X10 Community Forum
🛡Home Security => Home Security General => Topic started by: notslow on July 23, 2011, 11:26:13 PM
-
Hi everyone,
I'm wondering if there is any way to use active home or other software to send an email or text message when the security system is triggered instead of dialing a number.
Like a lot of people, I don't have a home phone for the system to call out. I would like to be able to get a text message sent to me, but email would work too. If this isn't available, it should be. Half the people I know have turned off their home phone. Even my grandparents turned theirs off and they had the same number for 40 years :o
-
Yes. Using AHP (with smart macros installed) in advanced functions simply select to sent email. I am sure there is also a way to send text messages.
-
oh too cool ;D
That will work perfectly. I can set the email address as my phones sms portal address. That way the email goes to my phone as a text and I get it instantly.
Thanks
-
And it's a simple matter to have it send you a text message when a specific door is opened (or closed). Using flags you could even limit that feature to a specfic time period.
There is a script on the Forum that if copied will do what you require......
-
It is possible, but it MAY not be easy to do.
What is not clear from your question is what hardware/model/software components you currently have and what exactly is your "alarm trigger" (is it the console triggering? Or is an open door sensor, etc, etc) In most cases its not a straightforward thing to do and requires considerable effort. Also another factor is your level experience on X10 products and in hardware/programming. I have an Sc1200 and it was pain in the neck to piece together the components to send out an email/text msg. I don't want to discourage you and hacking is part of the fun of X10 products, I just want to make sure you understand it not built in plug and play solution.
Search the forums for possible approaches.
-
Forgot to mention the obvious: you will need internet service. Then again if you a internet It might be easier to use VOIP as phone line example: magicjack, googlevoice with obi100 (search amazon)
-
......I have an Sc1200 and it was pain in the neck to piece together the components to send out an email/text msg. I don't want to discourage you and hacking is part of the fun of X10 products, I just want to make sure you understand it not built in plug and play solution.
Wait a minute. Maybe I did assume too much of the OP's condition... but he did only ask about AHP and email (and I included a picture). Granted to use an alarm setup through AHP the console and remote might need to be registered through the OnAlert software as well. But there are simpler setup's too. Or like in my case.... I used one of the third party software products (BVC (http://www.wgjohns.com/bvc.htm)) that can hear (detect) the console PLC's when triggered. My setup even yells at the intruder with a real human female sounding computer voice, when my alarm is triggered. But no hacking or specials skills were required (see links below).
Although I do completely agree... very little about X10 is truly plug-N-play. For almost everyone... using X10 can be a lot of fun and a little bit of a learning experience at the same time.
-
I'm going to start off with statement that every one is going to have different experience and "your mileage will vary." View this from eyes of person entering the X10 world as newby and person that recently got educated from the school of hard knocks. Dummy here ordered the CM19A/AHP and for his sc1200 alarm system. I wanted to send an text message via email on console alarm trigger. Later learn that OnAlert is separate purchase. Once I got Onalert, I found the sc12a/sc1200 module in OnAlert module can't be configured to recognize the sc1200 alarm trigger and the the SC1200 does not do any rf signalling on trigger. Then I purchased an CM15A, not realizing originally that the CM19A with TM751 can not "read" the PLC that the SC1200 issues on alert. Next it turns out I needed a passive coupler in my house to bridge my power lines. Then I had googled email script to work with gmail and tuned it to work as include lib. in VBscript. I was depending in X10SW third module to work with the SC1200. Turns out that the X10SW has not been updated to work with the SC1200 PLC protocols. So I sat down a wrote my own custom c# windows service to do the email text alert. At the same time, I worked with the author and volunteered to beta test new versions X10SW. It seems to work fine now.
I think its easier today than yesterday, but I think it takes considerable effort for some new like me to get things going. THere are hours to be spent searching and reading through forums to figure out the right pieces and right solution. If things don't work quite right then you have learn about protocols, passive couplers, passive attennas, XXXX devices etc. Most solutions are work around anyway.
-
I'm going to start off with statement that every one is going to have different experience and "your mileage will vary." View this from eyes of person entering the X10 world as newby and person that recently got educated from the school of hard knocks. Dummy here ordered the CM19A/AHP and for his sc1200 alarm system. I wanted to send an text message via email on console alarm trigger. Later learn that OnAlert is separate purchase. Once I got Onalert, I found the sc12a/sc1200 module in OnAlert module can't be configured to recognize the sc1200 alarm trigger and the the SC1200 does not do any rf signalling on trigger. Then I purchased an CM15A, not realizing originally that the CM19A with TM751 can not "read" the PLC that the SC1200 issues on alert. Next it turns out I needed a passive coupler in my house to bridge my power lines. Then I had googled email script to work with gmail and tuned it to work as include lib. in VBscript. I was depending in X10SW third module to work with the SC1200. Turns out that the X10SW has not been updated to work with the SC1200 PLC protocols. So I sat down a wrote my own custom c# windows service to do the email text alert. At the same time, I worked with the author and volunteered to beta test new versions X10SW. It seems to work fine now.
I think its easier today than yesterday, but I think it takes considerable effort for some new like me to get things going. THere are hours to be spent searching and reading through forums to figure out the right pieces and right solution. If things don't work quite right then you have learn about protocols, passive couplers, passive attennas, XXXX devices etc. Most solutions are work around anyway.
I don't have an SC12a/sc1200, nor do I have the OnAlert plugin, but can't AHP use the alarm trigger event to trigger a macro?
-
............................ I think it takes considerable effort for some new like me to get things going. THere are hours to be spent searching and reading through forums to figure out the right pieces and right solution. If things don't work quite right then you have learn about protocols, passive couplers, passive attennas, XXXX devices etc.
