View Full Version : [REQUEST] xAP Home Automation Control Protocol compatible python script for XBMC
xap looks like it would be perfect for xbmc!
there is already a plug-in for homeseer (home automation software) and many other apps. xap would greatly and easily (no scripting) extend xbmc's functionality and interoperability with outside apps that support xap and be able to exchange and display data as well as control devices (software and hardware).
here's some info...
what is xap
xap home automation protocol
xap, (pronounced zap)
xap is an open protocol intended to support the integration of telemetry and control devices primarily within the home - it is the glue that supports the interconnectivity of home automation devices.
the primary design objectives are:
simple, easy to implement/retrofit
suitable for use with a wide range of processing capabilities, from embedded controllers to fully fledged pc's
operating system agnostic
programming language agnostic
network agnostic
these are lofty design goals, and initial implementation is currently focussed on ip based networks, pc's running linux and win32, and rabbit embedded microcontrollers.
see http://www.xapautomation.org/index.php for more!
xbmc dev team:
please integrate this. it would add true integration ability to xbmc across os platforms, applications, and hardware.
well the sound of an crossplatform layer to communicate with other apps sound pretty good. i only don't know what sort of apps are already compatible with xap which will bring xbmc to a higher level. can you give some example programs?
you can check the xap web site but things like 'tv guide' (epg), weather, integration with home automation software like homeseer (x10 and many other protocols) and hardware that supports xap (a few already).
the great thing is that you could have xbmc fully interact with pvr software like meedio or beyondtv without any special plug-ins or interfaces other then the open protocol xap.
anyone from xbmc dev have any comments?
jmarshall
2004-10-29, 19:06
it seems like a fairly simple thing to implement. i haven't looked into networking stuff before, but i think it'd be pretty easy to do something with.
ofcourse, this all presupposes that there is a point to doing this. ie is there some real-world application that you particularly want this for? do you want xbmc to be a receiver of data from other devices, or a poster of data?
also, it may be possible to do this entirely in python - the python gurus would no better than me.
and finally, what is up with the size of the font used in your sig? how about having something a bit less eye gouging?
cheers,
jonathan
for me... the purpose would be mostly the exchange of data and images between my homeseer (home automation) software, pvr software (whatever that may be later), and my home theater system.
basically i'd like to use xbmc as by "home control interface".
here's some thing i know off-hand i'd like to do with xap in xbmc...
1) show images/text from the home automation software to display lighting status, appliance status, security system status, etc
2) show what channels the pvr is recording, scheduled recordings, reminders, etc. display the epg (program guide) pulled from the pvr software and control all functions of the pvr.
having things like the above work would allow the system to be "smart" and create system-wide macros to turn items on/off, dim lighting, etc. depending on what you choose to do within xbmc... like play a game, watch a movie, etc. since it could interact with the other systems it would know that when i choose to watch a movie, and it is after 7pm at night, it will automatically dim the lighting to 30%.
things like that.
this does not include the few dozen other apps built for/with xap that could be integrated... caller id, vfd, and much more.
the possibilities are endless and the protocol is becoming very popular for interfacing systems both homebrew and commercial.
jmarshall
2004-10-30, 12:36
i think your best bet then is to look for a python implementation. seems to me that this may already exist. if so, you'd just need to port it to the xbox python libraries (which probably wouldn't be too hard).
it's probably not something that'd be ever incorporated into the main xbmc project i'm afraid (too many more important things to do).
it's an ideal opportunity for you (or someone else) to learn a bit about something.
cheers,
jonathan
xap looks like it would be perfect for xbmc!
this would add true integration ability to xbmc across os platforms, applications, and hardware!
with an xap script we could add things like 'tv guide' (epg), real-time weather reports/alerts, integration with home automation software like homeseer (xap plug-in already exists - x10 and many other protocols) and hardware that supports xap (a few already).
you could have xbmc fully interact with pvr software like meedio or beyondtv without any special plug-ins or interfaces other then the open protocol xap.
for my personal use i'd like to use xbmc as a full "home control interface".
here's some thing i know off-hand i'd like to do with xap in xbmc...
1) show images/text from the home automation software to display lighting status, appliance status, security system status, etc
2) show what channels the pvr is recording, scheduled recordings, reminders, etc. display the epg (program guide) pulled from the pvr software and control all functions of the pvr.
