My Package of the Day: blueproximity
by Mez on Oct.30, 2008, under Personal
So, yesterday, my new Bluetooth adapter arrived. I’ve been wanting one for a while so that I can quite quickly push new files to my phone (for ringtones, etc)
However, while playing with bluetooth (and trying to setup a bluetooth headset – which is the biggest headache EVER!) – I stumbled across a package called blueproximity.
The application allows you to use a bluetooth device as a proximity sensor.
Basically, it uses the bluetooth protocol to “ping” the bluetooth device, and then run commands when the signal strength gets low (or hich)
At the moment, I have it setup to do a couple of things, firstly, I have it set to lock/unlock my session, and switch my monitor on/off if I leave the range/enter the range. I’ve set this up so that the unlock is on entering the room, but the “lock” is only if I leave the house.
Secondly, I have a habit of leaving for work, and forgetting to disconnect from my server’s screen session (running irssi) – meaning that when I come back, the highlights don’t show in irssi’s away log. So, I’ve added another sensor that will close my screen session (ssh <myserver> screen -D) if I leave the house. Very useful!
While the app isn’t perfect, and could do with some “built in” features (rather than having to specify commands). It’s a great app with huge flexibility 
I can think of many uses for it, espescially in an office environment (I remember my boss emailing me from my account once saying “I’m a security risk, I left my station unlocked” – blueproximity would have solved this issue!
If you’re in an office, and have bluetooth enabled, this is a great security feature… I think the whole “walk up to the desk and your monitor switches on and unlocks itself” feature is pretty cool.
Though, it does leave a security risk if someone steals your bluetooth device (in my case, this is my phone!)
<edit>Knew I’d forgot something :-
October 30th, 2008 on 1:02 pm
I really wanted to try this, but what put me off is the thought of having bluetooth turned on all the time (wasting battery). I know this would really bother me, and I would instead constantly be turning the bluetooth on and off when needed, which then again would be more of a hassle than just typing the password…
October 30th, 2008 on 1:50 pm
Hmm.. Sounds really cool, but on the other hand it must be handy sometimes.. For example to create SSH tunnel, when I leave my house..
It will be very nice to have this functionality in KBluetooth (or KMobileTools)..
October 30th, 2008 on 1:55 pm
Harald, bluetooth being on doesn’t really eat my battery that much – like – 1 day off of the battery, (from ~7 days)
NasaK – indeed it would, and that’s a great idea for a use of it (though, my ipv6 tunnel works backwards too!)
October 30th, 2008 on 2:08 pm
@Mez
I would say that’s quite a bit… But then again, all is relative. For me, using it maybe on average three times a day I wouldn’t want to use 1/7 of the battery for that.
But for someone in a work environment or a similar environment where it is very important to lock up and secure stuff; I would absolutely understand it.
October 30th, 2008 on 2:14 pm
how about kbluelock ?
October 30th, 2008 on 4:39 pm
The KDE bluetooth stack already has this functionality. Try running “kbluelock”.
May 12th, 2009 on 3:48 pm
Hi there,
just to mention: you would not necessarily need a phone. If you like to you can use an old bt headset, it may even not work because the speaker or mic is dead. Anything small enough to carry in your pocket and bluetooth enabled can do. Although I figured using the phone is the most obvious tool because it is already there.
I got the idea (btw. I wrote BlueProximity) while browsing thinkgeek where they had a proximity detector tool consisting of a special usb dongle and a carry-with-you token. It costed way too much and was for windows only. Since I always have little money and linux installed I had to do this with things I already have… Probably the MacGyver principle, except it is not designed to blow up.
Bye
Lars
December 16th, 2009 on 6:12 pm
Does blueproximity or kbluelock functions eats some more power from mobile phone battery when computer checks phone availability via bluetooth?
February 13th, 2010 on 1:04 pm
Hi Murz,
yes, it does but the difference in battery drain is much smaller than the difference between bluetooth on and bluetooth off.
You should always try yourself as every device seems to have its own blutooth battery drain profile…
Bye
Lars