Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Mark Grifter on 05/03/2016 09:51:05

Title: How can I connect a simple circuit to a PC?
Post by: Mark Grifter on 05/03/2016 09:51:05: I would like to perform an experiment on a drinking bird toy, like the one shown in this video:
The basic requirement is to record an event every time the bird dips his beak; I can write scripts to do something each time they fire, given an event (maybe record the time in a spreadsheet or text file for instance).

I can think of ways to complete a circuit when he dips his nose, but does anyone out there know of some simple circuitry kits or similar that will allow me to record each time a circuit is completed (for instance) onto my pc in some way?

In other words, is there something out there, some kind of kit, that has a load of crocodile clips and the like on one end, a space for a simple solder-free circuit board in the middle and a USB or similar on the other end? Ideally there would be some software with it to give a GUI or configuration option on the pc, so I can deal with the events...
Title: Re: Connect a Simple Circuit to a PC
Post by: alancalverd on 05/03/2016 11:22:23: Strongly recommend the Picotech "Dr DAQ". Cheap plug-in module with umpteen different interfaces, superb GUI, and the first resort of any schoolteacher.
Title: Re: Connect a Simple Circuit to a PC
Post by: wolfekeeper on 06/03/2016 01:08:01: Get an arduino; they're much cheaper, they plug into a PC with a USB cable, and have plenty of IO pins, and can record the exact time that an event happens.
Title: Re: Connect a Simple Circuit to a PC
Post by: Mark Grifter on 07/03/2016 17:29:48: Ok, thanks for the advice - I'll check them out!
Title: Re: Connect a Simple Circuit to a PC
Post by: RD on 07/03/2016 18:09:56: An optical sensor could record movement without adding friction.
e.g. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9299
Title: Re: Connect a Simple Circuit to a PC
Post by: Mark Grifter on 07/03/2016 18:41:53: Great idea - I can attach a card to the tail and rebalance.

I like the look of the Arduino and had no idea it was all so cheap!
Title: Re: Connect a Simple Circuit to a PC
Post by: wolfekeeper on 07/03/2016 23:15:24: Yes, it's inexpensive and the look-alike arduino components you can get on ebay are even cheaper- and because it's all open source hardware, they're perfectly legal.
Title: Re: How can I connect a simple circuit to a PC?
Post by: RD on 08/03/2016 09:16:54: Quote from: Mark Grifter on 07/03/2016 18:41:53
Great idea - I can attach a card to the tail and rebalance.
It may be possible to improvise a detector using an optical-mouse & a laser-pointer ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ne3DcDjuuw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ne3DcDjuuw)

IIRC there is software which can detect movement in a video image, (e.g. web-camera).
Title: Re: How can I connect a simple circuit to a PC?
Post by: highvoltpower on 13/04/2016 08:01:38: You are connecting each of your wires are directly to a parallel port, if your pc has one as these typically use TTL logic levels. Parallel port is good but it is hard to find out on modern pc. one of the easiest i knw is usb experimental board, its comparatively inexpensive and gives group of Io pins.