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Announce: xAP Plugins for HouseBot

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:35 pm
by erspearson
xAP Plugins for HouseBot is a set of software components that connects HouseBot to a xAP home automation network allowing HouseBot to increase the range of devices it works with.

xAP-enabled HouseBot installations can work with audio servers such as Logitec's SqueezeBox; lighting systems including Clipsal C-Bus, X10, Dynalite and DMX; 1-Wire temperature/weather monitoring; caller ID etc etc. xAP Plugins for HouseBot can also be used to integrate HouseBot with other home automation platforms such as HomeSeer and Cytech's Comfort. xAP is not any particular piece of software or hardware; it’s a standard created to help programs and devices created by different home automation manufacturers and enthusiasts talk to each other. http://www.xapautomation.org

xAP Plugins for HouseBot adds the following interface and devices to HouseBot:
  • xAP Network Interface. An intelligent network interface that monitors the xAP network and constructs a dynamic network view of remote xAP devices. The network interface can automatically create HouseBot devices for xAP Basic Status and Control (BSC) devices.
  • xAP Listener Device. Listens to all messages sent by a remote device on the xAP Network. The device will automatically create and then maintain HouseBot properties and values for all xAP message items received.
  • xAP Sender Device. Can send arbitrary xAP messages. You define the structure of the message using a set of custom HouseBot properties.
  • xAP BSC Binary Device. Simple on/off control for switches, relays etc.
  • xAP BSC Level Device. Analogue control using a numeric level for dimmers, volume controls etc.
  • xAP BSC Stream Device. Input or output of text or numeric information.
  • xAP BSC Choice Device. A variation on a stream device where the value is chosen from a list.
All these devices are fully compatible with other HouseBot devices. They can be scripted, used in triggers and tasks as well as working with HouseBot's graphical remote control development tools.

xAP Plugins for HouseBot has taken considerable development effort and been in beta test for a several months. It is now ready for its v1.0 public release.
The home page for the software can be found at http://www.erspearson.com/xAP/HouseBot.

A huge thanks to the beta testers for their efforts over the last few months!
And an extra special big hug for Scott; without his tremendous support, this would not have been possible.

Edward Pearson
ersp - design, London.