I would like tell you about a DIY surveillance camera I have built. It is quite different from anything out there on the market. It works for up to a month on a single charge and emails surveillance updates over cellular network. All you need to do is send it an email and the camera would reply you with a picture of your home, country house or car.
Here is a video of how it all fits together:
The device checks pre-defined email mailbox once an hour. If a new email is received the camera takes a picture, saves it on a SD-card and emails the image to its owner.
Making of the camera was also an interesting journey I would like to share.
Here is a video of how it all fits together:
The device checks pre-defined email mailbox once an hour. If a new email is received the camera takes a picture, saves it on a SD-card and emails the image to its owner.
Making of the camera was also an interesting journey I would like to share.
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Signing UpStep 1: Required Parts
I have used following basic components for the device:
MultiTech MTSMC-G2-IP
This GSM modem is great because of its built-in POP3 and SMTP support. Although these protocols are not very complicated to implement having them implemented saves some time.
LinkSpite JPEG Camera
This is a great little device. Built-in JPEG compression support saves a lot of development effort. The camera produces a 640x480 image. The image is around 50K; it is small enough to rapidly transmit over a cellular network.
Sparkfun's microSD Shield
Although there are a few SD card circuits available I decided to go with this one because it is very easy to work with both in software (Sparkfun provides great APIs) and in hardware (again, thanks Sparkfun for built-in voltage conversion).
ATmega 328P
This micro-controller was a natural choice. Arduino Uno uses this chip, so there are plenty of libraries and examples out there. Unfortunately, Arduino Uno itself consumes too much power when it is in a sleep mode, so I had to build a board with more efficient power supply system myself.
TPS2020 and LM2936
TPS2020 is a great power distribution IC. It allowed me turning circuit components on and off as I needed it. LM2936 is an awesome regulator with really low quiescent current. Combination of the two parts allowed my circuit to consume as little as 0.14mA in sleep mode. It stretches battery life for up to a month on a single charge; the camera is powered by 5V from two CR123A batteries.
MultiTech MTSMC-G2-IP
This GSM modem is great because of its built-in POP3 and SMTP support. Although these protocols are not very complicated to implement having them implemented saves some time.
LinkSpite JPEG Camera
This is a great little device. Built-in JPEG compression support saves a lot of development effort. The camera produces a 640x480 image. The image is around 50K; it is small enough to rapidly transmit over a cellular network.
Sparkfun's microSD Shield
Although there are a few SD card circuits available I decided to go with this one because it is very easy to work with both in software (Sparkfun provides great APIs) and in hardware (again, thanks Sparkfun for built-in voltage conversion).
ATmega 328P
This micro-controller was a natural choice. Arduino Uno uses this chip, so there are plenty of libraries and examples out there. Unfortunately, Arduino Uno itself consumes too much power when it is in a sleep mode, so I had to build a board with more efficient power supply system myself.
TPS2020 and LM2936
TPS2020 is a great power distribution IC. It allowed me turning circuit components on and off as I needed it. LM2936 is an awesome regulator with really low quiescent current. Combination of the two parts allowed my circuit to consume as little as 0.14mA in sleep mode. It stretches battery life for up to a month on a single charge; the camera is powered by 5V from two CR123A batteries.
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It does make me wonder though, you say "....quite different from anything out there on the market..." it would help to see your design's advantages contrasted with a standard IPCam.
Well Done and many thanks for sharing your project.
What changes would have to be made to use an iPhone 4 (or other cellphone) camera? It could theoretically output 5MP+ photos.
How about replacing the cellular radio with a WiFi module?
What would be needed to turn this project into an "HD IP Camera?"
"Open the pod bay doors, Hal."
"I can't do that, Dave."
What would you suggest building for my problem.
I have a workshop in an area with a lot of break-ins.
I'd like to have a camera that would call and send me a photo every time the sensor is tripped. That way I can see the burglars and call the police!
Not just have a blaring alarm that no one will check out.
Great work!
If you are looking for seed money with out giving up any interest in your business check out kickstarter.com. It is a place where people agree to fund a project and give you a jump start in exchange for recognition, a free product once it rolls out ... Great work, makes me proud to be apart of this community.
Take care,
RL
@apple_fan - Very cool project. When it comes to the GSM access, did you use a pay as you go chip or set up a monthly account?
damage or intredurs
However, I would love to know if there are any really efficient solar panels available!
there are some big advances in energy harvesting these days.
it's possible to switch to a tiny LiPO battery (greener then throwing away button cells) and at least extend life time with indoor ambient solar energy collection.
i'm anxious to test this myself. in reading it seems reasonable, need to see it for myself though.
try this article describing one LTC3588.
http://tinyurl.com/3d8y4pw
of course, your device could easily email you when the battery is low, and other status reports, like how the solar charging is keeping up with the usage rate....
Fun Stuff! well done indeed.
mike
It would be great if the camera had a motion detector and would send and save pictures every time it detects movement.
Very cool.
very
From my time living in college dorms, it was always frustrating to walk to the cafeteria and not know how long i'd be waiting in line.
No-one wants to wait, so the times with lines and the length would fluctuate a lot.
With this device you could know how long the line is at a given instant.
I have two suggestions, but I don't know how difficult is to implement them:
1) I think an hour may be too time at some situations. Maybe the problem are batteries, you must analize it.
2) You should enhance some photos. I reduced Gamma Factor to those of step 6 and could see some details not showed before. If you want them, I will send you by PM.
I have updated pictures for step 6. I hope they look more contrasty now.
(I wonder if a version could be created that takes a short video and emails that? Maybe as the camera pans from left to right?)
I guess if you want a wider field of view, you just have more the=an one camera.
идея идиока от начала до конца!
зачем тебе Энергонезависимость на месяц? у тебя квартира без электричества?
корпус ценой с деловский лаптоп... это ваще запредельно..