks <sp??> is in "wiev kit documentation" i made it.. wery simple... works great.. haven't found anything to use it for though.. my paralellport is busy running my LCD anyway so..
Nice! Got anything for the serial port? I want to make my own custom software for it (and I don't know how to do that with parallel ports).
There is a book called "How to control anything with your PC" That can give you good info, other than that I use X10
I saw one for the serial port once. Can't remember the URL, but I found it in a post here at bit-tech.
making a program for it is wery simple in BASIC... (about the only programming i have ever done... ) i have teh code for communicating with the paralellport here if you want... need a DLL file though (the same as we use for LCD's...) there are some nice software in the link i posted aswell... a serial one will be a bit more advanced i geuss.. ohwell.. a new challange (idea for next school year )
I would like to get something with more than 8 outputs though (i'm thinking of making a carputer that actually does things, not just plays games and mp3s. I think it would be cool if I could controll the lights in my car with it (automatically).
My first response is: DONT RUN WINDOWS -- I can see it, all of the sudden BSOD and you are ****ed lights off at 125 miles per hour, blinded by the brightness of the lcd, and you hit a tree. Wow I have a vivid imagination Other than that, you many want to look at USB to serial port converters, this way you can control 8x256(or however many usb devices you can have) with this computer. I also built a computer for my car, the project was put on hold, I am buying a new screen and having it just play dvd's from now on (due to limitations of power and other things like watching the road). I will probably upgrade the sound system in there before I install it too. Other than that, make it easy to control. Maybe have an Input and an output. Look at how to control winamp/other programs via the com port and buttons. With a small button panel you could scroll through songs and then turn your lights on and other things, all controlled by you and the computer. No more advice from me.
I see what you're saying. I'm planning on using windows XP, so no BSODs. Here's why i'm going to be using windows: it has a standby feature. It does not drain the car battery, and it has FAST bootup! The rest I can figure out how to do, but I just need a way to turn on and off a lot of devices.
I was just teasing about the BSOD thing hehe - i just thought it would be the stereotypical thing to say about windows :-D
It is I had a friend who whenever he turned his computer on it just froze. Windows ME had to go. Now it's my mac box (check my sig)
So, does anyone know of a serial controller for stuff like this? I would like to have more than 8 outputs though.
bump this... Try thishttp://www.hut.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/ad_serial.html Next time, Google yourself...
