Pocket Burglar Alarm

This is a multi functional infrared intruder alarm that has (just about) been squeezed into a zippo lighter.


I recently added this project to my blog, if you don't want to wade through all the how to 'ness then this summary might be better to read.

I made it as part of the Gift Exchange.

It works by sending out a modulated infrared signal. The detector then senses any of the reflected signal, this is how it knows if anyone has passed by.

The main board contains a pickaxe chip. There is a mode select button which allows you to cycle through the different detection methods and alerts.
It runs off of 3 x AG-13 button cells and can sense up to 15cm+ in good conditions.

For a demo watch this video.

If video won't play, right-click and watch on YouTube
 

I also made a couple of instruction manuals which are attached.

Instructables reduces the image quality of uploads so I've included a PDF with all the diagram illustrations at high res.

Step 1: Materials

A few components can be scavenged for this project.

I've included links to techsupplies.co.uk  so you can see what the pieces look like, as well as places you are likely to find the component.

Components:                                                                Likely places to find them:

- Picaxe 08M chip
- Perf / strip board
- IR sensor 38kHz
- 2mm red LED
- 5mm IR LED                                                                   Any Remote control
- Piezo transducer                                                           Anything that makes a beep noise
- 6mm tactile switch                                                         Anything that clicks when you press it
- PCB mount slide switch
- Resistors with rough values of 32k, 10k, 1k, 300, 180 Ohms
- <1.2mm insulated wire 
- Button cell battery contacts                                         Anything powered by button cells
- 3 x button cell max size AG-13
- Small nut & bolt 

also a Zippo style lighter, or other pocketable housing
(small altoids tin etc)

Tools:

- Soldering iron with fine tip
- Drill with 1mm, 2mm, 4mm and 12mm bits
- Small files / sandpaper
- Needle nose pliers
- Side cutters
- Tin snips
- 2 part epoxy glue / hot glue gun
- Pva glue / nail varnish
- Screwdriver
- Hacksaw

These images show what I was able to get out of a broken electronic die.
small electronic things like this are the best place to look for battery contacts.

Comments

[Blackbery]

Man can u please please please please tell me how to make d same zippo alarm but with just tht 1 beep feature and not sooooo many detect modes cuz tht will be a lot easier n am a kid so this is way beyond me. So please please please if u cud help tht wud be great! Thanks :)

[madmanmoe64]

Because I used a programable micro controller to do this project, adding more modes and functions doesn't make it anymore complicated. If I made one with just the normal detect mode, the hardware would be the same but there would be empty space left on the pic.

It is of course possible to make a detect circuit without having to program a chip. You can use a standard 555 timer to generate the pulse signal and have the ir detector directly trigger a buzzer. In either case you need to generate a pwm signal. Anything less than that would give too much interference, and mean more hard work tuning the sensor.

I think that the way I've made it is simplest (once you get the program on the chip). And if you're interested in this sort of thing I really encourage you to take a look at learning to use Picaxe. It's kind of the lazy choice, because I end up using it for everything instead of building proper circuits, but it's so easy to use.

http://www.picaxe.com/Getting-Started/Downloading-your-First-Program/

[Tin Tin]

Please tell me that circuit diagram you put up is re-arrange right?
Thanks

[madmanmoe64]

For anyone else wondering, yes I rearranged the pin out of my ir sensor on the circuit diagram, this was just to simply it and not have wires crossing etc.
I don't know what the convention is, and this was ages ago, so I don't really remember what I was doing but:
You should always check the pin out of your specific component with a datasheet, not just read it off of the circuit diagram. (I sent Tin Tin a longer message which should holpfully help clear this up)

[Tin Tin]

Man, how did u manage to fit it all in a Zippo Lighter?

[Tin Tin]

I got the same project for my electronic class but at the moment, your circuit diagram is not working
My teacher said that IR Sensor Blowed up
Can U help Me here?
Please?

[unigamer]

I really like this, it's elegant (zippo got style!) and reasonably functional! The personal (rape) alarms are pretty small and maybe the electronics could be squeezed into a zippo... they let off a hell of a sound!

Good work. :)

[madmanmoe64]

I love the design of the Zippo: simple, functional and hasn't needed updating because it just works.

However I don't smoke so I'm always trying to find more useful things to put in the neat little enclosure.

[venom1539]

Whats next, a Zippo lighter flamethrower? (that would actually be pretty awesome)

[madmanmoe64]

Believe it or not, next is an R/C car Zippo.;

:)

[venom1539]

make it an rc-xd :)

[JamesRPatrick]

Reminds me of True Lies.

[madmanmoe64]

Which bit, I haven't seen that film in a while.

[JamesRPatrick]

The part in the beginning, in the men's bathroom, he has the cigarette box camera. This is kinda similar.

[madmanmoe64]

Oh yeah, I looked into trying to fit a camera into a Zippo, But I'd have to build my own circuit which is a bit beyond me.

[venom1539]

Just get the worlds smallest camera from the Hammacher Schlemmer magazine or www.hammacher.com .

[elvisarias]

excellent idea

[Taran606]

How did u make it so small

[madmanmoe64]

Looking at the breadboard, most of the stuff is just wire. the rest is fairly small and the download socket (top left) isn't in the final circuit.

[agis68]

Very common subject but very well illustrated and presented. It might be useful if you put a bigger buzzer. Also we can try different houses of this circuit ( like a cigarette box) and maybe add a mini camera. 5*

[harryjri]

Great frickin' idea. Nice nice work.

[Wasagi]

Fantastic! I'd love to put this in even more unassuming things, like fake rocks. Great Job!

[blackwellj]

what software did you use for the diagrams

[madmanmoe64]

the Circuit Diagram was done in Eagle. The illustrations were done in Vectorworks, although Adobe Illustrator is probably better for creating those sort of images.

[Bluedove2897]

Useful till someone picks it up and takes it!

[DrWilson]

Thanks Man Great Instructable! Im so lucky :)

[Diabloscope]

Thats pretty kool ! i have some Car Security proximity sensors 2" x 2 1/2 i can rig up a piezo and a battery source . you actually built everything , except for the lighter .. "Thumbs Up"

[mashedpotato13]

Great pictures and well described. Love the idea. 5*