This is a status summary documented approximately 3
weeks prior to project end date. The final outcome and all the
project details are documented in the Final
Project page.
Time stamp data capture of visits to
determine behavior patterns
Recording by photo and/or video
Utilize Raspberry Pi Computer Board and
Camera
Who's done what beforehand?
There are a number of projects out there that
utilize Raspberry Pi and Camera for monitoring. I'm not aware of
any project that uses a sensor board to capture wildlife behavior
patterns.
Project Materials and Sourcing Summary
Item
Material
Designed or Purchased
Source
Cost
Feeder Base
ABS Plastic
Designed (Solidworks)
Stratasys
$2.00
Feeder Cover
ABS Plastic
Designed (Solidworks)
Stratasys
$1.00
Feeder Spacer Plate
0.13 inch thick wood
Designed (Inkscape)
Fab Lab
$0.10
Electronics Box
0.13 inch thick wood
Designed (Inkscape)
Fab Lab
$0.25
Sensor Board
Copper PCB
Designed (Eagle)
Fab Lab
$0.75
Board components
BOM pending
Designed (Eagle)
BOM pending
$1.50
Raspberry Pi Board
N/A
Purchased
MCM Electronics
$35.00
Camera Module
N/A
Purchased
MCM Electronics
$25.00
USB Battery Pack
N/A
Purchased
Adafruit
$50.00
Manufacturing Process Summary
Item
Process
Equipment
Feeder Base
3D Printing
Stratasys
Feeder Cover
3D Printing
Stratasys
Feeder Spacer Plate
Laser Cutting
Epilog
Electronics Box
Laser Cutting
Epilog
Sensor Board
Milling
Modela
Board components
Hand soldering
Soldering Iron
Project Plan
Remaining Task Summary
The biggest challenge remaining is the sensor
board design and testing. This design has just started due to
other time commitments.
The Pi camera module has failed and a
replacement has been ordered.
The top cover requires some design
modifications and will then need to be reprinted.
Python code will need to be modified in the
final configuration.
Final camera location needs to be determined.
What questions need to be resolved?
Sensor board design
Will Capacitive Sensing work in this
application?
Camera selection - will Pi camera work?
Camera location for best photos.
Will birds use the feeder in the field?
How will it be evaluated?
The feeder design will be tested in the lab
using a 3D printed hummingbird.
The goal will be to ensure visit is detected
and logged and that photo is taken by webcam.
Ultimately, feeder will be tested in the field
(back yard).
