I have an X10 camera and receiver, and I'd like to build a small box with motion sensor that turns the camera on when someone approaches my front porch. I'd also like the project to send a signal back to my computer to indicate the camera is on.
When the computer receives the signal, it starts up the video player showing the video capture from the X10 receiver.
I thought I would have the project turn the camera off and on because I don't have a good power source on the front porch, and I want to build it in such a way that it uses very little current in "stand-by".
I found this sensor. It's cheap and runs on 3.3 and 5v. It draws very little power.
The x10 camera runs on 12v and draws 200ma.
At first, I thought I would use an arduino. I have one laying around that I toy with every so often, and it's easy to program. But then I considered how to get the "camera on" message back to the computer inside the house. I did some research, and found the cheapest wireless solution to be a pair of Xbee modules. One for the sensor/camera project, and one connected to the host PC.
After studying the Xbee, I came to realize I could cut the arduino out completely, and have the computer itself send the signal to turn the camera on via the Xbee.
Here is my current plan:
Connect the motion sensor to the Xbee. The host computer will receive the sensor input via the xbee network. Then it will send a signal to the remote xbee. That will feed some sort of transistor switch that will allow the 12v current to pass and power the camera.
My X10 camera came witha battery pack that takes 4 AAs. The pack has circuitry inside that increases the voltage to 12v. I was hoping to use the battery pack to power the entire project.
So, I think I can connect a LDO VR that takes ~5v (from the 4 NIMH AAs) and lowers it to 3.3v to power the sensor xbee circuit. Then I can connect one of the output pins of the xbee to a darlington transistor array that has a base voltage of 3.3v and a collector/emitter voltage of 12v. When I send the signal from the pc through the xbee network, it will saturate the darlington array, and turn the camera on.
Things I have to buy:
Do I understand things correctly? Is there anything I should do differently?
If this works out well, I want to use the same design for other things around the house.
I don't have much experience at all with electronics or circuits. I really appreciate any help you offer.
When the computer receives the signal, it starts up the video player showing the video capture from the X10 receiver.
I thought I would have the project turn the camera off and on because I don't have a good power source on the front porch, and I want to build it in such a way that it uses very little current in "stand-by".
I found this sensor. It's cheap and runs on 3.3 and 5v. It draws very little power.
The x10 camera runs on 12v and draws 200ma.
At first, I thought I would use an arduino. I have one laying around that I toy with every so often, and it's easy to program. But then I considered how to get the "camera on" message back to the computer inside the house. I did some research, and found the cheapest wireless solution to be a pair of Xbee modules. One for the sensor/camera project, and one connected to the host PC.
After studying the Xbee, I came to realize I could cut the arduino out completely, and have the computer itself send the signal to turn the camera on via the Xbee.
Here is my current plan:
Connect the motion sensor to the Xbee. The host computer will receive the sensor input via the xbee network. Then it will send a signal to the remote xbee. That will feed some sort of transistor switch that will allow the 12v current to pass and power the camera.
My X10 camera came witha battery pack that takes 4 AAs. The pack has circuitry inside that increases the voltage to 12v. I was hoping to use the battery pack to power the entire project.
So, I think I can connect a LDO VR that takes ~5v (from the 4 NIMH AAs) and lowers it to 3.3v to power the sensor xbee circuit. Then I can connect one of the output pins of the xbee to a darlington transistor array that has a base voltage of 3.3v and a collector/emitter voltage of 12v. When I send the signal from the pc through the xbee network, it will saturate the darlington array, and turn the camera on.
Things I have to buy:
- 3.3v USB TTL cable for connecting the computer to the xbee (I have a 5v one for the arduino, it won't work will it?)
- a ~5v in / 3.3v out voltage regulator. 50ma current draw. (like this one).
- And a set of diodes and capacitors to smooth things out for the regulator?
- A darlington transistor array with a 3.3v base-emitter voltage, and 12v collector-emitter voltage. It must handle over 200 ma. ( looked on mouser, but this is the closest I could find, will it work?)
- two xbee modules.
Do I understand things correctly? Is there anything I should do differently?
If this works out well, I want to use the same design for other things around the house.
I don't have much experience at all with electronics or circuits. I really appreciate any help you offer.