Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] bunch'o misc. questions Mark Gilmore Wed, 14 Apr 1999 17:00:01 -0700

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Hi Steve,

Before re-creating VB/GUI wheels, I suggest that you look
at http://www.infinet.com/~dhoehnen/software/ace.htm.
ACE communicates with ECS via the DDE API.

The voice modem (PHONE-INTERFACE-C) will monitor CID on
ONE line, with the ZOOM COMSTAR 56 being the modem of choice
(around $100). The modem detects DTMFs.

To monitor CID on additional lines, you will need to use one
of the following:
1) CALL EDITOR RSA (CALLER-IFC-A).
   http://www.vive.com/vivesyn/catalog/p_cedrsa.htm).
   1 per line at $80 each.
2) MLM-2X/4X/8X (PHONE-INTERFACE-D).
   http://www.yes-tele.com.
   These monitor 2/4/8 lines at $229/$359/$495.
NOTE: There MAY be a way of safely multiplexing mutliple
lines into one modem (ANYONE KNOW IF THIS IS POSSIBLE ?).
If so, you could save major $, as you would not need
either of the above.

Steve Letkeman wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> 
>     Mark was kind enough to let me evaluate a copy of ECS and I have
> played with it enough now to be dangerous!  Actually, I've decided to
> give it a try (Mark, the cheque is in the mail ;-) ) But I'm going to go
> about this a little differently.  I am going to use ECS as the interface
> to X10 and the phone line but I am going to write a VB program that
> controls the flow of information through my CAN network and will
> display floor plans etc.  The VB program will also have an interface
> to Slink-e (www.nirvis.com) which will control IR stuff and my CD
> jukebox.  Also, because ECS is a little tricky (OK, a lot) to program
> for an non ecs user (wife) I am going to interface another time-scheduling
> program through DDE to VB and ECS.  I'm looking at using Schedule
> Wizard 98 http://www.dlcwest.com/~sorev/index.html
> Any comments on this part so far are welcome.
> 
> Questions:
> I want ECS to provide the interface to the phone line for two main
> functions
> 1) Caller ID with name display, possibly for three phone lines
> 2) Security dialer.  I want ECS to dial out in case of fire/break-in etc and
> call a number of different people and give specific messages as to
> the problem and then have those people dtmf a command or acknowledgment
> back to ECS so that it will stop trying.
> 
> What is the recommended modem of choice?  Do I need a separate DTMF
> decoder or what do other people do?
> 
> I have other questions but I'll start with this for now,
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Steve
> 
> Zanthic Technologies Inc. located at    http://www.zanthic.com
> 68HC11/CAN (Controller Area Network) Development Systems and other
> PC CAN interfaces including the CAN-4-EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port)

-- 
Mark Gilmore
Omnipotence (ECS Home Automation Software)
omnip@usit.net
http://www.usit.com/omnip

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