I’ve recently discovered Phidgets that are simple sensors that can be interfaced using a USB port, the sensors are linked to an interface kit that communicate over USB. Right now I’ve been playing with a temperature, light, humidity and motion sensor. Using a it of C coding, a MySQL database, and Smile I’ve been able to quickly setup a prototype of a module dedicated to recording the various sensors in my bedroom, and you can see the result here . The graph is updated each minute. I’ll be describing the whole setup and give away a few lines of C and AppleScript code for those interested in doing the same kind of things and also to show you that this is not really complicated.
Future evolution of the system will add a LCD screen that can be controlled thru a serial port and if I can find an easy to program module bluetooth, then I might decide to go totally wireless :D