Auto-dialer

[asbril]

Is there a ISY ZWave compatible auto-dialer that would dial a phone nr upon (for example) a motion detector trigger or by click on portable remote controller ?

[stusviews]

Here's one. But nearly all phone dialers depend on a dry contact closure, so you could use any Z-Wave (or Insteon) dry contact interface to initiate a phone call.

[jtara92101]

By auto-dialer, do you mean some doo-hickey that hooks up to a land-line, and will dial a number and deliver some pre-recorded message?

 

Try you local Goodwill store. While you are there, pick up some blank cassette tapes, and maybe a Leyden Jar or two!

 

I can't imagine why you'd need a dialer doo-hickey. I'm sure there's an online service you can access using the Network module.

 

For sure, you'd be able to find a business-oriented VOIP service that has a REST API, and the ability to  deliver a pre-recorded message to a # via an API call.

 

But also very likely you can find a more limited service that does only just what you need, and probably for pennies.

 

I guess you probably don't need to make 5,000 calls/minute, but in case you do:

 

http://cdyne.com/api/phone/notify/

[asbril]

By auto-dialer, do you mean some doo-hickey that hooks up to a land-line, and will dial a number and deliver some pre-recorded message?

 

Try you local Goodwill store. While you are there, pick up some blank cassette tapes, and maybe a Leyden Jar or two!

 

I can't imagine why you'd need a dialer doo-hickey. I'm sure there's an online service you can access using the Network module.

 

For sure, you'd be able to find a business-oriented VOIP service that has a REST API, and the ability to  deliver a pre-recorded message to a # via an API call.

 

But also very likely you can find a more limited service that does only just what you need, and probably for pennies.

 

I guess you probably don't need to make 5,000 calls/minute, but in case you do:

 

http://cdyne.com/api/phone/notify/

Thanks.... You have me a good chuckle !  Seriously, I'd like to understand a bit more of your suggested solution. I am an amateur techie and am not familiar with REST API.  I have 3 VOIP  Google Voice lines at home, coming in through OBI boxes, but if I understand your suggestion, I would not even use these and connect the ISY directly to a VOIP connection. I would love to understand how that would work.

[asbril]

Here's one. But nearly all phone dialers depend on a dry contact closure, so you could use any Z-Wave (or Insteon) dry contact interface to initiate a phone call.

Would this Dialer plug-in work with ISY ? On your link, it only mentions Vera.

[jtara92101]

 am not familiar with REST API. 

 

REST is a "casual standard" for simple APIs (Application Program Interface) that work using HTTP. You send a request to a server using HTTP. You get a reply. Usually there are some parameters to send, and they are (usually) sent as URL parameters (sometimes in request body). So, basically, you form a URL using text, send off the request, and get some response. In most cases, you can easily test in your browser!

 

If you have the Network module installed, then you can communicate with REST APIs using your ISY. Many home entertainment and other home devices have REST APIs - for example, my Denon receiver has one, my speaker switch has one, my IR controller has one, etc. etc. etc.

 

The "Internet of Things" (whatever that is ) works almost exclusively on REST APIs.

 

 I would not even use these and connect the ISY directly to a VOIP connection

 

 

Not EVEN a VOIP connection. Just a REST API offered by some VOIP service. Or by some other service provider. I only mention VOIP, because I know that many VOIP services offer such an API.

 

Since you have Google Voice, I'd suggest checking out Google Voice APIs. I'll bet you can do it with Google Voice. It wouldn't involve your OBI box. Just a network request sent off to a Google server, saying "call this number, send this pre-recorded message" (that's already stored on your server).

 

Edit: wasn't Google Voice discontinued? Confused, now...

 

FWIW, I was a Gizmo5 customer, prior to Google's purchase of Gizmo5. Pretty sure that Gizmo5 had an API that would do this.

 

Maybe Google Voice just got rebranded or incorporated into Hangouts.

 

One thing for sure, Google has done a *GREAT* job of expunging most references to Google Voice from their servers! Just try Googling it... That was my FIRST CLUE, then I remembered reading a few months back about them discontinuing it...

 

Are you grandfathered? Have you been assured that your GV service won't be discontinued?

 

From what I did find, I don't think I'd bark up the Google Voice (or whatever it is called) tree, as it looks like Google has really re-positioned it away from traditional VOIP. There are many, many VOIP providers falling over each other to provide flexible services to businesses. That flexibility necessarily extends to providing a rather complete REST API. You just need to find a provider that doesn't expect to deal with customers needing to make 5,000 calls/minute.

