A script to trigger IoT hardware based on data from Facebook events.
Author : Brandon Tanner [email protected]
Version : 1.0 (April 18, 2019)
Project : https://github.com/pyrite357/charge3dglasses
This is a script to analyze the Facebook events for a certain group that has movie parties, and look for 3D in the event name. If found, this script will trigger a Sonoff Basic module to power on the charging station for the 3D Glasses, doing so 1 hour before the event starts and then power it off after the event starts.
This helps the owner of the home theatre who would sometimes in the past forget to charge all of the 3D Glasses prior to having a movie party. This is an example of true home automation using IoT hardware. Another purpose for this project was to build a display case to keep the glasses off the floor and out of reach from children and pets, as some of the glasses were $40/ea. This case keeps them protected, and they can be charged all at once.
Although the author has been programming since the mid 90's, this was his very first Python script ever written from scratch. Please forgive any unsightly code ;)
Thanks to Joshua Wilfong for the idea to charge the glasses based on Facebook data.
Thanks to Andrew Blankenship for coaching on setting up the Sonoff Basic, and flashing the firmware.
Thanks to Victoria Kelley for helping to build the 3D Glasses charging station.
1). pip install python-dateutil requests
2). copy this script to your home directory in Linux
3). Add the IP Address of your Sonoff Basic to the ip_of_sonoff var below
4). Add the username and password of your Sonoff that was flashed with Tasmota Firmware
5). Make this script executable by running: chmod +x ~/charge3dglasses.py
5). Add the following line to your crontab so that it runs every 5 min
*/5 * * * * /home/yourusername/charge3dglasses.py
6). sudo gem install facebook-cli
7). facebook-cli config --appid=<your_app_id> --appsecret=<your_app_secret>
7). facebook-cli login
8). Add the following line to your crontab to fetch Facebook events every 15 min
*/15 * * * * /path/to/facebook-cli api "/<group_id>/events" > /tmp/facebook_events.json
- If manually turning on the charging station by the push button on the Sonoff, need to figure out a way for this script to not turn it off automatically.
- Verify power is on/off after sending commands to turn the Sonoff on/off.
- Perhaps just use the Facebook Graph API directly from the Python script.
I woud love any and all feedback! Especially on making this safer and more secure. The thought that electrical devices in my home are automatically controlled based on data from the Internet is scary, and even insane to some. However, I think with the right safe guards in place, this can be done right.
UPDATE: some have asked why I didn't just use a Smartplug. The reason is, I wanted local/LAN only control. The sonoff with Tasmota firmware allows for local control (no cloud/internet required) to operate.
Here is the glasses case I bought on ebay for $19.99 (USD)
I bought 2 of these A/C powered 6-port USB hubs for about $6.50 (USD) ea
The Sonoff Basic R2 was bought on Amazon for $6.99 (USD)
Soldered these 4 male header pins on
Bought this USB to TTL Adapter on Amazon for $12.49 (USD)
Hooked the TTL adapter up to the Sonoff's header pins
Flashing the Sonoff with Tasmota Firmware using esptool.py
Sonoff is ready to go
My home theatre room prior to starting this project
I built and painted a shelf (apparently to Lowes, black means brown, oh well)
Construction begins
Construction continues
Side view with USB hubs powered on
Built a side piece using the case backing
Test powering on the glasses
What it all looks like when finished
