Ethernet & Renard

**L Pohl** · 09-27-2009, 10:40 AM

Okay Renard works with RS232/RS485. Anybody interested in boldly going where they have never gone before? Why not Ethernet on a Renard?. Microchip makes ethernet on a pic. It could probably go wireless too. Anybody want to discuss the pro's and con's?

**Macrosill** · 09-27-2009, 11:54 AM

Wireless Renard http://doityourselfchristmas.com/for...ead.php?t=8102

Ethernet Renard control http://doityourselfchristmas.com/for...ead.php?t=8064

**ErnieHorning** · 09-27-2009, 05:33 PM

I have the same problem with patents. Every time I think of something great, someone else just patented it.

**djulien** · 09-27-2009, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by ErnieHorning

I have the same problem with patents. Every time I think of something great, someone else just patented it.

That may be an indication that it is a junk patent (I mean theirs, not yours). From what I've heard, one of the criteria the PTO is *supposed* to use is whether the "invention" is not obvious, but their staff can't know *everything* so they may use outside parties to decide that, which can be a big gray area or they may grant patents that should not be.

Even at that, if you keep sufficient documentation to show that you came up with it independently from the patent holder, you may be okay.

don

**ErnieHorning** · 09-27-2009, 10:22 PM

That’s what the lawyers are for. Besides taking my nicely written document and turning it into something that even I can’t read anymore, they can also help re-word it so I can get around the other patents sometimes.

**mrpackethead** · 09-30-2009, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by L Pohl

Okay Renard works with RS232/RS485. Anybody interested in boldly going where they have never gone before? Why not Ethernet on a Renard?. Microchip makes ethernet on a pic. It could probably go wireless too. Anybody want to discuss the pro's and con's?

bens dimmer project will be pretty much what you are looking for.. but it will run 'Art-net' which is a 'standard' for lighting control over IP/ ethernet.

**L Pohl** · 09-30-2009, 08:57 PM

Actually, I was thinking along the lines of a RS-232, RS-485, USB2.0, Ethernet controller.

Backward and forward compatible with existing boards.

**DynamoBen** · 09-30-2009, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by L Pohl

Actually, I was thinking along the lines of a RS-232, RS-485, USB2.0, Ethernet controller.

Backward and forward compatible with existing boards.

The most basic solutions, albeit not the least expensive, is a Lantronix Ethernet interface. Its Ethernet to serial and they even provide a driver that appears as a virtual serial port.

http://www.lantronix.com/device-netw...servers/?tab=0

**DynamoBen** · 09-30-2009, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by mrpackethead

bens dimmer project will be pretty much what you are looking for.. but it will run 'Art-net' which is a 'standard' for lighting control over IP/ ethernet.

For clarification my dimmer can do what ever you want. I intend on doing ArtNet but you can use whatever protocol you like, assuming you are willing to write the code.

**mrpackethead** · 10-01-2009, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by DynamoBen

For clarification my dimmer can do what ever you want. I intend on doing ArtNet but you can use whatever protocol you like, assuming you are willing to write the code.

Ok, i'll write a new standard then ben... I'll call it 'Math-net'... ( in a series called 'Art-net', 'Math-net', 'Sport-net', 'History-net', 'Science-Net' )...