Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Typical Projects
The Internet is awash with uses for the Raspberry Pi; so much so, that many might think that is it a solution looking for
a problem! This is standard behavior. With any new technology, there is always a cry of “could I do X on the PI,” where
X equates to any task they wanted to do on another machine. We shall now consider some of these projects, and how
they can be realized but, more importantly, cover many more that are only possible because the Raspberry Pi is cheaper
enough, or small enough, to allow such ideas to come into fruition.
The Telephone
The widespread use of mobile phones and the Internet have changed many businesses. Some, like the postal service,
continue to argue for an “e-mail tax” to supplement their dying business model. Others, like the telecoms, are looking
for new ways to sell their existing sevices in a world where the Internet providers can undercut them in most areas.
One obvious area is in voice over IP, where traditional telephone calls can be made for virtually nothing using the
Internet, instead of land lines. Indeed, you can even use an “all you can use” data package to run Skype on a mobile
phone and bypass the phone charges of your mobile provider!
For those interested in VOIP solutions, you can leverage the Raspberry Pi's small size by including it inside the
drawer of the telephone table (for those that still have such things!). This can then be loaded with Asterisk, or other
PBX software, to provide an internal phone system that may be as effective as another VOIP-based intercom systems.
A Raspberry Pi placed in this location also provides a suitable excuse to use it as a charging and sync station for your
mobile phone. As you return home, your phone can be placed in the Raspberry Pi-connected cradle, and the day's
photographs can be copied (i.e., backed up) to your home network server automatically.
Child Minding
The Raspberry Pi's size also gives you the opportunity to mount one inside a teddy bear, to provide a comforting
story telling device for the kids, while doubling up as a child safety monitor once they've gone to bed, by using a basic
webcam and microphone combination. This can work both ways to include VOIP functionality, with all data streamed
through Ethernet or a separate WiFi board. There is a Raspberry Pi-approved camera module in development, which
should be ready by the time you read this.
Construction of such a model is simple. A “bedtime bear” is best, as they are largely devoid of stuffing, as the
child is intended to place their nightclothes inside them. Instead of nightclothes, however, you can stuff the bear with
a Raspberry Pi! This is one of those projects that is only possible because the Raspberry Pi is small enough. So much
so, in fact, that you will need to add some stuffing back, as most bears are large enough to take a cased Raspberry Pi, a
battery pack, and assorted peripherals!
As it is made of fabric, there is no easy way to screw a Raspberry Pi board into the bear, so sew a small pocket into
the inside of the bear, and slot the Raspberry Pi (in either a case or an antistatic bag) into it and pierce holes for the
cables to enter and leave the bag.
The UK TV children's series Teletubbies had teddy bears who had television displays in their stomachs. You could
replicate this, too. Or include a pico projector to show the child cartoons on the ceiling of their room. Maybe a different
cartoon depending on where the bear is sat in the room, as detected by either QR codes, or with RFID or NFC sensors.
ToyTalk ( http://www.toytalk.com ) have recently begun work on the modern day Teddy Ruxpin that can interact
with your child through stories and songs so, along with Kinectimals, you should be able to find a slew of good ideas
for your virtual child minder.
If your child is older, then maybe it'd be better to build such child minding facilities into an arcade games cabinet,
rather than a teddy bear!
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