My Home Automation project

One of the questions ive been asked is how to I put my flash script to grab data from the SQL database and provide updates if the device is on or off etc.

Well the awnser is, I dont. Like mentioned before to have your flash talk directly to a sql database you will need additional components which I dont want to install $$$, such as cold fusion or some advanced Flash stuff.  Again I want speed and functionality, especially if its only for a few users.

So what I did was use a internal web server which is installed with VB 2008, to do all the talking for me, more like a middle man.  for example my flash program talks to this web page using the ‘load’ function which sends data using the POST commands (example http://192.168.0.101/finddata.aspx&IN=14) and the code runs and returns the values needed in a specific variable in this case ‘VALUE’. you can also use the LoadVariables command which explain that in this article.

Flash:Loading Variables from files into Flash

So here is a high level of what is being done in the background.

All all times the Insteon Server is updating the SQL Server with the status of the devices as they are turned on or off, so we dont need to connect there. Also note that the Local .net, SQL database and insteon server are all on the same box!

For example lets say I want to pull the status of device #14. (Fan in master bedroom)  This is what I would do from the Flash Program

Example in FLASH CLIENT;

Prepare: In Flash you will need to create a empty movie clip called ‘fan_master’.  Also have images already in your webpage in the location mentioned below. I call it right of the same page you can use your local library if you like.

Here are my images I use in my Flash program,  you may use them if you like (Just right click on them and use SAVE AS)

Light_bulb_off.png

Light_bulb_on.png

Off Button (small_button_on.png)

On Button (small_button_off.png)

In my actionScript, I would put on one of the frames;

//--------------------- SETUP A NEW VARIABLE TO GRAB MY DATA THIS FUNCTION WILL RUN WHEN THE BELOW SITE IS OPENED
var mfan:LoadVars = new LoadVars();
    mfan.onLoad = function() {

//------ Here I check the return value that is returned back as 'value' if its is ON then replace the fan_master 'movie' to the bulb on image
          if (mfan.value=="ON"){
            loadMovie("http://192.168.0.101/images/small_button_on.png", fan_master);
        } else {
            loadMovie("http://192.168.0.101/images/small_button_off.png", fan_master);
        }
    };

//---------------- do the actual opening of the webpage and pass the variable IN and the device im asking for
mfan.load("http://192.168.0.101/finddata.aspx?in=14");
stop();

BLUE BOX (SERVER .NET SIDE)

A description of my Devices Database is found here

‘————————— VB 2008 / WEBPAGE filename finddata.aspx

On my Server side I would grab the value on “IN” using the

 Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
      '------- Device will hold the value of in 'IN' which is #14
      device = Context.Request.Params("IN")
      value = Lg_Get_Device_Status(device)
      Response.Write("value=" + value)
 End Sub

This will return to my program the following text
“value=ON” or “value=OFF”

‘——– Function to grab the device data by the device #

    Public Function Lg_Get_Device_Status(ByVal Marker As String) As String

        Dim sqlConnection10 As New System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection(ConnectionSTring) ' Set your connectionstring accordingly.
        Dim Cmd10 As New System.Data.SqlClient.SqlCommand

        '-------- We'll use the SqlDataReader to get the values of the table 
        Dim Reader As SqlClient.SqlDataReader

        Cmd10.CommandText = "SELECT * FROM Devices where Marker= '" + Marker + "'"
        Cmd10.Connection = sqlConnection10
        sqlConnection10.Open()
        Reader = Cmd10.ExecuteReader()

        ' check for data, if not return 'FALSE'
        If Reader.HasRows = False Then
            Lg_Get_Device_Status = False
            Exit Function
        End If
        Reader.Read()
        '-------- RETURN THE VALUE FROM THE DATABASE SUCH AS ON OR OFF OF %
        Lg_Get_Device_Status = Reader.Item("status")
        sqlConnection10.Close()

    End Function

And there you have it, I do use the same file (finddata.aspx) for other stuff and you can easily query what is being passed and eventually act on it like this,

For example if I pass(showall=1) it would run another function, but that is another article.

        '------------------- SHOW ALL DEVICES
        If Context.Request.Params("showall") <> "" Then Show_insteon_devices() : Exit Sub

        '------------------- SHOW ALL DEVICES by MAC address
        If Context.Request.Params("showmacs") <> "" Then Show_insteon_devices_mac() : Exit Sub

        '------------------- SHOW ALL CONFIGS
        If Context.Request.Params("show_all_configs") <> "" Then Show_all_configs() : Exit Sub