Hi, i would like to build a device to detect a headlight double flash. I plan to use this as a way to trigger my automatic gates to open from inside my property, mostly to save the poor Amazon driver exiting his van to press the gate open button.
Would it work If i were to place a LDR sensor module at the end of a short black tube so that the sensor is in shade until a vehicle facing the tube flashes its lights?
Is this likely to work? Is there a better way to detect headlight flashes?
I don’t think an LDR will work. In daytime even on a cloudy day it will be saturated with light.
I figured by placing the LDR in a horizontal black tube i could limit the ambient light. But i think you’re right and thats why this isn’t something ive seen before.
Yes, if the tube is not too short, it’s on correct height well aligned and you use the analog output of the sensor to detect sudden change on corresponding light level.
I’ll build and give it a trial for a week or so.
Not sure if you live out in the boondocks where everybody trusts each other and gates are to keep the horses and unicorns in rather than the undesirables out…
Are you going to build a sign that says ‘Amazon drivers, please double flash your headligjts to open the gate’ and is some enterprising thief closely observing going to guess rhe magic key to open your gate?
A remote camera and a sensitive vehicle detector that works from a greater distance combined with a remote gate release may be more effective from a security aspect. It will give you a few more seconds to recognise and open the gate before they dismount.
Daylight detection of a double flash may be difficult. How fast, how close, and what time of day may prove a challenge for even the most trained Amazon driver and sophisticated electronics.
Would a double toot be more effective? Disturb the neighbours?
If it is the same driver always, or just a select few that you know, why not just detect their cell phone MAC Address and open the gate when they approach and gets within range? Bluetooth or WiFi. Scan for all and you can add valid ones for the first time they have to wait for you to recognise them from the remote camera. That is what I do for my postman to save having to check the mailbox daily.
Don’t know how it is where you live but you can enter a message to the driver.
Not sure they always read it though.
But the automation could be set up to only allow double flashes when a delivery is expected, possibly even read from email or messages the expected time.
So the sign at the gate reads ‘read the delivery instructions’ which they also ignore and lob your parcel over the fence, or English is not their native language?
Remember, lowest common denominator and lowest pay are the selection criteria for most delivery drivers.
What happens for vehicles where the lights don’t work, or are parked sideways, pointing in the wrong direction?
Do all delivery emails arrive in the spam folder? Are drivers always on time, or are they plus or minus a few days like some of my online purchases?
