Woke up with this idea in my head.
How feasible do you guys think it would be to have a webcam pick up movement and start a sequence?
I was thinking something along the lines of...
Wait 10 seconds
If certain keyboard keys are pressed during this time; start welcome home command, otherwise...
Set Volume to 30
TTS: Intruder alert, your photograph has been taken and will be emailed to a remote location
Switch lights on and off via telstick/HALX
Take photograph via webcam and email it to email address
TTS: You have 10 seconds to leave the premises before dewadlock sequence.
10...
9...
8...
7...
6...
They'd soon leave :biglaugh
It is even feasible to buy a home easy door lock and lock the bastards in, but I don't think I'll take it that far ;)
Anyone got any suggestions on how this could be easily achieved?
I know how to do TTS, and send commands to tellstick/HALX. Not so clear on IF statements, keyboard input being recognised and clueless on Webcam side of things.
What do you guys reckon?
-P
It is pretty doable. Are you planning to use your webcam attached to your computer?
Only downside there is that you must leave your PC on at all times which is a waste of electricity.
Kalle and I tested a webcam app (that another user was asking about) that makes this quite easy, but I can't remember what it was called. Must search forum a bit...
You can also do it with an IP camera, Vera, and possible Insteon or others.
Found it
http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=1015.0
Hi MrWolf
It's definately possible with halx, as you know the Halx has a serial port on the back, the serial port can be connected to a motion detector (PIR), if someone approaches the door and continues to lurk outside the door then halx can send an event to VC, to do the rest.
Thats how i am doing it.
This is very interesting. Can you provide more details on how to set it up? An example of :
- the right kind of PIR to buy
- how to wire it to the serial port
- what to configure on halx to send the event to VC
would be much appreciated! :bignod
Hi James
I can't provide any information just yet. I'm a bit busy, when i get a chance i will show you the way.
Hi gents,
Managed to find an old webcam and have downloaded Ispy. Cool software!
So question is; how can I get Ispy to start motion detection and stop motion detection using Vox or Eventghost?
Any ideas?
-P
Hi MrWolf
iSpy - Best Free Security Camera Software http://www.ispyconnect.com/
iSpy is a free security camera software that allows you to uses your webcams and microphones for visual motion and sound detection. You can use iSpy for live remote camera monitoring or use it as a real-time security surveillance system. iSpy can record and detect specific area for movements and sound to provide alerts. You can command it to run any program or send an email or SMS alert when movement or sound is detected.
try getting it to open a webpage shortcut.
make sure the web page shortcut contains this url http://halx/vox.cgi?cmd=event&&security%20alert
an event will be sent to vc, you know what to do after that.
not the best of methods, but its a start.
Good luck
Hi
Forgot to mention that there is a command line program that sends udp commands to vc, try that, i have forgotten the name, maybe James can enlighten us.
I found it, it's called udpsender take a look here http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=414.msg2815#msg2815
http://voxcommando.com/forum/index.php?topic=1015.msg8481#msg8481
Thanks guys, that's ace. I can now trigger Vox with Ispy. Any way to trigger Ispy with Vox?
i.e. I can say "set alarm", and I spy starts monitoring and when I come home I can say "switch alarm off" or similar and it will stop Ispy?
-P
I would imagine you'll need to use a combination of launch, window.focus, and keyboard emulation. Perhaps I spy has some hotkeys you can use? Or you leave it on all the time and have VC decide whether alerts should be ignored.
This might be useful...
http://www.ispyconnect.com/userguide-remotecommands.aspx
Thanks mate, looks like it might be slightly awkward. The developer has made all those options subscription based.
One off payments are all well and good but 5 dollars a month is more than I want to spend.
I'm finding workarounds akin to what you suggested though, and I've set the record location to a drop box folder to get around the lack of network support without subscription.
Reckon I'm almost there, Eventghost kills Ispy when I say "hi honey I'm home" now. Just need to find a way to get Ispy to wait 20 seconds before alerting so when I initially walk through the door it doesn't immediately start telling me it's going to call the police and chop my head off etc. Don;t suppose you came across this option when you were trialling? I'm not seeing it!
-P
No but you could use this
http://voxcommando.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Actions#SetEventTimer
Hi James,
Only issue is that The alert is generated by Ispy and Ispy immediately starts recording before Vox gets alerted.
I'd end up with a hard drive full of useless video of me walking into my room.
Unless I'm miss-understanding you?
-P
No. I was just responding to your "Just need to find a way to get Ispy to wait 20 seconds before alerting so when I initially walk through the door it doesn't immediately start telling me it's going to call the police and chop my head off etc. "
My solution was to address that. As for delaying the video, if it's not part of I spy, I don't know what you can do other than auto-cleaning the video folder, or doing without the video all together. I don't actually have I spy installed here. Do they not have some kind of hotkeys for turning stuff on and off?
When you initially started this thread, it seemed that you just wanted a motion trigger alert sent to VC, and that part is working, correct?
by the way, you can do some basic stuff (turning things on and off etc) using command line params.
example to turn all on:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<command id="1048" name="ispy all on" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
<action>
<cmdType>Launch.RawParam</cmdType>
<cmdString>C:\Program Files\iSpy\iSpy (64 bit)\iSpy.exe&&commands "allon"</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
</command>
Maybe you can find a way to use this. Here is a reference for all the command line commands that you can use.
http://www.ispyconnect.com/userguide-commandline.aspx
One of them allows you to start recording, another to close the program etc.
Thanks mate. Definitely very helpful.
