After a while of owning a Doorbird video doorbell, I was thrilled to finally crack the puzzle of integrating its ‘Unlock’ button with my ZWave door lock via OpenHAB. Initially, the setup felt daunting, but with some research and a lot of trial and error, I managed to get everything working seamlessly. Here’s the journey and the solution that worked for me, in case anyone else is tackling a similar challenge.
The Doorbird binding relies on UDP packets, which don’t carry the relay state, making it tricky to trigger events directly from the Doorbird app. However, there’s a clever workaround using HTTPS GET requests. By configuring Doorbird to send a GET request when the relay is triggered, I could link it to OpenHAB without needing the binding for this specific task—though it’s still handy for other functionalities!
Here’s how I did it:
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Setup a Callback Item: I created a dummy item in OpenHAB to act as a trigger. This item, named
Doorbird_Relay_Callback, would be updated when the Doorbird relay was pressed. -
Create a Rule: Using OpenHAB’s rule engine, I set up a rule that activates when
Doorbird_Relay_Callbackchanges state. For me, this meant unlocking my ZWave door lock. The rule logs the event and ensures the callback resets afterward. -
Configure Doorbird: Accessing Doorbird’s web admin interface, I added an HTTP(S) call that points to OpenHAB’s endpoint. This URL triggers the callback item, setting off the rule.
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Testing: After setting everything up, I tested the system by pressing the unlock button in the Doorbird app. Logs confirmed the callback was triggered, and the door lock opened as intended!
This solution not only simplified my daily routine but also highlighted the versatility of OpenHAB in integrating with various smart devices. It’s satisfying to see everything work together smoothly, especially after overcoming the initial hurdles. If you’re looking to enhance your smart home setup, give this a try—it’s a great way to bridge different systems and create a more connected environment!