Sonar Question
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Posts: 46,084
I've been asked to build a traffic light controller for a teacher's home
(it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like the
traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way. The
lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for the
BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using
the same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them
outside in the real world's noise? I'm concerned about false
detections.
Thanks,
Paul
(it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like the
traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way. The
lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for the
BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using
the same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them
outside in the real world's noise? I'm concerned about false
detections.
Thanks,
Paul
Comments
>I've been asked to build a traffic light controller for a teacher's home
>(it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like the
>traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way. The
>lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for the
>BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
>need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using
>the same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them
>outside in the real world's noise? I'm concerned about false
>detections.
>
>Thanks,
>Paul
Paul -
Personally I'd look more into break-the-beam type detectors. SONAR may be
subject to all sorts of false triggering. The other thought is use a pressure
sensor and an "inflated" hose like they have at gasoline filling stations to
trigger the alarm bell.
Hope that gives you some alternate ideas.
Regards,
Bruce Bates
>
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This web site carries some vehicle detection sensors that could be
interfaced to a Stamp.
http://www.homecontrols.com/dept_subcategory.html?subdept=SS03
Rich
Original Message
From: verhap@o... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=UlkRDQ-6cJLG80Lu4qUJS52AiX9DHm8VBmJPIODYrKZhAUpY3P5zzvq4ptXkFRbD1FgYW8jTPoNQ7W98_iDZbQ]verhap@o...[/url
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 8:21 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
I've been asked to build a traffic light controller for a teacher's home
(it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like the
traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way. The
lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for the
BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using
the same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them
outside in the real world's noise? I'm concerned about false
detections.
Thanks,
Paul
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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verhap@o... writes:
> I've been asked to build a traffic light controller for a teacher's home
> (it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like the
> traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way. The
> lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for the
> BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
> need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using
> the same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them
> outside in the real world's noise? I'm concerned about false
> detections.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul
>
You may want to "hack" a motion sensor that you can get at home depot for
about $20. Disable the ambient light sensor (black tape).
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
remember the details but it was a pretty simple thing.
The other possibility is a pressure activated switch and inflated tube. You
could use a garden hose with water in it, cap one end and stick some sort of
rubber membrane over the other. Car hits the hose and the rubber baloons
out, pushing a microswitch. Run a wire from the stamp pin to the switch then
from the switch to ground and pull it high. Make the switch, the input goes
low and your stamp does its thing.
Original Message
From: <verhap@o...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 6:20 AM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
> I've been asked to build a traffic light controller for a teacher's home
> (it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like the
> traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way. The
> lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for the
> BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
> need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using
> the same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them
> outside in the real world's noise? I'm concerned about false
> detections.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul
>
> 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/
>
>
> about $20. Disable the ambient light sensor (black tape).
Would that detect a car? The sensors detect IR from human
bodies as the radiation moves across two crystals. I'm not certain
they could detect cars (by the way, that was my first idea).
Paul
> could use a garden hose with water in it, cap one end and stick some sort of
> rubber membrane over the other. Car hits the hose and the rubber baloons
> out, pushing a microswitch. Run a wire from the stamp pin to the switch then
> from the switch to ground and pull it high. Make the switch, the input goes
> low and your stamp does its thing.
A commerically available solution is preferred, since it's designed
and tested to operate in the real world. Does anyone know of a
commerically available pressure sensor of this design?
Paul
verhap@o... writes:
> >You may want to "hack" a motion sensor that you can get at home depot for
> >about $20. Disable the ambient light sensor (black tape).
>
> Would that detect a car? The sensors detect IR from human
> bodies as the radiation moves across two crystals. I'm not certain
> they could detect cars (by the way, that was my first idea).
>
The motion sensor I have mounted on my garage comes on every time I pull into
my driveway (at night) so guess it will detect a vehicle.
The garden hose/membrane idea I read on an earlier posting is a cleaver and
inexpensive pressure switch....
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
smartdim@a... writes:
> n a message dated 1/13/2003 7:05:06 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> verhap@o... writes:
>
> >>You may want to "hack" a motion sensor that you can get at home depot for
>
> >>about $20. Disable the ambient light sensor (black tape).
> >
> >Would that detect a car? The sensors detect IR from human
> >bodies as the radiation moves across two crystals. I'm not certain
> >they could detect cars (by the way, that was my first idea).
> >
>
> The motion sensor I have mounted on my garage comes on every time I pull
> into
> my driveway (at night) so guess it will detect a vehicle.
>
> The garden hose/membrane idea I read on an earlier posting is a cleaver and
>
> inexpensive pressure switch....
>
Try these
<A
HREF="www.clearstreamco.com/cscstore/autoalert.htm">www.clearstreamco.com/cscsto\
re/autoalert.htm</A>
www.compuwash.com/tunp_tape_switch.htm
www.monkeysocks.com/Qstore/p000433.htm
www.tapeswitch.com
[noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
analog output(0-5VDC) ... the rang doesn't have to be far just
something with close proximity (a few meters).
Eric
Look for the SonaSwitch. They have two analog versions with 8 or 10-bit
A/D output.
Regards,
-Bruce
tech@r...
http://www.rentron.com
Original Message
From: <morpheus358@c...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 9:30 AM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
> Speaking of sonar ... does anyone know a sonar range finder with an
> analog output(0-5VDC) ... the rang doesn't have to be far just
> something with close proximity (a few meters).
>
> Eric
>
>
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of the message will be ignored.
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>
>
receiver that signals an auto with a loud two-tone bong. The motion
sensor is quite sensitive, and has a underhanging lip to prevent pets
from setting it off. I found it at Fry's Electronics, but it is widely
available.
