SW/HW Question on Sensors

[Supercharts]

Anyone know if the following SW exisits or should I write my own?

I am looking for some SW [It doesn't matter what it's written in but should be XP or OSX compatible] that will recognize an 'event' [by scanning a port] and then invoke an email program and send a message over the Internet to a predetermined address.

For example: A fox breaks an infrared sensor. The sensor sends the event to a PC or Mac. The computer scans the port the sensor is attached to, invokes an e-mail program, and sends a message to me at work in effect saying that a 'fox' is in the chicken coop.
[simple example]

Or - is there a sensor/sw package that does this already? [Assume the computer is always on and reboots itself if there's another 'blackout']

[Soapy Sam]

I think most webcams come with "security" software , which can e-mail a photo of an intruder to a safe site. Sounds like this could be adapted.

[Jim_MDP]

Sounds like a job for those X-10 modules.

Or do you already have other hardware?

I briefly used LabView a decade ago, I'm sure a cheaper competitor must exist by now.

You mention OS X, can you use some GNU open source solution if you found one?

[Supercharts]

Originally posted by Soapy Sam
I think most webcams come with "security" software , which can e-mail a photo of an intruder to a safe site. Sounds like this could be adapted.

This sounds very interesting. Do you have a link?
Thanks so much.

[Supercharts]

Originally posted by JamesMGMDP
Sounds like a job for those X-10 modules.

Or do you already have other hardware?

I briefly used LabView a decade ago, I'm sure a cheaper competitor must exist by now.

You mention OS X, can you use some GNU open source solution if you found one?

Forget OSX. I just want to record an event and send an e-mail. Any help very much appreciated. Thanks!

I really do appreciate very much that you have taken the time to respond to my question. You [JamesMGMDP] are a very nice person and I really, really want to thank you for taking the time to help me in my quest.

I realize this is a bit of a poser but I think someone, somewhere has solved this.

[a_unique_person]

If you want to get into the whole nitty gritty of PCs as controllers, etc, look at www.circuitcellar.com. It used to be free online, but it looks like they are charging now.

Check out this, article, though.

http://www.circuitcellar.com/library/ccofeature/petruzzellis1099/index.asp

It looks like it does everything.

[Supercharts]

That will do it.
Thank you :rub:

[Soapy Sam]

Supercharts:-

Sorry, I don't right now. I'm at work until Friday, then I fly home.
I bought a webcam three years ago, installed it, messed with it for a day or two, put it back in the box. It's still there, I suppose.

The security software did exist though. I'll haul it out when I get back and pass on the details. With luck you'll have the solution before then.
Edit to add- The webcam was from Creative, the Soundblaster people and the software was bundled with it, so Creative.Com might be a place to look.

[wayrad]

As James said, you can certainly do it with LabVIEW (I am in the middle of learning to use it at the moment). However, cost is prohibitive for what you have in mind ($995 for the base version).

[Jim_MDP]

Originally posted by wayrad
As James said, you can certainly do it with LabVIEW (I am in the middle of learning to use it at the moment). However, cost is prohibitive for what you have in mind ($995 for the base version).

Well. I'm pleased it's still in production. I used it a bit when it was new (?) back in ~'91.

And Charts was mean when I tried to help, so I'm not talking to him. :p

[wayrad]

Originally posted by Jim_MDP


Well. I'm pleased it's still in production. I used it a bit when it was new (?) back in ~'91.


Yes, they're up to version 7. I'm tearing my hair out over it at the moment, trying to create a virtual strip chart for our oxygen meter. The chart works, but I can't get it to make an Excel file with the correct time assigned to each voltage reading. Looks like I will actually have to read some of that stuff about strings, arrays, clusters, and data types :(

[ImpyTimpy]

From a programming point of view, writing the module yourself would be p**s easy and probably cheaper too.

[Soapy Sam]

Supercharts-

the program was called VideoBlaster Webcam Monitor.
It can either send still pictures to a website at preset time intervals, or can be set to act as a motion sensor, automatically sending an e-mail to a preset address if anything moves near the PC.
It was bundled with Creative's Video Blaster Webcam 3.

I assume it has been updated since. I bought the camera about mid 2000 I think. Creative Labs could presumably supply details.