Far less dirty than my current solution if I can get it up and running, will give it a go later.
I think I have a plan for the delay which will involve your suggestion to have the files auto delete after a period and some if statements in VOX which I will undoubtedly need help with ;)
II shall try write it myself, you never know, I might actually manage to write something without disturbing you for a change :p
Thanks again mate, will let you know how I get on and will make a video tutorial once I get it working in case others fancy it.
-P
Nope, it is impossible that my tiny brain can achieve anything without disurbing you (but I am learning as I go so the disturbances should become less).
I tried to follow some old instructions you gave me to set an alarm and cancel an alarm. You said to set a variable, so I have done this...
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<command id="1028" name="Hi honey I'm home 2" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
<action>
<cmdType>TTS.Speak</cmdType>
<cmdString>Hello commander, please confirm security clearance within the next 10 seconds or the alarm will be triggered</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
<action>
<cmdType>Results.SetVar</cmdType>
<cmdString>DoWakeEvent&&True</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
<action>
<cmdType>VC.SetEventTimer</cmdType>
<cmdString>15&&Intruder alert</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
<event>Camera.Motion</event>
</command>
and this...
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<command id="1025" name="Turn the alarm off" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
<action>
<cmdType>EventGhost.Send</cmdType>
<cmdString>switch the alarm off</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
<action>
<cmdType>Sound.PlayWav</cmdType>
<cmdString>\VOX\Sounds\acknowledge.wav</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
<action>
<cmdType>Results.SetVar</cmdType>
<cmdString>DoWakeEvent&&False</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
<phrase>Turn the alarm off, switch the alarm off</phrase>
</command>
and this...
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
<command id="1008" name="Intruder alert" enabled="true" alwaysOn="False" confirm="False" requiredConfidence="0" loop="False" loopDelay="0" loopMax="0" description="">
<if ifBlockDisabled="False" ifNot="False">
<ifType>(A)==(B)</ifType>
<ifParams>{Var.DoWakeEvent}&&True</ifParams>
<then>
<action>
<cmdType>TTS.Speak</cmdType>
<cmdString>Intruder alert! Intruder Alert! Your photograph has been sent to a remote e-mail account, The owner of the premises has been notified of your un-authorised axess. The police are on their way. Evacuate immediately!</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
<action>
<cmdType>EventGhost.Send</cmdType>
<cmdString>Intruder alert</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
</then>
<else>
<action>
<cmdType>TTS.Speak</cmdType>
<cmdString>Welcome back commander</cmdString>
<cmdRepeat>1</cmdRepeat>
</action>
</else>
</if>
<event>Intruder alert</event>
</command>
Figured that was right, but a lot of it is guess work based on my lack of coding experience.
What am I doing wrong? I figure it's something to do with the first part of my IF statement (A==B)
-P
Never mind, solved it immediately after!
I did something myself! Are you proud ;)
I had the Variable part and the true part backwards. I feel like a king!
-P
Hi MrWolf, I hope you will make a short video :D
I most certainly will :)
Finished tweaking now. Got it working perfectly so that when I walk in the room Vox welcomes me home but says it will trigger the alarm in 10 seconds if I do not give my passphrase. When I give the pass phrase it bypasses the alarm and switches my Projector on, dims the main lights and does the usual routine.
If I don't give my passphrase it makes a horrible noise, the main lights flash and TTS warns the intruder that they are being filmed, that the owner has been emailed and that the police are on the way. It sends me an email and 'Ispy' films them and sends the footage to my dropbox account!
I tagged on the starting of the webcams to the shut down sequence that turns all my lights and projector off.
I used James suggestions to have Vox switch the cameras on too so it is far cleaner than it was.
Thanks James for all your advice!
Just need to create Eventghost events so that the alarm can be turned off with my phone and with the missus' phone too.
Video will be made this Friday afternoon hopefully if I don't end up going to the gym, otherwise it will be next Wednesday as I'll need a good clear evening where my good lady is out.
-P
Quote from: MrWolf on May 14, 2013, 04:26:49 PM
I most certainly will :)
Finished tweaking now. Got it working perfectly so that when I walk in the room Vox welcomes me home but says it will trigger the alarm in 10 seconds if I do not give my passphrase. When I give the pass phrase it bypasses the alarm and switches my Projector on, dims the main lights and does the usual routine.
If I don't give my passphrase it makes a horrible noise, the main lights flash and TTS warns the intruder that they are being filmed, that the owner has been emailed and that the police are on the way. It sends me an email and 'Ispy' films them and sends the footage to my dropbox account!
I tagged on the starting of the webcams to the shut down sequence that turns all my lights and projector off.
I used James suggestions to have Vox switch the cameras on too so it is far cleaner than it was.
Thanks James for all your advice!
Just need to create Eventghost events so that the alarm can be turned off with my phone and with the missus' phone too.
Video will be made this Friday afternoon hopefully if I don't end up going to the gym, otherwise it will be next Wednesday as I'll need a good clear evening where my good lady is out.
-P
Wow, that sounds all really cool - no hurry!
I am so proud, that it brings a tear to my eye. I imagine this is how a father feels when his daughter takes her first steps, or gets married, or wins a Nobel prize. So, so proud, and yet also sad to know that in a way, she doesn't really need her daddy anymore. :biglaugh
Also looking forward to the demo, whenever it's ready.
:biglaugh
Thanks daddy, but I'll likely still need your help for a good while yet. I'm not quite all growed up.
Can't wait to demo this. Even Neesha said it was impressive, and she thinks we should just use a remote for everything ;)
-P