[XCSSA] ZoneMinder with I/O project

[X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio]

On Tuesday 07 July 2009 12:44:30 pm X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio 
wrote:
> As soon as I get my network rebuilt and ZoneMinder back together, I was
> going to explore using the hooks in ZM to get me some I/O going... relays
> at first... say turn the sprinkler on if the cat goes in the bushes next to
> our front door (ok, so that was the inspiration for my whole project, but I
> digress!)...
>
> any one tried to get some external interfacing going on with ZM?


Dude.. you don't need ZM just for that.. You can simply do that with the 
motion program (http://www.lavrsen.dk/twiki/bin/view/Motion/WebHome) and 
X10. It's really easy to script with Motion though..  You can make it do 
anything 
once it detects motion. :)

For example.. to squirt the can, I would use Motion for the motion detection 
(obviously) and then bottlerocket software on the same computer  
(http://www.linuxha.com/bottlerocket/) to send the X10 control signals via RF 
Firecracker module (X10 CM17A 
http://www.linuxha.com/bottlerocket/#firecracker_info) to my X10 network. 
Piece of cake.

More interestingly though.. you can actually use a setup like this (or with 
ZM) as a security system.  If you mount a camera at waste level, for example, 
and aim it across your living area, you can set it up to mask off movement 
below waste level and use it as a pet proof motion alarm for your house.  
Combine this with night time IR and you've got a 24/7 motion security 
alarm. :)  

Tweeks