From: Bob C. <bco...@ve...> - 2011-10-24 03:26:41
|
I want to connect something to an Overo -- perhaps a pressure type sensor? -- that can signal when a bird has landed on my bird feeder, and when the bird has taken off. It would have to work for the entire physical perch. Birds must not be harmed or disturbed by the sensor or device. They should be able to stay on the perch for as long as they want in order to feed. The bird perch is circular in shape, going around the feeding area. What would that "something", sensor, or device be? Thanks Bob Cochran |
From: Paul N. <idr...@gm...> - 2011-10-24 06:27:33
|
Hi Bob, Is your camera running continually? Motion detection would be easy if so. Otherwise SparkFun has a ton of stuff that would be interesting to try out: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10027 |
From: Alex G. <al...@al...> - 2011-10-24 22:06:46
|
On 24/10/2011 2:26 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: > I want to connect something to an Overo -- perhaps a pressure type > sensor? -- that can signal when a bird has landed on my bird feeder, and > when the bird has taken off. It would have to work for the entire > physical perch. Birds must not be harmed or disturbed by the sensor or > device. They should be able to stay on the perch for as long as they > want in order to feed. The bird perch is circular in shape, going around > the feeding area. What would that "something", sensor, or device be? > > Thanks > > Bob Cochran > maybe one of these force sensitive resistors ? http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/143 |
From: Bob C. <bco...@ve...> - 2011-10-25 01:52:39
|
On 10/24/11 6:06 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: > On 24/10/2011 2:26 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >> I want to connect something to an Overo -- perhaps a pressure type >> sensor? -- that can signal when a bird has landed on my bird feeder, and >> when the bird has taken off. It would have to work for the entire >> physical perch. Birds must not be harmed or disturbed by the sensor or >> device. They should be able to stay on the perch for as long as they >> want in order to feed. The bird perch is circular in shape, going around >> the feeding area. What would that "something", sensor, or device be? >> >> Thanks >> >> Bob Cochran >> > maybe one of these force sensitive resistors ? > http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/143 Thanks, Alex! I guess Sparkfun is the place to go! Bob |
From: Alex G. <al...@al...> - 2011-10-26 00:05:09
|
On 25/10/2011 12:52 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: > On 10/24/11 6:06 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: >> On 24/10/2011 2:26 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >>> I want to connect something to an Overo -- perhaps a pressure type >>> sensor? -- that can signal when a bird has landed on my bird feeder, and >>> when the bird has taken off. It would have to work for the entire >>> physical perch. Birds must not be harmed or disturbed by the sensor or >>> device. They should be able to stay on the perch for as long as they >>> want in order to feed. The bird perch is circular in shape, going around >>> the feeding area. What would that "something", sensor, or device be? >>> >>> Thanks >>> >>> Bob Cochran >>> >> maybe one of these force sensitive resistors ? >> http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/143 > > Thanks, Alex! I guess Sparkfun is the place to go! > > Bob Maybe easier/more reliable to use a spring switch or switches Mount the bird feeder via a hinge with a small spring and switch (also make sure to fix it so a good wind can't open it the full way) Wouldn't want to try something like this here as you'd get everything from small finches and sparrows up to the galahs and cockatoos weight range of around 20g to 1kg+ Problem feeding sulfur crested cockatoos is if you miss one day or they decide they don't like the feed one day then they may just chew up the feeder or decide to chomp part of your house to sharpen their beaks. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/there-goes-the-neighbourhood-as-tearaways-move-in-20110324-1c8lv.html http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/KeepingWildlifeWild.htm http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/sydneys-old-crock-of-a-cockie-was-a-legend-at-120-20110831-1jkz2.html |
From: Bob C. <bco...@ve...> - 2011-10-26 02:37:04
|
