Every Apartment needs this Upgrade! (WhatsApp/Telegram Notifications)

In this video, the creator discusses a common issue of missing doorbell notifications while working on electronics projects and listening to music. To solve this, they devise a plan to build a system that sends push notifications to their smartphone via WhatsApp or Telegram when the doorbell rings. The process involves inspecting the intercom system, creating an ESP8266 microcontroller to detect voltage changes, and finding a way to send notifications quickly. After comparing services like Twilio and CallMeBot, they opt for a Telegram Bot Library for its speed and ease of use. The project concludes with a successful setup where the doorbell triggers a Telegram message, ensuring they no longer miss deliveries. The video is sponsored by Altium and their Altium Designer software, which is highlighted for its cloud storage integration and design sharing capabilities.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The creator enjoys listening to music while soldering but often misses the doorbell due to the music.
• 🏡 The apartment's intercom system is shared among multiple families, so replacing it with a smart system is not an option.
• 📱 A solution is needed to send push notifications to a smartphone via WhatsApp or similar when the doorbell rings.
• 🔍 The project involves identifying a point in the intercom circuit that changes voltage when the doorbell is pressed.
• 💡 An ESP8266 microcontroller is used to detect the voltage change and send a notification through WiFi to a smartphone.
• 🛠️ The intercom system's control PCB is inspected to find the signal pin that indicates a doorbell ring.
• 🔌 A voltage divider is added to the ESP8266 to convert the 5V from the intercom to 3.3V suitable for the microcontroller.
• 💬 Two services, Twilio and CallMeBot, are considered for sending WhatsApp notifications, but CallMeBot is deemed too slow.
• 🤖 A Universal Telegram Bot Library is used to send messages quickly without additional registration.
• 🔋 The ESP8266 is powered by a nearby 5V power supply that was already in use for a door alarm system.
• 🏗️ A custom enclosure is designed and 3D printed to house the ESP8266 next to the intercom, and the setup is finalized with cables and Velcro tape.

Q & A

What is the main problem the speaker is facing with their doorbell?

The speaker misses the doorbell often because they are usually listening to music while working on electronics projects, and the doorbell is hard to hear.

Why can't the speaker simply replace their old intercom with a smart system?

The speaker lives in an apartment house with a shared intercommunication system, so they cannot simply replace the old intercom without potentially disrupting other families.

What is the speaker's solution to receive immediate notifications when someone rings the doorbell?

The speaker builds a small and inconspicuous device that connects to their intercom and sends push notifications to their smartphone via WhatsApp or similar services when the doorbell rings.

What is the first step in the speaker's project plan?

The first step is to inspect the intercom system and find a point in the circuit that changes its voltage level when the doorbell rings.

What is the purpose of the ESP8266 microcontroller in the project?

The ESP8266 microcontroller is used to detect the voltage change in the intercom system and, upon detection, sends a push notification through WiFi and the internet to the speaker's smartphone.

How does the speaker simulate the telephone part of the intercom being in place?

The speaker simulates the telephone part of the intercom being in place by tapping a magnet in front of the PCB.

What services did the speaker consider for sending WhatsApp notifications?

The speaker considered Twilio and CallMeBot for sending WhatsApp notifications.

Why did the speaker ultimately choose not to use Twilio?

The speaker chose not to use Twilio because it was more complicated, required creating an account, and incurred costs for sending messages.

What alternative did the speaker find to Twilio and CallMeBot for sending notifications?

The speaker found the Universal Telegram Bot Library created by Brian Lough, which allowed them to send Telegram messages without needing to register anywhere besides Telegram.

How does the speaker power the ESP8266 board for the project?

The speaker uses a 5V power supply that is already positioned close to the intercom, which they previously used to power their door alarm system.

What was the final step in completing the project?

The final step was to connect the intercom PCB pins with the ESP, design and 3D print a small enclosure, reinstall the intercom PCB, add a cable duct to the wall, attach the enclosure with Velcro tape, solder the power wires to the ESP, and close everything up.

What is the outcome of the project for the speaker?

The outcome is that the speaker receives Telegram messages quickly whenever the doorbell rings, ensuring they no longer miss the doorbell.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Doorbell Upgrade Project Overview

The video begins with the creator discussing their need for a solution to not miss the doorbell while working on electronics projects and listening to music. They live in an apartment building with an intercom system that can't be easily replaced with a smart system. The goal is to build a small, unobtrusive device that sends push notifications to their smartphone via WhatsApp or similar when the doorbell rings. The video is sponsored by Altium and their Altium Designer software, which is highlighted for its ability to create schematics and PCBs with cloud storage integration for design sharing and feedback. The project plan involves identifying a point in the intercom circuit that changes voltage when the doorbell rings, creating an ESP8266-based device to detect this change and send a notification, and finally, powering and housing the new electronics. The intercom system is examined, revealing a TwinBus system with a data bus for communication between components. The creator identifies the necessary pins for the doorbell signal and proceeds to explore methods for sending WhatsApp notifications using the ESP8266, eventually opting for a Telegram Bot Library for its speed and simplicity.

