There are a lot of little details you need to think about when taking a project from PoC (proof-of-concept) to production. Most projects today have some form of onboard microprocessor and require you to flash your custom bootloader and/or program code onto it at some point. There are many ways this can be accomplished but the most common method is using an ICP (in-circuit programmer) connected to a 6-pin ICP header somewhere on the PCB.
There’s not much to look at, but don’t let that fool you. This little black box is the Swiss Army Knife of connecting systems together. The platform, based on an ATMEL 1280 microprocessor (Arduino Mega family roots), can be loaded with different firmware that can turn it into a “Russound RNET to Sonos Bridge” or act as a bridge for many other kinds of devices (Apple TV/Windows Media Center, etc). It features an ethernet port for bridging IP based devices as well as two RS232 (prototype of single RS232 version shown above), one for connecting to the master RS232 device (e.g. Russound) and the other for connecting to a slave device (e.g. Matrix Switcher which only has RS232 control). The first of many firmware releases is the USCe-RS which is the Russound to Sono’s bridge (you can find out more about that here). The USCe will be sold under the Myro Control brand and will be soon available for pre-order.
UPDATE: Thanks for the feedback on the name. It’s not set in stone yet and will probably change when it’s officially released. This is a “working” name for now and it may end up being named the “Myro Control Bridge”.