4 zone counter with display

[DoctorHawking]

Hi, new here. 

I've worked my way most of the way through 'Programming Arduino Getting Started with Sketches', & just started working on 'Arduino Cookbook'.

First project:  I'd like to make a device that displays how many times motion has been detected in a few (undetermined # of) zones.  I.E.  Zone 1 (side of house), Zone 2 (back yard), Zone 3 (front porch).

I'd like to have it show up on a LCD & if something happens when it shouldn't then I can review the CCTV.

Sensors would be PIR, & the device will ideally be a self contained unit (arduino & display in a custom housing).

[PaulS]

Sensors would be PIR, & the device will ideally be a self contained unit (arduino & display in a custom housing).

You need one sensor per zone.

Beyond that, did you have question, or something you need help with?

[liuzengqiang]

I think it is very doable. If you don't need to use the serial TTL chip to talk to your computer, you can get this cheap version of arduino:

http://shop.moderndevice.com/products/rbbb-kit

I recommend 16X2 character display.

[DoctorHawking]

I guess I'm really not sure where to begin....  I should continue reading

So zone 1 trip trip trip trip (1,2,3,4), I just want that to show up on a display.  I'll keep at my arduino cookbook & hopefully come back with some better questions

Thanks for the link to the bare bones 'nano' board too.  I have a bunch of stuff coming from deal extreme, including bluetooth, network, relays, and a few different types of displays (7 segment, some with buttons, just all kinds of stuff) to play with.

I already have 2 displays - one's a LCD touch screen:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FWSG3S/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00

and a 20x4:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B22UR0/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00

I really don't know jack about any of this yet,  so far I've just been typing sketches verbatim (for the most part) out of the books.

[liuzengqiang]

The 20X4 display is easy to work with and wildly widely (Oops) supported by arduino, as long as you follow tutorials. Buttons are also very easy to work with. I would start with a PIR sensor and use arduino serial monitor to make sure it is able to detect disturbance. Then move on to display the message on the 20X4 LCD instead of serial monitor. After that works, think about enclosure

[DoctorHawking]

could you suggest a good tutorial if it's not too much to ask?  (TIA if you do)

[liuzengqiang]

Here is for liquidcrystal, official but not ideal:

http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/LiquidCrystal

Adafruit also has one:

http://learn.adafruit.com/character-lcds