Do what the nature photographers do - use infra red... of course only B/W image- but clear.
Hmmm.... PIR for detection.... infra-red camera for catching a mug shot. What is a cheap camera available for the Prop? I see erco mentioned something about infra-red LEDs for night vision.
Get the peeping Tom's DNA off of the cigarette butts, and convince your local CSI unit to run it through their DNA database. Maybe they'll get a hit. At least it works on the TV shows. Of course, on TV and in the movies they can also enhance the resolution of blurry surveillance photos just by processing it with some esoteric algorithm for many hours. It drives me crazy when I see that.
Do you have a list of suspects? It seems like it would most likely be one of your neighbors, unless you know someone that would drive across town just to peep in your windows. Have you talked to your neighbors about this. Maybe they have the same problem. Organize a neighborhood watch and the peeping Tom will either quit it, or he'll get caught in the act.
Maybe it's your postman or UPS/FedEx guy trying to deliver a package from Parallax. However, these days they just drop the package and run, but you might have a very dedicated delivery person that's just trying to see if you are home.
Or maybe it's kids. Have you measured the footprints in the snow. What shoe size does the perp wear?
This would be interesting to see how someone would respond. Use motion detection connected to the Prop. Connect a pan tilt servo mechanism to the Prop. Put a 3w LED flashlight head on the pan tilt platform. When the motion detector trips turn on the LED and have the pan tilt mimic a person holding a flashlight. It could start by just barely lighting up the room, as if the person holding it is in the hallway. Eventually get brighter and shine directly out the window. A little more intimidating than a sensor light
You are correct and I love dogs, but I just don't have the time for them now. I believe one good German Shepherd would eliminate the peeping.
@Dave
DNA from cigarette butts would surely do the trick, but they would never go for that.
Many years ago, someone brazenly unbolted and stole a Holley Street Dominator intake manifold and Holley 750 CFM double pumper, off of my 74' Firebird Formula, which was right along side the house (I wish I had caught them). Anyhow, during the caper, they also tried to steal the chrome plated valve covers and T-nuts, and left behind some fingerprints. I asked local law enforcement to lift the prints, but they just laughed at me, until I threatened to call the county sheriff instead, at which point, they promptly screwed up the evidence. I do not have much faith in law enforcement for minor matters.
As for a list of suspects, I really do not have one. I cannot imagine anyone that I know peeping through someone's windows, except for one person, who I think is a little mentally challenged and once walked the neighborhood at all hours of the day and night, but I don't ever see this person walking anymore.
It is funny that you mention the shoe size, because I once compared it to the size of my own foot, and it was a little larger. I would have to say that based on foot size, the culprit is most likely a man.
A neighborhood watch is always a good idea, however this neighborhood has a VERY low crime rate, and I am certainly not the type of person to organize such things, but I do believe that would be a good idea for most people.
Bruce - is your intention to: 1) catch the perpetrator; or 2) to stop the peeping?
Catch (Detect) - IP cameras have become rather inexpensive. Storing images or video is similarly inexpensive. Tampering is mitigated by having one that either has remote storage or emails you photos when a selected area detects a change (motion).
Stop (Deter or Delay) - Shrubs near the house provide cover (shrubs at the perimeter of the property are a boundary and ok). Only thorny rose bushes or such should be near windows. Ground cover that creates noise are less attractive to walk on (I use river rock).
PIR lights are great, but the reliable ones that do not false-trip (i.e. RAB Lighting) are not cheap.
Sorry for not having a particular Prop project to suggest. The basics of home security just aren't that tricky - don't leave bait, make it more attractive for them to go elsewhere, and know when your perimeter is breached.
Confrontation is not a good idea even if you are absolutely certain you have the upper hand.
There are two type of confrontations scenarios - bad and uncertain. You never walk into a good confrontation. To elaborate a bit on Kwinn's point - expect 2 years of "discovery" for even a frivolous lawsuit to get thrown out. Lawyers will line up to tell the perpetrator (or their survivors) that they can get money due to your use of force. Not fun and not cheap.
