Arduino + GSM + Pictures

Using Arduino Programming Questions
1

Hello there!

Im looking to make a project for home security, it doesnt have to be the fastest system but just more to learn about the techniques and what not.

What i would like to achieve is to have a arduino with a gsm send upates to my phone via sms and possibly photos.

My interest is more in the phots. What would be the best way to achieve this..? Can i send photos with the GSM and also how could the arduino have access to the photos.

E.G.

Motion detector connected to arduino detects motion and a camera of some sort takes a picture, and that picture is some how sent to the arduino where it can be sent to my phone.

Is this possible?

if not do you suggest another platform, like a raspberry pi or something?

i prefer arduino because i am more familiar with it.

Thank you!

2

Is this possible?

It's possible. Not easy, and not at all fast.

I hope you have a good data plan if you plan the be sending pictures.

3

Yes i have a data plan that not an issue neither is speed, but could you point me in the right direction or suggest another page where i could figure how to do this?

Thank you!

4

you need to break it down into chunks you can learn,
sounds like 2 main aspects to reserach

  1. taking a picture and saving it as a file
    and
  2. connecting to a network to send the file.

for part 1
you need to add a file system, the easiest is an sd card imho, thats in the arduino playground :wink:
arduino playground sd card...

Then you need to add a camera and send its pictures to file.google found camera link

for the 2nd part, you need to add the gsm feature, and work out how to access the file and send it. tho perhaps it might be easier to upload the picture to a cloud storage service like photo=bucket or flickr and text yourself a link?
**EDIT a web service to send the text could be a simpler route too :wink:

start with the first bit if it falls into place for you attack the trickier aspect,

5

I've not investigated it thoroughly but there is a shield based on the SIM5216 which appears to be able to connect directly to a camera. If that is so then all the Arduino has to do (more or less) is tell it to take the photo and where to send it.