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Would people buy this?
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cholin:
Im working on a project with no name for now (need a name!) and basically its a USB board (really small one) that you pop into your computer and it can control / read 18 inputs or outputs.  Now, you might go "so... theres a million of those out there" and there is, but they tend to be expensive!  Starting at 50 bucks for a decent one that you know wont blow up.  Now, heres the creative part, although its been done before, Im writing a web server for it!

You plug in the USB thing and click "Activate" in the software, the message box fills up with "Device found!" and starts listening for a connection.  You can now connect to your computer anywhere in the world to control your house!  This has been done before for sure, but prices with a board and the software are absolutely deadly!  Who can pay 200 bucks for a measly board that you can use via your wireless laptop!

The way I figure it, I can build some prototype boards for about 5 dollars for the first 6 or so, and after that the cost goes up to around 10 - 15.  I can sell these things in different board forms from beginner to advanced function wise and bundle the software, so with a nice hunk of profit to me, people still get a great board for under 50 bucks that can do anything they want!

Heres what Ive got on the software so far:
TravistyOJ:
At that price Id definately snag one.
MikeQ:
Products that do this already exist and are fairly cheap.  The first one that comes to mind is Home Domination.  It runs about $30 and interfaces with a bunch of different home automation devices (like X-10) that are also cheap.  It allows you to control your A/C, lights, whatever you can plug into electricity basically.

Also, in the near future you will see 802.11 light switches, plugs, etc that will allow you to have wireless control of your house from your pc.  I'm sure these systems will also have web access to a control panel.
cholin:
The Home Domination is software only and it runs at 30 bucks USD.  This would come with web software and the board for just a bit more...  and X10 modules are really quite pricey!  The MyHouseOnline software from X10 is *only* 69.99, regular 169.99!

Now tell me about it :)

Wireless light switches will need to be replaced with your old switches and will definately cost more than the 5 dollar regular 3-way light switches that you use with my board...  Ive seen some wireless light switches and they run at about 60 bucks canadian each for a decent one that actually functions as a switch and works wirelessly, but then you need a controller and some software.....

Its a great price, I looked into it for sure :)

There's a difference though, X10's plug into your socket, mine are controlled from a board so theyre not wireless... its fine for most applications since you only have to run a simple set of stereo wires or something thinner such as 2 wires out of an ethernet cable...

It would be amazing for arcacde machines though....  and general purpose ideas.  Controlling your AC is a snap with these, and it works well in cars too.
cholin:
Another 45 bucks...  but the description is exactly what my thing is...

USBmicro U401 USB Interface - $45.95
 

A fully assembled and tested USB interface device in a "SimmStick" format.  This can be used to get information from temperature sensors or other sensors, or control other devices.  The voltage of the pins is +-5V, so additional circuitry is required to control other devices (connecting higher voltages will damage the U401 and the computer), however 1-Wire devices such as the DS18S20, DS18B20 and DS1822 temperature sensors can be attached directly.
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