Intrusion Alarm with Arduino, RaspberryPi and a motion detection camera

aAlarm Project Overview

What’s aAlarm ?

AAlarm is an alarm system builded with Arduino.

It’s capable of detecting various events, depending on connected sensors.

In its current version, it’s also using a RaspberryPi to run controlling software.

This version features a Debian package for easier install. But it’s still unperfect, as some feedbacks in comments show it :(.

Youtube aAlarm presentation

New version

AAlarm v4.

Previous versions

aAlarm V2 : Une alarme de détection d’intrusion avec Arduino [fr].

aAlarm V2 : Intrusion detection with an Arduino based alarm [en].

First aAlarm version.

Features

  • Multiple event detection (Door sensor, Motion sensor, Gas sensor…​)

  • Web monitoring interface

  • Email alerts

  • Events history

  • Motion detection camera (optionnal)

  • Intrusion event linked to recorded motion detections

  • Presence simulator (playing mp3’s) (Optionnal)

  • Keypad to activate / deactivate alarm (Optionnal)

  • Self-powered siren (Optionnal)

Some pictures

Alarm is offline
Figure 1. Web UI Monitor : Alarm is offline

Axis 207W is switching from B&W to colour accordingly to brighness

Door is open caught on cam
Figure 2. Web UI Last Camera Motion Event : Someone’s home !

The big picture

general
Figure 3. Project schematics

Hardware requirements

rPi board is replaceable by a standard computer. Any computer that could run Debian should fit.

I’ve created a custom shield to connect sensors, keypad and siren : It’s not mandatory. Sensors can be directly connected to Arduino I/O pins.

Here’s a list of required hardware :

  • Arduino Board : I’m using a Arduino Uno version, other versions should work.

  • RaspberryPi : I’m using model Raspberry model B with Ethernet connector. Model B+ should perfectly fit. Don’t forget suitable power adapter and a SD Card. RaspberryPi Model B+ page

  • A camera (Optionnal) : USB or Network. Must be compatible with Motion.

  • Keypad control I2C board (Optionnal) : See Schematics.

  • Siren control board (Optionnal) : See Schematics

  • An amplified speaker (Optionnal)

Depending on what you need to monitor, you’ll need some sensors.

I’m currently using a magnetic door sensor like this one on Amazon. Note that it acts like a switch. I’m used to monitor my door this way.

Arduino connections

Custom shield

main
Figure 4. Arduino aAlarm shield

Keypad (Optionnal)

keypad
Figure 5. Keypad board

Siren board (Optionnal)

power
Figure 6. Siren board

Software

You could find the whole project at Github aAlarm Repository.

This software is composed of :

  • Arduino software (ino folder) : Controls and monitor Arduino I/Os.

  • alarmSerialController (pl folder) : Written in Perl. Controls Arduino through USB as a serial device.

  • Django Web Ui (webDj folder) : Allows to remotly monitor aAlarm.

  • Shell Scripts (sh folder) : Start and stop aAlarm programs.

Install aAlarm

Prepare Arduino

Use Arduino IDE to upload the program into your Arduino Board.

Use Arduino code from GitHub.

Prepare RaspberryPi

You’ll need to install Raspbian.

The easiest alternative is to use Noobs.

For this step, you’ll need to connect a monitor and a keyboard to the RaspberryPi board. You wont need it later.

After installation, login through SSH.

(In most cases you’ll need to install ssd with the following command : apt-get install ssh or use raspi-config).

Install aAlarm

I’ve created a Debian package for an easier installation.

Logon to your RaspberryPi, then, download and install package.

I’m sorry, I currently do not have an apt-source. To satisfies dependancies, you’ll need a little trick.

Pay attention when you’ll be prompted with mysql root password.

