Overview
In the last blog post, Controlling QLab Wirelessly using Motion Sensors, I talked about setting up the Raspberry Pi to send Motion data to QLab via OSC messages. In this post, I will expand on that by building out support for multiple sensors as well as providing a dashboard to display the sensor values.
As part of our Halloween display we will be triggering multiple scenes using multiple motion sensors. I just wanted to demonstrate how I setup Node-Red to handle multiple sensors. I also wanted a way to display the status of the sensors on a dashboard. Using the dashboard, I am able to walk through the scenes while viewing the motion sensor status. This allows easier tuning of where to place and point the sensors. I also discovered when sensors are not connected (in the case when you may be setting up a sensor), a bit of noise passes through the system, triggering cues unexpectedly. I updated the scripts to prevent this.
This is a continuation of the previous post. I will not go into as much detail. Please reference the previous post if you need more detailed steps.
Install Node-Red Dashboard
In order to use the dashboard, we need to install the Node-Red Dashboard.
Step 1: Install Node-Red Dashboard
Install Node-Red Dashboard.
cd ~/.node-red
npm install node-red-dashboard
Step 2: Restart Node-Red
Restart Node-Red so the changes take effect.
node-red-stop
node-red-start&
Configure Node-Red
Now, configure Node-Red to support multiple sensors and the Dashboard.
Step 1: Multiple Sensor Flow
Expand the Node-Red flow based on the prior post.
The switch nodes are same as the prior motion switch nodes. I shortened the name so everything fits better in the diagram. I did have to update the script to handle the noise when a sensor is disconnected. The following is the updated script:
// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion
var state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;
// Get the last state
var last = context.get('last')||0;
// Only process changes in state
if (state === last) {
return [ null, null ];
}
// Store the state for next time
context.set('last',state);
// Based on state, return output
if (state === 1) {
return [ msg, null ];
} else {
return [ null, msg ];
}
The CH#’s are 
nodes.
Follow the documentation provided by I-CubeX to set this up.
The 
nodes should be updated with the associated OSC message for each sensor.
Step 2: Dashboard
If you followed the instructions provided by I-CubeX, your dashboard should resemble the following:
You can navigate to the dashboard using http://[Raspberry Pi IP Address]:1880/ui/
Complete Node-Red Configuration
The complete Node-Red settings are as follows:
[
{
"id": "8868aa19.83a248",
"type": "tab",
"label": "Flow 1"
},
{
"id": "163476c3.8a9749",
"type": "ui_base",
"theme": {
"name": "theme-light",
"lightTheme": {
"default": "#0094CE",
"baseColor": "#0094CE",
"baseFont": "Helvetica Neue",
"edited": true,
"reset": false
},
"darkTheme": {
"default": "#097479",
"baseColor": "#097479",
"baseFont": "Helvetica Neue",
"edited": false
},
"customTheme": {
"name": "Untitled Theme 1",
"default": "#4B7930",
"baseColor": "#4B7930",
"baseFont": "Helvetica Neue"
},
"themeState": {
"base-color": {
"default": "#0094CE",
"value": "#0094CE",
"edited": false
},
"page-titlebar-backgroundColor": {
"value": "#0094CE",
"edited": false
},
"page-backgroundColor": {
"value": "#fafafa",
"edited": false
},
"page-sidebar-backgroundColor": {
"value": "#ffffff",
"edited": false
},
"group-textColor": {
"value": "#1bbfff",
"edited": false
},
"group-borderColor": {
"value": "#ffffff",
"edited": false
},
"group-backgroundColor": {
"value": "#ffffff",
"edited": false
},
"widget-textColor": {
"value": "#111111",
"edited": false
},
"widget-backgroundColor": {
"value": "#0094ce",
"edited": false
},
"widget-borderColor": {
"value": "#ffffff",
"edited": false
}
}
},
"site": {
"name": "Node-RED Dashboard",
"hideToolbar": "false",
"allowSwipe": "false",
"dateFormat": "DD/MM/YYYY",
"sizes": {
"sx": 48,
"sy": 48,
"gx": 6,
"gy": 6,
"cx": 6,
"cy": 6,
"px": 0,
"py": 0
}
}
},
{
"id": "a2227267.5ae3e",
"type": "ui_tab",
"z": "",
"name": "Motion Sensors",
"icon": "dashboard",
"order": 1
},
{
"id": "d3cd702.a4f079",
"type": "ui_group",
"z": "",
"name": "Group 1",
"tab": "a2227267.5ae3e",
"order": 1,
"disp": false,
"width": "3"
},
{
"id": "20378d8c.019922",
"type": "ui_group",
"z": "",
"name": "Group 2",
"tab": "a2227267.5ae3e",
"order": 2,
"disp": false,
"width": "3"
},
{
"id": "a2b77e56.ec95f",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH0",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0x80",
"interval": "100",
"x": 289.1000061035156,
"y": 40.0000114440918,
"wires": [
[
"19ecaf33.969551",
"69c66069.e7674"
]
]
},
{
"id": "125a1636.bf6a1a",
"type": "inject",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "start",
"topic": "",
"payload": "start",
"payloadType": "str",
"repeat": "",
"crontab": "",
"once": false,
"x": 79.10001373291016,
"y": 262.8000087738037,
"wires": [
[
"a2b77e56.ec95f",
"f8b068f8.c0c498",
"43a4e6da.bfb578",
"55d477d5.210cf8",
"2e63e25.2db651e",
"1aed5bef.36d564",
"7bcc233e.33a7ac",
"18834ca0.2a82a3"
