Open Security System

Introduction

This is a system which I thought of several years ago, in 1999 or so. Nobody's building it yet. The software was available but perhaps a bit expensive, back then (especially things like drivers and video codecs); today, it is probably all available as free/open-source modules which just need to be knitted together in order to do the job.

Summary

The basic idea is to use inexpensive web cams, an inexpensive internet connection, and an inexpensive shared hosting account to provide home security, monitored (as the cheapest option) by friends and family over the internet.

Key Features:

• online storage of all video feeds, accessible by date/time index for as long as the feed is stored
• server-side detection of internet failure, in case a clever thief "cuts the lines" before entering, with escalating alerts if the connection is not restored after a set time -- these should be fully configurable, but here's the general idea:
  • First warning to all users via IM and email
  • Second warnings via automated phone calls to various friendly phone numbers
  • Third warning to emergency neighbor number(s)
  • Fourth warning to local police department
• all software should be free/open-source
• all hardware should be off-the-shelf and (where possible) inexpensive

Links

• Motorola Home Monitoring and Control review: a similar system, but overpriced
• NerdMan: heavy webcam user. Livia gave me this link; not sure if it's applicable or not. Saving it to look at later.