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[Brandt]

There is a sliding glass door in the back of the house where the dog sits and waits by when she has to go out. She does not bark or anything, just sits there. Unfortunately the family gathers in the evening at the front of the house to watch TV programs, etc....

Does anyone have any good ideas to alert the family in the front of the house when the dog is sitting in front of the sliding glass door in the rear of the house?

There is a kitchen bar stool type area adjacent to the sliding glass window.

I was thinking about putting a motion sensor underneath the bar pointing at where the dog sits and hook it up to a chime in the front family room, but am afraid of too many false positives, like when a person walks out the glass door or something of that nature. Also it can't be guaranteed that the dog sets off the motion sensor.

Something wireless would be best so I don't have to run wires from the A/C outlet to underneath the bar.

[HA Dave]

You might be able to use something like an Alarm Mat (you can actually make your own) that the dog would trigger when it sits at the door. The closed switch could be used to trigger a powerflash module.... or a hacked "eye" motion sensor. Even a security Door/Window sensor (DS10A) if you use a HA PC with AHP running 24/7. (The siren used with the Harbor Freight mat is WAY too loud for just an alert)

I would use the signal to trigger a [once a minute] voice notice/announcement/warning (like: "Let the dog out... or Rut Ro") Since my HA runs BVC 24/7 anyway. But you could also turn on/off a lamp, chime a chime, close the contacts on a wireless doorbell, or turn on [powered] PC speakers that are connected to a looping [cheap] MP3 player (a nice tune at a low volume might be less annoying than a chime).

It sounds like a fun project... and GOOD home automation.

[Brandt]

The human residence would set off a pressure mat...I need something for the dog only to set off.

[HA Dave]

The human residence would set off a pressure mat...I need something for the dog only to set off.

Hanging an RFID tag on the dogs collar with a reader at the door could be one solution... not an overly simple solution. But who wouldn't want to intergrate RFID into their home?

[troll334]

Put a door/window sensor at 'dog level' and a huge magnet on his/her collar
Sorry, had to...
How 'bout that hacked motion sensor. Expose the wires off the cds cell. Put some tasty stuff
on it for a couple weeks. Teach the dog to lick the goop off. Eventually, he/she will learn to
lick the sensors and key up the tranmitter. Even old dogs can learn new tricks.
Of course, we have to hope that the dog's saliva salinity is enough to trip the circuit.
How's that for a crazy idea?

Oh, and we don't need to involve PETA. It's probably only uVolts.

[HA Dave]

Put a door/window sensor at 'dog level' and a huge magnet on his/her collar Sorry, had to...

I generally think the simplest solution is the best solution... even if it doesn't involve digging in the X10 parts bin.

A low mounted "eye" sensor could do it... except a crumb-cruncher (human toddler) or even an adults foot might also trigger an alert. I think keeping the alert from being annoying could be the trick. If it is a simple decorative nightlight type of an alert it wouldn't disturb TV watching.

But we just don't see enough RFID projects ether.

I went shopping the other day and as I walked towards the stores doors... they would open for me automatically. OK.... that's not a surprise.. most store doors are automatic. But as convenient as that level of automation is... why don't we have that at home. With RFID and cell phone bluetooth technology like that used in BlueWatch and the new remote controlled door locks we could have some serious automation.

[Brandt]

here is some overkill

http://www.plexidors.net/plexidor_electronic.php

[HA Dave]

here is some overkill
http://www.plexidors.net/plexidor_electronic.php

Thats where we differ..... I'd NEVER call that overkill.

[troll334]

Hey, you can buy a HeNe laser sensor kit for ten bucks off the net. Get a pair and build 'em.
Bounce the beams about a foot apart so that humans will not likey break both at the same time.
When doggie breaks both beams, whaaala. Send the PLC.
Okay, I'll stop. Good luck.

[HA Dave]

..... Okay, I'll stop. Good luck.

I think this kind of brain storming can really provide some good, solid, and creative Home Automation solutions. Other peoples posts have regularly provided me with Home Automation solutions and ideas. Sometimes the suggestions may have been more in humor... or not even related to the automation project for which they were used. But good ideas... are always good.

So far... I like the doggie door link (http://www.plexidors.net/plexidor_electronic.php).

[Brandt]

Does anyone know if an MS14a on the floor picks up human feet?

[dave w]

Does anyone know if an MS14a on the floor picks up human feet?

Yes they do. See the December 01, 2010, 06:23:47 AM response on this thread

http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=21969.0

[Tuicemen]

You could always just add a pressure sensitive mat  Don't like the chime that comes with it, wire in a security sensor and have AHP do the rest!
 

[dave w]

Mount a "Big Red Emergency Button" on the wall and teach doggy to cold nose the button when he needs relief. 

[HA Dave]

You could always just add a pressure sensitive mat  Don't like the chime that comes with it, wire in a security sensor and have AHP do the rest!
 

Great idea!!!! I feel complimented that we think alike.

You might be able to use something like an Alarm Mat (you can actually make your own) that the dog would trigger when it sits at the door. The closed switch could be used to trigger a powerflash module.... or a hacked "eye" motion sensor. Even a security Door/Window sensor (DS10A) if you use a HA PC with AHP running 24/7. (The siren used with the Harbor Freight mat is WAY too loud for just an alert)