# No-Code WipperSnapper Action Counter
## Overview
## The Problem
At Adafruit, we have a tester for virtually every product we manufacture. With hundreds of fab-made products in our catalog, that’s a lot of testers! When a tester has finished its job and there are no more boards to test, for the time being, it needs to go back home to the tester library. When the bin gets too full, I empty it and return the testers home after their long adventure. **Sometimes, I forget to check the bin, and all of the sudden, the bin is brimming with testers.**
## The Solution
What if I could have someone else (like a robot) keep track of the testers and tell me when the bin is full? That’s exactly what this project will do. Using a FunHouse and an IR (infra-red) sensor, The project will track each time a tester gets placed in the bin with WipperSnapper and AdafruitIO. From there, a service called [IFTTT](https://ifttt.com/) will count the testers and send me an email when the bin has nearly reached its capacity.
Info:
## Prerequisite Guide:
**WipperSnapper** is an interface for [Adafruit IO, Adafruit's ](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-adafruit-io/what-is-adafruit-io)[incredibly easy-to-use IoT platform](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-adafruit-io/what-is-adafruit-io), designed to turn any WiFi-capable board into an IoT device without programming a single line of code.
If you've never used WipperSnapper, click below to read through the Quickstart WipperSnapper guide before continuing.
[Quickstart: Adafruit IO WipperSnapper](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-adafruit-io-wippersnapper)
## Project Materials
Adafruit Parts:
Featured
### Adafruit FunHouse - WiFi Home Automation Development Board
[Adafruit FunHouse - WiFi Home Automation Development Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4985)
Home is where the heart is...it's also where we keep all our electronic bits. So why not wire it up with sensors and actuators to turn our house into an electronic wonderland. Whether it's tracking the environmental temperature and humidity in your laundry room, or notifying you when...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4985)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4985/guides)
Featured
### IR Break Beam Sensor with Premium Wire Header Ends - 5mm LEDs
[IR Break Beam Sensor with Premium Wire Header Ends - 5mm LEDs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2168)
Infrared (IR) break-beam sensors are a simple way to detect motion. They work by having an emitter side that sends out a beam of human-invisible IR light, then a receiver across the way which is sensitive to that same light. When something passes between the two, and its not transparent to IR,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2168)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2168/guides)
Featured
### Premium Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires - 20 x 12"
[Premium Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires - 20 x 12"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1952)
These Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires are handy for making wire harnesses or jumpering between headers on PCB's. These premium jumper wires are 12" (300mm) long and come in a 'strip' of 20 (2 pieces of each of ten rainbow colors). They have 0.1" male header...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1952)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1952/guides)
Featured
### Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4)
[Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631)
Got a glorious RGB Matrix project you want to mount and display in your workspace or home? If you have one of the matrix panels listed below, you'll need a pack of these **Mini-Magnet Feet.** We got these specifically for our RGB LED Matrices, which no longer...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4631/guides)
Featured
### USB Type A to Type C Cable - approx 1 meter / 3 ft long
[USB Type A to Type C Cable - approx 1 meter / 3 ft long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4474)
As technology changes and adapts, so does Adafruit. This **USB Type A to Type C** cable will help you with the transition to USB C, even if you're still totin' around a USB Type A hub, computer or laptop.
USB C is the latest industry-standard connector for...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4474)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4474/guides)
Featured
### 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector
[5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!
This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB adapter. We did this on purpose to...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1994/guides)
**X2 Stemma JST cables**
Featured
### STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Female Socket Cable - 200mm
[STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Female Socket Cable - 200mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3894)
This cable will let you turn a JST PH 3-pin cable port into 3 individual wires with high-quality 0.1" female header sockets on the end. We're carrying these to match up with our Hallowing, for extending and connecting sensors or LEDs - and the wires are even color coded!
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3894)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3894/guides)
**Other materials:**
- Scotch tape or similar
- Power extension cable
- Zip ties
- Wooden skewer(s) (found at the dollar store)
# No-Code WipperSnapper Action Counter
## Add the IR Sensor
**Q: How does the IR sensor work?**
Infrared (IR) break-beam sensors are a simple way to detect motion. They work by having an emitter side that sends out a beam of human-invisible IR light, with a receiver across the way which is sensitive to that same light. When something passes between the two, and it's not transparent to IR, then the 'beam is broken' and the receiver will let you know.
