MQTT sensor with "String" variable that I would like to use with Lovelace History-Graph

Configuration
12

You can create an automation that:

  1. triggers when binary_sensor.driveway_monitor is on
  2. takes a camera snapshot
  3. notifies you with the snapshot as an attachment.

You need to get your cameras into HA, possibly using the mpeg camera component or this addon:

You also need to be able to access HA outside your local network if you want to get the notifications while away. Use DuckDNS or Tor or a VPN.

You also need a notification service set up. What type of phone do you have?

I use an iphone and can get camera photo notifications like this:

- id: lane_gate_notification
  alias: 'Lane Gate Notification'
  trigger:
    platform: state
    entity_id: binary_sensor.lane_gate_filtered  ### trigger when the gate is opened or closed
  action:
  - service: camera.snapshot ### grab a camera snapshot
    data:
      entity_id: camera.rear
      filename: '/config/www/gate.jpg'
  - service: notify.all_ios_devices ### sent it to me
    data_template:
      message: >
        {% if is_state('binary_sensor.lane_gate_filtered', 'on') %}
          The laneway gate is open.
        {% else %}
          The laneway gate is closed.
        {% endif %}
      data:
        push:
          sound: >
            {% if is_state('binary_sensor.lane_gate_filtered', 'on') %}
              GateOpen.wav
            {% else %}
              GateClosed.wav
            {% endif %}
        attachment:
          url: https://mydomain.duckdns.org/local/gate.jpg
          content-type: jpg
          hide-thumbnail: false