Mail box notification

Hi there,

I am looking for some solution how I can be informed I have something in by mail box in my house. I found many projects about this, but all of them are using different type of mail box. BEcause I do not live in house but building with many apartments I do not have mail box which is opened by postman so projects I found are not suitable for me.

My mail box is box whoch is locked and I open it by key.

I would like to put something inside and receive information if mail box is empty or not on some display or something like that in my apartment. It can we digital display, LED or something connected to my Synology NAS so I can receive email for example.

I hope I was clear, thanks in advance

Parents

0 kidiccurus over 12 years ago

Ben Hecks wireless mailbox system should work as it uses ir detectors to find the mail. Just ignore the micro switch. Alternatively just use some xbees, a switch, and note asking nicely if the mailman can flick the switch when he puts a letter in.
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0 e14 Contributor over 12 years ago in reply to kidiccurus

Thank you for reply. I have watched this video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7AiV7yg-yw, if you meant it. Basically it is what I wanted, but probably too complicated to assamble by myself
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0 kidiccurus over 12 years ago in reply to e14 Contributor

Yes, that's the one I meant. This is actually a relatively simple mailbox detector since it uses a lot of glue logic. If the battery detector is the problem you could always leave it out and just occasionally replace the batteries.
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0 e14 Contributor over 12 years ago in reply to kidiccurus

I am interested if it is possible to replace xbees with something else, e.g. 433Mhz RF transmitter since it would be much cheaper I guess
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0 Robert Peter Oakes over 12 years ago in reply to e14 Contributor

You can use much cheaper NRF or other sub 1Ghz radios, the Launchpad Anaren radios (20$ for two) come with a controller and can standalone if you need something really simple. They can be programmed on a 12$ launchpad and then the chip moved
has a little proto area and runs on a couple of AA batteries, range 100-300Meters, uses Energia so if you can program an Arduino, you can do these puppies
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0 Robert Peter Oakes over 12 years ago in reply to Robert Peter Oakes

http://canada.newark.com/texas-instruments/430boost-cc110l/add-on-brd-cc110l-rf-booster-msp430/dp/74T6826
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