Valarm update: Yoctopuce Yocto-Knob
Testing Valarm’s Yocto-Knob support with a Force-Sensitive Resistor (FSR), 25ohm rheostat/potentiometer, and a basic photo-resistor.
We’ve released v1.1.0* of Valarm Pro, which includes support for the incredibly fun and useful Yocto-Knob sensor†. This sensor allows you to monitor and record the status of up to 5 potentiometers. This includes normal rheostats/potentiometers, as well as buttons, switches, and any sensor which operates by altering resistance. This includes force-sensitive resistors (FSR) and garden variety (read: really cheap) photo-resistors. You can use these sensors/switches/dials to trigger alerts and/or record the conditions of a variety of cool stuff you might need to monitor. All without any programming whatsoever: just configure Valarm on the host Android™ and away you go.
Over the next few days/weeks, we’ll put up some new posts about the Yocto-Knob specifically as well as a series of how-to blog entries showing how you can use this flexible device for really cool real-life applications like:
- Monitor any equipment with LED status lamps
- Monitor and alert you to the level of fluid (water) in a reservoir or tank (either in fifths, or with e-tape)
- Monitor burglar-alarm switches on doors and windows
- Alert you of flooding/presence of water on the floor or in a tub
- The lights go out unexpectedly in your indoor hydroponic garden
- Measure how far open a door or flap is (this is how the MAF sensor in some cars works)
- How many times your dog goes in and out the pet door every day
- Alert you when your laptop comes and goes from its stand, how much milk is left in the fridge, or anything else that might exert pressure/weight.
These are just a few ideas that come to mind when you realize that buttons, switches, knobs and resistive sensors are all easily monitored with Valarm Pro and the Yocto-Knob.
* This release of Valarm also included v1.0.2 of Valarm Classic, which fixes a bug on devices that have no GPS hardware whatsoever.
† Yocto-Knob’s new “frequency counter” mode is not yet supported. But we’ll definitely get to that in a future release!