 

This is how almost all mass-calling - whether it is political messages, messages reminding you to pick up your prescription, or messages telling you that you - lucky you! have won a free trip to the Bahamas - are accomplished today!

 

Here's another one I found. Again, though, they seem oriented toward large businesses that need to make a lot of calls:

 

http://www.infobip.com/en/platform/messaging/voice

 

If you DO get booted from Google Voice, then a high likelihood that whatever VOIP solution you move to will have the needed API!

[jtara92101]

Maybe this one. 5 cents/minute, no monthly fees:

 

https://www.callfire.com/common-uses/voice-messaging

 

https://www.callfire.com/products/voice-broadcast

 

https://developers.callfire.com/docs.html#sendCalls

 

Last link is docs for their API for making calls. However, this might be a hitch - it requires a message body. Can somebody comment on whether the Network module permits providing a message body on a REST request?

[stusviews]

Here's one. But nearly all phone dialers depend on a dry contact closure, so you could use any Z-Wave (or Insteon) dry contact interface to initiate a phone call.

 

Would this Dialer plug-in work with ISY ? On your link, it only mentions Vera.

 

I don't know. You indicated only a Z-Wave compatible dialer. I would guess, but it's only a guess, that Z-Wave compatible means jut that. But, I'm not a Z-Wave maven.

 

Given the other responses, what precisely do you want to accomplish? Do you wan an ISY event to dial a land line or smartphone with a pre-recorded message or something else? The ISY can currently send a text.

[Scottmichaelj]

You can also have push notifications on iOS or Android using a service like Pushover.net with the ISY

[asbril]

I don't know. You indicated only a Z-Wave compatible dialer. I would guess, but it's only a guess, that Z-Wave compatible means jut that. But, I'm not a Z-Wave maven.

 

Given the other responses, what precisely do you want to accomplish? Do you wan an ISY event to dial a land line or smartphone with a pre-recorded message or something else? The ISY can currently send a text.

Indeed, ISY can already send a text. My objective is to have ISY create an alarm system without contracting an alarm service.

[larryllix]

Indeed, ISY can already send a text. My objective is to have ISY create an alarm system without contracting an alarm service.

Who do you want to notify from ISY?

[kohai]

You can also have push notifications on iOS or Android using a service like Pushover.net with the ISY

 

+1.  I bet a non-phone dialing notification would be easier.

[asbril]

Who do you want to notify from ISY?

A family member

[stusviews]

Text, email, land line?

[larryllix]

Would you not be happy with a text message and/or an email to that person and yourself?

 

ISY does all that without anything else. Of course you need an Internet connection.

[jtara92101]

It sounds like Z-Wave really has nothing to do with the requirement. Good thing, as a Z-wave land-line phone dialer would seem to fill a rather fleeting niche.

 

1. Can you confirm that you need to send a VOICE message? (e.g. family member(s) who does not have cell phone or email).

 

2. How elaborate, in terms of reliable delivery? Can it use Internet, or do you actually require the reliability of a land-line? If land-line, do both you and the person it will be dialing have ACTUAL land-line service? (Not some fake land-line service from a cable provider, etc...) Bearing in mind that land-line service is GOING AWAY in any case!

 

3. Do you need cell-phone backup in case land-line doesn't work?

 

4. If you are really serious about it being a security system (albeit not connected to a monitoring service) your ISY and PLM should be on backup power. PLM on backup power presents a unique problem! It would probably only communicate via RF (backup would not pass the signal to the line) and so right off need a dual-band device in range. And then all of your sensors have to be battery-powered and RF. (Or on the backup and RF...) They could be Insteon, or they could be Z-wave, but they can't depend on house wiring for either power or communicating with the ISY.

 

BTW, it's a bit of a scam about land-lines going away. They really aren't. You'll still be able to get a dry circuit for an alarm, at least for foreseeable future where wires already in place. Land-lines GOING AWAY just gets the phone company out of a lot of legal obligations... You might have images in your head of wires being ripped out of the ground, but that's not the case, and they will re-purpose those wires as long as they still work.

[MWareman]

 

 

My objective is to have ISY create an alarm system without contracting an alarm service.

Just so you know, Insteon (and most zwave) are not rated for security applications. The signal is easy to block, you cannot raise a fault if blocked, and generally can be spoofed.

[ISYhbsh01]

I can't check right now, but if I remember correctly IFTTT has a recipe where it makes a call to a specified phone number.

