How to run webcam software only when I am not home (phone is not on the LAN)?

Posted by endolith on Super User See other posts from Super User or by endolith
Published on 2012-10-25T21:43:36Z Indexed on 2012/10/26 17:07 UTC
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automation

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cron

Currently I've got cron starting Motion when I typically leave for work, and then killing it when I typically get home, so I can watch my cat/burglars/etc. But it would be better if it could detect when I'm actually home and disable the webcam during those times, and enable it at other times. I was thinking my presence could be detected by my Android phone joining the LAN. So something like

A script that checks every few minutes whether my phone's hostname or MAC address is currently on the LAN or
A Tasker script on my phone that contacts the home computer in some way (simple web server?) when it joins a certain SSID or
...

Any better ideas or advice about how to implement one of these?

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