Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Proximity sensor — Parallax Forums

Proximity sensor

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-11-29 19:38 in General Discussion
I have a project to build a 10" diameter pad made of translucent
plexiglas that will light up when a hand or a "body" gets close to
it. The pad is layed horizontally on a table.

The lighting up is easy, I am thinking about three or four white
LEDs to do the job. As to sensing proximity I would like to know if
the IR sensor used in typical public bathrooms will work. This is
typical in urinals or lavatories. I think there is an IR emitter
and once enough signal is reflected back, a receiver send a signal
to the control system.

I know that I can use sonar like the polaroid 6500 or Sharp
equivalent, but I interested in a cheap but effective method as well
as simply understanding how to make an industrially strong method
using IR.

Any insight will be most appreciated.

thanks

Al

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-10-31 12:34
    Al-

    Qprox (www.qprox.com) makes a wide variety of capacitative sensors to
    do exactly what you are proposing. They sell inexpensive single chip
    solutions that are easily interfaced with the BasicStamp.

    Peter

    (not affiliated in any way with QProx, just very pleased with their
    products).

    Original Message
    From: brownstamp@y...
    Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 11:35 pm
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Proximity sensor

    > I have a project to build a 10" diameter pad made of translucent
    > plexiglas that will light up when a hand or a "body" gets close to
    > it. The pad is layed horizontally on a table.
    >
    > The lighting up is easy, I am thinking about three or four white
    > LEDs to do the job. As to sensing proximity I would like to know
    > if
    > the IR sensor used in typical public bathrooms will work. This is
    > typical in urinals or lavatories. I think there is an IR emitter
    > and once enough signal is reflected back, a receiver send a signal
    > to the control system.
    >
    > I know that I can use sonar like the polaroid 6500 or Sharp
    > equivalent, but I interested in a cheap but effective method as
    > well
    > as simply understanding how to make an industrially strong method
    > using IR.
    >
    > Any insight will be most appreciated.
    >
    > thanks
    >
    > Al
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    > Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-10-31 14:17
    If detecting transverse motion will work for you, try the PIR sensor at
    http://www.glolab.com These are similar to sensors used in motion detectors
    for lighting and alarm systems and are fairly inexpensive.
    With an op amp and some output filtering repeatable results are easily had.
    They even ship with a booklet containing a typical circuit that is a good
    starting point.

    Chris


    >
    Original Message
    > From: brownstamp@y... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=bi3yKXzWghKSZAWmdo1GklUnEXPXV3jT79bywQMZewMXyPf_hCGb0EMmtaX6SYMwFjLnCvDBu-ECGg]brownstamp@y...[/url
    > Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 11:36 PM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Proximity sensor
    >
    >
    > I have a project to build a 10" diameter pad made of translucent
    > plexiglas that will light up when a hand or a "body" gets close to
    > it. The pad is layed horizontally on a table.
    >
    > The lighting up is easy, I am thinking about three or four white
    > LEDs to do the job. As to sensing proximity I would like to know if
    > the IR sensor used in typical public bathrooms will work. This is
    > typical in urinals or lavatories. I think there is an IR emitter
    > and once enough signal is reflected back, a receiver send a signal
    > to the control system.
    >
    > I know that I can use sonar like the polaroid 6500 or Sharp
    > equivalent, but I interested in a cheap but effective method as well
    > as simply understanding how to make an industrially strong method
    > using IR.
    >
    > Any insight will be most appreciated.
    >
    > thanks
    >
    > Al
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
    > Subject and Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-11-01 02:06
    the sharp GP205 or th sharp GP202(more fun) will work perfectly
    for your project. You can even look at the stamp code there:
    http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/examples/GP2D02-4/GP
    2D02-4.html
    btw, you might want to try different type of sensors, I try to come
    up with a small list of sensors, you can look at it there:
    http://www.music.columbia.edu/~thomas/sensors.html

    thomas charveriat
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-11-01 03:25
    The Sharp sensors are great. Decent range and very little if any
    interference from external light. I bought all of mine from Acroname -- he
    furnishes very good documentation on all his sensor modules.

    Original Message

    > the sharp GP205 or th sharp GP202(more fun) will work perfectly
    > for your project. You can even look at the stamp code there:
    > http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/examples/GP2D02-4/GP
    > 2D02-4.html
    > btw, you might want to try different type of sensors, I try to come
    > up with a small list of sensors, you can look at it there:
    > http://www.music.columbia.edu/~thomas/sensors.html
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-11-01 06:10
    At 09:25 PM 10/31/2001 -0600, you wrote:
    >The Sharp sensors are great. Decent range and very little if any
    >interference from external light. I bought all of mine from Acroname -- he
    >furnishes very good documentation on all his sensor modules.
    Just aware that the GP2D05 it is presently being discontinued by Sharp.