[ISYhbsh01]

Confirmed. IFTTT does have an option of making a phone call & leaving a message that you specify. Off course I wouldn't rely on that for a real security need.

[jtara92101]

I knew there had to be something that didn't come with a full-blow business VOIP service! IFTTT is perfect for this!

 

https://ifttt.com/phone_call

 

Well, maybe. What about the dreaded IFTTT delay? The house might burn down or the burglars long-gone before the relative calls the fire department or the police...

 

The delay is only when IFTTT has to notify ISY? Not the other way around?

[stusviews]

If you have an Echo, this may be what you need/want

[MWareman]

 

 

What about the dreaded IFTTT delay? The house might burn down or the burglars long-gone before the relative calls the fire department or the police...

 

If that's a concern, get an Elk, Elk integrated smokes and professional monitoring... You can then get the Elk module and integrate it with your ISY.

 

Best of both worlds - best in class alarm and best in class automation - with each using products best suited for the task, and both working flawlessly together.

[asbril]

It sounds like Z-Wave really has nothing to do with the requirement. Good thing, as a Z-wave land-line phone dialer would seem to fill a rather fleeting niche.

 

1. Can you confirm that you need to send a VOICE message? (e.g. family member(s) who does not have cell phone or email).

 

2. How elaborate, in terms of reliable delivery? Can it use Internet, or do you actually require the reliability of a land-line? If land-line, do both you and the person it will be dialing have ACTUAL land-line service? (Not some fake land-line service from a cable provider, etc...) Bearing in mind that land-line service is GOING AWAY in any case!

 

3. Do you need cell-phone backup in case land-line doesn't work?

 

4. If you are really serious about it being a security system (albeit not connected to a monitoring service) your ISY and PLM should be on backup power. PLM on backup power presents a unique problem! It would probably only communicate via RF (backup would not pass the signal to the line) and so right off need a dual-band device in range. And then all of your sensors have to be battery-powered and RF. (Or on the backup and RF...) They could be Insteon, or they could be Z-wave, but they can't depend on house wiring for either power or communicating with the ISY.

 

BTW, it's a bit of a scam about land-lines going away. They really aren't. You'll still be able to get a dry circuit for an alarm, at least for foreseeable future where wires already in place. Land-lines GOING AWAY just gets the phone company out of a lot of legal obligations... You might have images in your head of wires being ripped out of the ground, but that's not the case, and they will re-purpose those wires as long as they still work.

Many thanks for your extensive response. This is what I am looking for :

I am in my early sixties (still young !) and in a pretty good health. So nothing urgent, but I would like to have a Zwave button (something like  https://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-DSA38-ZWUS-Black-AL001/dp/B00PJ88FUA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1469625710&sr=8-4&keywords=zwave+button   ) in case I or someone else in my family is bedridden need urgent help (call family member or 911). These systems exist over the counter with monthly contracts but I am trying to set it up with ISY ZW..

[asbril]

Maybe this one. 5 cents/minute, no monthly fees:

 

https://www.callfire.com/common-uses/voice-messaging

 

https://www.callfire.com/products/voice-broadcast

 

https://developers.callfire.com/docs.html#sendCalls

 

Last link is docs for their API for making calls. However, this might be a hitch - it requires a message body. Can somebody comment on whether the Network module permits providing a message body on a REST request?

I like the 5 cts per event option because I would rarely use it, or hopefully never, as I want it as an emergency system.

My problem is that I am not at all familiar with programming. I guess that I would need the ISY Network Module but I would probably be lost to set it up.

[Scottmichaelj]

Many thanks for your extensive response. This is what I am looking for :

I am in my early sixties (still young !) and in a pretty good health. So nothing urgent, but I would like to have a Zwave button (something like https://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-DSA38-ZWUS-Black-AL001/dp/B00PJ88FUA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1469625710&sr=8-4&keywords=zwave+button ) in case I or someone else in my family is bedridden need urgent help (call family member or 911). These systems exist over the counter with monthly contracts but I am trying to set it up with ISY ZW..

Teken posted in another thread about using an Amazon Echo with MyBuddy plugin. This might be a better option? An always on and listening device. Plus ISY lighting control too.

 

Ask My Buddy - Anyone using it?

 

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http://forum.universal-devices.com/index.php?/topic/18824-Ask-My-Buddy---Anyone-using-it%3F&share_tid=18824&share_fid=23986&share_type=t