The following tutorials provide step-by-step instructions covering several common configuration tasks in HouseBot. They can be used
not only for specific configuration instructions, but they can also be helpful for understanding the basic capabilities of HouseBot.
These tutorials only cover a few basic examples. Understanding the concepts will provide the knowledge to create more complex configurations.
HouseBot Tutorials
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Create and Control X10 Switch
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Demonstrates the basic and most common functions in HouseBot of creating and configuring a Hardware
Interface and Device. The tutorial walks through what is needed to setup HouseBot to control an X10 switch. |
| Controlling equipment with Infrared (IR) |
Demonstrates the configuration needed to setup HouseBot to control any IR attached equipment. |
| Turning lights on at sunset |
Demonstrates a very common task of automating lights to turn on (and off) at a specific time. |
| Controlling Devices with Software Remotes |
Simple tutorial the shows the basics of adding a Property Change button to a Theme that can be used in a Software Remote to control a Device in HouseBot. |
| Configuring the Generic Serial Plugin |
Demonstrates the basic configuration steps involved in using either the Generic Serial plugins or the GC-100 (similar) to communicate with attached hardware using RS232. |
The functionality of HouseBot can be extended by the development of Plugins. Plugins allow third-parties
or end users to create extensions to HouseBot for specific Hardware Interfaces or Devices.
For example, to have HouseBot communicate with an RS232 controlled audio amplifier, a Hardware Interface Plugin
(DLL) can be written to control the device. The Interface will provide specific functions available to
any HouseBot Devices that can use them (Typically if a unique Hardware Interface Plugin is created, it will
also require a specific Device Plugin to control it).
Another example would be if there was a need to control a particular software program running on the HouseBot
server. A Device Plugin could be created that can control the application (either through IPC, Windows
Messages or any supported control method).
If you are a software developer and are interested in writing plugin modules for HouseBot, the SDK's below are
provided to help create the plugins. The SDK's include protocol information, required header files, and sample
applications to facilitate the development of HouseBot plugins.
There are two types of plugins supported by HouseBot.
Device Plugins - Device Plugins provide Device definitions and functionality for controllable devices.
The devices can be either Hardware Devices which require a Hardware Interface Plugin to communicate with or
Software Devices that control software running on the HouseBot Server.
Hardware Interface Plugins - Hardware Interface Plugins provide the necessary software interfaces to control
physical hardware either in or connected to the HouseBot server. The software interfaces allow Devices to control
the attached hardware through property changes.
The Hardware Plugin SDK includes the necessary files to develop Plugins in C/C++.
The Device SDK includes the necessary files to develop Plugins in C/C++.
For more information on the details of Plugin development, please see the ReadMe files in the Device and Interface SDKs.
The SDK's are provided as ZIP file archives. The archives contain a readme file that explains that
contents of the SDK and information for creating plugins.
HouseBot SDKs| Hardware Interface Plugin SDK: (Version 3.02) | Download |
| Device Plugin SDK: (Version 3.00) | Download |
All of the software required to run HouseBot is included in the setup package.
If you believe you are missing a component, be sure to run setup and ensure that
all of the necessary feature options are selected to be installed.
Some plugins require additional drivers that you may not have on your system.
3rd party support drivers and other necessary files can be downloaded below.
HouseBot Support Files| Smarthome Device Manager (SDM): | Download |
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| Description: | SDM3 - version 308. This is a required file for the PowerLinc2 Hardware Interface. |
| Version: | 308 |
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| Intermatic USB Stick Drivers - 2K & XP: | Download |
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| Description: | Intermatic ZWave USB Stick Drivers for Windows 2K & XP |
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| Intermatic USB Stick Drivers - Vista: | Download |
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| Description: | Intermatic ZWave USB Stick Drivers for Vista |
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| ACT ZWave ZCUxxx Drivers - 2K & XP: | Download |
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| Description: | ACT ZWave ZCU101 and ZCU201 virtual serial port drivers for Windows 2K & XP |
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| ACT ZWave ZCUxxx Drivers - Vista: | Download |
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| Description: | ACT ZWave ZCU101 and ZCU201 virtual serial port drivers for Windows Vista |
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| Microsoft Jet Database support: | Download |
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| Description: | Microsoft Jet Database support required to run HouseBot on old versions of Windows. |
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| RFXCOM Support: | Download |
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| Description: | Setup program that includes the plugins needed to support the RFXCOM RF transceiver. |
