Recitation 3: Sensors
This week, we are getting our hands on different sensors. As two game manics, my partner Joseph and I chose joystick as the component we would like to work on. We correctedly wired the sensor to Arduino board, and improvised a small device that is controlled by this joystick.
Materials:
From Arduino Kit:
1 * Arduino Uno
1 * USB A to B cable
1 * breadboard
5* LEDs
5 * 220 ohm resistors
A handful of jumper cables
From cart:
1*Joystick
1 * Multimeter (optional)
Basics: Monitoring the joystick through serial port
We looked at the joystick, and discovered that it has two axis, x,y and a pushbutton z. Each of them has three pins, two for power and one for transimitting signal. So we used a breadboard to wire power them up, and plugged the signal pin into the analog in socket. When finished, we opened the serial monitor to check the status of che joystick.
Here is the video:
Playtime: A joystick position indicator
We used 5 LEDs in total, four for x and y axis, and one for the pushbutton. We placed the four LEDs in a diamond shape, and the other pushbutton LED aside. Accoding to the values being inputed through analog in pins, we developed conditional statements into the loop() function. We light up the different LED according to the different signals. In this way, we are able to see which direction the joystick is heading.
Here is the test video:
Question 1:
Our idea is to create a machine that can detect your activity in one day and generate a nice painting about your day. We are trying to use different sensors, like brainwave sensors, heartbeat sensors, mood sensors, body temp sensors… (Hopefully they will be functional in 2119.) Since our product does not require any specefic skills, it can be used by anyone who wants to try something new with a bit pursuit in art, or just fancies a nice picture of their day. People use this invention because comparing with dairy, pictures is a much interesting and aesthetic way of keeping track of one day. It is a cool stuff. Just wear our wearable devices, like watches or glasses, and you will end up with an enjoyment of art.
Question 2:
Code is the recipe and tutorial for computer. We write codes so that the computer what to execute.
Question 3:
Computer is now influencing our behaviour in a deep way. When contacting somebody, in the old days, we write and mail; in modern times, we send email or online messages. It is bring us great convenience. We also use computer to entertain, listening to music or playing games. It brings happiness to us. Computer has changed our life significantly, because it is wonderful, it is user-friendly, it interacts with you… Everyone around is using it. We have reached a point where we cannot get rid of it. The important thing is how to make good use of computer.