To paraphrase Mr. Miagi, the best way to avoid a punch is not be there. Encourage the perpetrator that maybe they should keep walking. If they choose to stay, detect them. If they cross into your home, then this discussion takes a very serious turn towards Propeller-run robots with morbid capabilities (including one that digs holes in the neighbor's garden for evidence removal).
How about just a couple of Dogs and post a few signs? Electronic collars on the dog(s) to report their position at all times and your done!
If you have dog's out there doing the dirty work, they should be professionally trainded, an untrained or socialized canine could find or accept tainted food from a stranger, or just be given treats every time they meet up. Before long they could be the best of friends, and then the dog could be used in the perpetrators favor.
Hmm, this seems to be starting to go around in the typical analysis-paralysis circle.....
You could screw around with PIR's, etc, and look at this as an excuse for a project, or you could view this as a surveillence issue and approach it that way.
Getting a picture of their face is great, however I would almost rather have a pic/video from higher up like off the roof/eaves. 1 camera, and you would at least know if they are coming from the neighborhood, or pulling up in a car. More than likely you'll be able to spot a neighbor pretty easily from both their direction of travel and as they mosey along your lawn.
Or, you can spend a little less and get a couple of RPi's, with the NoIR camera, and either have them logging to a remote machine, or log to a decent SD card.
I would try to get an outside light running IR at night to assist, and put the RPi/camera in an old cigar box against the window with a few holes in it, one being a pin-hole for the camera.
Maybe retrofit an LED nightlight with IR LED's inside the room, assuming you don't get reflection off of the glass?
Or be a gumshoe, and start being Mr. Extrovert this winter, offering to help everyone out.
Check out all of your neighbors, and their sons, and try to find out who smokes, and compare brands against your visitor's.
Tripwires and all that is kind of goofy.
If you really want something dead simple, dig a couple of holes where your visitor has been, mount a momentary switch between 2 pieces of plywood, place in hole, cover with dirt.
Couple of pieces of foam between the plywood should allow you to set the minimum pressure to 10-50# before activating.
Bury some wire from the switch to a light or buzzer inside, and no need for much more technology.
Of course, this is cheap, and only works when you're home.
Oh yeah, at a minimum I'd file a report with the local police to.
Then, make it a routine to check those areas daily/weekly. When you discover someone's visited, try to take some pictures of footprints and where butts are lying about.
Then clean up the area and pick up the butts and put them in a labeled bag with date, etc.
Digital pix are free basically, and so is an old box for 'evidence storage'.
On the off chance you ever DO have a real problem, you'll at least have a list of dates, with pictures and evidence that could have DNA analysis done on them if need be.
I expect this is not some young guy, more likely someone in the neighborhood, retired(?), who smokes and is just nosy.
EDIT- Had to come back and suggest possible alternatives:
1. Get some of the tinted window film you can put inside, which is reflective on the outerside.
2. Print up a sign. Maybe, Stop peeping/tresspassing, next time its 75,000 volts where you're standing ?
There are places in this country where the kinds of problems you report are virtually unheard of. Have you ever considered moving? Or does the Hoosier State hold some kind of mystical grip on your very soul?
There are places in this country where the kinds of problems you report are virtually unheard of. Have you ever considered moving? Or does the Hoosier State hold some kind of mystical grip on your very soul?
A recovering Hoosier, 40 years clean,
-Phil
Well Phil, to be perfectly honest, if I had my way, I would have been gone a long time ago. I prefer warm and dry climates to freezing cold weather. I moved back to Indiana to care for my elderly mother, because she has no one else. She is now in her eighties and as time goes by, she needs more help than ever.
Before moving back to the Hoosier State, I was living in the Silver State, but more specifically Las Vegas, Nevada. One day I will either be moving back to Las Vegas or Dallas, or perhaps I may try someplace new, perhaps Atlanta or Phoenix. For now, I am going to remain a mamma's boy and be a Hoosier for a while longer.