]
]
},
{
"id": "7158a004.84109",
"type": "inject",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "stop",
"topic": "",
"payload": "stop",
"payloadType": "str",
"repeat": "",
"crontab": "",
"once": false,
"x": 80.10001373291016,
"y": 378.8000030517578,
"wires": [
[
"a2b77e56.ec95f",
"f8b068f8.c0c498",
"43a4e6da.bfb578",
"55d477d5.210cf8",
"2e63e25.2db651e",
"1aed5bef.36d564",
"7bcc233e.33a7ac",
"18834ca0.2a82a3"
]
]
},
{
"id": "8706555e.921028",
"type": "osc",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"path": "",
"metadata": false,
"x": 811.1001205444336,
"y": 313.00000953674316,
"wires": [
[
"57b9f7c4.cd8a08",
"c5d32123.e0512"
]
]
},
{
"id": "57b9f7c4.cd8a08",
"type": "udp out",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "QLab",
"addr": "10.81.95.117",
"iface": "",
"port": "53000",
"ipv": "udp4",
"outport": "",
"base64": false,
"multicast": "false",
"x": 959.1000289916992,
"y": 272.8000431060791,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "c5d32123.e0512",
"type": "debug",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"active": true,
"console": "false",
"complete": "true",
"x": 956.1000289916992,
"y": 357.6000156402588,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "150291d7.947bde",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/1/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/1/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 633.1001167297363,
"y": 43.000000953674316,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "19ecaf33.969551",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 465.10005950927734,
"y": 41.199984550476074,
"wires": [
[
"150291d7.947bde"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "f8b068f8.c0c498",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH1",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0x90",
"interval": "100",
"x": 285.1000061035156,
"y": 121,
"wires": [
[
"a2cde090.da35d",
"e0555eb1.b183a"
]
]
},
{
"id": "43a4e6da.bfb578",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH2",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0xA0",
"interval": "100",
"x": 290.1000061035156,
"y": 197.00000667572021,
"wires": [
[
"1d539b1a.0c5a55",
"6c73852e.2c763c"
]
]
},
{
"id": "55d477d5.210cf8",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH3",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0xB0",
"interval": "100",
"x": 291.1000061035156,
"y": 274.0000333786011,
"wires": [
[
"79fece06.7a2b7",
"ea5ce738.4915e8"
]
]
},
{
"id": "2e63e25.2db651e",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH4",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0xC0",
"interval": "100",
"x": 289.1000556945801,
"y": 350.0000247955322,
"wires": [
[
"e48906ea.eb5fc8",
"3ef27281.e82d7e"
]
]
},
{
"id": "1aed5bef.36d564",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH5",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0xD0",
"interval": "100",
"x": 286.1000061035156,
"y": 427.0000123977661,
"wires": [
[
"202f6ced.d6c3c4",
"5a1229ef.637c18"
]
]
},
{
"id": "7bcc233e.33a7ac",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH6",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0xE0",
"interval": "100",
"x": 280.1000328063965,
"y": 505.0000286102295,
"wires": [
[
"e557c2a6.b866e",
"a42b8494.958228"
]
]
},
{
"id": "18834ca0.2a82a3",
"type": "mcp3008",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "PiShield-CH7",
"device": "/dev/spidev0.0",
"mode": "0xF0",
"interval": "100",
"x": 284.1000556945801,
"y": 581.0000019073486,
"wires": [
[
"e0790032.8dff3",
"b5d60eb7.e296e"
]
]
},
{
"id": "a2cde090.da35d",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 466.1000633239746,
"y": 120.20000457763672,
"wires": [
[
"96a54092.309c7"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "1d539b1a.0c5a55",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 468.10003662109375,
"y": 197.20001220703125,
"wires": [
[
"4ce4c0af.29f62"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "79fece06.7a2b7",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 467.10003662109375,
"y": 273.2000370025635,
"wires": [
[
"6800b762.bf2d58"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "e48906ea.eb5fc8",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 467.1000862121582,
"y": 349.2000370025635,
"wires": [
[
"a5beea8d.b0b1a8"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "202f6ced.d6c3c4",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 467.10003662109375,
"y": 426.20001220703125,
"wires": [
[
"f1a0355c.0baf58"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "e557c2a6.b866e",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 464.1000633239746,
"y": 504.20004081726074,
"wires": [
[
"ba8326dc.1e1868"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "e0790032.8dff3",
"type": "function",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "switch",
"func": "// Determine the state of the sensor. 1 = motion\nvar state = (msg.payload < 64) ? 0 : 1;\n\n// Get the last state\nvar last = context.get('last')||0;\n\n// Only process changes in state\nif (state === last) {\n return [ null, null ];\n}\n\n// Store the state for next time\ncontext.set('last',state);\n\n// Based on state, return output\nif (state === 1) {\n return [ msg, null ];\n} else {\n return [ null, msg ];\n}\n",
