Doorbell

Demo Video

Overview

This is a self-contained smart doorbell implementation using two ESP32 boards: the ESP32-CAM as a camera/sensor unit and the ESP32 CYD as a display receiver. The system enables wireless video streaming when someone presses the doorbell button.

When the doorbell button is pressed, the system triggers a 1-second buzzer alert. Simultaneously, the ESP32-CAM initiates a WebSocket connection to the CYD board and streams live JPEG-encoded video frames. The display renders incoming frames in real-time using TFT_eSPI and TJpg_Decoder libraries. After a configurable 10-second timeout, the video stream stops and the system returns to idle mode.

Project Images

Complete Hardware Setup

ESP32-CAM Schematics

ESP32-CAM Interface Diagram

State Machine Architecture

Key Components

• ESP32-CAM Board: Equipped with an onboard camera module, connected to a push button (active-low, GPIO-based), features an active buzzer for audible feedback, and powered via 5V battery.
• ESP32 CYD Display Board: Acts as Wi-Fi Access Point and WebSocket server, built-in TFT display for real-time video rendering, displays date/time during idle periods, and syncs time via NTP on boot.
• State-Machine Architecture: Defined states for Idle, Trigger, Streaming, and Stop operations on both boards, ensuring reliable operation and smooth transitions between modes.
• Real-Time Video Streaming: WebSocket-based communication for low-latency video transmission, JPEG-encoded frames for efficient bandwidth usage, and configurable stream timeout for power efficiency.

Technical Stack

Planned Enhancements

• Two-Way Remote Triggering: Enable remote doorbell activation and bidirectional communication capabilities.
• SD Card Logging: Implement storage for captured images and video recordings for security and review purposes.
• Cloud Integration: Add cloud connectivity for remote monitoring and notifications from anywhere.

Summary

This project illustrates a robust and scalable embedded solution for a smart doorbell system, with live video feedback, real-time communication, and on-screen information when idle. It leverages the power of the ESP32 ecosystem, open-source libraries, and efficient event-driven programming to create a fully wireless, modular design.

Technologies used include TFT display interfacing, camera driver configuration, WebSocket server/client handling, RTC time sync, and low-level GPIO management, highlighting a wide skill set in real-world embedded development. Complete firmware, schematics, and wiring diagrams are available on GitHub for those interested in replicating, learning from, or extending the project.