Laser tripwire with Android and IOIO.  This article will demonstrate a proof of concept laser beam tripwire accessory.

For additional background information on interfacing Android with IOIO, check out my other introductory tutorials:

Android + IOIO + Simple Digital Output

Android + IOIO + Simple Digital Input

Android + IOIO + Simple Analog Output

Android + IOIO + Simple Analog Input

Background on Android development, IOIO, and electronics:

Meet IOIO

IOIO for Android Beginners Guide

IOIO Wiki

Android Developer’s Guide

Hardware

Parts needed:

  • Android Device (1.6+, 2.1 for Bluetooth)

  • IOIO (available at Sparkfun)

  • Photocell

  • 10k ohm resistors

  • Laser (like this one at DealExtreme)

  • Breadboard

  • Power supply

  • Hook-up wire

Assembly

Connect one lead of the photocell to +3.3V and the other to the desired analog input pin (pin 35 below). Also connect that same lead through a 10K resistor to GND creating a voltage divider.   Other IOIO pins can be used, as long as they support analog input (pins 31 – 46 on the IOIO). Connect the red leads of the laser to +3.3V and the black lead to GND (or use a battery powered laser). Here is a diagram of the completed circuit (created with Fritzing):

Software

Get the source

With the circuit assembled, the next step is to get the demo application on the Android device. You can either download the pre-built .apk or checkout the source from Github:

git clone git://github.com/mitchtech/android_ioio_laser_tripwire.git

If you are building from source, you will also need to import the IOIO Library project, and optionally the IOIO Bluetooth library projects, both available here:

git clone git://github.com/ytai/ioio.git

Install, connect, profit!

Finally, upload the app to the Android device (or browse to this page on the device and download the apk above). Connect the device to the IOIO, and start up the app.


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