Author Topic: PC controlled alarms  (Read 1417 times)

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Offline ben23fTopic starter

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PC controlled alarms
« on: March 11, 2013, 05:19:36 PM »
Hi Everyone,

I  need to create a system of 12 different alarms that are triggered by on/off sensors. I need to have them all connected to a computer when an alarm is activated, a message appears on the computer  screen and an alarm sound starts, until the alarm is deactivated.

I was just wondering if i can do this direct with the computer and sensors or will i need a micro controller or a PLC? The system is for a vehicle so will run on 12V

Thanks
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Offline Gertlex

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Re: PC controlled alarms
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2013, 10:58:39 PM »
Your best bet for cost/ease balance will probably be to have extra hardware such as an MCU for interfacing with the sensors.

For more specific help, you should provide more details, though.
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Offline jwatte

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Re: PC controlled alarms
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2013, 11:35:32 PM »
What kind of computer? The easiest way to interface with a typical PC style computer is to use USB.

There are many microcontrollers that can interface with USB, and that can sense alarm signals (logic high/low inputs.) I like the Atmega32u4, which can be had on a board for < $20 from mattairtech.com and other places around the web.

A microcontroller could also drive a display and sound device directly, if you don't want to involve a PC-style computer. This all depends on what "interface with a computer" means.
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Offline GearMotion

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Re: PC controlled alarms
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2013, 02:00:02 PM »
Use a USB interface board like the U421: U421

What the U421 does:

The U421 is a USB solution that is pre-built, pre-programmed, and pre-tested and will get you interfacing your PC (Win/Linux) or Mac (OSX) to various devices in very little time! There is no USB device assembly, no driver development, and no firmware to write. In many cases the U421 can be plugged into an experimenter's breadboard and circuit interfacing can begin immediately. Demo software applications can be used "right out of the box".

The U421 provides a simple digital i/o interface for the PC (Win/Linux) or Mac (OSX) . Sixteen i/o lines from the microcontroller are provided. Commands can be sent to the U421 that change the i/o lines from input to output. I/O lines can be individually selected as inputs or outputs. The U421 supports commands to read the ports, and if the ports are set to output, to write to the ports.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2013, 02:02:16 PM by GearMotion »
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Offline Tommy

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Re: PC controlled alarms
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2013, 05:25:56 AM »
Quote
I  need to create a system of 12 different alarms that are triggered by on/off sensors.

http://labjack.com/u3

Tommy
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