Remote wireless alert for non secure sensor

[PaulD]

Looking for a way to transmit a "not secure" status signal to to me while I am nearby but not in house nor have visibility of my house. Alarm not turned on. Looking for a simple method such as viewing a status LED on a device I am carrying. Do not want a method that requires me to dial in or log in, etc. Range would not need to exceed 200-300 feet. Just want to quickly glance at the device and determine status of my house. Any suggestions on how to do this?

 

[AnthonyZ]

Looking for a way to transmit a "not secure" status signal to to me while I am nearby but not in house nor have visibility of my house. Alarm not turned on. Looking for a simple method such as viewing a status LED on a device I am carrying. Do not want a method that requires me to dial in or log in, etc. Range would not need to exceed 200-300 feet. Just want to quickly glance at the device and determine status of my house. Any suggestions on how to do this?

I think you're gonna have to roll your own. It will almost certainly need to be an MCU based project, in my mind. Were it me and knowing what I've learned in recent months, I would use an Atmega168 with the Arduino bootloader (You would need a programming interface but, they're just so danged easy to work with that you will probably find other projects for 'em) at both send and receive. Then wirelessly link them with something like this and this. Use a battery for the receiver, some voltage regulators, a small bit of code for communications and then tie outputs from your automation controller to input pins on the MCU. Now when the security goes into an alarm state (or whatever you want to "communicate"), the corresponding outputs on your controller would "tell" the transmitter side chip to send an serial string to the receiver. If you have serial ports to work with at the home automation/security panel side, it could be even easier to build using ASCII strings out to the transmitter. Once the serial strings are received, you could have the MCU in the receiver side (presumably built into a convenient project box) turn on an LED or LED's to indicate problems. Sounds like a weekend project.

 

[electron]

While I do prefer the Arduino approach as well, my inner MacGuyver came up with this: what about an FM transmitter, and using a tiny FM radio (you can usually find these cheap, or maybe your phone has one) to get TTS announcements when the status changes (and/or send out the status every x seconds/minutes)? You wouldn't even have to 'look' at your device.

 

[WayneW]

It depends upon what you want to spend, how small you want it, etc. One option is a two-way key fob. But all the ones I found are for a specific security system, such as Visonic, DSC, Napco.

http://www.visonic.com/Products/Wireless-P...-keyfob-mct-237
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact...m/NA-2WAYUNVKT/

 

[pipeman]

How about a wireless telephone with a page button on the base unit?
Hack the page button to your security output?

 

[PaulD]

It depends upon what you want to spend, how small you want it, etc. One option is a two-way key fob. But all the ones I found are for a specific security system, such as Visonic, DSC, Napco.

........

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufact...m/NA-2WAYUNVKT/

That Gemni item looks interesting. Functionally, it does what I want plus it has a 1000 ft range (open air). Appears that it can communicate with various brands of systems thru its bus or via a key switch input for most other brands. I can find a "kit" with part number "2WAY-UNIVKFKIT" that includes one key fob and the receiver. Kit available for less than $100. However, I have not yet found any technical info on how it works. The info referres to the interface box as a receiver but it would also need to be a transmitter to do the 2 way. Some sites include a link to installation info but it is only available to dealers. If someone can track down an installation manual, this looks like something that might be of interest to others here.

 

[AnthonyZ]

As it turns out, I found a much simpler solution today. All you need is a couple of these and the project box of your choice. The weekend project I mentioned earlier just turned into a 1-2 hours.

 

[PaulD]

As it turns out, I found a much simpler solution today. All you need is a couple of these and the project box of your choice. The weekend project I mentioned earlier just turned into a 1-2 hours.

Appears to be the making of a solution. However, it may be just a few hours for you but would be an eternity for me as I don't have the technical knowledge you have to put the pieces together and write the code. I am an engineer but circuit design and related coding is not in my background. I can usually muddle my way thru this type of task if I have good step by step instructions but that is not the case here.
Perhaps some one here would be interested in preparing a set of instructions on how to put the pieces together and then drive the setup via serial code. I have an open serial port on my Omni Pro II that would love to hook up with a project such as this.