On 10/25/11 6:37 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: > On 25/10/2011 12:52 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >> On 10/24/11 6:06 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: >>> On 24/10/2011 2:26 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >>>> I want to connect something to an Overo -- perhaps a pressure type >>>> sensor? -- that can signal when a bird has landed on my bird feeder, and >>>> when the bird has taken off. It would have to work for the entire >>>> physical perch. Birds must not be harmed or disturbed by the sensor or >>>> device. They should be able to stay on the perch for as long as they >>>> want in order to feed. The bird perch is circular in shape, going around >>>> the feeding area. What would that "something", sensor, or device be? >>>> >>>> Thanks >>>> >>>> Bob Cochran >>>> >>> maybe one of these force sensitive resistors ? >>> http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/143 >> Thanks, Alex! I guess Sparkfun is the place to go! >> >> Bob > Maybe easier/more reliable to use a spring switch or switches > > Mount the bird feeder via a hinge with a small spring and switch > (also make sure to fix it so a good wind can't open it the full way) > > > > Wouldn't want to try something like this here as you'd get everything > from small finches and sparrows up to the galahs and cockatoos > weight range of around 20g to 1kg+ > > Problem feeding sulfur crested cockatoos is if you miss one day or they > decide they don't like the feed one day then they may just chew up the > feeder > or decide to chomp part of your house to sharpen their beaks. > > http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/there-goes-the-neighbourhood-as-tearaways-move-in-20110324-1c8lv.html > > http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/KeepingWildlifeWild.htm > http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/sydneys-old-crock-of-a-cockie-was-a-legend-at-120-20110831-1jkz2.html Hi Alex! Thank you for the suggestion, a spring and switch might work over here for what I want. You and Paul have now offered me 3 possible ways to sense a bird at a feeder. My own personal problem is squirrels in the neighborhood. I hate them! They dig up my tree seedlings (after I leave for work.) They dig up my bonsai too. We do have one local bird problem: vultures in the neighborhood. Yes, I live in a very urban, city environment and we have vultures. Very few compared to your cockatoo population. Apparently one of my neighbors (if someone a few blocks away is a neighbor?) was or is feeding vultures, so they hang around. I walked past one while on an exercise walk and we both startled each other. Thanks again to you for the great suggestions. I have been looking over the Sparkfun resistive force sensors and I'm wondering if a tiny finch is able to land with 100g (grams) of force. Bob |
From: Alex G. <al...@al...> - 2011-10-28 08:43:11
|
On 26/10/2011 1:36 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: > > Thank you for the suggestion, a spring and switch might work over here > for what I want. You and Paul have now offered me 3 possible ways to > sense a bird at a feeder. > > My own personal problem is squirrels in the neighborhood. I hate them! > They dig up my tree seedlings (after I leave for work.) They dig up my > bonsai too. > > We do have one local bird problem: vultures in the neighborhood. Yes, I > live in a very urban, city environment and we have vultures. Very few > compared to your cockatoo population. Apparently one of my neighbors (if > someone a few blocks away is a neighbor?) was or is feeding vultures, so > they hang around. I walked past one while on an exercise walk and we > both startled each other. > > Thanks again to you for the great suggestions. I have been looking over > the Sparkfun resistive force sensors and I'm wondering if a tiny finch > is able to land with 100g (grams) of force. > > Bob > Bob just be glad your squirrels don't get into the house cavity or make holes in your house. Here's an article on how annoying possums can be http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/praying-for-a-disappearing-trick-when-the-possum-magic-wears-thin-20111028-1mn9q.html Alex |
From: Bob C. <bco...@ve...> - 2011-10-28 20:40:27
|
On 10/28/11 4:43 AM, Alex Gibson wrote: > On 26/10/2011 1:36 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: > >> Thank you for the suggestion, a spring and switch might work over here >> for what I want. You and Paul have now offered me 3 possible ways to >> sense a bird at a feeder. >> >> My own personal problem is squirrels in the neighborhood. I hate them! >> They dig up my tree seedlings (after I leave for work.) They dig up my >> bonsai too. >> >> We do have one local bird problem: vultures in the neighborhood. Yes, I >> live in a very urban, city environment and we have vultures. Very few >> compared to your cockatoo population. Apparently one of my neighbors (if >> someone a few blocks away is a neighbor?) was or is feeding vultures, so >> they hang around. I walked past one while on an exercise walk and we >> both startled each other. >> >> Thanks again to you for the great suggestions. I have been looking over >> the Sparkfun resistive force sensors and I'm wondering if a tiny finch >> is able to land with 100g (grams) of force. >> >> Bob >> > Bob just be glad your squirrels don't get into the house cavity or make > holes in your house. > > Here's an article on how annoying possums can be > http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/praying-for-a-disappearing-trick-when-the-possum-magic-wears-thin-20111028-1mn9q.html > > Alex Hi Alex, Yes, your possums are tough! I think your scientists need to develop possum birth control powders! It wouldn't hurt to develop sulfur crested cockatoo birth control powders, too. This way a planned one birth in 50,000 can take place. Bob |
