I have a java application that I wrote that collects data from a
serial port on a laptop from a data collection device.  Program works
well.

My bosses would like certain conditions to draw more attention than
just using the laptop's monitor. They would like two lights and a horn
to be controlled as well.

Tackling the serial input device was pretty easy, but I am not sure
where to start with this request.

1) I only have one serial port on the Laptop, but they want to control
4 devices (horn, light 1, light 2,  data collection device).  So how
do I handle that?

2) Where would I go to buy the other devices and what device would I
have my java program talk to in order to control them?

Thanks,

Larry

A serial port can do output as well as input, so your pc can
send data to the same "data collection device" that you receive
data from now; check to see if this box can accept data,
and if it can control the other devices.

<nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:7oof4056rhcme0t2377ae7u1ui0491bon8@4ax.com...
> I have a java application that I wrote that collects data from a
> serial port on a laptop from a data collection device.  Program works
> well.
>
> My bosses would like certain conditions to draw more attention than
> just using the laptop's monitor. They would like two lights and a horn
> to be controlled as well.
>
> Tackling the serial input device was pretty easy, but I am not sure
> where to start with this request.
>
> 1) I only have one serial port on the Laptop, but they want to control
> 4 devices (horn, light 1, light 2,  data collection device).  So how
> do I handle that?
>
> 2) Where would I go to buy the other devices and what device would I
> have my java program talk to in order to control them?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Larry

Possibly use the parallel port also.

<nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:7oof4056rhcme0t2377ae7u1ui0491bon8@4ax.com...
> I have a java application that I wrote that collects data from a
> serial port on a laptop from a data collection device.  Program works
> well.
>
> My bosses would like certain conditions to draw more attention than
> just using the laptop's monitor. They would like two lights and a horn
> to be controlled as well.
>
> Tackling the serial input device was pretty easy, but I am not sure
> where to start with this request.
>
> 1) I only have one serial port on the Laptop, but they want to control
> 4 devices (horn, light 1, light 2,  data collection device).  So how
> do I handle that?
>
> 2) Where would I go to buy the other devices and what device would I
> have my java program talk to in order to control them?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Larry

Check out Dallas Semiconductor 1-Wire protocol. You can control up to 
256 devices as well as sensors (that's from memory - don't quote me on 
that) and there is a Java API for it. Works well and pretty easy to use 
for the "software guy". If you are an electronics freak there is plenty 
other solutions including add-on cards.

http://www.maxim-ic.com/1-Wire.cfm

Good luck,

--

Leo Gaggl
Adelaide, South Australia








nospam@nospam.com wrote:
> I have a java application that I wrote that collects data from a
> serial port on a laptop from a data collection device.  Program works
> well.
> 
> My bosses would like certain conditions to draw more attention than
> just using the laptop's monitor. They would like two lights and a horn
> to be controlled as well.
> 
> Tackling the serial input device was pretty easy, but I am not sure
> where to start with this request.
> 
> 1) I only have one serial port on the Laptop, but they want to control
> 4 devices (horn, light 1, light 2,  data collection device).  So how
> do I handle that?
> 
> 2) Where would I go to buy the other devices and what device would I
> have my java program talk to in order to control them?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Larry

Leo Gaggl wrote:
> Check out Dallas Semiconductor 1-Wire protocol. You can control up to 
> 256 devices as well as sensors (that's from memory - don't quote me on 
> that) and there is a Java API for it. Works well and pretty easy to use 
> for the "software guy". If you are an electronics freak there is plenty 
> other solutions including add-on cards.
> 
> http://www.maxim-ic.com/1-Wire.cfm
> 

I just ran across a reference to that this week.

http://diy-zoning.sourceforge.net/
http://haywire.sourceforge.net/    * a main one of possible interest
http://servomaster.sourceforge.net/

http://oww.sourceforge.net/