Chapter 9:  System Notifications

CloseBy Network Notifications

You can create system notifications to alert Care Network Members based on events or the lack of an expected event. For example, if you want to be alerted every time the medicine cabinet door opens, you can create a system notification that sends you an email or text message whenever the sensor indicates that the cabinet door has opened. Notifications make it possible for you to monitor activity without requiring you to log in to the CloseBy Network web application.
You can create a Quick Notification or a Custom Notification. You also have the option to enable or disable all notifications with a single check box.

Creating a Quick Notifications

You can create a Quick Notification via My Settings. These notifications will alert you via email or text message when system sensors are triggered based on the criteria you set. For example, you can create a notification to alert you if an exterior door is opened. To create a Quick Notification, complete the following steps:

  1. Click My Settings in the left column and select Notification.

  2. After selecting Notification, your main screen will show three tabs, Quick Notifications, Custom Notifications, and Notification Control. Make sure the Quick Notifications tab is selected.

  3. To add a new notification, click Add.
  4. Once you’ve clicked Add, you’ll be able to configure your alert in Notification Details on the right of the screen. Under Notification Details, you can set the following conditions:
    1. Enable or disable the notification
    2. Where (e.g., email or text message) you receive notification
    3. The sensor you want to monitor
    4. The type of event you want monitored

  5. Once you’ve configured the notification, click Save.

    6. Note: Clicking Reset will clear the Notification Details.

  6. To remove a notification, select the notification and click Remove Button.

Creating a Custom Notification

Custom Notifications are similar to Quick Notifications, but give you more flexibility. You have the option to create Custom Notification alerts for someone not in the Care Network. For example, if a trusted neighbor is helping you with a loved you, you can create a Custom Notification to alert the neighbor if the stove has been left on. To create a custom notification, complete the following steps:

  1. Click My Settings in the left column and select Notification.

  2. After selecting Notification, your main screen will show three tabs, Quick Notifications, Custom Notifications, and Notification Control. Make sure the Custom Notifications tab is selected.

  3. To add a new notification, click Add.
  4. Once you’ve clicked Add, you’ll be able to customize your notification on the right of the screen. Under Notification Details, you can set the following conditions:
    1. Enable or disable the notification
    2. The sensor to monitor
    3. What type of action triggers the notification
    4. What type of status triggers the notification
    5. How often you want to be notified, including days and specific times of the day or night.
    6. Where (e.g., email or text message) you receive notification
    7. A custom contact (e.g., neighbor) that receives the alert
    8. Subject and Message:  this gives you the ability to customize the email or text message you will receive such as “Dad is still in bed” or “The stove was left on”

    NOTE:  If you move the mouse pointer over the “Subject” or “Message” boxes you will see a pop-up box that prompts with subject/message suggestions eg. “Care Network Name”, “Sensor Name”, “Event Time”. You can use these short cuts to help you create your custom message. For example, if you want information within the notification to tell you what time the medicine cabinet was opened you could type the following message in the subject or Message field of a custom notification on the Medicine Cabinet Sensor:  “Dad opened the %SENSOR% at %TIMESTAMP%”.  

  5. Once you’ve set your notification details, click Save.
  6. To remove a notification, select the notification and click Remove button..

 How to Switch the Way I Receive Notifications

Each Notification gives you the option to select either your cell phone number or email (based on the information in your profile). For example, if you originally selected your cell phone and now want to receive notifications by email, you can edit individual notifications.

  1. Under My Settings>Notification, select the Notification you want to modify.
  2. Under Notification Details look for the “Send Notification To:” drop down box
  3. Select your email address.
  4. Click Save when you’re finished.