Simple way to detect when somebody passes by?

Hello guys,

I am thinking of a project that involves taking a picture when a person passes a certain area (say, entering my house without any authorization). I was thinking that maybe an easy way to detect the person passing by would be using some type of laser that gets connected to an MCU and, when the laser wave gets interrupted, then the MCU does something else that I want (say, sending me a message telling me that somebody broke into my house).

Anyways, my question is, is there any mainstream laser that is easy to interface with and does what I want it to do? Also, is there a better way than using these lasers I am talking about?

Thank you very much

Yes. You have two choices:
1) Interrupted beam.
2) Reflected beam.

For example, in my physics lab we used interrupted beam unit to take measurement. I think both types are commercially available.

IR sensors are the standard for people (and other animal) detection.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-New-HC...588?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3b5cd7cc

shteii01 said:

Yes. You have two choices:
1) Interrupted beam.
2) Reflected beam.

For example, in my physics lab we used interrupted beam unit to take measurement. I think both types are commercially available.

Click to expand...

Do these beams have any particular names? Or are there any models that you can recommend?

Thanks!

jean28 said:

Do these beams have any particular names? Or are there any models that you can recommend?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I can not give you anything specific since I never worked with one, just know that they exist.

Here is an example, and the site also provides a tutorial: http://www.adafruit.com/products/189

jean28 said:

Do these beams have any particular names? Or are there any models that you can recommend?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Motion detector, also another from ebay 380661937136 .
Max.