Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
17 LED Persistence of Vision Globe
 Gavi Campbell
Melvin Alpizar Arrieta
Owen Bowers
# Team: Globetrotters (WIP)

# Team Members:
- Owen Bowers (obowers2)
- Melvin Alpizar Arrieta (malpi2)
- Gavriel Campbell (gcampb7)

# Problem

LabEscape at UIUC is a popular attraction during events such as Engineering Open House and as such is constantly looking for ways to improve their exhibit. One such improvement they are looking to make is the implementation of a LED Globe capable of displaying messages and images via the utilization of something called persistence of vision. However, many issues can arise when trying to construct a functional system to utilize this phenomenon including mechanical, timing, and electrical restrictions. A couple examples of the problems that may be encountered are as follows: Difficulty in the creation of an electrical system that functions within a rapidly spinning environment. Difficulty acquiring proper live measurements of the systems spin rate. Difficulty translating spin rate into signals at proper time intervals for the entirety of the LED strip across the arch. Difficulty ensuring proper resolution for crisp imaging. Difficulty ensuring stability of the structure due to weights of parts. This problem is emphasized when applied to spinning objects. Additionally to all the above mentioned crucial issues to consider, there are a number of aesthetic issues that should be addressed. Namely, the noise of such a device should ideally be as little as possible and the color spectrum be as large as able.

# Solution

In order to address the many problems one could encounter when trying to build a system of this kind we plan to take the following measures. We will implement systems capable of acquiring the correct spin rate of the device, taking into account information from accelerometers, optical sensors, and the assumed spin rate of components. We will include a number of LED’s sufficient to provide clear and crisp images across the entirety of the spin radius. We will strive to manage external wiring and focus on keeping all relevant wiring components contained to the PCB board to ensure that wires will not tangle the device and result in catastrophic failure. To solve balancing issues we intend to create a tri-pylon approach where there will be three identical arches spaced around the structure to ensure that balance is maintained. Additionally we will ensure that PCB are spaced properly to distribute weight evenly. This design could be expanded to make use of an RGB coloring system to allow for multicolored display.

## Subsystem 1 - Power Unit

A 5 volt power unit will allow for the safe operation of our LED’s avoiding risk of burnout.
A wired power source system (DC 12V) and conversion to lower voltage for when it is desired for the device to run for extended periods of time.
A mobile battery pack that can be utilized when mobility is desired.

## Subsystem 2 - Motor

A DC motor capable of rotating at least 600 rpm should be more than satisfactory for the goal we wish to achieve in this project.
WIll be able to rotate the mass of our globe for extended periods of time without wearing out.


## Subsystem 3 - Microprocessor

Room for additional features should we wish to expand the scope of our project (such as perhaps the addition of a speaker).
Capability to route all our necessary components with ease and the ability to accommodate additional power if needed.
Our Microprocessor will allow for WIFI and bluetooth connectivity capabilities.


## Subsystem 4 - Accelerometer/Rotational Sensors

An accelerometer to gather experimental data of the current rotational speed of the LED globe
An optical sensor will be used with a reference point to verify the correct rotational speed of the globe.
Alternatively a hall-effect sensor can be used to magnetically detect rotations and adjust light timing accordingly.


## Subsystem 5 - Multi-Colored LED Band(s)

Balanced LED spacing around the PCB core to ensure the smooth rotation of our globe and avoiding turbulence.
Reliable and fast acting LED’s not prone to burnout when activated actively and continuously.
Bands of interconnected LED’s capable of a single or multiple colors.

## Subsystem 6 - Data Input

An SD card reader or item of a similar nature that can accept physical information and display in a sequential order.
Support for wireless data transfers to accomplish data displays without the necessity to stop and load the device.
Support for an approachable user interface in which displays can be freely edited and changed wirelessly.

## Subsystem 7 - Web Application

Will provide a user-friendly method to control the LED Globe
Will allow users to upload media files (images, videos, gifs) directly from their device to the globe
The web interface will connect to the globe via onboard WiFi/Bluetooth for seamless control.
Password protection or local hosting will restrict access so only authorized users can make changes.

# Criterion For Success

This project will be successful if we meet the following criteria:
High resolution displayable text and imaging.
Continuous correct functioning for 12 hours when on battery power.
Wireless Customizable Graphics.

Iron Man Mouse

Jeff Chang, Yayati Pahuja, Zhiyuan Yang

Featured Project

# Problem:

Being an ECE student means that there is a high chance we are gonna sit in front of a computer for the majority of the day, especially during COVID times. This situation may lead to neck and lower back issues due to a long time of sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, it would be beneficial for us to get up and stretch for a while every now and then. However, exercising for a bit may distract us from working or studying and it might take some time to refocus. To control mice using our arm movements or hand gestures would be a way to enable us to get up and work at the same time. It is similar to the movie Iron Man when Tony Stark is working but without the hologram.

# Solution Overview:

The device would have a wrist band portion that acts as the tracker of the mouse pointer (implemented by accelerometer and perhaps optical sensors). A set of 3 finger cots with gyroscope or accelerometer are attached to the wrist band. These sensors as a whole would send data to a black box device (connected to the computer by USB) via bluetooth. The box would contain circuits to compute these translational/rotational data to imitate a mouse or trackpad movements with possible custom operation. Alternatively, we could have the wristband connected to a PC by bluetooth. In this case, a device driver on the OS is needed for the project to work.

# Solution Components:

Sensors (finger cots and wrist band):

1. 3-axis accelerometer attached to the wrist band portion of the device to collect translational movement (for mouse cursor tracking)

2. gyroscope attached to 3 finger cots portion to collect angular motion when user bend their fingers in different angles (for different clicking/zoom-in/etc operations)

3. (optional) optical sensors to help with accuracy if the accelerometer is not accurate enough. We could have infrared emitters set up around the screen and optical sensors on the wristband to help pinpoint cursor location.

4. (optional) flex sensors could also be used for finger cots to perform clicks in case the gyroscope proves to be inaccurate.

Power:

Lithium-ion battery with USB charging

Transmitter component:

1. A microcontroller to pre-process the data received from the 4 sensors. It can sort of integrate and synchronize the data before transmitting it.

2. A bluetooth chip that transmits the data to either the blackbox or the PC directly.

Receiver component:

1. Plan A: A box plugged into USB-A on PC. It has a bluetooth chip to receive data from the wristband, and a microcontroller to process the data into USB human interface device signals.

2. Plan B: the wristband is directly connected to the PC and we develop a device driver on the PC to process the data.

# Criterion for Success:

1. Basic Functionalities supported (left click, right click, scroll, cursor movement)

2. Advanced Functionalities supported(zoom in/out, custom operations eg. volume control)

3. Performance (accuracy & response time)

4. Physical qualities (easy to wear, durable, and battery life)