Detecting Visitors in a Driveway Using Infrared Photoelectric Sensors

Sometimes you just need an extra minute to prepare for a guest’s arrival.  When the doorbell rings, it’s often too late.  Why not install an infrared photoelectric system that will alert you to the presence of a guest before they ever make it to your door?

Infrared photoelectric sensors may be used to detect objects in a number of ways.  Mounting the sender and the receiver across from each other is known as a through-beam configuration and provides the strongest beam.  Retro-reflective mounting places the sender and the receiver on the same side and bounces the infrared beam off an object when it is in close enough proximity.  Diffuse proximity mounting uses the same layout as retro reflective, but also uses a reflector on the side opposite the photo eyes.  Any of these three configurations may be used to set up a driveway monitoring system depending on what type of structures are adjacent to the driveway.

Evaluate the best location to mount the sensors.  This may be a mailbox, a fence post, a brick building, a bridge, or whatever standing structure happens to be within range of the driveway.  If you mount the photoelectric sensors in a through-beam configuration they do not need to be very close to the driveway, whereas the other two options will need to be much closer, depending on the type of photoelectric sensors used, like ten to fifteen feet.

Trace a route back to your home for burying the sensor wires, but don’t put the wires in the ground yet.  Instead, extend the wires back to the house above-the-ground and connect the photo eyes to the appropriate power source or to an external amplifier if the photoelectric system includes one.  Connect the output of the sensors to a buzzer or bell with a noise that is distinctly different from the sound that your doorbell or telephone makes so that you can easily distinguish them.  Many photoelectric amplifiers include a relay output, so connecting them to a buzzer should be as easy as connecting a mechanical switch.  See the manufacturer’s website for wiring diagrams.

Test the system using different types of cars and trucks and also people.  Adjust the sensitivity of the photoelectric system to the optimum level and mount the photo eyes at the right height from the ground to hit the midsection of most vehicles.  When everything is set correctly, bury the conduit containing the wires and do your best to conceal the photo eyes from view.  This system will provide a reliable means for detecting guests before they are standing on your doorstep and could also be interfaced with a security camera or lights.  The opportunities are unlimited.

Preparing Your Home for Overnight Visitors

Your home is your comfort zone; a place where you can unwind at the end of a long day, but is your home ready to accept overnight visitors? Follow these easy steps and be prepared for them.

Perform a thorough cleaning of the entire house.  Vacuum every inch of carpet and rugs and sweep and mop all the other floor coverings.  Use disinfectant to clean all counter tops and bathrooms.  Change the air filter in the hallway return.  Make sure each room of the house is as clean as it can possibly be.  Adjust the thermostat temperature to the most comfortable setting for the current season.  If you have pets, find out whether your guest has any pet allergies so that you’ll know whether or not to keep them separated.

Wash and fold your best towels and leave enough stacked in the bathroom for each day that your visitor will be there.  Prepare a basket with soap, shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, and shaving supplies, in case they forget a few things.  Buy plenty of snacks and drinks and have them chilled well in advance.  Rent a few movies as back-up entertainment and leave them near the television.  If your visitor has given you any special gifts in the past, find them, dust them off, and leave them out on display to show how much you appreciate the gift.

Create a guest account on your computer and be sure to leave the computer logged into that account so that your visitor may check their email and use the Internet without having access to your personal files and information.  It is a good idea to create a restore point on computers running Windows operating system and back up any important files to external storage devices.  Lock all filing cabinets and search the house for documents like bank statements or personal mail and put all of it away.  Now is a good time to shred any old documents that you no longer need.

When your guest arrives, give them a short tour of the house and show them to their room.  Keep the house quiet and give them plenty of time to unpack and relax.  Offer them refreshments and tell them where to find you when they are ready.  If you will be eating out, prepare a list of restaurants in advance and allow your guest to choose their favorite type of food.  Enjoy your time together without worrying about the condition of your home and without the stress of making last-minute decisions.