    >
    Original Message
    >
    > > the sharp GP205 or th sharp GP202(more fun) will work perfectly
    > > for your project. You can even look at the stamp code there:
    > > http://www.acroname.com/robotics/info/examples/GP2D02-4/GP
    > > 2D02-4.html
    > > btw, you might want to try different type of sensors, I try to come
    > > up with a small list of sensors, you can look at it there:
    > > http://www.music.columbia.edu/~thomas/sensors.html
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    >Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-11-26 16:09
    Sorry but this is a bit of a delayed reaction from me [noparse];)[/noparse]... I, just
    by chance, read this thread and got quite interested. I've had a look
    at the Qprox site and they have some ready-made stuff to 'play' with
    (E6S2 board) but what I'd really like is to connect it to a basic
    Stamp...

    here's the rub, I'm pretty much a beginner at all this but when you
    said

    "VERY easy to connect to the stamp (If I say easy that must mean
    EEEAAASY!)"

    then I get a little worried, easy for you... but what about me?? So,
    I've taken the easy way out...

    Could you provide some really basic (no pun intended) instructions
    and diagrams of what I need to get one of these chips (preferably the
    QT60320) talking to a Basic Stamp.. and perhaps if you are feeling
    really generous some example code for the communications between the
    two...

    Essentially All I'm aiming for is a control interface for my X10
    lighting (that bit I *can* do for myself [noparse]:)[/noparse] ) that is hidden behind
    various objects. e.g. Picture frame, bathroom tiles etc...

    As I've said that comes later, my fundamental problem is just getting
    some simple info on getting started... perhaps it's a good one for
    the "BASIC Stamp Application Kit Documentation (includes source
    code)" treatment...

    Any help greatfully appreciated, I feel unworthy...

    Andy




    --- In basicstamps@y..., "ulibasic" <ulibasic@r...> wrote:
    > Hi there,
    >
    > let me throw myself in for qprox here. After hesitating for some
    weeks I
    > finally followed the groups advice and got me one. They are simply
    > fantastic!!!!
    >
    > They are very cheap, VERY easy to connect to the stamp (If I say
    easy that
    > must mean EEEAAASY!)and they do the job without light or distortion
    or
    > anything. Great job to create an integrated device like that!
    >
    > No, I am not on the qprox-paylist, ;-) I am just very happy about
    that lil
    > thing...
    >
    > Have a nice day, Uli
    >
    >
    >
    >
    Urspr
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-11-29 19:38
    No takers then??

    Andy

    --- In basicstamps@y..., "Andy Powell" <andy@h...> wrote:
    >
    > Sorry but this is a bit of a delayed reaction from me [noparse];)[/noparse]... I,
    just
    > by chance, read this thread and got quite interested. I've had a
    look
    > at the Qprox site and they have some ready-made stuff to 'play'
    with
    > (E6S2 board) but what I'd really like is to connect it to a basic
    > Stamp...
    >
    > here's the rub, I'm pretty much a beginner at all this but when
    you
    > said
    >
    > "VERY easy to connect to the stamp (If I say easy that must mean
    > EEEAAASY!)"
    >
    > then I get a little worried, easy for you... but what about me??
    So,
    > I've taken the easy way out...
    >
    > Could you provide some really basic (no pun intended) instructions
    > and diagrams of what I need to get one of these chips (preferably
    the
    > QT60320) talking to a Basic Stamp.. and perhaps if you are feeling
    > really generous some example code for the communications between
    the
    > two...
    >
    > Essentially All I'm aiming for is a control interface for my X10
    > lighting (that bit I *can* do for myself [noparse]:)[/noparse] ) that is hidden
    behind
    > various objects. e.g. Picture frame, bathroom tiles etc...
    >
    > As I've said that comes later, my fundamental problem is just
    getting
    > some simple info on getting started... perhaps it's a good one for
    > the "BASIC Stamp Application Kit Documentation (includes source
    > code)" treatment...
    >
    > Any help greatfully appreciated, I feel unworthy...
    >
    > Andy
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > --- In basicstamps@y..., "ulibasic" <ulibasic@r...> wrote:
    > > Hi there,
    > >
    > > let me throw myself in for qprox here. After hesitating for some
    > weeks I
    > > finally followed the groups advice and got me one. They are
    simply
    > > fantastic!!!!
    > >
    > > They are very cheap, VERY easy to connect to the stamp (If I say
    > easy that
    > > must mean EEEAAASY!)and they do the job without light or
    distortion
    > or
    > > anything. Great job to create an integrated device like that!
    > >
    > > No, I am not on the qprox-paylist, ;-) I am just very happy
    about
    > that lil
    > > thing...
    > >
    > > Have a nice day, Uli
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    Urspr
Sign In or Register to comment.