Dennis
Original Message
From: verhap@o... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=SRetUuHVfrMVDbTeEgVW-lD_I2odmNjQhpqNmotpg3uKGxphDjJysijVm_3nVivEM8xl7fwRqJZimAhYswoXU019PQ]verhap@o...[/url
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 7:02 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
> You may want to "hack" a motion sensor that you can get at home depot
> for
> about $20. Disable the ambient light sensor (black tape).
Would that detect a car? The sensors detect IR from human
bodies as the radiation moves across two crystals. I'm not certain
they could detect cars (by the way, that was my first idea).
Paul
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Connect it to a piece of hose plugged at the other end -- when a tire goes
over the hose, it raises the pressure and closes the switch.
Original Message
> Real traffic lights use a wire loop to detect large metal objects. Dont
> remember the details but it was a pretty simple thing.
>
> The other possibility is a pressure activated switch and inflated tube.
You
> could use a garden hose with water in it, cap one end and stick some sort
of
> rubber membrane over the other. Car hits the hose and the rubber baloons
> out, pushing a microswitch. Run a wire from the stamp pin to the switch
then
> from the switch to ground and pull it high. Make the switch, the input
goes
> low and your stamp does its thing.
>>for
>>about $20. Disable the ambient light sensor (black tape).
>>
>
> Would that detect a car? The sensors detect IR from human
> bodies as the radiation moves across two crystals. I'm not certain
> they could detect cars (by the way, that was my first idea).
I have tried this before and found that it will detect slow
moving vehicles from almost head-on fairly well (probably
detects radiator heat). However faster moving vehicles and
those approaching from right angles are not detected very well
at all. There is also a significant time lag (maybe 1 sec.)
before detection in my experinces. If your interested in
hacking a commercial PIR sensor do a google search on "game cam"
and you'll find several very good hacks described.
--
Michael Burr
Our government it seems has got a new plan...
Seize and search the private records of every man.
No warrants, no judges, no due process required,
With "Homeland Security" the 4th Amendment's retired.
"Total Information Awareness" the project is called,
Oh would our forefathers be aghast and appalled!
http://geocities.com/totalinformationawareness/
Cypress PSoC contest. A PSoC is a programable System on a Chip. It's a MCU
that can be configured with AD, Amplifiers, PWM, all sorts of hardware, with
just the 28 pin chip.
The 1st place winner is a Sonar Ranging system that uses just the PSoC chip,
a sonar transmitter and reciever and a couple of resistors. The chip is
available from Digikey and is like $8. The programmer is about $30. The
software is free from Cypress.
I've worked with the PSoC and it's pretty simple (although I haven't
mastered the analouge parts yet).
Check it out!
chris in napa
chris in napa
Original Message
From: <morpheus358@c...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 8:30 AM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
> Speaking of sonar ... does anyone know a sonar range finder with an
> analog output(0-5VDC) ... the rang doesn't have to be far just
> something with close proximity (a few meters).
>
> Eric
>
>
> 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/
>
>
Original Message
From: verhap@o... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=FfCFWVL0E9NwCMEm_EasKxqdK0V4k4_Bx0JQLs6VJ99lbHsd5c53HlrEm8i1WMav8Sc5nOher_vfuVRmUqihSQ]verhap@o...[/url
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 10:04 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
> The other possibility is a pressure activated switch and inflated tube.
You
> could use a garden hose with water in it, cap one end and stick some sort
of
> rubber membrane over the other. Car hits the hose and the rubber baloons
> out, pushing a microswitch. Run a wire from the stamp pin to the switch
then
> from the switch to ground and pull it high. Make the switch, the input
goes
> low and your stamp does its thing.
A commerically available solution is preferred, since it's designed
and tested to operate in the real world. Does anyone know of a
commerically available pressure sensor of this design?
Paul
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
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Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
already designed to do this type of detection with out cutting driveway the
system is call Drive-Alert Driveway Alarm System DA500. Also sold by ADI
company. The sensor can be installed in the ground beside the driveway. I
have purchased this system and installed it is very reliable.
John
>From: <verhap@o...>
>Reply-To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
>To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
>Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 07:20:56 -700
>
>I've been asked to build a traffic light controller for a teacher's home
>(it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like the
>traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way. The
>lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for the
>BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
>need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using
>the same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them
>outside in the real world's noise? I'm concerned about false
>detections.
>
>Thanks,
>Paul
>
>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/
_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
http://www.savontv.com/google/driveway-patrol.html. I have 2 of these,
and can use either 2 sensors with one receiver, or one or both sensors
with both receivers in different locations. The 2-tone bongs of the
receivers are slightly different, which is also useful for
discrimination of sensor location.
Dennis
Original Message
From: John Potts [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=5PjaXMZSzC5_qipCdydLupVkDQmgkLTTXVsiSTJdNzw6OOMcOrRmOFUegWyFvDlCoJLH6uAJopjq]jp4980@h...[/url
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 6:26 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
Hi Paul you might try looking at Mier Products Inc. they have a system
already designed to do this type of detection with out cutting driveway
the
system is call Drive-Alert Driveway Alarm System DA500. Also sold by ADI
company. The sensor can be installed in the ground beside the driveway.
I
have purchased this system and installed it is very reliable.
John
>From: <verhap@o...>
>Reply-To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
>To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Sonar Question
>Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 07:20:56 -700
>
>I've been asked to build a traffic light controller for a teacher's
>home (it's not a real traffic light, but must act like one). He'd like
>the traffic light to operate once a car pulls up into his drive way.
>The lights are 120 Vac, so I plan to use the Opto 22 as the relay for
>the BS2 and to bash a 12V lighting system for power. However, first I
>need to detect the presence of a car. I was thinking about using the
>same sonar used in robots. Has anyone tried one of them outside in the
>real world's noise? I'm concerned about false detections.
>
>Thanks,
>Paul
>
>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/
_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus
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