Contest Entry Entry #3: Home Security/Automation

[Vaughn]

The Virtual Crib home automation system

vCrib is a complete home automation system, which utilizes the 8/8/8 (or 0/16/16) for wired sensors and relays. You just set the Primary Address field of Devices in vCrib to AI0 - AI7 for analog inputs, DI0 - DI7 for digital inputs and DO0 - DO7 for digital outputs. When you load the Phidget application, it selects infomation on each device based on its address and maps them to the physical connectors on the Phidget interface. When a connector changes states, a simple entry is made in the Event_Queue in vCrib and vCrib processes it like any other events. The Phidget application also polls the Command_Queue for any commands and will set the Digital Outputs accordingly.

Magnetic switches are used on doors and my mailbox. Relays are used to control the front door strike and alarm strobe. Digital pressure pads are used under a rug outside the bathroom and the carpet at the bottom and top of the stairs to activate lighting. Phidgets temperature and light sensors are used in the computer lab, more to be added later. I am also experimenting with the Phidget vibration sensor mounted to the floor of my entry way for occupancy detection.

At different points I have used the Phidget boards to interface and control: Servos to adjust mini-blinds, baffels in the air ducts, internal locks (made out of gate parts), simple halloween props. I have used the relays on my alarm strobes, door strikes and magnetic locks. Unfortunately I only have 1 interface board, so some projects get recycled after prototyping to free ports and the blinds got taken down because I had no way to properly run the wiring. So I can't show everything that is possible with the existing system.

I have many videos at www.youtube.com/ver0776 although none are Phidget oriented. I ran out of time this weekend, but will try to make a demo of the interaction between the Phidget boards and vCrib if I get time. If there are any particular parts you would like to see, let me know. At worst I can get more screenshots or pictures.

Vaughn

[Alex]

Great stuff! No worries about the videos not being Phidget oriented. Of course we'd prefer our products being used, but that's not what this contest is about.

Thanks for the submission