Recipes

The following is a set of Scripts or "Recipes" which one can run to build some interesting systems. Once you have successfully run some of these Scripts, you may have some ideas for some new projects. Feel free to use parts or all of these Scripts in your own projects.

To run one of these Scripts, click on it in the "examples" area, or copy it into a (new) file in your Scripts "user" area. If you are creating a new file, remember to restart the system and refresh the Scripts page afterwards. Run the file from your Scripts page by clicking on its Run action. You will find that many of these Scripts are already in the Scripts "examples" area. If the the Script is in the "examples" area, just click on its "Run" action.

Some Scripts will require hardware devices. These Scripts and their devices are briefly identified here, and they described in detail within the individual Recipe pages and in the Scripts files.

If a Script fails to run, or if you want to start fresh with an empty configuration, be sure to restart the system from the Scripts page.

These Recipes were built using the Virtual Wiring application. First, devices were selected by clicking on their device Scripts within the Scripts page and supplying their Script parameters. Next the selected devices were wired together using the Wiring page. Lastly, the appropriate text was copied from the Console page and edited to remove the status lines and to add comments.

Virtual Device Recipes

These are easy to build, because they don't require any additional devices or wiring.

• Animal Game Demo - uses a State Machine to play the game of Animal.

• Logic Gates Demo - uses a counter to stimulate a bunch of logic gates, so one can see how they work.

• Performance Measurer - measure how fast your Virtual Wiring system runs.

• State Machine Demo - builds a state machine and stimulates it.

• Timer Controlled Devices - demonstrates the use of timers. Could be used for timed control of lights and devices.

Arduino Recipes

These Recipes all use an Arduino, and most also have discrete devices wired to the Arduino. Most devices are inexpensive and easy to find, but they may require some wiring.

Unless told otherwise by a Recipe, make sure you have an Arduino plugged into a USB port on your Virtual Wiring system. As explained in the Arduino Devices section, Arduinos should be running the Firmata application version 2.2 or higher (usually installed by the vendor on new systems).

• Blinking LED - blink the Arduino's LED from an oscillator (no additional devices or wires required). See it from the web.

• Temperature Sensor - read the temperature from the web using a Grove Temperature Sensor.

• Controlling a Relay - control a relay from the web.

• Light and Dimmer - control an LED's brightness with a twiddle pot or from the web.

• Rotor and Servo - control the position of a servo with a twiddle pot or from the web.

• Pan and Tilt - pan and tilt a camera, cell phone, webcam, or other device using a joystick or from the web.

• Wireless Bot Controlled by a Joystick - control a wireless bot from the web or by using a joystick.

• Simple Water Warning System - uses a Grove water sensor. Beeps if it senses water. See it from the web.

• Email/Text Messaging Water Warning System - beeps and sends email or text message alerts, if it senses water (may come in handy in a wet basement).

• Email/Text Messaging Motion Detection System - sends an email or text message if it detects motion (could be used as a burglar alarm). Also responds to text/email messages.

• Multi Sensor Warning System with Messaging - An example with a bunch of sensors, and ideas for building custom systems.

• Control an LED and relay Using Web, Email or Text Messages - use the web, email, or text messages to control an LED and relay connected to your Arduino.

ZigBee Recipes with XBees

These Recipes use an XBee coordinator connected to the Virtual Wiring system and one or more XBee devices.

• Remote Controlled Light/Appliance Socket with Ambient Light and Current Sensors - install an XBee Coordinator and a Smart Plug and control the Smart Plug from the web.

• Wireless Bot Controlled by a Joystick - control a wireless bot from the web or by using a joystick.

• Timed Remote Controlled Wireless Outlet - puts a wireless XBee Smart Plug under web or timer control (good for controlling light displays).

• Remote, Wireless Device Control Using Web, Email or Text Messages - plug in an XBee Smart Plug and use it to turn on and off lights, battery chargers, most any pluggable device from both from the web and by using email and text messaging.

• Remote Control Water Detection and Warning System - use an XBee DIO to make a wireless water detector which generates text and email warning messages, and which responds to the web, email and text messages.

• Remote Control Intruder Alert System - use an XBee DIO to make a wireless intrusion detection system which generates text and email warning messages, and which responds to the web, email and text messages.

• Remote Sensor which Measures Light and Temperature - use a wireless XBee WallRouter to measure light intensity and temperature.