There are places in this country where the kinds of problems you report are virtually unheard of. Have you ever considered moving? Or does the Hoosier State hold some kind of mystical grip on your very soul?
A recovering Hoosier, 40 years clean,
-Phil
Well Phil, to be perfectly honest, if I had my way, I would have been gone a long time ago. I prefer warm and dry climates to freezing cold weather. I moved back to Indiana to care for my elderly mother, because she has no one else. She is now in her eighties and as time goes by, she needs more help than ever.
Before moving back to the Hoosier State, I was living in the Silver State, but more specifically Las Vegas, Nevada. One day I will either be moving back to Las Vegas or Dallas, or perhaps I may try someplace new, perhaps Atlanta or Phoenix. For now, I am going to remain a mamma's boy and be a Hoosier for a while longer.
May God bless you, it isn't easy caring for elderly parents, been there, but mine were a two hour round trip, that traveling sometimes on a daily basis is exhausting, not to mention keeping track of their med's and personal needs. We hired a nurse for my mom from a reputable local company, she ended up taking my mom's groceries home after we just bought them.
May God bless you, it isn't easy caring for elderly parents
Actually it is a blessing on my part, because it has given me plenty of time to really get to know my mother and she has wonderful soul. During my childhood and even during early adulthood, I was really quite a handful, doing drugs, drinking, brawling, legal troubles, etc..., and she stuck by my side through all of it. She certainly did not have it easy and I was just part of the problem, my father and brother were also quite the handful. In addition to having a disfunctional family, she immigrated to this country from Germany, so life for has been difficult to say the least.
Now that I am a man and realize all the pain that she has been through, the very least I can do is look after her in her old age. She deserves a little peace and looking after.
My mother-in-law is in her mid 70's, a double mastectomy-cancer survivor, her 37 year old son (wife's brother) moved in about a year ago, not worked since, addicted to narcotics and other pills he can snort, he drinks to, along with his girlfriend he moved in over a month ago. Between the both of them they have drained her dry of money, commandeered her car, trying to take over her trailer home and her life, he and he's girl are nothing but thieves and liers. My wife and the rest of siblings hands are tied, because my mother in-law don't want a family breakup, that has already happened as far as i'm concerned and it looks it will play out to the bitter end.
BTW, We need to get this thread back on track, maybe I can use a microcontroller against them.
My mother-in-law is in her mid 70's, a double mastectomy-cancer survivor, her 37 year old son (wife's brother) moved in about a year ago, not worked since, addicted to narcotics and other pills he can snort, he drinks to, along with his girlfriend he moved in over a month ago. Between the both of them they have drained her dry of money, commandeered her car, trying to take over her trailer home and her life, he and he's girl are nothing but thieves and liers. My wife and the rest of siblings hands are tied, because my mother in-law don't want a family breakup, that has already happened as far as i'm concerned and it looks it will play out to the bitter end.
BTW, We need to get this thread back on track, maybe I can use a microcontroller against them.
Mike
You might not like to hear that, but 'having your hands tied' is the lamest excuse I ever heard from family members.
If it is like you wrote you should immediately go down there, kick them out of the place and take care of the situation.
Sure its just 'your wife's family' but does it matter? Wrong doing is wrong doing. PLEASE do not let this happen.
@idbruce,
I can relate to that. Thankfully my elderly mum is living in California and not in some of those cold places, I am luckier then you there. Also over 80 and - hmm - not easy to take care of, but as you wrote, like you I was not easy for her to handle and now it is payback time.
She was born in 1931 in Germany. Tough woman. Loosing her mind because of dementia, but going strong. Sometimes I think she will outlive me, and I am the youngest of her four children.
My three sisters are still living in Germany so it is my responsibility to take care of her, and I have to agree with you that it is not just challenging, but also interesting to have close contact again.
