Remote surveillance system using arduino

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi
I am designing a mini remote surveillance system that can be used to monitor a site in a remote location. I want to design and build a prototype of the system.

I've been reading up on arduino's but I've never used one before. I would appreciate any advise you can give me.

The operation of my system must be as follows:

  1. I must be able to take pictures of the site from my office at will.
  2. in addition to this, a picture must be taken if the gate to the site is opened
    I am thinking of using the:
    -arduino uno
    -arduino ethernet shield with a microSD breakout board
    -push button to signify the opening of the gate
    -an LED
    so, BUTTON PRESSED = LED ON = TAKE A PICTURE
    BUTTON NOT PRESSED = LED OFF = OPERATE AS NORMAL

Does this make sense? and I'm I planning on using the correct components?

I have an idea of what the system must do, it's the interfacing & programming & design that's difficult for me.

PS. I have the uCAM232 from 4D SYSTEMS

uCAM datasheet.pdf (832 KB)

2

The best way you can do it is using a small relay, and a pir or ultrasonic sensor to detect the incoming car.
Ive already done a project with a automated gate which detects a vehicle at a gate and sends an alarm to go off in a house. Which also has an open gate function on a webpage.
This is all done with a relay connected to the NO/NC on the gate itself, so just connect a relay with the camera. Or use a encoder to trigger a pin.
My project consisted of-

  1. 5v Relay
  2. Connectors
  3. Ethernet shield
  4. Ultrasonic sensor
  5. Buzzer

Regards

Lewis

3

Have you figured out what you're going to do with the image once the camera captures it?