Building Hardware

Anyone who can give me links or guide in building custom devices?
From electronics to programming these devices?

I am thinking of a good project; a Cellphone controlled door lock.
Maybe I'll use bluetooth for this project. ;)

Thanks for your help.

I was once told that if you're an EE and want to learn programming, just grab a few books and read, while if you're a programmer (this was before CS degrees) and want to learn hardware design, go to college and get a EE.

I'm wondering what you're going to use as an output port on a cellphone. It can be done, but not with the kind of device your local cellphone store gives you when you sign up for an account. The door lock is simple - it's a 110 volt solenoid that you can control with a solid state relay (driven by 3-12 volts DC at minimal current).

Aside from interfacing the phone, you'll have to devote some effort to security. Just calling the phone to have it unlock the door is completely insecure.

I've just gotten into building robots. The concept is quite similar to what you are talking about, you just want your robot to be stationary. In my case, I want my home network to be the brains of the bot. Here's the key site:

http://www.oopic.com

Probably the most versatile, general purpose, microcontroller out there. You can run servos, sensors, and whatnot off of one of those. I would recommend the R. I'm using the OOBoard, which is like an R with prototyping add ons, but it's bulkier. In the next week or so, I should be getting the bluetooth connection that I was directed towards to link with this, it's this:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...roducts_id=148

Plugs into the RS-232 jack on the R or OOBoard.

Thanks you guys, I'm really new in electronics (but I know how to solder :lol: ).
Maybe I still have to ask you question.

BTW, do you have some e-books or tutorials related to this?
I don't want to attend an Electronics class because it took few months and what I can learn is the basics only.
I know I need to learn the basics but in a short time only, maybe few weeks or if I can, I want it to be in few days. ;)

Thanks again,

I'm in the same boat. The last electronics I did was over fifteen years ago. I'm not even sure if they still have those old volts around.

I don't have any e-book or tutorial suggestions, except for Kenn Amdahl's book There Are No Electrons: Electronics For Earthlings. It's a good beginning, and a VERY entertaining presentation style.