Thankfully I can telework my job, so I am able to do that.
You might not like to hear that, but 'having your hands tied' is the lamest excuse I ever heard from family members.
If it is like you wrote you should immediately go down there, kick them out of the place and take care of the situation.
Sure its just 'your wife's family' but does it matter? Wrong doing is wrong doing. PLEASE do not let this happen.
There are a few other dynamic's here, my wife don't want me involved, her other brother and sister were all for him moving in, I was against it from the mention of the idea.
About a year and a half ago the brother in question was hospitalized for renal failure, almost complete shut-down of his kidney's, it was touch ang go for awhile, dialysis treatments eventually saved him, the doctor told us that acetaminophen was likely the cause, something he brought on by over use of prescription narcotics, he has been playing the poor sole act ever since, along with other health problems/ cluster headaches, two hernia's, back and neck pain. It's all about the possibillity of getting pain med's.
The pair do clean house, cook and eat her food, run some errands for my mother in law, and just being there in the night, what good he would be in an emergency is another story, usually in and out till three or four in the morning.
My wife has been involved with her mom's health care for twenty year's now, since her husband passed, taking her to all her appointment's and keeping track of details, we live forty minutes away, and my wife's health is not that great, the stress of travel and worry don't help, the other brother lives about the same distance away that we do, but he has to work a lot of hours, the sister lives in Florida, she is only good for phone consultation. It's more complex than my few words here can explain, anyway this guy is trying for disability, if he gets it, will probably make things worse.
Comments
http://www.bgmicro.com/infrared_1.aspx
Hmmm.... PIR for detection.... infra-red camera for catching a mug shot. What is a cheap camera available for the Prop? I see erco mentioned something about infra-red LEDs for night vision.
Do you have a list of suspects? It seems like it would most likely be one of your neighbors, unless you know someone that would drive across town just to peep in your windows. Have you talked to your neighbors about this. Maybe they have the same problem. Organize a neighborhood watch and the peeping Tom will either quit it, or he'll get caught in the act.
Maybe it's your postman or UPS/FedEx guy trying to deliver a package from Parallax. However, these days they just drop the package and run, but you might have a very dedicated delivery person that's just trying to see if you are home.
Or maybe it's kids. Have you measured the footprints in the snow. What shoe size does the perp wear?
You are correct and I love dogs, but I just don't have the time for them now. I believe one good German Shepherd would eliminate the peeping.
@Dave
DNA from cigarette butts would surely do the trick, but they would never go for that.
Many years ago, someone brazenly unbolted and stole a Holley Street Dominator intake manifold and Holley 750 CFM double pumper, off of my 74' Firebird Formula, which was right along side the house (I wish I had caught them). Anyhow, during the caper, they also tried to steal the chrome plated valve covers and T-nuts, and left behind some fingerprints. I asked local law enforcement to lift the prints, but they just laughed at me, until I threatened to call the county sheriff instead, at which point, they promptly screwed up the evidence. I do not have much faith in law enforcement for minor matters.
As for a list of suspects, I really do not have one. I cannot imagine anyone that I know peeping through someone's windows, except for one person, who I think is a little mentally challenged and once walked the neighborhood at all hours of the day and night, but I don't ever see this person walking anymore.
It is funny that you mention the shoe size, because I once compared it to the size of my own foot, and it was a little larger. I would have to say that based on foot size, the culprit is most likely a man.
A neighborhood watch is always a good idea, however this neighborhood has a VERY low crime rate, and I am certainly not the type of person to organize such things, but I do believe that would be a good idea for most people.
Catch (Detect) - IP cameras have become rather inexpensive. Storing images or video is similarly inexpensive. Tampering is mitigated by having one that either has remote storage or emails you photos when a selected area detects a change (motion).
Stop (Deter or Delay) - Shrubs near the house provide cover (shrubs at the perimeter of the property are a boundary and ok). Only thorny rose bushes or such should be near windows. Ground cover that creates noise are less attractive to walk on (I use river rock).