"outputs": "2",
"noerr": 0,
"x": 466.1000862121582,
"y": 580.2000141143799,
"wires": [
[
"91472f13.11fd2"
],
[]
]
},
{
"id": "96a54092.309c7",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/2/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/2/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 635.1000671386719,
"y": 119.00000381469727,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "4ce4c0af.29f62",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/3/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/3/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 633.1000671386719,
"y": 195.0000057220459,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "6800b762.bf2d58",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/4/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/4/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 635.1000671386719,
"y": 273.00000858306885,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "a5beea8d.b0b1a8",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/5/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/5/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 633.1000671386719,
"y": 350.0000104904175,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "f1a0355c.0baf58",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/6/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/6/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 632.1000671386719,
"y": 424.0000123977661,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "ba8326dc.1e1868",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/7/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/7/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 632.1000671386719,
"y": 503.00001525878906,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "91472f13.11fd2",
"type": "change",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "/cue/8/start",
"rules": [
{
"t": "set",
"p": "topic",
"pt": "msg",
"to": "/cue/8/start",
"tot": "str"
},
{
"t": "delete",
"p": "payload",
"pt": "msg"
}
],
"action": "",
"property": "",
"from": "",
"to": "",
"reg": false,
"x": 628.1000671386719,
"y": 580.0000171661377,
"wires": [
[
"8706555e.921028"
]
]
},
{
"id": "b5d60eb7.e296e",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "20378d8c.019922",
"order": 4,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH7",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 466.10011291503906,
"y": 614.8000679016113,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "a42b8494.958228",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "20378d8c.019922",
"order": 3,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH6",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 466.1000633239746,
"y": 538.8000164031982,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "5a1229ef.637c18",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "20378d8c.019922",
"order": 2,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH5",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 467.1000633239746,
"y": 462.8000144958496,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "3ef27281.e82d7e",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "20378d8c.019922",
"order": 1,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH4",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 469.10011291503906,
"y": 384.8000602722168,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "ea5ce738.4915e8",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "d3cd702.a4f079",
"order": 4,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH3",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 469.1000633239746,
"y": 308.80005836486816,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "6c73852e.2c763c",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "d3cd702.a4f079",
"order": 3,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH2",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 469.1000633239746,
"y": 232.8000316619873,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "e0555eb1.b183a",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "d3cd702.a4f079",
"order": 2,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH1",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 468.1000633239746,
"y": 156.80000495910645,
"wires": []
},
{
"id": "69c66069.e7674",
"type": "ui_gauge",
"z": "8868aa19.83a248",
"name": "",
"group": "d3cd702.a4f079",
"order": 1,
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"gtype": "gage",
"title": "CH0",
"label": "units",
"format": "",
"min": 0,
"max": "1023",
"colors": [
"#00b500",
"#e6e600",
"#ca3838"
],
"seg1": "",
"seg2": "",
"x": 468.1000633239746,
"y": 78.40002059936523,
"wires": []
}
]
Running
- Make sure the sensor(s) are plugged in and the Raspberry Pi is powered on.
- Navigate to http://[RASPBERRY PI IP ADDRESS]:1880/
- Click the Start (inject node)
- The Raspberry Pi will now send OSC commands to QLab.
- View the dashboard at: http://[Raspberry Pi IP Address]:1880/ui/