Examples of Image channels and jpgs?

Paul_Smedley · January 25, 2026, 5:30am

Hi All,

I’m working on adding support for image snapshots for the Ring binding. I know how to download a JPG from the Ring API - but I’ve never worked with an Image channel.

Wondering if there are any good examples of retrieving a JPG and sending it to an Image channel?

Thanks,

Paul

Paul_Smedley · January 25, 2026, 5:53am

Whilst I’m at it - the ring binding currently uses jetty for http - and returns a string, I guess I need some sort of binary format….

Edit: I have this working now - GitHub - psmedley/openhab-addons at ring-snapshots

Still needs more testing and cleaning up - particular the upgrade of channels.

ubeaut · January 25, 2026, 7:38am

I send images via mqtt.
I set up an item as an image type.
I have a script that uses the -f option in mosquitto:

mosquitto_pub -h 192.168.1.164 -t zoneminder/latest -f "$OUTFILEJPG"

AndrewFG · January 25, 2026, 9:21am

I am not sure if it is a “good” example but here is one that I am working on. It may give you some ideas. Or you may see something wrong and give me some ideas..

github.com/openhab/openhab-addons

[binding.homekit] Add camera snapshot channel

main ← andrewfg:homekit-image

opened 01:37PM - 11 Jan 26 UTC

andrewfg

+326 -32

This PR adds a camera snapshot channel of type 'Image' for IP camera devices. … A forum user has kindly tested it and confirmed that it works [here](https://community.openhab.org/t/announce-new-homekit-client-binding/167164/66). <details> <summary>Open Topics List (all now completed)</summary> - [x] The channel delivers a 640x360 image by default. The channel `imageWidth` and `imageHeight` configuration parameters can optionally change this. - [x] The binding depends on OH Core RefreshType.REFRESH commands, which are not sent by a browser refresh. The user can implement a dummy item and a rule to send refresh commands as shown below. ```java rule "Trigger refresh when switch is toggled" when Item MyRefreshSwitchItem received command then // Refresh switch activated, sending REFRESH to image item MySnapshotImageItem.sendCommand(REFRESH) end ``` </details> The JAR file for testing is here: - [org.openhab.binding.homekit-5.2.0-SNAPSHOT.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/24794919/org.openhab.binding.homekit-5.2.0-SNAPSHOT.zip) Signed-off-by: Andrew Fiddian-Green <software@whitebear.ch>

Lolodomo · January 25, 2026, 9:24am

You just have to declare a channel accepting Image as item type then you can update your channel like that for example.

github.com/openhab/openhab-addons

bundles/org.openhab.binding.sonos/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/sonos/internal/handler/ZonePlayerHandler.java

main


      
              if (newState != null) {
                  updateState(channelId, newState);
              }
          }
          
          private void updateAlbumArtChannel(boolean allGroup) {
              String url = getAlbumArtUrl();
              if (url != null) {
                  // We download the cover art in a different thread to not delay the other operations
                  scheduler.submit(() -> {
                      RawType image = HttpUtil.downloadImage(url, true, 500000);
                      updateChannel(CURRENTALBUMART, image != null ? image : UnDefType.UNDEF, allGroup);
                  });
              } else {
                  updateChannel(CURRENTALBUMART, UnDefType.UNDEF, allGroup);
              }
          }
          
          private void updateChannel(String channeldD, State state, boolean allGroup) {
              if (allGroup) {
                  for (String member : getZoneGroupMembers()) {

Note that it uses an util method from OH core framework to download the image.