ecsl@netbloc.com: 9727: RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?

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RE: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?
Kevin Keast
Mon, 27 Nov 2000 18:47:43 -0500

Mon, 27 Nov 2000 18:47:43 -0500

Hi Kevin

I use an intercom system for my house.  Many intercom systems out there are
really expensive so what I did is went with a security system that had one
as an optional board.

I have a DSC 832 system.  The security system works great and the intercom
system does too.  I send the output of one of my sound cards into the DSC
832 for TTS.  The other sound card on my HA computer is for playing MP3s
over my stereo system.

One plus about having the intercom system is down the line I want to add a
microphone mixer and work on the SR (Speech Recognition stuff).  I have done
this with one of the Microphones on the system but really would like to mix
all the microphones to get a single input to my sound card.

Good Luck

Kevin Keast
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Kevin Trainor [mailto:kevin@thetrainors.com]
  Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 3:10 PM
  To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
  Subject: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?


  Hi All:

  I'm still in the early stages of implementing my home automation system
using ECS.  So far, I am controlling lights and pool filtration.  When I
finish writing my serial-byte interface, I will install my new access
control system on my entry doors.  Eventually, I expect to include HVAC
control, security system control and lawn sprinkler control.

  I have ordered a Leapord and it should arrive tomorrow.  Based upon the
new features that Mark has implemented for the Leapord, I expect to be able
to use it as both an input and an output device as part of my UI.  I can see
placing one at each of my entry doors, my bedroom, and maybe a couple of
other places.

  But somehow, despite having a touch screen console on which to display
messages, I am attracted to the idea of using TTS to get the user's
attention and inform him of messages of immediate importance.  These would
run the gamut of everything from a door being left open to smoke being
detected in the basement.  Having dreamed up this feature, I am baffled
about the right way to implement it.  Do I install a public address system
and blare every message to every room in the house?  Do I try to find an
intercom system with a computer interface that would allow me to direct
messages to certain locations?  Since I'm not trying to tackle voice
recognition of commands, is this just a silly "nice to have" feature that
will turn out to be not worth the effort anyway?

  So, at last, my questions:  What are the rest of you guys doing with TTS
and other sound output?  Is it worth doing?  What delivery mechanisms have
you used?  What else should I consider before embarking on this course?

  Thanks in advance for your help.

  Kevin

Hi Kevin

I use an intercom system for my house. Many intercom systems out there are really expensive so what I did is went with a security system that had one as an optional board.

I have a DSC 832 system. The security system works great and the intercom system does too. I send the output of one of my sound cards into the DSC 832 for TTS. The other sound card on my HA computer is for playing MP3s over my stereo system.

One plus about having the intercom system is down the line I want to add a microphone mixer and work on the SR (Speech Recognition stuff). I have done this with one of the Microphones on the system but really would like to mix all the microphones to get a single input to my sound card.

Good Luck

Kevin Keast

-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Trainor [mailto:kevin@thetrainors.com]
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 3:10 PM
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com
Subject: [ECS] Are you using TTS in your HA UI?

Hi All:

I'm still in the early stages of implementing my home automation system using ECS. So far, I am controlling lights and pool filtration. When I finish writing my serial-byte interface, I will install my new access control system on my entry doors. Eventually, I expect to include HVAC control, security system control and lawn sprinkler control.

I have ordered a Leapord and it should arrive tomorrow. Based upon the new features that Mark has implemented for the Leapord, I expect to be able to use it as both an input and an output device as part of my UI. I can see placing one at each of my entry doors, my bedroom, and maybe a couple of other places.

But somehow, despite having a touch screen console on which to display messages, I am attracted to the idea of using TTS to get the user's attention and inform him of messages of immediate importance. These would run the gamut of everything from a door being left open to smoke being detected in the basement. Having dreamed up this feature, I am baffled about the right way to implement it. Do I install a public address system and blare every message to every room in the house? Do I try to find an intercom system with a computer interface that would allow me to direct messages to certain locations? Since I'm not trying to tackle voice recognition of commands, is this just a silly "nice to have" feature that will turn out to be not worth the effort anyway?

So, at last, my questions: What are the rest of you guys doing with TTS and other sound output? Is it worth doing? What delivery mechanisms have you used? What else should I consider before embarking on this course?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Kevin