HABit Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 It would be great if you offered a serial interface module option that would turn the monitor port into a serial I/O port. The module could be mechanized pretty simply such as allowing a program to send an integer onto the serial port/module, and triggering a program on the reception of an integer value: IF Serial Port Receive Value is 33 THEN ....... or IF ...... THEN Write Serial 64 If needed, a new menu/toolbar option could be added to enable/disable the serial port module to use the port for the monitor/shell functionality (something I have never had to use). The reason this type of optional module is so desirable is the cost of I/O in automation systems. An alarm system using wired PIR/Ultra/Radar detectors ($10 ea) can consume 10 or more inputs (even more if the tamper switch is in use) versus ~= $50 per insteon motion detector. Or an HVAC system (Gas Valve, Blower Oper, Heat, Cool, Humidity calls, etc) can chew up 6 - 8 per HVAC zone. Outputs/relays, etc. are the same. Right now I have a low voltage lighting control interface with 5 IOLincs stacked in it. I have used the EZIOx devices and found them to be pretty unreliable with relatively short life spans, not to mention that if you want a comprehensive I/O device (ie EZIO8) then throw a PLM into the mix making the cost of implementation even more expensive. Of the two in my speaker control system, at 3 years life one is already failing to respond to commands. I know that there are network solutions that can be implemented, but again the cost per I/O node is expensive (ie the Elk ip232 is $150 or more). The relative simplicity of attaching devices to a serial link makes this type of option very appealing to end users. It would allow Arduino or rPi boards to be attached as extensions to the ISY I/O. I cannot help but believe that this type of interface would spawn a host of 3rd party add-ons for the ISY increasing its versatility even more than the excellent control system it already is. Just a wish! Link to comment
Teken Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 There are several threads requesting the very same - some have offered quite a few *value* added I/O solutions. Link to comment
Michel Kohanim Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Hi SeeGreen, Thanks so very much for the feedback. We did try that a long time ago using a multiplexer but due to very low demand we abandoned it. I do not think we'll resurrect it again. On the other hand, one can use Polyglot. With kind regards, Michel Link to comment
HABit Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 Teken, can you give me an idea of where I might find those links? Thanks. Michel, thanks for your feedback. I guess I missed that option. The serial module/option seems like a no-brainer with the current popularity of microcontroller based CPU boards. But I'm sure you folks have a better idea regarding product appeal than I have from my perspective. We have been looking at potential solutions for a controller in a product solution (in planning). The ISY is one I wanted to consider, but right now the I/O is cost prohibitive, and from our perspective IoT solutions don't have the level of security we want for the product (reason for wanting a hard wired serial I/O). I really like my ISY and have watched how you have conducted your company, and the development of its products for years, with great admiration. I think it will only continue to be more appealing as an automation component, and continue to grow in popularity. If there are cost effective I/O solutions out there that afford an acceptable level of security, then I would happy to hear about and evaluate them. Thanks for a great product. Christopher Link to comment
Michel Kohanim Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Hi Christopher, Thanks so very much for the kind words. Have you looked at: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/20239-proof-of-concept-micro-node-server-running-on-an-esp8266/?p=194310 ? esp8266 is between $4.00 to $10.00 depending on the quantity. Security, yes, I totally understand and agree with. With kind regards, Michel Link to comment
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