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Rako Control

Tue, 11/18/2008 - 16:27 — diladmin

RakoSW is a package of open-source software to control and extend the functionality of Rako lighting control systems.

Background

Rako are a UK manufacturer of wireless lighting control devices. Predominantly designed for in-home use, both in new systems and for retro-fitting into older circuits.

During a recent extension to our home and office we decided to build the lighting system using Rako devices as this allowed us to have a greater flexibility in the design with the added advantage that I can control the lights from my wheelchair.

It quickly become apparent that there were a few items of functionality that the Rako system lacked, or that required additional Rako hardware. However, Rako sell PC interface modules (RAV232, RAV232+ and RAUSB) which, together with the software offered here can provide a lot of this functionality. The software works best when run on a always-on system (either Linux or Windows), be it a PC, NAS server or other device.

Project Goals

  1. A web interface and server to allow the lighting to be changed from any PC or web-enabled device (e.g. PDA, iPhone, tablet) in the home.
  2. The following of lighting scripts - to implement a 'holiday' mode to make it look like the house is occupied.
  3. Command conversion - to receive a command and on hearing this to transmit one or more designated commands. This allows single control panels to control multiple rooms.
  4. Delayed off - on receiving an off command in a room, turn the lights down and then off after a certain length of time.
  5. Run a program - on receiving a command run a program or script on the computer (which could control other systems, switching on TVs etc).
  6. Allow the lights to be controlled by other computer based systems (e.g. IR through LIRC).
  7. Track the usage of the lights and provide a summary of usage and electricity costs.

Work in Progress

As you can probably tell I am only just putting this page together. Please contact me (using the Contact Us) form if you want more information.

License

The Rako Control software is released under the BSD open source license.

Copyright (c) 2008, Darwin Innovation Ltd
All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

  • Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
  • Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
  • Neither the name of the nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.