This is perfect for the kind of motion we want to detect, which must be accurate and specific.
## Wiring
- With the x2 stemma JST connectors, plug them into **A1** and **A2** of the FunHouse.
- Next, take the IR sensor and look for the end of the sensor that has **3 cables.**
- From **A2** , plug the cables into the sensor matching **red to red (Power), black to black (GND),** and **white to yellow (DATA).**
- From **A1** , plug the **black** and **red** cables into the sensor's **black** and **red** ends. (white will not be used for this side)
This is how the IR sensor will work in practice:
# No-Code WipperSnapper Action Counter
## Set up FunHouse
Step 1 is to get your Funhouse set up in the **[Adafruit IO WipperSnapper page](https://io.adafruit.com/wippersnapper). Follow the instructions in the [Quickstart guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-adafruit-io-wippersnapper) to do this. **
## Set Up the IR Sensor
- From the WipperSnapper page, click "New Component"
- Select "Beam Sensor"
- Name the sensor
- Choose **A2** from the drop-down list
## Test the IR Sensor
Next, test out the water sensor to verify it's working properly.
- Position the ends of the sensor to face each other with some tape.
- Now place your hand inbetween both sides of the sensor to "break" the beam.
- Check the [WipperSnapper device page](https://io.adafruit.com/wippersnapper) to see if the value changes from "unbroken" to "broken" for your sensor.
## Troubleshooting the Sensor
If you are not receiving feedback from the sensor, verify the following:
- The sensor is correctly wired according to the directions on the "Add the IR Sensor" page
- The Stemma cable is connected to the **A2** pin on the FunHouse
- The sensor ends are not more than 20" or 50cm from each other.
# No-Code WipperSnapper Action Counter
## IFTTT Set Up Part 1
Now that we have the sensor set up, it's time to set up a counter to count each time the beam is broken. Then when that number reaches 25 (the capacity of a bin), I want to send an email notification that the bin is full.
## What is IFTTT?
[From the IFTTT site:](https://help.ifttt.com/hc/en-us/articles/115010325748-What-is-IFTTT-)
> IFTTT is short for "If This Then That" and allows you to do more with hundreds of the apps and devices you love, including [Twitter](https://ifttt.com/twitter), [Dropbox](https://ifttt.com/dropbox), [Evernote](https://ifttt.com/evernote), [Nest](https://ifttt.com/nest_thermostat), [Fitbit](https://ifttt.com/fitbit), [Amazon Alexa](https://ifttt.com/amazon_alexa), and [Google Assistant](https://ifttt.com/google_assistant).
Basically, the data feed from the IR sensor may be connected to Google Sheets to record the count of beam breaks. Then when 25 beam breaks are reached, that data from the spreadsheet may be used to send an email notification. Handy!
## Create an IFTTT Account
If you don't have one already, head to the[IFTTT website](https://ifttt.com/home) and create an account. It's free to create a basic account.
[IFTTT Website](https://ifttt.com/home)
## Create a new Google Sheet
If you don't already have a Gmail account, [set one up now](https://drive.google.com/) to access Google Sheets.
Then head to [https://drive.google.com/](https://drive.google.com/) and open a new spreadsheet.
[Google Drive Website](https://drive.google.com/)
- Once in Google Drive, click the "New" button on the top left of the screen
- Then select "Google Sheets"
## Step #1: Record and count each time the beam is broken
## Create a New IFTTT Applet
From the [IFTTT home page](https://ifttt.com/home), click the "create" button in the top right corner of the screen.
- First, add the conditional "if". We want to record each time the beam is broken.
- Click the "Add" button.
- Search "Adafruit" from this list of services.
- Choose the "Monitor a feed on AdafruitIO" option.
- Next, select the feed created automatically from WipperSnapper. It should show up as whatever you named your board in WipperSnapper earlier.
- **The relationship** should be **"equal to"** the **value** **0.**
- This means that each time the value of the IR sensor is 0 (which happens when the beam is broken), then do the next thing (which we'll add next).
- Click "create trigger"
- Now click "Add" next to "Then That"
- Do a search for "sheets" and select the Google Sheets service.
- Then select the "add row to spreadsheet option"
- Enter the name of your spreadsheet
- Detail how you'd like to format each row. We'll record a 1 (so we can add up the actions) as well as a timestamp for each row.
- Click "Add an ingredient" and select the "created at" option.