PIR lights are great, but the reliable ones that do not false-trip (i.e. RAB Lighting) are not cheap.
Sorry for not having a particular Prop project to suggest. The basics of home security just aren't that tricky - don't leave bait, make it more attractive for them to go elsewhere, and know when your perimeter is breached.
There are two type of confrontations scenarios - bad and uncertain. You never walk into a good confrontation. To elaborate a bit on Kwinn's point - expect 2 years of "discovery" for even a frivolous lawsuit to get thrown out. Lawyers will line up to tell the perpetrator (or their survivors) that they can get money due to your use of force. Not fun and not cheap.
To paraphrase Mr. Miagi, the best way to avoid a punch is not be there. Encourage the perpetrator that maybe they should keep walking. If they choose to stay, detect them. If they cross into your home, then this discussion takes a very serious turn towards Propeller-run robots with morbid capabilities (including one that digs holes in the neighbor's garden for evidence removal).
If you have dog's out there doing the dirty work, they should be professionally trainded, an untrained or socialized canine could find or accept tainted food from a stranger, or just be given treats every time they meet up. Before long they could be the best of friends, and then the dog could be used in the perpetrators favor.
You could screw around with PIR's, etc, and look at this as an excuse for a project, or you could view this as a surveillence issue and approach it that way.
Getting a picture of their face is great, however I would almost rather have a pic/video from higher up like off the roof/eaves. 1 camera, and you would at least know if they are coming from the neighborhood, or pulling up in a car. More than likely you'll be able to spot a neighbor pretty easily from both their direction of travel and as they mosey along your lawn.
Or, you can spend a little less and get a couple of RPi's, with the NoIR camera, and either have them logging to a remote machine, or log to a decent SD card.
I would try to get an outside light running IR at night to assist, and put the RPi/camera in an old cigar box against the window with a few holes in it, one being a pin-hole for the camera.
Maybe retrofit an LED nightlight with IR LED's inside the room, assuming you don't get reflection off of the glass?
Or be a gumshoe, and start being Mr. Extrovert this winter, offering to help everyone out.
Check out all of your neighbors, and their sons, and try to find out who smokes, and compare brands against your visitor's.
Tripwires and all that is kind of goofy.
If you really want something dead simple, dig a couple of holes where your visitor has been, mount a momentary switch between 2 pieces of plywood, place in hole, cover with dirt.
Couple of pieces of foam between the plywood should allow you to set the minimum pressure to 10-50# before activating.
Bury some wire from the switch to a light or buzzer inside, and no need for much more technology.
Of course, this is cheap, and only works when you're home.
Oh yeah, at a minimum I'd file a report with the local police to.
Then, make it a routine to check those areas daily/weekly. When you discover someone's visited, try to take some pictures of footprints and where butts are lying about.
Then clean up the area and pick up the butts and put them in a labeled bag with date, etc.
Digital pix are free basically, and so is an old box for 'evidence storage'.
On the off chance you ever DO have a real problem, you'll at least have a list of dates, with pictures and evidence that could have DNA analysis done on them if need be.
I expect this is not some young guy, more likely someone in the neighborhood, retired(?), who smokes and is just nosy.
EDIT- Had to come back and suggest possible alternatives:
1. Get some of the tinted window film you can put inside, which is reflective on the outerside.
2. Print up a sign. Maybe, Stop peeping/tresspassing, next time its 75,000 volts where you're standing ?
There are places in this country where the kinds of problems you report are virtually unheard of. Have you ever considered moving? Or does the Hoosier State hold some kind of mystical grip on your very soul?
A recovering Hoosier, 40 years clean,
-Phil
Well Phil, to be perfectly honest, if I had my way, I would have been gone a long time ago. I prefer warm and dry climates to freezing cold weather. I moved back to Indiana to care for my elderly mother, because she has no one else. She is now in her eighties and as time goes by, she needs more help than ever.
