Light gate activated delayed led lights (to a staircase)

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi,

First of all I'd like to state that I'm a total newbie what comes to building this sort of staff, so my apologies if this topic has been covered many times over. I'd be happy to follow any links that cover the subject :blush:

What I'm basically after is best described by this video:

I'd like to build similar kind of lights to my staircases at home, with the following options:

  • light gates (or any kind of triggering devices that make sense) on both ends of staircase
  • lights (leds preferred) should trigger one by one starting from the gate that was entered in
  • leds should fade out when turning off after a delay of n secs

This is the minimum set. As a bonus I could continue the project with following stuff, more ideas are welcome :slight_smile:

  • if the gates are activated at both ends (during the timeout period), a sound may occur. Why? A collision alert ofcourse! :slight_smile:
  • a counter to see how many times the gates have been activated to each direction
  • adjustable ambient light detector not to activate lights if not needed
  • timer to keep the lights off during certain hours of the day or if not home at all
  • adjustable led light density

etc.

So what I'm basically after is that I need to go shopping, but what would be the recommended setup to acquire? I have the basics such as soldering equipment, but that's about it.

I would prefer OSX/linux versions for testing, I'm living in a 100% Windows Free environment (not counting the actual, tangible windows on the house).

I live in Finland, so if these shops are near or in EU range that would be beneficial.

Even if Arduino would not be needed for this as such, I would like to learn it, so that's why the interest in here in general.

And thanks for everyone in advance for help and I can not help but to wonder how many magnificent projects there are already :fearful:

You guys rock 8)

2

Hi,

Nice ideas! And a good reason to learn about Arduino... It can do the PhotoGates at top and bottom, and control at least 11 steps of LED lights..

You need some transistors to control the LEDs. Would ALL the LEDs fade out at once, or in some groups??

This board will control 4 sets of LEDS.. see the extra photos... http://arduino-direct.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=60 and are optically-isolated. You could locate them some distance from the Arduino.

(BTW there is Linux version of Arduino software). See options here: http://yourduino.com/making-software-work.htm

There is some Arduino educational stuff here: http://yourduino.com

DISCLAIMER: I mentioned stuff from my own Shop...

3

Hi,
I am to learn Adruino because of very similiar project :slight_smile: I would like to ask you, if it is possible to control this way about 2 rows of 100 LEDs and turn them one by one?
I found this LED strand, which is digitally controlled and does not take too pins on board:

But for 2x100 LEDs it would be quiet expensive solution.
Any ideas please?
Thx in advance