Difference between revisions of "Peek-a-Thief"

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(Updated Challenges and Objectives)
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== Overview ==
 
== Overview ==
Have you ever tried to Peek at a Squirrel really closely and maybe even try to take a picture. Doesn't it suck that whenever you get close enough, the squirrels run away. We learned of the amount of students in the WashU community who's days were ruined because they were not able to capture close up pictures of a squirrel and we really wanted to simplify and improve their lives forever.
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Have you ever tried to look at a Squirrel really closely and maybe even try to take a picture? Doesn't it suck that whenever you get close enough, the squirrels run away? We have learned of the numerous students in the WashU community whose days were ruined because they were not able to capture close up pictures of a squirrel so they can share it to all their friends on social media. We really want to simplify and improve their lives forever.
  
Introducing Peek-a-Squirrel, a new invention with the sole purpose of capturing high definition, close up images of these cute critters.  Our end goal is to simplify picture taking for everyone, so that no more students have to have a bad day because of a picture.
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Introducing: Peek-a-Squirrel, an operating system with the sole purpose of capturing high definition, close up images of these cute critters.  Our end goal is to simplify picture taking for everyone, so that no more students have a bad day because of the missed opportunity to take a picture of their favorite animal.
  
 
== Team Members ==
 
== Team Members ==
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== Objectives ==
 
== Objectives ==
Sense an animal that comes into an enclosure and send a signal to camera to automatically take a picture of the animal.
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*Sense an animal that comes into an enclosure using the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors
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*Create an animal friendly environment to take the picture
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*Create a mobile system that can only operate given good weather conditions. This ensure there will be no damage to electrical equipment
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*When triggered by the sensor, take a picture using an 8-Megapixel camera
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*Take these pictures of the animal every second once the animal is within the 0.5 meter range of the enclosure
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*Store picture data locally on Raspberry Pi
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**Stretch Objective: Upload pictures onto social media
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== Challenges ==
 
== Challenges ==
*Design EnclosureBox structure, Sensor placement, camera angle.
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*Design Enclosure: Box structure, Sensor placement, camera angle.
*Study Squirrel Behavior with food, diet, to optimize use of our structure.
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*Luring animals into enclosure: study Squirrel behavior and diet to optimize use of our structure.
*Construction: Build Enclosure. Box Enclosure with open side and mesh roof (blocks leaves, twigs etc.) from falling inside. 
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*Construction: Build Enclosure with wood glue, nails etc.
*Hardware: Test sensors to see if they work.  Place sensors into box after having it already connected to Raspberry Pi and calibrate sensors.
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*Environment: Finding a good location for the system to operate in (minimal foot traffic/ human interaction, good lighting for quality pictures, away from sprinkler systems, etc.)
*Software: Learn Python language of Raspberry Pi, Learn to share our media with cute message.
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*Hardware: Making sure the sensors and camera work and attaching all electrical hardware to enclosure
*Security from Malicious Attacks: Fire safety, no harm will be done to squirrel, just giving food and taking pictures.
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*Software: saving all picture data on Raspberry Pi to possibly upload to a social media interface
*User Safety: The user will not have any interaction with Squirrels. We will ensure to stand 5 meters or more from the squirrels.
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*User/ Animal Safety: ensure fire safety from electrical system. Ensuring no harm will be done to squirrel- just giving food and taking pictures.
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*Security from Malicious attacks: The user will not have any interaction with Squirrels. We will ensure to stand 5 meters or more from the squirrels.
 
*Privacy Considerations: We are certain the squirrels will not complain of our pictures. No persons will be in the camera range.
 
*Privacy Considerations: We are certain the squirrels will not complain of our pictures. No persons will be in the camera range.
 
*Operation Costs: Our operation does not cost us anything except time, but we enjoy what we do.
 
*Operation Costs: Our operation does not cost us anything except time, but we enjoy what we do.

Revision as of 21:48, 3 February 2017

Overview

Have you ever tried to look at a Squirrel really closely and maybe even try to take a picture? Doesn't it suck that whenever you get close enough, the squirrels run away? We have learned of the numerous students in the WashU community whose days were ruined because they were not able to capture close up pictures of a squirrel so they can share it to all their friends on social media. We really want to simplify and improve their lives forever.

Introducing: Peek-a-Squirrel, an operating system with the sole purpose of capturing high definition, close up images of these cute critters. Our end goal is to simplify picture taking for everyone, so that no more students have a bad day because of the missed opportunity to take a picture of their favorite animal.

Team Members

  • Michael Pichardo
  • Derick Speltz
  • Will Luer (TA)

Objectives

  • Sense an animal that comes into an enclosure using the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors
  • Create an animal friendly environment to take the picture
  • Create a mobile system that can only operate given good weather conditions. This ensure there will be no damage to electrical equipment
  • When triggered by the sensor, take a picture using an 8-Megapixel camera
  • Take these pictures of the animal every second once the animal is within the 0.5 meter range of the enclosure
  • Store picture data locally on Raspberry Pi
    • Stretch Objective: Upload pictures onto social media



Challenges

  • Design Enclosure: Box structure, Sensor placement, camera angle.
  • Luring animals into enclosure: study Squirrel behavior and diet to optimize use of our structure.
  • Construction: Build Enclosure with wood glue, nails etc.
  • Environment: Finding a good location for the system to operate in (minimal foot traffic/ human interaction, good lighting for quality pictures, away from sprinkler systems, etc.)
  • Hardware: Making sure the sensors and camera work and attaching all electrical hardware to enclosure
  • Software: saving all picture data on Raspberry Pi to possibly upload to a social media interface
  • User/ Animal Safety: ensure fire safety from electrical system. Ensuring no harm will be done to squirrel- just giving food and taking pictures.
  • Security from Malicious attacks: The user will not have any interaction with Squirrels. We will ensure to stand 5 meters or more from the squirrels.
  • Privacy Considerations: We are certain the squirrels will not complain of our pictures. No persons will be in the camera range.
  • Operation Costs: Our operation does not cost us anything except time, but we enjoy what we do.

Budget

  1. One: 8 MegaPixel Camera for Raspberry Pi: $25.00 + 7.99 (Shipping Charges) [1]
  2. Two: Ranging HC-SR04 Detector Sensors for Raspberry Pi: $6.95 [2]
  3. One Bottle: Elmer's Carpenter Wood Glue: $6.29 [3]
  4. One pack: #16-1/2 x 1-5/8 in. White Steel Panel Board Nails (192 per Pack) $2.37 [4]
  5. One: 11/32 in x 4 ft x 8ft Rtd Southern Yellow Pine Plywood Sheathing $14.13 [5]
  6. One: Enterprise CarShare to and from HomeDepot for one hour: $5.00
 Total Budget: $67.73