Computer Controlled Emergency Lighting?????

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Mon Mar 17, 2003 5:29 pm

Does anyone know of a computer application out there that can drive relays when a function is selected whether it be via keyboard or touchscreen. I am looking for a "simple" application to switch relays to turn on emergency lights. I am imagining it being controlled through the db9 com port on the laptop computer and being hooked to a controller board which would have outputs to drive the relays.

Anyone know of something in existance for this?

Jason

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Mar 17, 2003 5:37 pm

There are a few companies that have delved into this. There is only one, well maybe two problems.

1. Blue Screen of Death & "This program has preformed and illegal operaton and will be shutdown"

2. Whats wrong with a switch?

Post by Pj » Mon Mar 17, 2003 6:49 pm

I know it has been down, as I have been seeing ad's in Radio Resource and a few others, that combines lights/sirens/radio and a couple of other functions into a dashboard intergrated panel.

As for standalone applications, I have found these, some you need to complie your own programs, but shouldn't be too bad:

http://www.controlanything.com/html/r8x.htm
http://www.quasarelectronics.com/computer_projects.htm

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon Mar 17, 2003 9:20 pm

Not a good idea for a municipal vehicle. If the computer goes down, so does everything else. Imagine a CDPD error while in pursuit.
Also, if it says "Windows", it will fail. Remember...."KISS" (Keep it simple, stupid!)

It sounds like a great idea, but not. It would, however, be fun to try!

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 7:27 am

It would be for my personal vehicle as a toy. Experiementing is fun.

Jason

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 9:03 am

JMR964 wrote:It would be for my personal vehicle as a toy. Experiementing is fun.

Ah, well that is different. That sounds like something I would try to do, too.

Post by **alex** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 10:38 am

You can probably use the parallel port on your computer to do it.

I would grab some books on this - I don't even know where to begin with this. You'd have to send certain pins high/low to control functions - but it's something that's quite common, and you should be able to find lots of information regarding this.

-Alex

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 11:55 am

Jason,

Federal Signal has a working program to to just what you want, but I imagine that it is horribly over-priced. The screen layout is similar to a SmartSiren, but more user-friendly with more colors for the buttons.

I have the info sheet laying around somewhere......I'll send you an email if I find it.

BTW- If you get something working, I would be interested in coming up there to see it

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 12:08 pm

I have the SignalNet information. I haven't either bothered looking at the price on it. The relay stuff Packy refers to would work fine for me. Just need to get someone to come up with a windows based application for it. I will be checking with a sibling on that but if anyone out there would be able to make a windows based application that sends ascii codes out the serial port via user input that would be great.

Thanks

Jason

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 6:57 pm

I went and looked at the first site that Pj listed...that is a neat idea. Kinda like a /\/\ Wildcard box, but computer controlled. I'm gonna do some checking into this also....it's a helluva good idea.

Haloncloud · Post by **Haloncloud** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 7:11 pm

Here is a few that I have found in past but havent used personally. I think this might be what you might be looking for.

http://electronickits.com/kit/complete/elec/ck1601.htm

http://www.web-tronics.com/pcprinporrel.html

Some intresting links here:

http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/alexc/

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 8:17 am

Maybe Motoroa will come out with something like this. It will be DOS based and operate only on a 386 or older platform, it will take forever to get licensed- if you can, it will only work with new lightbars and won't work on any older versions, you will need a special cable for every make/model car AND equipment, and if the car crashes while any equipment is on...all of the equipment will self-destruct and have to get sent back to the factory for depot repair. Oh....and it will be available on 5 1/4" floppy, too!

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 4:58 pm

Actually Motorola did have system for just this use. It controlled the lights/siren/radio. It supposedly was much more evolved than the MW520 Virtual Control Head program. Motorola soon scrapped it due to no interest by public safety. I personally would love to get my hands on their setup for this if anyone has which I highly doubt.

Moving on....I spoke with one of my siblings and he stated it would be easy for him to develope a windows application to control the relay setup on the http://www.controlanything.com site that Paxton referred to in an earlier reply. He says he can have it ready by the end of May when he will be visiting in my area. So I am looking forward to this little project.

It seems it will be possible and I hope to get the application "looking professional".

Jason

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 6:34 pm

If you do it, you have to make it fancy.

Make a sequencer master button to avoid beating up your alternator. Hit it and it will turn each programmed function on or off in sequence one at a time.

Make flashing outputs. You can have the buttons for alley lights have a timed on-off-on-off-on-off type thing for making them flash in intersections.

jdebert · Post by **jdebert** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 10:10 pm

Don't let windoze be the control system. I speak from <<shudder>> experience!

That is an exercise reserved solely for masochists.

It would be better to get a small single-board-computer, like a 68HC11-based unit or a BASIC Stamp, etc., to do the work of controlling relays. Then you only need to have the PC tell it what to do: No need for fancy programming, no need to leap tall buildings--just a program or script that talks to the SBC and tells it what to do, leaving the "how" to do it up to the SBC.

Obviously, you will need to program the SBC to do what you want but it will be way easier than trying to get windoze to cooperate.

