Occupancy Sensor

HacDC Lab Occupancy Sensor

HacDC's lab occupancy sensor is now operational.

Key features include:

1. Real-time and historical occupancy data is available for your projects. Perhaps a twitter bot, data visualization heat map or remote occupancy indicator?
2. The underlying architecture demonstrates an approach allowing bidirectional communications between many microcontrollers and many application
3. The Google Calendar "[email protected]" is updated every five minutes with current occupancy data

Technical Overview

Martin configured a sensor system consisting of an Arduino, a Radioshack photoresistor (276-1657) and a Quest passive infrared motion detector as shown in the following schematic diagram.

This Arduino is connected to the jukebox computer via USB and monitored by a simple Python script that forwards occupancy sensor data to a Spread messaging system (see spread.org). Several "agent" applications receive occupancy status messages via Spread and perform tasks such as updating a Google Calendar and data logging.

All software developed as part of this project is GPLed and available via LaunchPad at: https://launchpad.net/hacdcoccupancy

A demonstration agent is also included in the distribution, providing a convenient starting point for your projects. This demo agent currently toggles LEDs in my house based on HacDC lab occupancy status.

HacDC Doorman Google Calendar

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