Just curious how people do their occupancy sensing

[arw01]

Have had it rattling around in my head for a couple of weeks about how best to handle occupancy sensing. If I use a state variable, it can trigger programs.

 

But are you better to make a massive if or tree listing a bunch of common devices around the house? e.g. kitchen light, bathroom light, motion sensor here or there, stair lights, a bedroom light, etc. and run down the whole tree.

 

Or on other programs that do something, make them set the occupancy variable?

 

Anyone doing anything interesting besides just turning out the lights in 30 minutes of no activity around the house?

 

Alan

[ih574]

I use the ISY network resources to force a PC running EventGhost to ping my phone every few minutes. Eventghost executes a REST command based on the ping result (runThen if ping was successful and runElse if not) which sets an ISY state program (or variable) true. I then compare that with other program states (or variables)to determine whether the device is gone, just got here, or has been here longer than 20 minutes. I take action on any one of these states, usually generating a greeting.

 

This is only useful for taking global actions since the ping is not sensitive to different rooms or floors. But its fun to have the house greet me when I arrive.

 

r-

 

Tom C.

[PSquare]

I use the ISY network resources to force a PC running EventGhost to ping my phone every few minutes. Eventghost executes a REST command based on the ping result (runThen if ping was successful and runElse if not) which sets an ISY state program (or variable) true. I then compare that with other program states (or variables)to determine whether the device is gone, just got here, or has been here longer than 20 minutes. I take action on any one of these states, usually generating a greeting.

 

This is only useful for taking global actions since the ping is not sensitive to different rooms or floors. But its fun to have the house greet me when I arrive.

 

r-

 

Tom C.

 

Would u mind sharing ur solution? Also doesn't the phone iPhone in my case disconnect from the network if not used or locked so the ping would fail and trigger your away program?

 

Tks

[Xathros]

I am using a combination of motion sensors, switch/dimmer activations and WiFi connections from phones/ipods all to feed my occupancy routines.

 

Basically, I have a state variable called Occupied that gets set to 1 anytime it is 0 and an event described above occurs. This starts a 30 minute countdown that gets restarted with any of the above events. If the timer runs out the state variable gets set to 0 (Vacant).

 

I use the Occupied/Vacant status to adjust thermostat, enable/disable my pellet stove, adjust auto timers on various lights and enable/disable image capturing on my IP cameras (Capture on motion enabled for 2 minutes on transition from vacant to occupied when not in AWAY mode)

 

The detection of Phones/iPods is done using my dd-wrt router and polling the ARP table for specific MAC addresses. There is a good thread on this here: http://forum.universal-devices.com/viewtopic.php?p=74728#p74728 The solution I'm using is in the last 6-8 posts.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-Xathros

[Xathros]

Also doesn't the phone iPhone in my case disconnect from the network if not used or locked so the ping would fail and trigger your away program?

 

Yes. the phones and iPods all disconnect regularly but the reconnect to check for mail every 5-15 minutes thus my 30 minute countdown till vacant.

 

-Xathros

[jeff000]

Great idea's in this thread.

But as of right now I feel like I am reading a foreign language.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello jef0000,

 

Please note that we are always ready to help. If you find it difficult to program/configure your ISY, please do not hesitate to contact us (submit a ticket link in my signature) to schedule a call.

 

With kind regards,

Michel