From: Clifford H. <cli...@gm...> - 2011-10-29 11:01:01
|
On 29/10/2011, at 7:40 AM, Bob Cochran wrote: > On 10/28/11 4:43 AM, Alex Gibson wrote: >> Here's an article on how annoying possums can be >> http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/praying-for-a-disappearing-trick-when-the-possum-magic-wears-thin-20111028-1mn9q.html > Yes, your possums are tough! I think your scientists need to develop > possum birth control powders! My father's cousin did exactly that, in New Zealand, using a biological parasite that only affects possums. It was tested and ready to go, when Australia pulled rank and requested that it be shelved - because someone would bring it to Australia. Hell, I would :) It was ingenious, merely reducing population levels without causing suffering or wiping them out anywhere… but I forget many of the detailed facts. He's the same guy responsible for eliminating hydatids from New Zealand. When they successfully eradicate them from China as well, he has a Nobel prize coming… Clifford Heath. |
From: Bob C. <bco...@ve...> - 2011-10-25 01:50:12
|
Hi Paul, Thank you very much for the ideas! Good luck with your endeavors, I have been reading of them on the list. Bob On 10/24/11 2:27 AM, Paul Nolan wrote: > Hi Bob, > > Is your camera running continually? Motion detection would be easy if > so. Otherwise SparkFun has a ton of stuff that would be interesting > to try out: > http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10027 > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > The demand for IT networking professionals continues to grow, and the > demand for specialized networking skills is growing even more rapidly. > Take a complimentary Learning@Cisco Self-Assessment and learn > about Cisco certifications, training, and career opportunities. > http://p.sf.net/sfu/cisco-dev2dev > > > _______________________________________________ > gumstix-users mailing list > gum...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/gumstix-users |
From: Alex G. <al...@al...> - 2011-10-26 02:59:04
|
On 26/10/2011 1:36 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: > On 10/25/11 6:37 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: >> On 25/10/2011 12:52 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >>> On 10/24/11 6:06 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: >>>> On 24/10/2011 2:26 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >>>>> I want to connect something to an Overo -- perhaps a pressure type >>>>> sensor? -- that can signal when a bird has landed on my bird feeder, and >>>>> when the bird has taken off. It would have to work for the entire >>>>> physical perch. Birds must not be harmed or disturbed by the sensor or >>>>> device. They should be able to stay on the perch for as long as they >>>>> want in order to feed. The bird perch is circular in shape, going around >>>>> the feeding area. What would that "something", sensor, or device be? >>>>> >>>>> Thanks >>>>> >>>>> Bob Cochran >>>>> >>>> maybe one of these force sensitive resistors ? >>>> http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/143 >>> Thanks, Alex! I guess Sparkfun is the place to go! >>> >>> Bob >> Maybe easier/more reliable to use a spring switch or switches >> >> Mount the bird feeder via a hinge with a small spring and switch >> (also make sure to fix it so a good wind can't open it the full way) >> >> >> >> Wouldn't want to try something like this here as you'd get everything >> from small finches and sparrows up to the galahs and cockatoos >> weight range of around 20g to 1kg+ >> >> Problem feeding sulfur crested cockatoos is if you miss one day or they >> decide they don't like the feed one day then they may just chew up the >> feeder >> or decide to chomp part of your house to sharpen their beaks. >> >> http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/there-goes-the-neighbourhood-as-tearaways-move-in-20110324-1c8lv.html >> >> http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/KeepingWildlifeWild.htm >> http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/sydneys-old-crock-of-a-cockie-was-a-legend-at-120-20110831-1jkz2.html > > Hi Alex! > > Thank you for the suggestion, a spring and switch might work over here > for what I want. You and Paul have now offered me 3 possible ways to > sense a bird at a feeder. Was just trying to think of the simpliest and easiest "sensor". Only problem is the spring needs to be strong enough to resist any wind but weak enough for small birds. Could try a few different motion detectors/beams. Maybe a shielded ir beam or laser(pointer) so the sun/reflections don't trigger it Camera with motion detector is probably the most reliable way but not the cheapest unless you do it all in software. There is an open source video alarm software - detects motion in the video then can trigger events etc. Fun thing is setting it up so a moving branch etc doesn't trigger it. The mobotix cameras can do a similiar thing internally in their software just a matter of settings in their interface but probably a bit to pricey. > My own personal problem is squirrels in the neighborhood. I hate them! > They dig up my tree seedlings (after I leave for work.) They dig up my > bonsai too. > squirrels are a lot more gracefull and quieter/less destructive than possums "Possums had "terrible temper problems", he said. "They really hold a grudge. Legally we can only move them 25 metres to 50 metres from where we catch them, which means just moving them from your roof to your backyard, and then fixing the roof so they can't get back in. ''Often possums I've removed from roofs have come back and pushed over pot plants in the backyard and torn leaves off bushes,'' he said." http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/not-even-the-pms-pansies-are-safe-from-citys-possum-plague-20110225-1b8s8.html http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2006/09/07/2041855.htm > We do have one local bird problem: vultures in the neighborhood. Yes, I > live in a very urban, city environment and we have vultures. Very few > compared to your cockatoo population. Apparently one of my neighbors (if > someone a few blocks away is a neighbor?) was or is feeding vultures, so > they hang around. I walked past one while on an exercise walk and we > both startled each other. > > Thanks again to you for the great suggestions. I have been looking over > the Sparkfun resistive force sensors and I'm wondering if a tiny finch > is able to land with 100g (grams) of force. > > Bob |
From: thor F. <tho...@ya...> - 2011-10-26 11:25:37
|
You might want to think of it another way. I think capacitance is out, but if you have access to a bird, you might see if it does work (like motion sensors, iphone touch screens, etc): no moving parts, no worries about wind/weight, etc. If the feeding station is a straight run, you could put up an IR LED/sensor on either end... when something blocks the light, you know you've got something (no moving parts again). Even simpler might be photo-analysis (I did this _years_ ago). Paint your bird house a color that's unique to the color of the birds you expect. Snap a photo every 1 second or so. If you can format it as BMP or GIF you're home free: Towards the beginning of the header will be a color palette. If a unique color is detected, it's probably something new in your field of view (squirrel, bird, vulture, etc). If the native format is JPG, it'll take a little more work to determine if a new color is in the frame. Tschuss! |
From: Jason C. M. <jas...@am...> - 2011-10-26 16:46:40
|
I'm sure there exist some kind of digital spring scale that you can hook up the Overo Where you could detect something suddenly weighing down the bird feeder, and then when it moves off. I'd probably get one of ones off amazon that had the correct weight range for what I was trying to measure, and then break it open. I don't have any experience in using them. -----Original Message----- From: Alex Gibson [mailto:al...@al...] Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 7:59 PM To: General mailing list for gumstix users. Subject: Re: [Gumstix-users] Pressure Type Sensor To Connect To Overo On 26/10/2011 1:36 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: > On 10/25/11 6:37 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: >> On 25/10/2011 12:52 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >>> On 10/24/11 6:06 PM, Alex Gibson wrote: >>>> On 24/10/2011 2:26 PM, Bob Cochran wrote: >>>>> I want to connect something to an Overo -- perhaps a pressure type >>>>> sensor? -- that can signal when a bird has landed on my bird feeder, and >>>>> when the bird has taken off. It would have to work for the entire >>>>> physical perch. Birds must not be harmed or disturbed by the sensor or >>>>> device. They should be able to stay on the perch for as long as they >>>>> want in order to feed. The bird perch is circular in shape, going around >>>>> the feeding area. What would that "something", sensor, or device be? >>>>> >>>>> Thanks >>>>> >>>>> Bob Cochran >>>>> >>>> maybe one of these force sensitive resistors ? >>>> http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/143 >>> Thanks, Alex! I guess Sparkfun is the place to go! >>> >>> Bob >> Maybe easier/more reliable to use a spring switch or switches >> >> Mount the bird feeder via a hinge with a small spring and switch >> (also make sure to fix it so a good wind can't open it the full way) >> >> >> >> Wouldn't want to try something like this here as you'd get everything >> from small finches and sparrows up to the galahs and cockatoos >> weight range of around 20g to 1kg+ >> >> Problem feeding sulfur crested cockatoos is if you miss one day or they >> decide they don't like the feed one day then they may just chew up the >> feeder >> or decide to chomp part of your house to sharpen their beaks. >> >> http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/there-goes-the-neighbourhood-as-tearaways-move-in-20110324-1c8lv.html >> >> http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/KeepingWildlifeWild.htm >> http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/sydneys-old-crock-of-a-cockie-was-a-legend-at-120-20110831-1jkz2.html > > Hi Alex! > > Thank you for the suggestion, a spring and switch might work over here > for what I want. You and Paul have now offered me 3 possible ways to > sense a bird at a feeder. Was just trying to think of the simpliest and easiest "sensor". Only problem is the spring needs to be strong enough to resist any wind but weak enough for small birds. Could try a few different motion detectors/beams. Maybe a shielded ir beam or laser(pointer) so the sun/reflections don't trigger it Camera with motion detector is probably the most reliable way but not the cheapest unless you do it all in software. There is an open source video alarm software - detects motion in the video then can trigger events etc. Fun thing is setting it up so a moving branch etc doesn't trigger it. The mobotix cameras can do a similiar thing internally in their software just a matter of settings in their interface but probably a bit to pricey. > My own personal problem is squirrels in the neighborhood. I hate them! > They dig up my tree seedlings (after I leave for work.) They dig up my > bonsai too. > squirrels are a lot more gracefull and quieter/less destructive than possums "Possums had "terrible temper problems", he said. "They really hold a grudge. Legally we can only move them 25 metres to 50 metres from where we catch them, which means just moving them from your roof to your backyard, and then fixing the roof so they can't get back in. ''Often possums I've removed from roofs have come back and pushed over pot plants in the backyard and torn leaves off bushes,'' he said." http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/not-even-the-pms-pansies-are-safe-from-citys-possum-plague-20110225-1b8s8.html http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2006/09/07/2041855.htm > We do have one local bird problem: vultures in the neighborhood. Yes, I > live in a very urban, city environment and we have vultures. Very few > compared to your cockatoo population. Apparently one of my neighbors (if > someone a few blocks away is a neighbor?) was or is feeding vultures, so > they hang around. I walked past one while on an exercise walk and we > both startled each other. > > Thanks again to you for the great suggestions. I have been looking over > the Sparkfun resistive force sensors and I'm wondering if a tiny finch > is able to land with 100g (grams) of force. > > Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The demand for IT networking professionals continues to grow, and the demand for specialized networking skills is growing even more rapidly. Take a complimentary Learning@Cisco Self-Assessment and learn about Cisco certifications, training, and career opportunities. http://p.sf.net/sfu/cisco-dev2dev _______________________________________________ gumstix-users mailing list gum...@li... https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/gumstix-users |
From: Alex G. <al...@al...> - 2011-10-26 22:45:09
|
On 27/10/2011 3:46 AM, Jason C. Mecham wrote: > I'm sure there exist some kind of digital spring scale that you can hook up the Overo > > Where you could detect something suddenly weighing down the bird feeder, and then when it moves off. > > I'd probably get one of ones off amazon that had the correct weight range for what I was trying to measure, and then break it open. I don't have any experience in using them. > Don't think of suggesting load cells. But probably a bit out of the price range for this sort of project. Last time I used them was for under road weighing of trucks. sparkfun sells a very cheap one for $50 but its rated up to 50kg Another way would be a couple of accelerometers and measure the force from the birds landing. Might have difficulty with small finches but should work for Bob's vultures. Alex |