Last time, we learned how to use the infrared receiver module and an infrared LED. This time, let’s put what we’ve learned into practice by creating a “smart controller” that will be used as a remote control for our home appliances. I think that everybody has several remote controls in your home. When I did this project, I gathered all the remote controls in my home.
Expected time to complete: 90 minutes
Parts needed:
Let’s first determine the specifications.
We’ll try to implement these two functions.
I can control the light with a remote control in the room I’m working in. I usually notices that at dusk, the room becomes darker and I have to use the remote control to turn on the light. And this happens every day. Let’s see how we could use a light sensor and send automatically a signal to switch on the light when the room is plunged into a certain darkness.
Let’s register the signal to turn on the light. Similarly to what we did last time, we’ll save in Arduino the code we analyze from the remote control infrared with the receiver module.
Picture 2 Light remote control and Arduino
Next, we’ll write the sending program in the Arduino. Let’s make sure that we can turn on the light with Arduino. This time, we analyze the remote control “full light” signal to be sent.
When the remote control signal is ready, add the light sensor to the circuit. Then, create a program that will send the remote control signal when it’s becoming dark. We don’t want the light sensor to react when somebody just passes by it. To avoid that, let’s send the signal only when the state of darkness is continuous. (Please refer to the following links for a detailed circuit description of the light sensor)
Figure 1 Light sensor and infrared LED transmitter circuit
Program: light will be turned on based on the light sensor value
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#include <IRremote.h> IRsend irsend; int pin = A1; int count = 0; //count the continuous dark state void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { int s = analogRead(pin); //enter the value for the light sensor Serial.println(s); if (s > 660) { //when meets the specified input conditions (when it becomes dark) count++; if(count > 5){ Serial.println("Light ON"); for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { irsend.sendNEC(0xa90, 12); // lighting ON of delay(40); } count = 0; } } else{ count = 0; //reset the count when it's getting bright } delay(5000); } |
Now, we’re done with our first specification: “sending a remote control signal depending on the light sensor condition” feature.
We can send a remote control signal depending on the light sensor. Now, let’s try to send a remote control signal through smartphone or computer. Let’s turn Arduino into a server by using the Ethernet shield, that we used a few time already, and then let’s try to operate the remote control with the HTML displayed on the server.
Picture 3 Arduino Ethernet Shield
Let’s begin by operating Arduino as a WEB server, which will allow us to create a turn on/turn off an LED with some HTML displayed on the server. If we can do that, we can replace a part of the LED remote control signal to write a program.
※ In this program, we use the “TextFinder” in the library for text analysis. (Please refer to following link how to add a library)
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#include <SPI.h> #include <Ethernet.h> #include "TextFinder.h" byte mac[] = { 0x90, 0xA2, 0xDA, 0x0F, 0x3F, 0x0D }; IPAddress ip(192,168,0,20); // Initialize the Ethernet server library // with the IP address and port you want to use // (port 80 is default for HTTP): EthernetServer server(80); int lightPin = A0; int ledPin1 = 3; int ledPin2 = 2; void setup() { // Open serial communications and wait for port to open: Serial.begin(9600); while (!Serial) { ; // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for Leonardo only } // start the Ethernet connection and the server: Ethernet.begin(mac, ip); server.begin(); Serial.print("server is at "); Serial.println(Ethernet.localIP()); pinMode(ledPin1, OUTPUT); pinMode(ledPin2, OUTPUT); } void loop() { // listen for incoming clients EthernetClient client = server.available(); if (client) { //********************************************************** //* When there is a transfer of the data in the GET format //********************************************************** TextFinder finder(client); if (finder.find("GET")) { while (finder.findUntil("mode", "nr")) { int val = finder.getValue(); Serial.println("val="+String(val)); //tv on if (val == 1) { digitalWrite(ledPin1,HIGH); delay(1000); digitalWrite(ledPin1,LOW); Serial.println(" ON"); } //light on else if (val == 2) { digitalWrite(ledPin2,HIGH); delay(1000); digitalWrite(ledPin2,LOW); Serial.println(" ON"); } } } //******************************************* Serial.println("new client"); // an http request ends with a blank line boolean currentLineIsBlank = true; while (client.connected()) { if (client.available()) { char c = client.read(); Serial.write(c); // if you've gotten to the end of the line (received a newline // character) and the line is blank, the http request has ended, // so you can send a reply if (c == 'n' && currentLineIsBlank) { // send a standard http response header client.println("HTTP/1.1 200 OK"); client.println("Content-Type: text/html"); client.println("Connection: close"); // the connection will be closed after completion of the response //client.println("Refresh: 5"); // refresh the page automatically every 5 sec client.println(); client.println("<!DOCTYPE HTML>"); client.println("<html>"); //************************************************* //* bootstrap //************************************************* client.println("<head>"); client.println("<link rel='stylesheet' href='https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.4/css/bootstrap.min.css'>"); client.println("<link rel='stylesheet' href='https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.4/css/bootstrap-theme.min.css'>"); client.println("<script src='https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.4/js/bootstrap.min.js'></script>"); client.println("</head>"); //************************************************* client.println("<body>"); client.println("<a class='btn btn-primary' href='/?mode=1'>TV ON</a> "); client.println("<a class='btn btn-primary' href='/?mode=2'>Light ON</a><hr/>"); // output the value of each analog input pin int sensorReading = analogRead(lightPin); client.println("Light:"); client.println(sensorReading); client.println("<br />"); client.println("</body>"); client.println("</html>"); break; } if (c == 'n') { // you're starting a new line currentLineIsBlank = true; } else if (c != 'r') { // you've gotten a character on the current line currentLineIsBlank = false; } } } // give the web browser time to receive the data delay(1); // close the connection: client.stop(); Serial.println("client disconnected"); } } |
Picture 4 Test circuit for turn on the LED from the web server
I was able to turn on and off the LED from the WEB server. Then, instead of the LED, I was able to update to send a remote control signal. Then, instead of the LED, by updating the program and circuit, I was able to send a remote control signal. When using the Ethernet shield, you should use the pin 4 and pin 10-13 and keep the other pins to create the circuit. Finally, below is the program that will combine the light sensor circuit input. Please try to change the signal and the HTML output depending on your remote control.
