Q1: What is ioBridge (in simple terms)?A1: ioBridge solves the problems involved in interfacing DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects to the internet or more specifically the web. ioBridge is both a product and a service. Our IO-204 module handles the connection between your projects and our servers, while our web service handles the creation, management and connectivity of web controls (widgets) that directly command your project. Basically, you put one of our modules on you home network, connect something to it (an LED for instance), then go to our website and create a web widget to control that LED. The widget can remain within your account page at ioBridge.com or be moved to your own webpage.
Q2: What do you mean by DIY projects?A2: The IO-204 module provides lines for digital voltage input and output, analog input and connection points for more complex circuits. So really anything you can electrically attach to these lines is a DIY project.
Examples:
A switch attached to a digital input line of the IO-204 could monitor whether a window is open or closed.
A digital output could be connected to a computer’s power button and allow it to power up the machine remotely.
Using a Servo Smart Board, R/C servo motors could be used to control a mechanism to feed your pet.
By attaching the X10 Smart Board, lights and appliances can be controlled from anywhere in the world.
Q3: What does it cost?A3: The only up front cost associated with using the ioBridge platform is the purchase of an IO-204 module. The connectivity aspects of our service are free of charge. Eventually we will be rolling out a few services that require increased processing power on our end and there will be a subscription fee associated with those premium services.
Q4: Is a widget for everyone to use or just me?A4: That all depends on what you want. Widgets are referenced with a very long alpha-numeric key. The chances of guessing a widget ID are 1 in 4611686018000000000. Therefore, as long as you don't publish the widget on a public website, the widget will be secure.
Q5: Does it work on an iPhone?A5: Indeed it does. This means you can interact with your projects from anywhere you get a signal!
Q6: How much programming is involved?A6: Zero. All of the module configuration is done though the ioBridge web interface. Widgets are created using the web interface and a few simple menu selections. The resulting widget is immediately active and visible in your ioBridge account. Putting a widget on a website is as simple as copying and pasting a single line of code into an HTML file. However, if more control over a widget is needed, an API is available to both read and command widgets from JavaScript.
Q7: Can I use ioBridge with an Ardrino Board, Basic Stamp and my other favorite microcontroller?A7: Absolutely! The IO-204 module is based on 5V digital logic although it will also handle 3.3v logic. The module’s input/output pins can be directly connected to the input/output pins of most microcontrollers. In addition, our Serial Smart Board will allow microcontrollers, serial based sensors or RS-232 based equipment to use the ioBridge platform.
Q8: How is this better than just running a web server?A8: 1. There is no need to track your dynamic IP address anymore.
2. The IO-204 module gets online without any modification to your network settings (firewalls and proxy servers included). No need to open special ports. The only thing that will trip it up is MAC filtering, but the module's MAC address is user configurable.
3. No engineering degree or programming skills required. The IO module and the ioBridge web interface do all the hard work for you. You could spend months designing the hardware, software and custom protocols required to get your project online. Or…. you can use ioBridge and get your stuff on the web in minutes.
4. Running a web server on a PC in your home could use more than 100 Watts of electricity continuously. The IO-204 module uses just 1 Watt!
Q9: What kind of home network do I need?A9: You’ll need a 10/100Base-T network configured for auto-detection. A DHCP service running on the network is also required for the IO-204 to obtain an IP address automatically. Most home networking routers take care of DHCP by default.
Q10: Can I control a motor from an module's I/O channel?A10: Not directly. The digital output on an I/O channel is only capable of 5v and 20mA. To control the high current demanded by motors, you will need either our relay adapter board or a third party motor controller board. Motor controller boards a fairly common and a simple web search will yield plenty of hits.
Q11: How do I get around MAC filtering?A11: The easiest solution is to add the IO-204 module’s MAC address to the “allowed” table in your router. If you don’t have access to the router settings, then you will need to first attach your module to a network connection that isn’t MAC filtered. After linking your module to your ioBridge account, you’ll be able to change the MAC address to whatever you want and then return it to the original, MAC filtered network.
Q12:
Is there a wireless version of the IO module?A12: Not at the present time, but the IO-204 module will work with wireless bridge devices such as the “Linksys WGA54G Wireless Bridge”.
Q13: Could you have picked a worse time to launch a company?A13: We don't believe so. November 2008 was about the worst time to launch a company and seek start-up funds. We managed.
Q14: How do you add a widget to the dashboard?A14: Under the
Widgets tab, there is a table showing your widgets. Under the
Action column, there is a little grey
+. If you click on the
+, it will turn green and the widget will now appear on your dashboard. To remove the widget, just click the
+ again.
Q15: Can I have all of your patent pending schematics, firmware, server-software, etc that you guys spent years developing (causing a substantial amount of debt in the process)?A15: No.
Q16: I'm from country XYZ. Do you have a module power adapter for me?A16: Maybe, check the power supply options on our main store page. We currently have power supplies for North America/Japan, Europe, Australia and the UK.
Q17: Where can I get more details about the IO-204 module?A17: In the
IO-204 manual.
Q18: Since the modules and widgets use your servers, what happens if your server goes down or worse, ioBridge goes out of business?A18: The ioBridge dev team has been running websites and services in one form or another since 1996. Obviously nothing quite like this. As far as outages go, we do have a certain amount of redundancy built into our system. But that doesn't mean there aren't going to be times when the servers are down. We actually do need to pull them offline every once in a while to do upgrades. We try to keep these service windows as short as we can.
As far as us going offline for good... we are going to do everything we can to stay in business. Just as you may drop a hundred dollars on our equipment, our team has a considerable amount on the line as well. If ioBridge goes under we'll be losing mortaged homes, retirement savings, college funds, etc.. so needless to say, we're a very motivated bunch. If the worst does happen and we are forced to close up shop, then we'll release the server software so the modules can live on without us.
Q19: Can I run your server software on my on own server?A19: Currently no, but we will soon release personal and enterprise versions of our server software. This will give you an API to the module and the ability to run a closed system on a small scale or large scale. If you are interested in running an instance of our server, please contact us.
Q20: Why doesn't my X10/Serial/Servo Smart Board work?A20: In order for a "Smart Board" to work, the I/O channel must be configured to the proper mode. The default mode is "I/O" and is used for digital input/output and analog input. To configure an I/O channel for the other modes, navigate to the module settings page and click on the "Mode" option for the channel you have the Smart Board plugged in. Then, select the appropriate option from the drop-down menu. At this point the module will reset and when it comes back online, the green LED on the Smart Board should light (meaning it's ready to go).
Q21: Can I control it while it's offline?A21: One aspect of ioBridge is using the web as a way to remotely control and monitor systems over the Internet, which of course requires the module to be online. The C4 firmware allows the module to work online or offline. There is a program space on-board of the module that allows you to store local rules and actions allowing it to carry out instructions regardless of Internet connectivity. You only need the Internet to connect to our website to program the module or use any web-based services.
