{HowTo} turn on/off your monitor (Time based, PIR/Button, App)

komodoteler

Make sure you run chmod - chmod +x pir.py

Then add it to startup:

run - sudo nano /etc/rc.local
Add this (above the “exit 0”): python /home/pi/pir.py &
Save

Reboot to test

Magno99900

@komodoteler I’ll try again once I get off work, but i know I did chmod on pir.py and I currently have it in rc.local but I don’t currently have the “&” after it’s entry. When I looked at the first post it says to put it there but doesn’t display it in the code section.

Updated: Added the “&” still didn’t work, so I replaced the pir.py script that I was previously using and all seems to be great now. thanks again for the help.

Kecko

hey guys,

i got another problem.
the script is working well but the python won’t start with booting my PI.

i don’t know how often i repeated all the steps. I am using the method 2.2 Using PIR-Script.

i also put this line in my rc.local:

python /home/pi/pir.py &

anyone got an idea what i’m doing wrong?

EDIT:

Sorry I have just read the post of @Magno99900. So you just created a complete new .py script? i will try this later! Thanks so far :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Maros

I’ve just connected PIR sensor to my MM as written in step 2.1 Using PIR-Module

everything is connected MM is started but the screen is not turning off.

Can someone help me how can i check if PIR sensor is working and if it’s why the screen is still on ?

i’ve changed settings to

{
module: ‘MMM-PIR-Sensor’,
config: {
powerSavingDelay: 60 // (seconds) how long the monitor will be turned on
}
},

Maros

I found out that PIR sensor is ok.

i’ve created python script from this page ( https://tutorials-raspberrypi.com/connect-and-control-raspberry-pi-motion-detector-pir/ )and found out that i’ve switched Ground and 5V. I’ve corrected them and now when i execute : sudo python pir.py i get
There was a movement!

before there was nothing, so i guess PIR sensor is OK

but it’s still not working to turn off the screen.

Maros

OK everything is working after creating scripts from step 2.2 :)

Maros

is there possibility to turn off PIR at specified time ? f.e. from 9pm untill 7am it will be off so if there will be movement display will not turn on.

cruunnerr

@Maros

Glad u got it working. :)

So u use the script from point 2.2 ?

Then u could kill the pir.py at 9pm and start at 7am via cronjob. With that u were able to define each day for itself :)

The command to kill the pir.py script is

sudo pkill $(ps aux | grep python pir.py | awk '{ print $2 }')

So the easiest way is to just edit your crontab. Try it like this:

nano killpir.sh
Write this into file and save with CTRL+X and Yes

sudo pkill $(ps aux | grep python pir.py | awk '{ print $2 }')

chmod +x killpir.sh
sudo nano /etc/crontab
Write this into file and save with CTRL+X and Yes:

0 21 * * * /usr/bin/sh /home/pi/killpir.sh
0 7 * * * /usr/bin/python /home/pi/pir.py

So for example your crontab looks like this:

# /etc/crontab: system-wide crontab
# Unlike any other crontab you don't have to run the `crontab'
# command to install the new version when you edit this file
# and files in /etc/cron.d. These files also have username fields,
# that none of the other crontabs do.

SHELL=/bin/sh
PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin

# m h dom mon dow user  command
17 *    * * *   root    cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly
25 6    * * *   root    test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.daily )
47 6    * * 7   root    test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.weekly )
52 6    1 * *   root    test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.monthly )
0 21    * * *   root    /usr/bin/sh /home/pi/killpir.sh
0 7     * * *   root    /usr/bin/python /home/pi/pir.py
#

Didn’t try this solution at all, but hope/think this works :)

I would be glad about a feedback ;)

Maros

@cruunnerr ok thank you i’ll try it and let you know if it work.

just one question is it not needed to start pir.py in background ?