05:04

🛠️ Building and Integrating the Doorbell Notification System

The creator discusses their decision not to integrate the ESP board into their existing home-assistant system due to the sometimes sluggish push notifications. They explore two services, Twilio and CallMeBot, for sending WhatsApp messages but find issues with cost and speed. They then find a suitable solution using the Universal Telegram Bot Library, which allows for quick message sending without additional registration. The ESP is modified with a voltage divider to work with the intercom's 5V system. The creator considers powering the ESP from the intercom but decides against it to avoid overloading the system. Instead, they use a nearby 5V power supply. The project concludes with the physical integration of the ESP with the intercom, 3D printing an enclosure, and final assembly. The result is a system that sends a Telegram message quickly upon the doorbell ring, ensuring the creator will no longer miss deliveries. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to support the creator on Patreon and engage with the content.

Keywords

Soldering

Soldering is a process in which two or more items, typically metal, are joined together by melting and fusing a filler material to the workpiece, which forms a bond upon cooling. In the video, soldering is a key activity the presenter engages in while working on electronics projects, highlighting its importance in the creation of the described device.

Doorbell

A doorbell is a signaling device used to announce a visitor's presence at the entrance of a building. In the context of the video, the doorbell is a critical element that the presenter wants to upgrade by integrating it with a smart notification system to avoid missing important deliveries.

Intercom System

An intercom system is a stand-alone, two-way communication system that allows communication between different rooms within a building or between buildings. The video discusses the limitations of the existing intercom system in the presenter's apartment and the need for a discreet upgrade that can send notifications to a smartphone.

ESP8266

The ESP8266 is a low-cost microcontroller with Wi-Fi capabilities. It is used in the video to create an electronic device that can detect a voltage change and send a notification to the presenter's smartphone via Wi-Fi and the internet. This is a central component in the project to upgrade the doorbell system.

Push Notification

A push notification is a message that pops up on a user's device to alert them of an event, such as a new message or an incoming call. In the video, the presenter aims to create a system that sends push notifications to their smartphone through WhatsApp or similar services when someone rings the doorbell.

Altium Designer

Altium Designer is a comprehensive electronics design software used for creating schematics and printed circuit boards (PCBs). The video mentions that it is sponsored by Altium, and the presenter encourages viewers to try the software for free, highlighting its features like cloud storage integration for design sharing and feedback.

TwinBus System

The TwinBus system is a proprietary communication protocol used for interconnecting devices within a building, such as intercoms and doorbell panels. In the video, the presenter discusses this system in relation to the intercom's PCB, noting its complexity and the challenges it presents in reverse-engineering for the project.

Voltage Divider

A voltage divider is a passive linear circuit that produces an output voltage that is a fraction of its input voltage. In the context of the video, a voltage divider is used to step down the 5V signal from the intercom to a level suitable for the 3.3V ESP8266 microcontroller.

Telegram Bot Library

The Telegram Bot Library is a software library that allows users to create bots for the Telegram messaging platform. In the video, the presenter uses this library to create a bot that can send messages to their Telegram account, which is faster and more reliable for the doorbell notification system.

3D Printing

3D printing is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. The video mentions 3D printing as a method used to create a custom enclosure for the ESP8266 device, which houses the electronics and makes it suitable for installation next to the intercom.

Power Supply

A power supply is an electrical device that provides electrical energy to an electrical load. In the video, the presenter discusses the power supply options for the new device, considering the existing 24V DC supply from the intercom system and ultimately deciding to use a separate 5V supply to avoid overloading the intercom system.

Highlights

The creator is working on a project to upgrade their apartment's doorbell system to receive notifications via WhatsApp or Telegram when the doorbell rings.

The project is inspired by the need to not miss doorbell rings while working on electronics projects and listening to music.

The existing intercom system in the apartment cannot be replaced with a smart system due to its shared nature with other families.

A solution is sought that is small, inconspicuous, and capable of sending push notifications to a smartphone.

The video is sponsored by Altium and their Altium Designer software, which is used for creating schematics and PCBs.

The software includes Altium 365, which connects designs with cloud storage for easy sharing and feedback.

The project involves identifying a point in the intercom circuit that changes voltage when the doorbell rings.

An ESP8266 microcontroller will be used to detect voltage changes and send push notifications through WiFi to a smartphone.

The creator explores using Twilio and CallMeBot to send WhatsApp notifications, but finds them unsuitable due to cost and delay issues.

CallMeBot is easy to use but messages can be delayed by 10 to 20 seconds, which is not fast enough for the project's needs.

The Universal Telegram Bot Library created by Brian Lough is chosen for its speed and ease of use without requiring account creation.

The ESP8266 board is connected to the intercom system and a voltage divider is added to convert the 5V signal to 3.3V.

Power for the new electronics is sourced from a nearby 5V power supply already in use for the door alarm system.

A small enclosure is designed and 3D printed to house the ESP8266 board next to the intercom.

The final setup includes connecting the intercom PCB pins with the ESP, reinstalling the intercom PCB, and securing the enclosure with Velcro tape.

The project is completed, and the creator receives Telegram messages quickly upon the doorbell ringing, ensuring they will not miss it again.

The creator encourages viewers to support them through Patreon and to engage with the content by liking, sharing, and subscribing.