...having functions above would allow the system to be "smart" and create system-wide macros and be stateful. this allows the system to turn items on/off, dim lighting, etc. depending on what you choose to do within xbmc... like play a game, watch a movie, etc. since it could interact two-way with the other systems it would know that when i choose to watch a movie, and it is after 7pm at night, it will automatically dim the lighting to 30%.
this does not include the few dozen other apps built for/with xap that could be integrated... caller id, vfd, and much more.
here's some basic info...
what is xap
xap home automation protocol
xap, (pronounced zap)
xap is an open protocol intended to support the integration of telemetry and control devices primarily within the home - it is the glue that supports the interconnectivity of home automation devices.
the primary design objectives are:
simple, easy to implement/retrofit
suitable for use with a wide range of processing capabilities, from embedded controllers to fully fledged pc's
operating system agnostic
programming language agnostic
network agnostic
these are lofty design goals, and initial implementation is currently focussed on ip based networks, pc's running linux and win32, and rabbit embedded microcontrollers.
see http://www.xapautomation.org/index.php for more!
i'd like to hear what others think about this?
cyberplague
2004-11-01, 20:23
this looks very interesting. i did a little googling and reading of the site, and it seems that there is a c, .net and python library for this. all the links however for the python library seem to be dead.
i am trying to get ahold of the author to see about getting them. once i get them i will see about getting it to run on xbmc.
cp
some useful xap sites
xapautomation (http://www.xapautomation.org) the main xap site
xap wiki (http://wiki.xapautomation.org) good place to find information, very comprehensive list of applications. easily searchable.
developer mailing list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xap_developer)
user mailing list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xap_automation)
as you say, the links to the python library are dead at the moment. if you ask on the developer mailing list, the author, patrick, should be able to sort you out.
if you want some real world xapplications to play with, try xapframework (http://www.xapframework.net) and mi4 (http://www.mi4.biz).
cyberplague
2004-11-02, 01:51
joined the dev mailing list. waiting for reply hopefully with the python library.
will post once i know more.
cp
thanks for looking into this guys... i really appreciate it!
i can photoshop pretty well but a crappy js & vb scripter and know nothing about python.
i look forward to what you find!
cyberplague
2004-11-02, 19:02
got a reply from the developer, said the download should hopefully be up tonight, and offered up help if/when i get lost.
more to come soon.
cp
cyber,
did you get the code? just wondering how things are going?
i'm ready to test when you have a beta ;)
cyberplague,
wanted to check in to see if you had made any progress on the script?
thanks for helping the community!
matt11601
2004-11-23, 17:24
this sounds amazing....all i can offer is my support and hope you guys can make progress because this would take xbmc to another level.
cyberplague
2004-11-23, 18:45
still no word from the developer and still no dl, i will try direct emailing him again.. =/
if i get some time after thanksgiving, i will try and throw something together from scratch.
cp
cyberp,
thanks for the efforts!
i will also try to contact someone at xap
cyberplague
2004-11-24, 18:06
good news, i finally got a response as well as the library. i will start looking at it this weekend and see what i can do.
cp
cyber,
just wondering if you have any news on your progress?
thanks!
cyberplague
2004-12-23, 01:08
sorry for the delay in updates, i have gotten swamped at work and haven't had much time. i have the initial script from the author and after a quick look it looks as though this my be easy to do. i have the next 5 days off so i will take a look and see if i can throw a sample together.
is there a certain program you want to to work with or just xap in general?
cp
the home automation program i use has an xap plug-in, and i'm hoping to use several other apps that are based on xap... so i can use my xbmc as my "home control and info center" so to say.
cyber,
did you make any progress on the python?
cyberplague
2005-01-13, 19:47
some, however it has been slow due to being slammed at work for 16+hrs a day. i will continue to try and work on it when i can and keep you posted.
cp
cyberp,
just checkin in with you. any progress at all on the plug-in?
maybe we can get another taker on helping out too?
there is a very cool open standard home control and automation protocol called xap.
web sites...
http://www.xapautomation.org
http://www.xapframework.net/
it allows status and control of home automation devices and software and several other apps via the protocol.
there are all sorts of cool apps like..
torrent monitor
slimdevice controls
email monitor & osd
x10 controls
windows media center connector
news feeds
pc monitor
ir device controls
caller id
outlook plug-ins for contacts, calendar, and dialing contacts!
tv guide
temperature sensors and controls
... and much more
... many things that are being requested in the python forum!
info on python libraries...
http://wiki.xapautomation.org/tiki-index.php?page=python+listener
the python libraries already exist so i'm hoping some kind soul here will integrate it into xbmc to allow us to make screens to control our home devices and software.
i would attempt this myself but i'm not very good with python and this will take someone with much more time or experience then i have.
xap would be perfect for xbmc... it would add true integration ability to xbmc across os platforms, applications, and hardware.
there are already several plug-ins for software and hardware like homeseer (home automation software), girder, palm, tivo, microsoft outlook, xlobby (home theatre front end), temperature sensors, email, internet services like weather, and many more!
xap easily extends functionality and interoperability with apps that support xap. it enables exchange of status and display data as well as controling devices (software and hardware).
here's some info...
xap, (pronounced zap) is an open protocol intended to support the integration of telemetry and control devices primarily within the home - it is the glue that supports the interconnectivity of home automation devices.
the primary design objectives are:
simple, easy to implement/retrofit
suitable for use with a wide range of processing capabilities, from embedded controllers to fully fledged pc's
operating system agnostic
programming language agnostic
network agnostic
see these links...
http://www.xapautomation.org
http://www.xapframework.net
http://www.mi4.biz
http://www.bazautomation.com