Extra Credit, Pr. 21&22 then Pr. 29&30

When uploading the code there seems to be a problem with the code. I'm working on it now. But this is what I got for 21. Research online says that our matrix may the wrong type as well. Calls for a C instead of an A. 

Also trouble with project 22. Same layout as previous project with addition of a potentiometer. I doubled checked the wiring and believe our matrix could be the culprit. Will check wiring again.. 

Okay fixed the code, needed to update the timer one library. Found the zip online. 

Matrix is on but won't function the way the project says... Leads me to believe that the matrix is the wrong type. Will look for a different type.. 

Only found one other type of matrix that would fit, I knew it wouldn't work but it did light up a nice blue.. 

I attempted to do projects 29 and 30. I set up the project and checked all the wiring and it doesn't work. Maybe my motor shield is no good. Then I wanted to do project 30 but nor I or the sensor room has the light resistors that are required so at this point I've stopped. I hope that we can receive extra credit for this. Spent quite a few hours. If we can improve anything just let me know and we will get on it. 

Process for final 12/07

Process for final project.

So I have already worked on this project for about 12 hours trying to get stuff to work and through my frustration I have forgotten to take any pictures. Here is a picture of my work desk hopefully you can achieve an idea of how long I've been here. 

Final project update

Today attached the head to the body and attempted to make a way to hide the wiring. I also created new hands and forearms because it needed it. Zak has worked on the PIR sensors for head movement but hasn't ben able to make it function. So will need to get time to work on that piece of the puzzle. I have also been looking into the theory of the readymade from Duchamp and Picasso. I feel that some of that theory holds true for this work. Photos show the hands and head assemble and wires.

Final Project Progress

I have completed the body and have attached the head. This is a picture of the head laying next to the body since I wanted to attempt to give it signs of life by taking over the digital display inside the head.

The head will have to be able to swivel on the neck which will hopefully be able to track someone moving around the room. This will not be like a surveillance camera which just moves back and forth in a specific speed and pattern. It will move to the movement of the individual via PIR sensors.

I then have taken out the digital display and have soldered to each individual wire and attached those to the arduino from 0 - 9, in a ten pin array. I have created two different codes to work with. 1 is a random light generator and the second is more of a random flash. The random light has 0-5 brightness attached to its randomness. I have a video of this below.

 

and the true random which I think I like better

 

 

Xbee communication and exploration

I am attempting to connect two Xbee series 1 chips together wirelessly. I started off reading about the chips on the sparkfun website. here.
https://www.sparkfun.com/pages/xbee_guide

That led me to the website from Xbee about each model, I chose the Xbee series 1.

http://www.digi.com/support/productdetail?pid=3257&osvid=0&type=documentation

This had me go to a site or PDF for an Xbee startup kit trial run, which I thought would bring me to be able to communicate between the 2 Xbees.  After starting the trial run according to directions I needed to solder the Xbee's breakout board for the second Xbee to be housed to communicate. The first Xbee was hooked up to the mini USB cable and windows downloaded drivers for it. I then needed to download the communications software and update it from the manufacturers website. I then took the second Xbee chip and inserted it into the breakout board and then into a bread board so that I could power it on, so I could test communications and range. Having both Xbee's hooked up I opened the software and tried communication but it timed out, no signal. I was unsure of the solders that I had made on the breakout board so I decided instead to place the second Xbee into the second Xbee explorer board, power that up with some jumper wires and see if it would communicate now. It did not, I received multiple time outs again. This is the website of the PDF I was using to try and make the communications.

 http://ftp1.digi.com/support/documentation/90002160_A.pdf

They show the second Xbee as having a different form of breakout board. I don't think this is the issue since it told me just to power on the xbee. I also don't believe it is an issue with the second Xbee since there was no setup involved for series 1 Xbees, according to the sparkfun website. So at this point I am unsure why the 2 chips will not communicate.

Gas, alcohol, methane exercise.

In-Class Wave Shield Extra Credit 6-Button Test

Bird project 1

 started by creating a found object bird that I can then animate with moving wings and a motion sensor to make the bird move when people are around. As in it reacts to motion, its response is to fly when people get near, much like a bird in nature would do when feeling threatened. I created this bird out of multiple metal parts that I gathered from thrift stores around the area.

My first task was to create a working mechanics for the wings to be able to flap powered by a stepper motor. Here I have assembled the mechanics with the stepper to make the wings flap by pull of two strings. The design failed since the stepper motor was not strong enough to be able to handle the torque required to life such a weight. I would need to plan the wings in a more seesaw fashion to handle the weight.

Here I have created a longer armature for the wing span and retested the stepper motor to see if it could handle the torque of the wings and it again failed due to the weight. It would turn but would fail on the down swing. I am also unhappy with the distance the wings can move due to the small space the motor is needed to be kept in.

Here is a video of the functioning wings. They are set at 50 speed, if increased once again they fail due to the torque required. I am presently waiting for a higher torque level stepper motor, with that I can probably increase the wing movement and torque specifications to be able to create a more life like wing flap. I will also be attaching extra moving items to the bird, more mechanical, like a turbine rear wing. I want to keep the bird semi nostalgic and he must be created out of "so called" waste products. Items that have been thrown or given away due to their lack of "so called" value.

11/10, LCD, touch screen. 33,34,35

Previous experience with sensors.

My previous experience with sensors is probably the same as anyone elses. I have used them unknowingly for years. I have never thought about them or their usage for more than a few minutes at any one point in time. In other words I have probably taken them for granted for all the neat things they do and the help they contribute to our daily lives. The only sensors I can remember are ones that had broken and mad me angry that things were not working because of them. Like a safety non start sensor on my motorcycle because the kickstand was down. Handy sensor, once you know you have it. Or the no start sensor on my scooter because the brake isn't compressed. It took me a while to find that one and replace it. I cant think of any other sensors off hand.

Progress of Microphone project 1

Initial project idea was to have a set of Electret microphones running a series of different lights as it picked up the sound in the room. The sounds being divided into 6 tonal ranges and each tonal range being a different color of light. I attempted a series of experiments with the microphones.
This is the purchase site page and info.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9964
I used this experiment code on this page to test the Electret microphone.
I was receiving fluctuating ranges and there was no sound.
I tried a different code to test the Electret and received an increasing number that went to 2400 and then fluctuated by 30 either direction with or without sound.
I began tapping the end of the microphone to see if I could get a reaction. There were changes but I couldn't tell if they were random or because it was being tapped or because the wires were being moved.
I decided that I must have damaged the microphone in the process of soldering on the end pins so I waited until the next day to get another microphone and try again.
I brought a second microphone home and soldered the ends onto it and tried the same couple of sample sketches from before with different results, however nothing that seemed to indicate that this microphone was performing its function either.
I tried 4-5 more sketches from projects around the internet that I did not save the links too and all had results of numbers fluctuating around 2400 or -550 or random in general and non seemed to react to sound. Wanting to be able to break the sound into tonal values would be nearly impossible with this microphone according to the experiments that I did with the device so I am attempting a new project.
Some of the saved sketches and sites I visited during my search for answers.
http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Dance-Room/?ALLSTEPS
https://learn.adafruit.com/piccolo/code

Chapter 3 Project 7, 8

ID-12 and piezo

Lemon light go blinky blinky, or lemon light fun.

Wave HC 10/29/14, Pi example, potentiometer

Matrix Videos

Matrix 19,

Process

Motor Party