3.1.1 Counting Device¶

Introduction¶

Here we will make a number-displaying counter system, consisting of a PIR sensor and a 4-digit segment display. When the PIR detects that someone is passing by, the number on the 4-digit segment display will add 1. You can use this counter to count the number of people walking through the passageway.

Required Components¶

In this project, we need the following components.

It’s definitely convenient to buy a whole kit, here’s the link:

Name	ITEMS IN THIS KIT	LINK
Raphael Kit	337	Raphael Kit

You can also buy them separately from the links below.

COMPONENT INTRODUCTION	PURCHASE LINK
GPIO Extension Board	BUY
Breadboard	BUY
Jumper Wires	BUY
Resistor	BUY
4-Digit 7-Segment Display	-
74HC595	BUY
PIR Motion Sensor Module	-

Schematic Diagram¶

T-Board Name	physical	wiringPi	BCM
GPIO17	Pin 11	0	17
GPIO27	Pin 13	2	27
GPIO22	Pin 15	3	22
SPIMOSI	Pin 19	12	10
GPIO18	Pin 12	1	18
GPIO23	Pin 16	4	23
GPIO24	Pin 18	5	24
GPIO26	Pin 37	25	26

Experimental Procedures¶

Step 1: Build the circuit.

Step 2: Go to the folder of the code.

cd ~/raphael-kit/c/3.1.1/

Step 3: Compile the code.

gcc 3.1.1_CountingDevice.c -lwiringPi

Step 4: Run the executable file.

sudo ./a.out

After the code runs, when the PIR detects that someone is passing by, the number on the 4-digit segment display will add 1.

There are two potentiometers on the PIR module: one is to adjust sensitivity and the other is to adjust the detection distance. To make the PIR module work better, you You need to turn both of them counterclockwise to the end.

Note

If it does not work after running, or there is an error prompt: "wiringPi.h: No such file or directory", please refer to Install and Check the WiringPi.

Code Explanation

void display()
{
    clearDisplay();
    pickDigit(0);
    hc595_shift(number[counter % 10]);

    clearDisplay();
    pickDigit(1);
    hc595_shift(number[counter % 100 / 10]);

    clearDisplay();
    pickDigit(2);
    hc595_shift(number[counter % 1000 / 100]);

    clearDisplay();
    pickDigit(3);
    hc595_shift(number[counter % 10000 / 1000]);
}

First, start the fourth segment display, write the single-digit number. Then start the third segment display, and type in the tens digit; after that, start the second and the first segment display respectively, and write the hundreds and thousands digits respectively. Because the refreshing speed is very fast, we see a complete four-digit display.

void loop(){
    int currentState =0;
    int lastState=0;
    while(1){
        display();
        currentState=digitalRead(sensorPin);
        if((currentState==0)&&(lastState==1)){
            counter +=1;
        }
        lastState=currentState;
    }
}

This is the main function: display the number on the 4-digit segment display and read the PIR value. When the PIR detects that someone is passing by, the number on the 4-digit segment display will add 1.