- Detail the Drive folder path where the spreadsheet is located. If your file is not located in a folder, create one and add the name of it here.
- Click "create action"
Before this page gets too long, the mechanism for counting the beam breaks and sending the email notification will be discussed on the next page.
# No-Code WipperSnapper Action Counter
## IFTTT Set Up Part 2
## Step #2: Send an email when 25 beam breaks have been counted
- Open your spreadsheet in a new tab
- Label column A "Triggered" or whatever you'd like to show. It represents that the beam has been broken
- Label column B "Time"
- Label column E "testers counted"
- And lastly, label column G "Collect testers?"
- In column E, the second cell in the column is going to be used to count all the beam breaks in column A
- Write in the formula `=SUM(A2:A500)` The range can vary as long or short as you'd like but should be at least a length of 26 or whatever threshold you pick.
- In the second cell in column G, the formula is `=IF(E2 > 25,1,0)`
- This means that if E2 (the sum of all testers), is greater than 25, change the value of the cell to 1, otherwise the value is 0. This will make more sense in the next section below.
## Applet #2
Go back to the [home page of IFTTT](https://ifttt.com/home) and **create a new applet** by clicking the create button again like before.
- Click "Add" next to "If This"
- Search for "sheets" and select the Google Sheets service.
- Select the "Cell updated in spreadsheet" option.
- Once again, detail the path where the spreadsheet is located in your Google Drive files.
- Type **G2 ** for the cell to monitor.
- Click "create trigger"
- Add a "Then That"
- Search "email" and select the "Email" service
- Select the available option "Send me an email"
- Add the subject line and email body text you'd like to see when you receive the notification.
- Click "create action"
Yay now it's all set up! Try triggering the sensor and watch the data flood into the spreadsheet.
Warning:
## How does it work?
The **"collect testers?"** cell monitors the sum of all testers ( **cell E2** ) and changes to **1** when that value goes above **25**. When the **"collect testers?"** value changes, the email notification is sent.
- When the tester count is **greater than** **25, ** set the **"collect testers?" value** to be **1**.
- Otherwise set the **"collect testers?"** **value** to be **0.**
Last but not least: to set up and configure the IR sensor where it will actually be handy.
# No-Code WipperSnapper Action Counter
## Sensor Placement and Calibration
First, pick a spot where you'd like to monitor. This is the tester bin area at Adafruit.
Then make sure you have access to a power outlet. If you do not, run an extension cable to the place where you will need it.
Next, attach the magnetic feet to the FunHouse. Place the FunHouse where you would like.
Add jumper extensions to the sensor ends so that they can be placed at an appropriate distance apart. Make sure that the **POWER, GND,** and **DATA** lines do not get mixed up.
## Align and Place the Sensor
I used a wooden skewer (the pointy end removed) and some tape to align one side of the sensor with the other.
The range of the sensor ends at 20" or 50cm so make sure the ends of the sensor do not exceed this length.
Next, align the sensor ends so they are directly pointed at each other. The WipperSnapper dashboard will be useful to monitor from a mobile device to see if the beam is aligned correctly. It may take some adjusting.
Once you get a continuous "unbroken" message, test it out by waiving your hand through the beam to see if you can break it and that it can reset after your hand passes through.
After you've checked that the spreadsheet is correctly logging the beam breaks and that you're getting emails when you should be, that's it! You are set up for success :)
Fill 'er up, then ding!
## Going Further
**Q: What do you do when the bin is full and you've emptied it?**
Time to empty the bin and start over. Once you've emptied the bin, you must also delete the recorded spreadsheet data. We're working on a better solution for resetting the bin data but that's what works for now.
Warning:
**Other Applications**
There are many possible ways to integrate this method of counting with a "limit reached" notification in everyday life. Here are a couple of ideas for your next project:
**IR sensor input**
- You have a pile of laundry and when it gets too high send an email notification to do laundry.
- You have a pile of books or clothes to donate and when it gets too high send an email to go donate.
- Your dog or other pet has tripped a sensor near the back door more than normal. Send an email when the sensor is tripped X number of times (i.e your dog wants to go outside and take care of business).
**Button input**
- Water cup counter: Track the number of cups of water you drink with a button press. Send yourself an email when you get to 8 cups.
- Coffee cup counter: limit the number of cups you drink by tracking each cup with a button press. Send an email when you've reached your limit.
- Track your focus: Press a button each time you leave your desk. Send an email when you've reached your limit.