 

[AnthonyZ]

I think the first thing to determine is, what exactly do you want to be notified of?

The Jeenode solution is best suited for a two state indication but could certainly do more (obviously with more associated work). The cabling wouldn't be too hard, you would cross RX and TX at Jeenode 1 and the HAI panel and obviously, the Jeenode 2 would be wireless. You would need to add a couple of simple "messages" in the HAI panel that would be associated with the state of the panel (ex: "GOOD /r" for "all's well" and "BAD /r" for trouble). Then, using the Arduino IDE, program the receiver to turn on/off a couple of LED's.

We could get more into it as you progress. A little schematic here, a bit of easy code (that you could C&P) there...

 

[PaulD]

I think the first thing to determine is, what exactly do you want to be notified of?

I would be interested to know the state of several specific sensors or anything else I could monitor. Example...is garage door secure or not? Same for exterior doors or any other state I could monitor. I would like to use my Omni Pro II to report the status (via serial or direct connect?) to the Jeenode which sends the status signal via wireless to a receiver which can display the status via a LED on a hand held device. Something like a bi-polar LED on the hand held would be nice which would be off when out of range, green when secure and red when not secure. Another example would be where my wife activates a button via our touchscreen which sends me a signal to come home from the neighbors (dinner is ready).
I don't know how many different states the Jeenode can monitor but I would probably find a use for as many as I had available. Got any wiring diagrams I could study? I will go back and look at the Jeenode tech data but it looks to me like it was geared toward a knowledgable person with the right background....not a DIY project (without some detailed "hot to").

 

[AnthonyZ]

I think the first thing to determine is, what exactly do you want to be notified of?

I would be interested to know the state of several specific sensors or anything else I could monitor. Example...is garage door secure or not? Same for exterior doors or any other state I could monitor. I would like to use my Omni Pro II to report the status (via serial or direct connect?) to the Jeenode which sends the status signal via wireless to a receiver which can display the status via a LED on a hand held device. Something like a bi-polar LED on the hand held would be nice which would be off when out of range, green when secure and red when not secure. Another example would be where my wife activates a button via our touchscreen which sends me a signal to come home from the neighbors (dinner is ready).
I don't know how many different states the Jeenode can monitor but I would probably find a use for as many as I had available. Got any wiring diagrams I could study? I will go back and look at the Jeenode tech data but it looks to me like it was geared toward a knowledgable person with the right background....not a DIY project (without some detailed "hot to").

OK, well that's all possible, I think (I've not put my hands on the JeeNode, though I'd like to have a bunch of 'em). The dual color LED option is relatively easy. The nice thing about the JeeNode running on the Arduino platform is that it really IS geared towards beginners. There is more online documentation and help from the Arduino community than you would know what to do with. The drawback to the JeeNode (as opposed to say, an XBee/Full Arduino implementation) is that you don't get access to all of the chip's pins. You have to be a bit more creative. The benefits to the JeeNode, though, are one, lower cost and two, you could get the 433MHz HopeRF radio and get considerably better range and reliability than you would get with the 2.4GHz XBee modules. Don't get me wrong, I love XBee's and have a like 6-8 of them for playing but, I have had issues with point to point comm's over distance and where there were obstructions (at 2.4GHz obstructions come in MANY flavors and there is the potential for interferance from WiFi, microwaves, etc.)

For basic wiring, inspiration and more, start here.

 

[PaulD]

[ ..... The nice thing about the JeeNode running on the Arduino platform is that it really IS geared towards beginners. There is more online documentation and help from the Arduino community than you would know what to do with. .....
For basic wiring, inspiration and more, start here.

Looks like a fun area to mess around in and I would love to tackle it. Unfortunately, as a true beginner in this area, it would take more time and energy than I have available to devote to it. I have more stuff on my "to do" list now than I can deal with now. What I need is a quickie kit to build where I don't need learn the details and then do my own design work. Thanks for your pointers