Need tech help for an idea I have...

**jmw_man** · 12-30-10, 06:07 PM

I want to receive a text message, an e-mail, or I want to be able to look at my phone from a remote location and know when a light is on or off at another location. How can I do it?

I went by Fry's and the sales associate took me over by the home security section and was looking at some stuff, he wasn't really looking for anything in particular but seemed like he was brainstorming for ideas. It got me thinking about the home security door sensors. The sensors know when a door is open or closed.... Do the home security modules require some type of service from a third party to work or can I personally purchase a do-it-yourself kit and not worry about subscribing to a service and be able to monitor the sensors that way?

While at Fry's, another sales associate said I could just write some code. I'm not entirely sure how that would work. I'm guessing: sensors on the light and sensors connected to a computer that continuously runs a program that displays the status of the lights and sends an e-mail through the internet when a change in status of the light occurs.

Anyways, does anyone have any ideas?

**Warprosper** · 12-31-10, 11:06 AM

What you would need is a home security system that supports remote administration... I have seen a few of these around, they're not extremely popular yet.
The way it works is you run all the sensors whether wired or wireless through a central comm hub. The central comm hub can connect through a router or switch and typically provides a basic web interface. On that interface you can monitor all the sensors/cameras that you install. Getting that information to your phone shouldnt be hard once you get everything setup ... All you would need to do is set a static IP on the central comm device Nat that address and whatever port you need to on the router. It may also be beneficial to get a Static public IP from your ISP so your not always changing the web ip address.

You can spend the extra money and have the devices send sms alerts to your phone but that may require a different fee / it all depends on which devices you go with.

As far as writing code for this.... Dont waste your time. I have wrote some small frames for ipoint systems and while they do work as intended, it is a very tedious process and not one I would recommend.

I hope this is the info your looking for..