Appliance Control: Making Things Do Stuff - Smart Home Automation with Linux and Raspberry Pi - page 17

There is an even smaller version containing just three device buttons called a Stick-a-Switch (SS13E, shown in
Figure 1-10 ), which is also wireless and can therefore be placed on any wall. This allows you to control devices from
the bathroom where mains-powered controllers would be illegal.

Figure 1-10. The SS13E Stick-a-Switch

Keyfob Remote (KR22E)
This, almost novelty, device allows you to control four successively numbered devices from your key ring using the
“on,” “off,” “bright,” and “dim” messages. It doesn't have a great range, and the batteries don't last very long.

EasyTouch Panel10 RF
This Marmitek device is one of the closest to being a cheap touch display. It is a battery-driven RF-to-X10 transmitter
(just like the HR10U) but is operated by touching a screen. The screen, however, is merely an image behind a glass
panel. That is why it's cheaper than the other solutions. Although this does prevent you from receiving any visual
feedback from the devices, you can customize the image (by making one with GIMP and your printer) and control
where on the touch panel the buttons appear; therefore, you can make this appear like a more expensive unit. Unlike
the HR10U, which has a fixed set of 16 buttons, this can operate up to 30, providing enough space to control all your
lights and other devices through Cosmic, part of the Minerva system (see Chapter 7), which lets you set timers, listen
to news, and play your MP3 collection using only the basic set of X10 messages.

Apress