I can has teh interwebnetz?

[x88x]

Interesting solution to an annoying problem. +rep

Are you sure you're renting the modem from Verizon? I thought I was too, but when I canceled my service with them I discovered that I had gotten it for free when I signed up with them. ...on a completely unrelated note, if you want a DSL modem to tear apart and modify for a more seamless solution, I have an extra one that I don't anticipate I'll ever use in the foreseeable future.

[AmEv]

Well, when we signed up for our WiMax service, it said the main "brick" was theirs; the USB modem is ours to keep because we bought it! Sooooo.....

[Fuganater]

You have to rent Verizon modems now?? I've never had to pay for them before.

[SXRguyinMA]

Well not "rent" but it's included in the bill. IIRC you need to send it back if you cancel service. If it's ours to keep I may just say F-it and tear it apart and do it nice and clean-like and just chock this up to a learning experience with etching

[SXRguyinMA]

OK so after doing some reasearch, it appears that I own the modem. They bill you at the time of service startup. This changes things I believe

From this link:
http://www22.verizon.com/foryourbusi...packageb_e.asp

Modem billed at $99, plus applicable taxes at time of order.

I think I'll pop it apart and see if I have room to put the components inside it, and just use a relay instead of a servo on the internal connections to switch it on and off. I'll report back after work tonight....

[Fuganater]

Ah that must be a new thing.

[Waynio]

Hehe Brilliant solution to a bugging problem +rep for you & to crenn for the codage , wish I could get motivated to learn a bit of coding & diy electronics to do some interesting stuff but wow it must take a long time to learn.

[SXRguyinMA]

That's the beauty of Arduino....it's quick and REALLY easy. I had ZERO experience with coding until I got mine, and basic things are a breeze to me now. The more complex I need crenn for though

[SXRguyinMA]

It's done!

I got all the parts cut out and glued together

Here you can see the tab to act as a guide for the actuator arms

I ended up having to put a small piece of wire to hold the main actuator rods together. They were moving outwards and missing the on/off switch completely.

And the final shots. In the second pic you can see the sensor shroud I made out of black foam poster board. This shields all but the internet indicator light from the light sensor.

and the final code (thanks again crenn!!)

#include*<Servo.h>

#define dropouttime  30000
#define offtime         120000
#define connecttime  180000

enum {
    waitingDrop='A',
    dropDetected='B',
    waitingConnection='C'
};

enum{
    turnOff=79,
    turnOn=119
};

int photocellPin = 0;
int photocellReading;
char state = waitingDrop;
char laststate;
unsigned char servoval = turnOff;
long looptimer, servotimer;
Servo servo;

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(1200);
  servo.attach(9);
  servo.write(servoval);
  delay(2000);
  servoval = turnOn;
  servo.write(servoval);
  servotimer=millis();
  looptimer=servotimer;
}

void loop()
{
  if (((millis()-servotimer) > 50) || (state != laststate)) {
    servo.write(servoval);
    servotimer = millis();
  }
  laststate = state;
  if (state == waitingDrop) {
    photocellReading = analogRead(photocellPin);
    Serial.print("Analog reading = ");
    Serial.println(photocellReading);
    servoval = turnOn;
    if ((photocellReading <= 100) && ((millis()-looptimer) > dropouttime)) {
      state = dropDetected;
      Serial.println("Dropout detected");
      looptimer = millis();
    }
    else if ((photocellReading > 100) && (state == waitingDrop))  {
      looptimer = millis();
    }
  }
  else if (state == dropDetected) {
      servoval = turnOff;
      if ((millis()-looptimer) > offtime) {
      Serial.println("Turning Modem On and waiting for connection");
        state = waitingConnection;
        looptimer = millis();
      }
  }
  else if (state == waitingConnection) {
      servoval = turnOn;
      if ((millis()-looptimer) > connecttime) {
        state = waitingDrop;
        Serial.println("Waiting for Dropout");
        looptimer = millis();
      }
  }
  else {
    Serial.print("States: ");
    Serial.print(waitingDrop);
    Serial.print(dropDetected);
    Serial.println(waitingConnection);
    Serial.print("Invalid state: ");
    Serial.println(state);
    if ((millis()-looptimer) > dropouttime){
      state = waitingDrop;
      looptimer = millis();
    }
  }
}

[billygoat333]

Video of this thing in action? eh?