There’s an interesting network-enabled doorbell on the market from Edison Junior called the DoorBot that boasts some useful features, notably that it can make calls to a phone when someone pushes the button for the doorbell. However, [MadBeggar] saw the potential in this device and couldn’t wait to get some more functionality out of it, so he has reverse engineered the communications protocol for the doorbell.
His goals for the project were to implement third-party notifications such as text messaging, VoIP/SIP integration, and maybe even a desktop client. So far he has only been able to analyze the communications protocol but he hopes that others will be able to build upon his work or even add features he hasn’t thought of yet. The makers of the device promise to eventually deliver on some of these features but so far haven’t delivered.
There are some other projects out there that integrate wireless connectivity with a doorbell. However, [MadBeggar] notes that the DoorBot really stands out among all of the internet-enabled doorbell, mostly because nothing else around is as clean or is as easy to install as the DoorBot. He just wishes that the software wasn’t so clunky and that it had its full potential unlocked with these extra features. We’d say he’s on the right track!
Where’s the hack?
Sorry but what functionality is needed to be added. These are often used as automated door opening systems so somebody dials an extension and the front door opens. I don’t see what you would gain by adding more options to the door bot?
(what functionality could be gained)
“His goals for the project were to implement third-party notifications such as text messaging, VoIP/SIP integration, and maybe even a desktop client.”
You might be interested in a python plugin for XBMC that I wrote for my home made iot door bell, and I have to say it’s very useful, especially if you run XBMC on many screens in your house. Check it out here, let me know if you want to integrate it with your project. http://homeawesomation.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/doorbell-ipcam-xbmc-update/
It would be nice to stream it without using the ap