Install aAlarm
wget https://github.com/kemkem/blogFiles/raw/master/aalarm_1.0.0.deb

#ensure apt index is up-to-date
sudo apt-get update

#must end with some dependancies errors
sudo dpkg -i aalarm_package.deb

#install dependancies...
sudo apt-get -f install

#install package
sudo dpkg -i aalarm_package.deb

Install third party mail software

If you’re planning to use email alerts, install your favorite mailer.

I’m using ssmtp with allows you to send emails using gmail. It’s really convenient and easy to use.

After installing the package, check this page to configure it.

Install ssmtp
apt-get install ssmtp

Install third party mp3 player software

If you’re planning to use the presence simulator, install your favorite mp3 player.

I’m using mpg123.

You’ll need to edit "/usr/share/sh/*Playlist.sh" in case of other player installed.

Install mpg123
apt-get install mpg123

Configure Motion

This part must be tricky, and depends on which camera model you’re using.

I suggest to check the Motion Guide and test everything is working smoothly.

Edit motion config sudo vi /etc/motion/motion.conf.

Motion config
#deamon : let motion run in deamon mode

daemon on

#videodevice : choose video device (if you're using an USB cam, this must be the place !)

videodevice /dev/video0

#netcam_url indicates where motion gets images from a network camera

netcam_url //http://CAM_IP/jpg/image.jpg

#netcam_userpass if required. it must be for security reasons !

netcam_userpass CAMUSER:CAMPASSWD

#target_dir : indicates where to store motion images (in Django static dir)

target_dir /usr/share/aalarm/webDj/static/motion

#Miniserver (use for live view through java applet)

webcam_port 8081

#sql_query : modified according our datamodel

sql_query insert into aalarm_security(camera, filename, frame, file_type, time_stamp, text_event) values('%t', '%f', '%q', '%n', '%Y-%m-%d %T', '%C')

#mysql auth

mysql_db DBNAME

mysql_user DBLOGIN

mysql_password DBPASSWD

Configuring aAlarm

Configuring MySQL

We need to create a database and grant a specific user some permissions to access it.

Mind the database DBNAME / DBLOGIN / DBPASSWD, we’ll need them later.

Use mysql client mysql -u root -p.

Database creation
create database djaalarm;
grant usage on *.* to DBLOGIN@localhost identified by 'DBPASSWD';
grant all privileges on DBNAME.* to DBLOGIN@localhost;

Prepare Database

Some data is needed by alarmSerialController in this database.

Use mysql client mysql -u root -p.

aAlarm db user
#You'll be prompted for your DBPASSWD
mysql -u DBLOGIN -p --database=DBNAME < /usr/share/aalarm/sql/create_tables.sql

mysql -u DBLOGIN -p --database=DBNAME < /usr/share/aalarm/sql/custom_init_tables.sql

Configuring Linux User

In order to access the Arduino through USB, your user must be in dialout group with sudo usermod -a -G dialout USER

Configuring Django

Edit settings.py and modify DBNAME / DBLOGIN / DBPASSWD according your previous setup.

sudo vi /usr/share/webDj/djangoAAlarm/settings.py.dist

Then run Django database sync tool

Pay attention when you’ll be prompted with Django admin password.

sudo /usr/share/webDj/manage.py syncdb

Configuring Controller

Edit aalarm.conf and modify DBNAME / DBLOGIN / DBPASSWD

sudo vi /etc/aalarm.conf

Then initiate parameters into Database

/usr/share/aalarm/pl/alarmSerialController.pl initdb debug

Using aAlarm

Starting (and stopping) the service

(I will soon create more convenient init.d scripts…​)

Logon to your rPi and run the following command to start aAlarm :

startAAlarmServices.sh

run the following command to stop aAlarm :

stopAAlarmServices.sh

Connect to Web UI for the first time

Open a web browser and open this URL : http://YOUR_RPI_IP:8000/admin/auth/user/

Then create a standard user using add user link on the top right.

You’ll be prompted with your Django login / passwd.

Then logout, and connect to aAlarm using this URL : http://YOUR_RPI_IP:8000/aalarm/

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