Hi, I have been playing with Home Automation for several years, from time to time. I have been working with a ISA based I/O card for digital I/O 8/8/8. I developed multiplex system to give me 64dI/64dO. I never got it past test phase.
Sounds like a lot of I/O, but everything in my house is controlled by 12v. I currently hardwire most and have some discreet logic for the rest. I actually need more that 64 inputs and have two systems, one in the old part of the house and one in the new part.
I picked the project up about 6 months ago after 4 years. The computer (a 486) is dead. It is getting to hard to find computers with ISA slots. Time for an upgrade. Found the K8055 and played with this but it just not up to the job. So back in the to hard bin.
Then last week I found the K8061, I ordered 2 yesterday. I plan to use the same setup to get 64dI/64dO and have 8ain free. I will use the K8055's for the AO.
Then I found this post then looked up your web site. The system you are building is almost identical. I was using VB3 on the first test rig. I got VB6 as part of the upgrade. Just as you have done I used a database (flat file) to hold the i/o settings and use a small VB app to read and write to the I/O cards. I have also been playing with the design for a controller and cut some VB3 code, but it was just to hard. (I have only ever played with basic in the past, OE programming is all new to me)
I have a rudimentary understanding of VB6 and database management and was planning to see if I could get some help on line.
Anyway after reading your post I believe that you have done most of the work that I about to do. It would be good if I could get a copy of the VB code and maybe a pointer or two on how to setup the database to work with Mango.
Regards Laurie
ldevitt@xtra.co.nz