If you want to do it yourself, check out Circuit Cellar Ink @ newstands or @ http://circuitcellar.com/ CHeck out the adverts...

If you can find them, also check out issues of the defunct Midnight Engineering magazine.

There are also books and tutorials on how to design such control systems.

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Thu Mar 20, 2003 5:58 am

The whole point is the save space. The laptop has mobile internet and aprs on it. Why would I want to add another computer??

Jason

jdebert · Post by **jdebert** » Thu Mar 20, 2003 9:36 am

What is this going to be on? A motorcycle?

I don't mean that you should get another PC or a big mobo sized SBC.

The SBC's I have in mind are small. They are also referred to as embedded controllers. My 68HC11 development board is slightly larger than an index card. BASIC stamps are smaller: some as small as a large postage stamp. Some OEM production boards are even smaller. Many now come with embedded USB and embedded ethernet and TCP/IP.

You will have to build a control interface, as it is unsafe to drive relays or lights directly from the PC. So you will most likely have room for a small SBC or embedded controller.

With internet and aprs on it already, it has enough to do without trying to make it a controller as well.

Sounds like what you want to do is make your PC a process controller. Even if it's the only thing it ever does, windows can't do the job without breaking several times daily, at least. That will result in distraction if it breaks while you are driving. And distraction--well, you know.

BTW, if you do want to use this on a motorcycle, you might be interested the tech in a bicycle called BEHEMOTH, built by Steve Roberts, N4RVE of Nomadic Research Labs. Might get some useful info or ideas from it. It's at http://www.microship.com/ Lots of other interesting stuff there, too.

And Nuts & Volts also has info on SBC's & embedded controllers. Also has projects articles from time to time.

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 10:03 am

Just an update. I am going with the controlanything.com setup. The unit I will be using a the R810PRO. My brother is developing a WINDOWS base application for this. Once it is done and tested I may make the software available to other batboard members who would like to try this out for their personal vehicles.

If you might be interested in this let me know by leaving me a message either via email or the batboard message system.

Thanks

Jason

007 · Post by **007** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 2:29 pm

Jason....Check your PM's. I'm interested.

motorolamonster911 · Post by **motorolamonster911** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 5:39 pm

Check ur PM, I'm interested also!!

perthcom · Post by **perthcom** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 7:22 pm

Ohh this could be cool... since you already have an internet connection, make your controller an internet appliance!

It would be easy to write the screens in HTML

Fancy graphics and all!!

You'd be the first with a mobile router!

Ahh but then everyone would be hacking into it, make for an exciting drive not knowing when the lights would go!

Post by **alex** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 8:53 pm

I've thought about adding 2 antenna's to my truck to feed into a linksys wireless router for mobile computing. Should provide adaquate coverage for your vehicle and others in a convoy of sorts. Also, when I pull up to a building the laptop could be instantly registered on the network.,.. mmm...so many ideas such a thin wallet

-Alex

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 9:01 pm

Well I have a basic functioning setup now for my Toughbook CF-28 Touchscreen. I am controlling three emergency lights and my daytime running light/auto head light at night CUT OFF via a windows application that sends commands via serial/com port to a http://www.controlanything.com RS810PRO relay board. Once I get my siren back from the Motorola Shop I should be able to control three siren tones and the PA through the same application.
Have a few touch up items that I would like done to the application but it is awesome.

Jason

007 · Post by **007** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 9:09 pm

Sweet!!

I am having an equal amount of fun with my install this weekend....great things are happening.

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 10:21 am

I now have this setup fully functional. My RF problem was eliminated by using an R810 board versus an R810PRO.

My brother will be finalizing his software and has told me I can give it away for free but a small donation would be appreciated ( I am going to be giving him a little more than a small donation, he spent a lot of time on this for me).

Thanks for everyones suggestions on the RF problem.

Jason

JAYMZ · Post by **JAYMZ** » Sat May 03, 2003 4:53 pm

Excellent program Jason.....

I applaud your brothers programming prowess(sp?)...

But a question. By going into the configuration file I was able to change the labels and such on the buttons. Is there a way to make the buttons momentary?

motorolamonster911 · Post by **motorolamonster911** » Sat May 03, 2003 5:28 pm

So when/where will a copy of the software be availible?

Thanks,

Nick

jmr061 · Post by **jmr061** » Sun May 04, 2003 4:51 am

I am still having some minor updates made to it. It might be a litte while before the final program is done. I do have a working application I am using now. One of the items is to be able to set buttons on a timer or make it strickly momentary.

Jason

perthcom · Post by **perthcom** » Mon May 05, 2003 6:51 pm

Local police got computer-controlled light controller a few years ago. (Microprocessor controller with remote power switching to light bar)

They were neat, one button would start all lights in sequence (to reduce startup current). It had a "spill resistant" keyboard.

But they were a mega headache!! slide into the seat on a very dry day.. and POOFF! Static electricity would blow it!! Only 4 cars and we couldn't keep enough spares around... they bought the units themselves, but of course it was all our fault for the problems with them.

so... whats wrong with a switch KISS!!

Computer Controlled Emergency Lighting?????

Computer Controlled Emergency Lighting?????

Embedded Controllers/SBC's