Program: Smart controller circuit
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#include <SPI.h> #include <Ethernet.h> #include "TextFinder.h" #include <IRremote.h> IRsend irsend; byte mac[] = { 0x90, 0xA2, 0xDA, 0x0F, 0x3F, 0x0D }; //Fill in the MAC address of the Ethernet shield you are using IPAddress ip(192,168,0,20); //IP address of the network band you are using // Initialize the Ethernet server library // with the IP address and port you want to use // (port 80 is default for HTTP): EthernetServer server(80); int lightPin = A1; int count = 0; void setup() { // Open serial communications and wait for port to open: Serial.begin(9600); while (!Serial) { ; // wait for serial port to connect. Needed for Leonardo only } // start the Ethernet connection and the server: Ethernet.begin(mac, ip); server.begin(); Serial.print("server is at "); Serial.println(Ethernet.localIP()); } void loop() { int sensorValue = analogRead(lightPin); //*************************************************************************************** //* ON the lighting when the case darker than the specified brightness was followed by //*************************************************************************************** if(sensorValue > 660){ count++; if(count > 10){ // Lighting on for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { irsend.sendNEC(0xC318F7, 32); delay(40); } Serial.println(" ON"); count = 0; } } else{ count = 0; } delay(1000); // listen for incoming clients EthernetClient client = server.available(); if (client) { //********************************************************************************************* //* When there is a transfer of the data in the GET format (operation from the browser side) //********************************************************************************************* TextFinder finder(client); if (finder.find("GET")) { while (finder.findUntil("mode", "nr")) { int val = finder.getValue(); Serial.println("val="+String(val)); //tv on if (val == 1) { // TV power ON signal for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { irsend.sendSony(0xa90, 12); delay(40); } Serial.println(" ON"); } //light on else if (val == 2) { // Light on for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { irsend.sendNEC(0xC318F7, 32); delay(40); } Serial.println(" ON"); } } } //******************************************* Serial.println("new client"); // an http request ends with a blank line boolean currentLineIsBlank = true; while (client.connected()) { if (client.available()) { char c = client.read(); Serial.write(c); // if you've gotten to the end of the line (received a newline // character) and the line is blank, the http request has ended, // so you can send a reply if (c == 'n' && currentLineIsBlank) { // send a standard http response header client.println("HTTP/1.1 200 OK"); client.println("Content-Type: text/html"); client.println("Connection: close"); // the connection will be closed after completion of the response //client.println("Refresh: 5"); // refresh the page automatically every 5 sec client.println(); client.println("<!DOCTYPE HTML>"); client.println("<html>"); //************************************************* //* bootstrap //************************************************* client.println("<head>"); client.println("<link rel='stylesheet' href='https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.4/css/bootstrap.min.css'>"); client.println("<link rel='stylesheet' href='https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.4/css/bootstrap-theme.min.css'>"); client.println("<script src='https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.4/js/bootstrap.min.js'></script>"); client.println("</head>"); //************************************************* client.println("<body>"); client.println("<a class='btn btn-primary' href='/?mode=1'>TV ON</a> "); client.println("<a class='btn btn-primary' href='/?mode=2'>Light ON</a><hr/>"); // output the value of each analog input pin int sensorReading = analogRead(lightPin); client.println("Light:"); client.println(sensorReading); client.println("<br />"); client.println("</body>"); client.println("</html>"); break; } if (c == 'n') { // you're starting a new line currentLineIsBlank = true; } else if (c != 'r') { // you've gotten a character on the current line currentLineIsBlank = false; } } } // give the web browser time to receive the data delay(1); // close the connection: client.stop(); Serial.println("client disconnected"); } } |
We’re able to operate from the WEB server!
We were able to successfully implement the second pattern in our smart controller and to use it. Now, our home appliances can be controlled automatically depending on the sensor value, and can also be controlled via smartphone or PC. This time, we have been using the light sensor. But we could have combined in with an ultrasonic wave sensor to turn on the light when somebody is there, or with a temperature sensor to turn on the electric fan when it’s becoming hot. These are some examples of features that can be implemented in the smart controller to make his usage more interesting.
Note: When operating smartphone or when doing automatic control, to prevent accident like fire, please experiment in the vicinity.
Using Arduino with Parts and Sensors – Infrared Remote Control (First Part)
Using Arduino with Parts and Sensors – Accelerometer Part 1
How to Send IR Commands to Your Project with a Remote Control
Using Sensors with the Arduino: Create a Simple Device to Detect Movement and React
Using Arduino with Parts and Sensors – Ultrasonic Sensor
How To Make Smart Home Electronics: A Smart Mailbox