If you can count it, you can WipperSnapper it :D
## Guide Products
### Adafruit FunHouse - WiFi Home Automation Development Board
[Adafruit FunHouse - WiFi Home Automation Development Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4985)
Home is where the heart is...it's also where we keep all our electronic bits. So why not wire it up with sensors and actuators to turn our house into an electronic wonderland. Whether it's tracking the environmental temperature and humidity in your laundry room, or notifying you when...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4985)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4985/guides)
### IR Break Beam Sensor with Premium Wire Header Ends - 5mm LEDs
[IR Break Beam Sensor with Premium Wire Header Ends - 5mm LEDs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2168)
Infrared (IR) break-beam sensors are a simple way to detect motion. They work by having an emitter side that sends out a beam of human-invisible IR light, then a receiver across the way which is sensitive to that same light. When something passes between the two, and its not transparent to IR,...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2168)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2168/guides)
### Premium Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires - 20 x 12"
[Premium Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires - 20 x 12"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1952)
These Female/Male 'Extension' Jumper Wires are handy for making wire harnesses or jumpering between headers on PCB's. These premium jumper wires are 12" (300mm) long and come in a 'strip' of 20 (2 pieces of each of ten rainbow colors). They have 0.1" male header...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1952)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1952/guides)
### Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4)
[Mini Magnet Feet for RGB LED Matrices (Pack of 4)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631)
Got a glorious RGB Matrix project you want to mount and display in your workspace or home? If you have one of the matrix panels listed below, you'll need a pack of these **Mini-Magnet Feet.** We got these specifically for our RGB LED Matrices, which no longer...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4631)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4631/guides)
### USB Type A to Type C Cable - approx 1 meter / 3 ft long
[USB Type A to Type C Cable - approx 1 meter / 3 ft long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4474)
As technology changes and adapts, so does Adafruit. This **USB Type A to Type C** cable will help you with the transition to USB C, even if you're still totin' around a USB Type A hub, computer or laptop.
USB C is the latest industry-standard connector for...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4474)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4474/guides)
### 5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector
[5V 2A Switching Power Supply w/ USB-A Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
Our 5V 2A USB power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!
This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB adapter. We did this on purpose to...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1994/guides)
### STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Female Socket Cable - 200mm
[STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Female Socket Cable - 200mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3894)
This cable will let you turn a JST PH 3-pin cable port into 3 individual wires with high-quality 0.1" female header sockets on the end. We're carrying these to match up with our Hallowing, for extending and connecting sensors or LEDs - and the wires are even color coded!
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3894)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3894/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Adafruit FunHouse](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-funhouse.md)
- [Pet Bowl Water Level Sensing](https://learn.adafruit.com/pet-bowl-water-level-sensing-with-the-funhouse-and-home-assistant.md)
- [Shadow Box Internet Clock with NeoPixel Visualization](https://learn.adafruit.com/shadow-box-internet-clock-with-neopixel-visualization.md)
- [I2S Microphones with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/i2s-microphones-with-circuitpython.md)
- [HalloWing Interactive Cat Toy](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-cat-toy.md)
- [No-Code WipperSnapper IoT Power Switch Outlet](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-code-wippersnapper-iot-power-switch-outlet.md)
- [MagTag Daily Weather Forecast Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/magtag-weather.md)
- [Scroll an SMS Text Message on your RGB Matrix](https://learn.adafruit.com/scroll-an-sms-text-message-on-your-rgb-matrix.md)
- [Stained Glass Lamp](https://learn.adafruit.com/stained-glass-lamp.md)
- [Pixelfed Photo Viewer on Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/pixelfed-photo-viewer-on-fruit-jam.md)
- [Snake Game on Metro RP2350](https://learn.adafruit.com/snake-game-on-metro-rp2350.md)
- [No-Code WipperSnapper Water Detection](https://learn.adafruit.com/water-detection-with-wippersnapper.md)
- [NeXT Computer Keyboard to USB HID with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/next-computer-keyboard-to-usb-hid-with-circuitpython.md)
- [Retroreflective Greenscreen Light Ring QT Py Controller ](https://learn.adafruit.com/retroreflective-green-screen-light-ring-controller.md)
- [Creating MagTag Projects with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/creating-magtag-projects-with-circuitpython.md)
- [MagTag AR Tarot Card Reading](https://learn.adafruit.com/magtag-tarot-cards.md)