Hello there.
I’m working on my room occupancy project, and because i rarely move when i’m at my computer, i wanted to get data on when i’m using it.
First i used a simple ping, but the horrible trust is that i leave my computer running most of the time.
So i went instead for something who could tell if i’m actively using it. I found that Gnome send dbus signal when the screensaver is enable, and when that happens my computer auto-lock
So i’ve written a dirty python script, set it up as a systemd user service, and it work very well !
I though i would share it here, but if anyone made anything with the same goal, it’s surely better !
Don’t get it wrong i’m not a dev 
Python Script
$ cat .local/bin/ha_desktop_status.py
#! python3
# Include Python stuff
import logging
import signal
# Include dbus stuff
import dbus
from dbus.mainloop.glib import DBusGMainLoop
from gi.repository import GLib
# Include Home-Assistant Stuff
from requests import post
from requests import get
from requests import HTTPError
from timeloop import Timeloop
from datetime import timedelta
# Define Global Variable
DBUS_SCREENSAVER_INTERFACE = "org.gnome.ScreenSaver"
HA_URL = "https://home-assistant.domain.com"
HA_TOKEN = "FILL ME WITH YOUR LONGLIVED TOKEN"
HA_ENTITY = "input_boolean.computer_name_used"
LAST_STATE = True
BACKGROUP_UPDATE_INTERVAL = 5
logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
logger = logging.getLogger("HA_Desktop_Status")
# Listen for Term signal from Systemd
def signal_handler():
signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, exit_gracefully)
def exit_gracefully(signum=0, frame=None):
logger.info('Exiting now')
tl.stop()
loop.quit()
ha_update_status(False)
exit(0)
# Listen for Dbus Screensaver Event
def set_dbus_loop():
# Create Session bus
DBusGMainLoop(set_as_default=True)
session_bus = dbus.SessionBus()
# register for Gnome Screensaver signal
session_bus.add_signal_receiver(dbus_lock_handler,
dbus_interface=DBUS_SCREENSAVER_INTERFACE)
# Create loop and start it
loop = GLib.MainLoop()
return loop
# React to Dbus Screensaver Event
def dbus_lock_handler(is_lock):
global LAST_STATE
if is_lock:
logger.info('The computer is now locked')
LAST_STATE = False
else:
logger.info('The computer is now unloked')
LAST_STATE = True
ha_update_status(LAST_STATE)
# Home assistant API Handler
def ha_call(endpoint, data=None):
url = "{}{}".format(HA_URL, endpoint)
headers = {
"Authorization": "Bearer {}".format(HA_TOKEN),
"content-type": "application/json",
}
if data:
response = post(url, data, headers=headers, timeout=5)
else:
response = get(url, headers=headers, timeout=5)
if response.ok:
return response
else:
raise HTTPError("{}: {}".format(response.status_code,
response.reason))
# Set the status of my computer state on Homeassistant
def ha_update_status(status):
if status:
service = "input_boolean.turn_on"
else:
service = "input_boolean.turn_off"
endpoint = "/api/services/{}".format("/".join(service.split('.')))
data = '{{"entity_id": "{}"}}'.format(HA_ENTITY)
try:
ha_call(endpoint, data)
except TimeoutError as err:
logger.warning("{}: The server have timeout, we will try again at the next loop".format(err))
tl = Timeloop()
# Setup loop to push last state again, just in case
@tl.job(interval=timedelta(minutes=BACKGROUP_UPDATE_INTERVAL))
def update_loop():
ha_update_status(LAST_STATE)
logger.info('State re-sended : {}'.format(LAST_STATE))
if __name__ == '__main__':
try:
signal_handler()
ha_update_status(True)
tl.start()
loop = set_dbus_loop()
loop.run()
except KeyboardInterrupt:
exit_gracefully()
Systemd service
$ systemctl --user cat ha_desktop_status.service
# /home/user/.config/systemd/user/ha_desktop_status.service
[Unit]
Description=HomeAssistant Computer Status
After=graphical-session.target
After=network-online.target
[Service]
Type=simple
Environment=PYTHONUNBUFFERED=1
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 %h/.local/bin/ha_desktop_status.py
Restart=on-failure
[Install]
WantedBy=graphical-session.target
I hop no one will use those as drop in, because it might not last long, but i hope it give idea to people 