Before moving back to the Hoosier State, I was living in the Silver State, but more specifically Las Vegas, Nevada. One day I will either be moving back to Las Vegas or Dallas, or perhaps I may try someplace new, perhaps Atlanta or Phoenix. For now, I am going to remain a mamma's boy and be a Hoosier for a while longer.
May God bless you, it isn't easy caring for elderly parents, been there, but mine were a two hour round trip, that traveling sometimes on a daily basis is exhausting, not to mention keeping track of their med's and personal needs. We hired a nurse for my mom from a reputable local company, she ended up taking my mom's groceries home after we just bought them.
Actually it is a blessing on my part, because it has given me plenty of time to really get to know my mother and she has wonderful soul. During my childhood and even during early adulthood, I was really quite a handful, doing drugs, drinking, brawling, legal troubles, etc..., and she stuck by my side through all of it. She certainly did not have it easy and I was just part of the problem, my father and brother were also quite the handful. In addition to having a disfunctional family, she immigrated to this country from Germany, so life for has been difficult to say the least.
Now that I am a man and realize all the pain that she has been through, the very least I can do is look after her in her old age. She deserves a little peace and looking after.
My mother-in-law is in her mid 70's, a double mastectomy-cancer survivor, her 37 year old son (wife's brother) moved in about a year ago, not worked since, addicted to narcotics and other pills he can snort, he drinks to, along with his girlfriend he moved in over a month ago. Between the both of them they have drained her dry of money, commandeered her car, trying to take over her trailer home and her life, he and he's girl are nothing but thieves and liers. My wife and the rest of siblings hands are tied, because my mother in-law don't want a family breakup, that has already happened as far as i'm concerned and it looks it will play out to the bitter end.
BTW, We need to get this thread back on track, maybe I can use a microcontroller against them.
Mike
You might not like to hear that, but 'having your hands tied' is the lamest excuse I ever heard from family members.
If it is like you wrote you should immediately go down there, kick them out of the place and take care of the situation.
Sure its just 'your wife's family' but does it matter? Wrong doing is wrong doing. PLEASE do not let this happen.
@idbruce,
I can relate to that. Thankfully my elderly mum is living in California and not in some of those cold places, I am luckier then you there. Also over 80 and - hmm - not easy to take care of, but as you wrote, like you I was not easy for her to handle and now it is payback time.
She was born in 1931 in Germany. Tough woman. Loosing her mind because of dementia, but going strong. Sometimes I think she will outlive me, and I am the youngest of her four children.
My three sisters are still living in Germany so it is my responsibility to take care of her, and I have to agree with you that it is not just challenging, but also interesting to have close contact again.
Thankfully I can telework my job, so I am able to do that.
Mike
There are a few other dynamic's here, my wife don't want me involved, her other brother and sister were all for him moving in, I was against it from the mention of the idea.
About a year and a half ago the brother in question was hospitalized for renal failure, almost complete shut-down of his kidney's, it was touch ang go for awhile, dialysis treatments eventually saved him, the doctor told us that acetaminophen was likely the cause, something he brought on by over use of prescription narcotics, he has been playing the poor sole act ever since, along with other health problems/ cluster headaches, two hernia's, back and neck pain. It's all about the possibillity of getting pain med's.
The pair do clean house, cook and eat her food, run some errands for my mother in law, and just being there in the night, what good he would be in an emergency is another story, usually in and out till three or four in the morning.
My wife has been involved with her mom's health care for twenty year's now, since her husband passed, taking her to all her appointment's and keeping track of details, we live forty minutes away, and my wife's health is not that great, the stress of travel and worry don't help, the other brother lives about the same distance away that we do, but he has to work a lot of hours, the sister lives in Florida, she is only good for phone consultation. It's more complex than my few words here can explain, anyway this guy is trying for disability, if he gets it, will probably make things worse.
Signed; Dilemma.