Door detection

Hey,

I'd like to make my own little Arduino project but I have no clue as to what is possible to do with it. I have experience in PHP/MySQL programming so I guess I could have a little head start to a beginner in this field...

Here's what I would like to do : I'd like to be able to monitor what's happening at my place while I'm away. I have several things I'd like to do but I have not clue as to what's possible with Arduino (or even other platforms like Raspberry PI, etc.). Here's the way I see it, from easy to hard (imo) :

  1. Send myself an email (or SMS) when a door is opened.
  2. Send myself a picture of the door 5-10 seconds after the door is opened.
  3. Send myself a 10 seconds video of the door after is has been opened.
  4. Send myself a link to a live feed of the door after the door is opened.
  5. Send myself a link to a live feed of the door after the door is opened and record / store it on the web (YouTube).

I'd like not to have wires hanging everywhere around the thing and not have to recharge / swap the batteries more than once a month.

So, what do you think would fit my need best?

Thanks a lot, looking forward to trying this project with your help!

The Arduino really can't handle much as far as video goes. Your best bet would be to get an IP camera and set that up independently. Then you have have the Arduino sense the door opening and send you a notification. You can then pull up the feed to the IP camera yourself.

Ok so if I want to start with only the notification part, what is needed?

Can I use the Arduino with only a sensor to send a notice to my phone (email, SMS, whatever) independently via Wifi?

How long should I expect the battery to last on the Arduino?

blirette:
Ok so if I want to start with only the notification part, what is needed?

An Arduino, a sensor, and something to communicate the message, such as an Ethernet, WiFi or Cellular shield.

Can I use the Arduino with only a sensor to send a notice to my phone (email, SMS, whatever) independently via Wifi?

The Arduino doesn't have WiFi innately build in, so you would need something like a WiFi shield for that.

How long should I expect the battery to last on the Arduino?

Depends on the battery and a whole host of other factors.

Ok thanks! 2 more question :

The program on the Arduino... how can I tell it to communicate to a web interface to interact with the data after that? Would I use something like write? (WiFi - Arduino Reference)

What's the main power consumption part of the project? Can you tell me how much does each part (arduino, wifi shield, sensor) uses?

Thanks!

blirette:
The program on the Arduino... how can I tell it to communicate to a web interface to interact with the data after that? Would I use something like write? (WiFi - Arduino Reference)

Yes, but nothing in your requirements indicates that you need to communicate with a web interface.

What's the main power consumption part of the project?

Depends

Can you tell me how much does each part (arduino, wifi shield, sensor) uses?

Not until you choose an Arduino/WiFi shield and sensor to use.

If your plan is to run it on batteries, then your best bet would be to get a very minimal Arduino (Just the chip and a few passive components), and have it sleep. When the sensor is tripped, the Arduino wakes, wakes up the communications medium (Be it WiFi/Celluar/Etc.), send the necessary notification and go back to sleep.

The web interface part was to send an email or some kind of notice to a smartphone.

Yes, I plan it to run on batteries. As I said, would it be possible to make them last a month? Idling would be a good idea indeed to prevent battery usage.

When you said "very minimal Arduino", what id you have in mind for :

  • have a sensor that detect door activity
  • Arduino to get the sensor detection
  • send it to a computer or directly to the smartphone (if that's possible)

Thanks for the feedbacks!

Yes, I plan it to run on batteries. As I said, would it be possible to make them last a month?

That's not impossible for a standalone Arduino, but I can't speak for the WiFi/Cellular Shields as I've never used them. It will depend on their sleep capabilities and what kind of current draw they have awake and asleep.

When you said "very minimal Arduino", what id you have in mind for :

  • have a sensor that detect door activity
  • Arduino to get the sensor detection
  • send it to a computer or directly to the smartphone (if that's possible)

I'm sorry was this a question?

Sorry, about that, let me rephrase that.

When you said "very minimal Arduino", what did you have in mind for :

  • A sensor that detect door activity? Got a link to it?
  • An Arduino model/shield combination to react on the sensor detection?

...and how will the signal get from the Arduino to the computer? Or can it send a notice via SMTP (email) to a smartphone directly?

blirette:
Sorry, about that, let me rephrase that.

When you said "very minimal Arduino", what did you have in mind for :

  • A sensor that detect door activity? Got a link to it?

A simple magnetic sensor such as those you see on most doors/windows for security systems.

  • An Arduino model/shield combination to react on the sensor detection?

Haven't used a WiFi shield, so I couldn't recommend one, but as far as a minimal Arduino:

http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Standalone

...and how will the signal get from the Arduino to the computer? Or can it send a notice via SMTP (email) to a smartphone directly?

https://www.google.com/search?q=arduino+send+email

Thanks for your time, I'll try to work my way from here.

If I ever make it, I'll try to post back here if someone wants to do the same.