I want to build a car parked detector for my garage

Gerry

The ultrasonic would work.

You can set the maximum distance to something less than the floor.

It will return nothing if it doesn't detect an object within the range.

If there is an object that reflects, then it will return a distance.

You can use IR beam to send and return from a reflector fitted to the floor.

Most use a modulated (38Khz) so that ambient light doesn't affect the ability to detect.

mark

Thanks for the answers guys, I probably should have left this as a discusstion not as question, because I actually don't care how it works in a carpark, only how I can get it to work for me I think will try the distance measuring technque first, then the IR if that doesn't work. The idea of using the IP camera is interesting, I had no idea they where so cheap; it has possibilities in other areas I might get to if a ever get more free time.

Cheers.

Even cheaper now, this is the ones I have

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DCS-930L-mydlink-Enabled-Wireless-N-Network/dp/B00452V66G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377826886&sr=8-1&keywords=DCS-930L

They take a bit of time to set up if you are unfamiliar with networking.  You have to do some port forwarding, and if you are real cool, you'll set up a dynamic dns account to track your IP in case it moves.  The camera can actually itself login to an account like that to update your IP.  The cameras are wired or wireless but require an outlet so they can get powered.  I supposed you could do solar and a battery as well.

At $40 its a pretty amazing piece of kit, I'm now thinking I could write a phone app which detects that I have just entered wifi range of my house, and automatically displays a picture of the inside of my garage.

Actually, it has motion sensing capability too.  You can set up zones and have it send you an email picture when something moves in that zone.

That's too simple, I would have nothing to do then

Gerry

thanks for the feedback

I have to ask .....

Do you have trouble with someone else pinching your car park ??

Seriously though this is a good project and could also serve as part of a burglar alarm while you are away.

Mark

Mark,

due to my inability to throw anything out, our two car garage has been reduced to a single car spot which is strictly reserved for my better half; I'm banished to the driveway. There is sometimes an issue if I block access when I don't realise she is out and about

Gerry Knight wrote:

 

That's too simple, I would have nothing to do then

That is true, but sometimes its good to offer the cheapest fastest solution if it already exists.  Sometimes the point is learning and making, sometimes the end goal is the point.

Gerry Knight wrote:

 

That's too simple, I would have nothing to do then

That is true, but sometimes its good to offer the cheapest fastest solution if it already exists.  Sometimes the point is learning and making, sometimes the end goal is the point.