The Raspberry Pi-based smart intruder system that needs a binary password
Thu 1 Oct 2015
A smart trespasser detection and alert system [PDF] is being developed by researchers, which aims to boost home security by helping to identify and prevent potential threats using sensors and single-board computers.
Manish Kumar and Shubham Kaul, engineers at IIIT-Delhi, India, explain that unlike closed-circuit television (CCTV) and other traditional home security systems, their prototype is able to send relevant real-time information to the home-owner or security authority, and can be integrated with pre-existing Home Automation Systems.
The technology employs a combination of sensors and microprocessors to monitor the presence of intruders at a home’s entry points, recording video only when danger is detected – avoiding laborious trawling through irrelevant footage, as well as reducing memory and processing power requirements.
The base mechanism operates using a laser and LDR input micro-controller, a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, as well as a PC which sends an email and video attachment to notify the home-owner of any trespasser, over the home’s wireless LAN network.
The Raspberry Pi manages the video and image capturing using an ultrasonic sensor to detect presence. Once triggered, the small device starts recording a 5-10 second video in order to identify the intruder.
A deactivating mechanism is integrated with the technology to prevent authorised individuals from triggering the system. It uses an LED-based password input method, replacing traditional PIN-based codes, which requires user training.
‘The users are given a sequence of 1s and 0s (or a press and don’t press) that essentially serve as their password,’ reads the report. ‘If a user has, say, a 7-bit-long password given by 1100101, he/she would press the password button only on the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 7th LED pulse, and not on the rest.’
The home-owner receives email notification both on successful and unsuccessful deactivation attempts.
The Indian researchers hope to continue their research of the security system, developing additional features and services, such as using multiple raspberry pi computers at various entry points, and enabling SMS notifications.