/usr/bin/python /home/pi/pir.py &

cruunnerr

cron will start the pir.py in background. The scenario will be like:

Boot up magic mirror = starts pir.py via rc.local
at 21pm = stops pir.py via cron
at 7am = starts pir.py via cron

from this on the circle is closed and cron will repeat this every day (in background)
well… i think so… maybe i am wrong :/

When u reboot the mirror between 21pm and 7am the pir.py will be active for sure until the next 21pm will be reached … ;)

edit:
it would also be possible to implement a while-loop in the pir.py script to check if it is between 21pm and 7am.
But i never worked with that yet -.-

maybe u can get what u want here or here or here

Maros

ok i’ve checked and it’s not working fully.
problem is with /usr/bin/sh /home/pi/killpir.sh

there is no /usr/bin/sh only rsh

edit.
ok i’ve changed path to /bin/sh and now i get error :
grep: pir.py: No such file or directory
pkill: no matching criteria specified
Try `pkill --help’ for more information.

even if pir.py is running (i can see it in ps -ef |grep pir)

edit ok i was able to fix it i’ve edited killpir.sh to
sudo kill $(ps aux | grep python | grep pir.py | awk ‘{ print $2 }’)

now it will kill process pir.py

but problem is that even if this script (pir.py) is not running the mirror still turns on when there is movement and turns off after 30s no movement … strange

cruunnerr

When the pir.py isn’t running, then it isn’t this script which turns on your monitor.
Do you have the MM-PIR module active?

Please try to edit your rc.local and delete the autostart of the pir.py to see, if the monitor still turns on/off when there is movement.

if not, then the pkill command isn’t working, which would confuse me, because i just tried it by myself on my mirror.
via ssh i just entered the sudo pkill $(ps aux | grep python pir.py | awk '{ print $2 }')" command and my pir wasn’t working.

and to your first problem, which u solved by yourself…

u could also try to edit the killpir.py to this:

#!/bin/bash
sudo pkill $(ps aux | grep python pir.py | awk '{ print $2 }')

then u should be able to just let your cronjob look like:
0 21 * * * root /home/pi/killpir.sh

Maros

Yes i’ve active mmm-pir module.
I’ll try your solution and let you know
Thank you ;)

Maros

i’ve removed line from rc.local and mirror is still working as should (turn on when there is movement and turn off after 30s as set up in MMM-PIR module)

MadScientist

Was the MMM-PIR sensor module active while you tried the script of 2.2? You will have to disable the module. Then you create and load the scripts and create the cronjob. If you don’t disable the MMM-PIR module then it will keep waking up the screen even if you disabled the pir.py script.

Please excuse me if that’s what you did and I just got it wrong.

cruunnerr

Hey sorry, i thought u disabled the MMM-PIR for sure.

U cannot use both (Module and the script) at the same time.

Thats because i said u should disable the autostart in the rc.local to see if the MMM-PIR is active.

So please disable the module and just use the script. Then the pkill command will work as u want :)

Maros

everything is working after disabling module :)

just one remark there is needed to add also to crontab to turn off monitor at f.e. 21:02 because if there will be movement in last seconds before pir.py will be killed monitor will stay on :)

teitlebot

@Module-Developers im trying to do something a bit different maybe you can help.
I’d like to use PIR but I also want that on one particular day of the week PIR shouldn’t work and it should stay on no matter what.
Is that possible?

cruunnerr

Read the last few posts ;)

For example u want to use the pir from Sunday 22pm over the whole week until next Sunday 6am.
So on every Sunday from 6am to 22pm the monitor should stay on.

So you just need two cronjobs. On Sunday, 6am u need to kill the pir.py and on Sunday, 22pm you need to start it again :)

Try it like this:

nano killpir.sh
Write this into file and save with CTRL+X and Yes

#!/bin/bash
sudo pkill $(ps aux | grep python pir.py | awk '{ print $2 }')
vcgencmd display_power 1

chmod +x killpir.sh
sudo nano /etc/crontab
Write this into file and save with CTRL+X and Yes:

0 22 * * 7 /usr/bin/sh /home/pi/killpir.sh
0 6 * * 7 /usr/bin/python /home/pi/pir.py

So for example your crontab looks like this:

# /etc/crontab: system-wide crontab
# Unlike any other crontab you don't have to run the `crontab'
# command to install the new version when you edit this file
# and files in /etc/cron.d. These files also have username fields,
# that none of the other crontabs do.

SHELL=/bin/sh
PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin

# m h dom mon dow user  command
17 *    * * *   root    cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly
25 6    * * *   root    test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.daily )
47 6    * * 7   root    test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.weekly )
52 6    1 * *   root    test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.monthly )
0 22    * * 7   root    /usr/bin/sh /home/pi/killpir.sh
0 6     * * 7   root    /usr/bin/python /home/pi/pir.py
#

Mykle1

@cruunnerr

You’re the king of cronjobs!