How to interface the output from an alarm to a PC?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dean
  • Start date Start date
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dean

Is there a card that plugs into a PC that has input terminals that can
be linked to an alarm system (for example the typical N/O or N/C
terminals)? (The use-case is that I want to be emailed when a motion
detector is tripped - the system has the terminals stated above).

Thanks!
 
dean said:
Is there a card that plugs into a PC that has input terminals that can
be linked to an alarm system (for example the typical N/O or N/C
terminals)? (The use-case is that I want to be emailed when a motion
detector is tripped - the system has the terminals stated above).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You may already have one. A game port (used for joystick input) is
often integrated into the motherboard or included on a sound card.
It provides four 'button' inputs. Here's a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_port

Other options are to use an input data line from a parallel port or
one of the control lines from a serial port. Either of these would
require a bit more effort in programming to implement.
 
dean said:
Is there a card that plugs into a PC that has input terminals that can
be linked to an alarm system (for example the typical N/O or N/C
terminals)? (The use-case is that I want to be emailed when a motion
detector is tripped - the system has the terminals stated above).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Being the cheapskate I am, I would:-
1. Find a macro program that could let you send your desired email on a
single keypress.
2. Hack an old keyboard so that wires run from that particular key's pcb
connections out to your n/o terminals.
 
Andy,

Is that the right link? I don't see any mention of alarm inputs. I see
motion detection with emailing, but no alarm inputs.
Click to expand...

Look in the manual.
ftp://ftp.swann.com.au/drivers/pcdvr4net/PCDVR4Net_Manual.pdf
 
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