Your right. Home Automation isn't plug-N-play! There is a learning curve. That is why so many of us volunteer here with advice and info. Looks like your joining us.... Welcome to the club!
-
Yes. Using AHP (with smart macros installed) in advanced functions simply select to sent email. I am sure there is also a way to send text messages.
Giving you a helpful for this one Dave well you're pretty -:) Hum
Tom j.
-
>Welcome to the club
Thanks, got lots bruises as a result
>Yes. Using AHP (with smart macros installed) in advanced functions simply select to sent email. I am sure there is also a way to send text messages.
...
>I don't have an SC12a/sc1200, nor do I have the OnAlert plugin, but can't AHP use the alarm trigger event to trigger a macro?
I haven't been able to to setup AHP/OnAlert to directly recognize my console alarm trigger, then execute a macro. Does smart macros give you this function? Maybe someone out there who has done this can shed some light? From what I have seen in searching the forum there is round-about approaches http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=23376.0
-
The SC1200 sends different codes then the DS7000 on an alarm trip.
I created x10SW to detect the signal from a DS7000 alarm trip and am currently adding code for the SC1200 which is in beta testing right now.
the SC1200 sends the security housecode plus 1, on then off on a alarm trip.
You could use AHP and watch for thouse house codes however it will require smartmacros and the use of flags and conditions.
without the conditions you would get a email(text message) every time the house code is received.
X10SW would allow AHP to send a email only once for each alarm trip.
There is still time to get in on the beta testing of the new X10SW for those interested.
You need to be a member of my forum so the member only section is visible.
This is where the beta test thread is.
>!
-
Tuiceman, In AHP/OnAlert, do you know what the heck the SC12A/SC1200 icon is suppose to be used for in the security plane. I know in macro designer mode I can use the KR10A to trigger a macro on ARM/DISARM to do X/ same goes with other sensors , but there are no options for SC12A. Why bothering putting in the SC12A/SC1200 security icon?
-
I've also wondered why the DS7000 is presented also, other than to indicate room placement of the unit.
-
I suspect the DS7000 and SC1200 were added to AHP but the programmers never finished the code. ???
The DS7000 sends all lights on/off on a security trip. AHP can see this but there are no options for it.
The SC1200 sends security house code + 1 on/off on Alarm trip AHP sees this but there are no options for it.
However you can create something using flags but it isn't very reliable.
-:) Maybe once programmers work out all the AHP bugs they'll add the options for security trips.
In the mean time one can use a work arround,or X10SW ::) :'
>!
-
Actually the SC1200 sends two codes. The House Code, Unit {Light} Code and House Code, Unit Code +1 On then Off.
Like the default A1. Sends A1 A2 AOn then A1 A2 AOff. That dual Address being sent is what messes up some version PH508 Large Powerhorns.
-
Actually the SC1200 sends two codes. The House Code, Unit {Light} Code and House Code, Unit Code +1 On then Off.
Like the default A1. Sends A1 A2 AOn then A1 A2 AOff. That dual Address being sent is what messes up some version PH508 Large Powerhorns.
Thats what I meant, thanks for the clarification Brian. ;)
>!
-
Like a lot of people, I don't have a home phone for the system to call out. I would like to be able to get a text message sent to me, but email would work too. If this isn't available, it should be. Half the people I know have turned off their home phone. Even my grandparents turned theirs off and they had the same number for 40 years :o
notslow,
You can use a box called xlink and a cellphone to act like a home landline for your x10 to call out on and you call in on.
Here is a review and How to (http://ingunowners.com/forums/ingo_real_world_reviews/155611-review_xtreme_technologies_xlink_bt_bluetooth_gateway_black.html) for the xlink product that I wrote up. It won't send you a text/email but at least you can call-in/out and it's "plug n play" as oppose to the other route of email/txt.
-
for some reason, when I have ahp send e-mails to my cell phone carriers SMS gateway (number@vtext.com) using Myhouse, sometimes the message never gets delivered to my cellphone. The e-mails going to my e-mail addresses always get delivered (although in my junk folder 30% of the time). Maybe Verizon blocks some of them thinking they are spam.
I also noticed that X10 must have more than one server running as e-mail gateways because the e-mail sender name sometimes shows up as Myhouse something and sometimes no name but just the e-mail address, and also the e-mail sent times are always off by different times (indicating different time zone locations of the servers).
So one of those gateway servers might be flagged for spam, so whenever my e-mails get relayed from that server, they get blocked by Verizon.
I am not comfortable with relying on any online service offered by X10 (I'm sure you all can understand the reasons) so I discovered a little piece of software that makes sending e-mails and texts very easy and highly dependable.
It it called SendEmail, and it is a free open source command prompt utility that can send emails through even gmail accounts with SSL. (If you search for sendEmail on google, it is the first link)
In AHP all I had to do was click on "Windows Command" under Advanced functions, then select the "SendEmail.exe" file as the command. In the arguments section, type in the details of the e-mail such as:
-f sender@gmail.com -t receiver@gmail.com -s smtp.gmail.com:587 -xu username@gmail.com -xp password -u "Subject" -m "body of e-mail"
and that's it. This will send a message using your gmail account with SSL. I set this up for my modded fire alarm and my glass break sensors on my windows so if any of those get triggered, I get text messages with custom messages.
And by the way, when you send an e-mail to Verizon's SMS gateway, the final text message shows up as: "(Subject) body of e-mail" so my texts look something like "(Security) Fire alarm just went off!!" or "(Security) Rear window break sensor just went off!!" I am hoping never to receive these texts other than during testing, but it certainly eased my mind because during testing, reliability was at 100%.