I've never used Arduino before, so I don't know if it's the right tool for my purpose:
I want to make my own "laser tag" game, so I want to know if you think Arduino can do the following:
Have some sort of infrared beam transmitter which can encode the signal to have unique signature. Also have an infrared detecting sensor. And to be able to send this data to another device (computer, smartphone) for scoring purposes.
It doesn't have to be only 1 Arduino for both, i.e. there can be a few: 1 for transmitting, a few for receiving (different areas)
What is your opinion regarding this project?
Thank you
Certainly doable for someone with quite a bit of experience with Arduino.
If you aren't reasonably good at coding C/C++ and don't have background with electronics, it would be a long journey. Could be a lot of fun, though! The receiver and transmitter could each be a $2 eBay Pro Mini Arduino, with appropriate laser diodes and sensors.
Thank you!
I have C experience, but electronics - not so much, so I do expect a long journey :), but actually that's how I plan to learn it, even if it won't work, it's something I'd love to give a try,
Thanks again for the information, I will look at the Pro Mini Arduino right away, and as for the laser diodes and sensors I have a few questions:
Isn't laser a bit unsafe for the eyes? shouldn't there be some safer beams? And if it is safe - Perhaps you know about specific sensors/diodes that I can purchase as well?
Laser safety is of course a serious issue, but possible eye damage depends on the power output of the laser module.
Most of the laser modules used in laser pointers are very low power and considered reasonably safe, but should never be pointed at someone's eyes. Look up "laser safety classification" for more info.
What do the manufacturers of laser tag games say about safety?
jremington:
Laser safety is of course a serious issue, but possible eye damage depends on the power output of the laser module.
Most of the laser modules used in laser pointers are very low power and considered reasonably safe, but should never be pointed at someone's eyes. Look up "laser safety classification" for more info.
What do the manufacturers of laser tag games say about safety?
Laser pointers aren't infrared.
jremington:
And your point is what?
The power output of a laser pointer has no bearing on the safety of an infrared device.
The OP did not ask about the safety of an infrared device, and I did not address the use of an infrared device.
jremington:
The OP did not ask about the safety of an infrared device, and I did not address the use of an infrared device.
Look at the thread title, infrared is also mentioned in the post. It's better to be clear about the differences than the similarities - those could obscure the danger.
Are you planning to make a useful contribution to this thread?
I will: I DO NOT RECOMMEND using an infrared laser for anything, outside of a carefully controlled laboratory setting.
Alright, so what safe pointing device do you think can do the job, also in outdoor condition in bright daylight?
Can there be any other implementation than a laser to that purpose? I mean can we use anything else to detect "hits" from a relatively high distance? (about 100m)
Or weak lasers are the only option?
You could safely utilize a High output IR LED (like what is used in your TV remote) or <5mW "UNCOLLIMATED" IR Laser diode (908 nm or so). That's what the manufacturers use. Goggles not required, but recommended.
You modulate a signal on the transmitter and demodulate the receiver (like what your TV does with the remote's signal).
I mean can we use anything else to detect "hits" from a relatively high distance? (about 100m)
There are a lot of technical details to investigate before you need to worry about personal safety and maximizing distance.
You will need to learn how to modulate the light source, detect the light, decode the signal, communicate and register a hit, etc.
Solving those nontrivial problems will take a person new to the field weeks to months of work, and the work can all be done indoors, using weak, visible light sources.
Subsequent efforts could focus on moving to an out-of-doors situation with long range optics.
Thanks guys, and you're right, I've focused too much on the advanced parts, when there's actually not a real chance for a beginner like me to make it anytime soon, so I should really focus on the simpler things! but at least I know the direction now