Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
93 Dynamic Violin Fingerboard Attachment
 Adrian Ignaci
Kamil Waz
Sophia Wilhelm
 Manvi Jha design_document1.pdf
proposal1.pdf
# Dynamic Violin Fingerboard Attachment

Team Members:
- Kamil Waz (kwaz2)
- Sophia Wilhelm (sophia16)
- Adrian Ignaci (aigna3)

# Problem

Most people would like to learn an instrument, however not only are the instruments expensive, but the lessons are just as (if not more) costly. This also assumes lessons are even available where they live. For this reason, many people try to teach themselves how to play, either through experimentation or online resources. However, this path has a distinct lack of feedback that would help correct poor habits or otherwise incorrect playing.

# Solution

Our project seeks to give those self-learning an instrument, specifically a violin, an extra source of feedback with respect to finger placement (creating the notes) as well as the rhythm played. A dynamic LED display laid on top of the fingerboard would allow learners to better understand proper finger placement in addition to its relation to the specific note’s duration.
Furthermore, by using linear/membrane potentiometers we could accurately measure the position of a finger placed along any of the 4 paths (strings) on the fingerboard. This allows us to also to also collect information on how accurate the placement is, rather than a simple yes or no as to whether they play the right note.
To encourage building good habits and continuous practice, we would like to allow users to upload pieces they would like to learn. Thus users will be allowed to upload files (MIDI) that can then be used on the fingerboard along with an adjustable tempo. This, paired with individual settings for full piece playthroughs and learning (only playing the next note after the user plays it) will help encourage good, accurate playing whilst making it fun.

# Solution Components

## Fingerboard overlay

This subsystem is the main source of feedback to and from the user. It will contain an array of individually addressable LEDs (1528-1196-ND) which will display appropriate fingerings at the appropriate moment in a piece and membrane potentiometers (SEN-08680) which will give the processor feedback as to the user’s accuracy.

## Microcontroller
The microcontroller will be responsible for a number of key operations, including:
File uploading and reading
Control of the display
User input validation and data collection
We will use the ESP32 (tentative, as using an RP2040 would be easier, but that would also be bulkier and remove a lot of the designing). Additionally, an LCD display (16x2 most likely, no specific part as they’re all pretty generic) can be controlled to display piece statistics to the user.

## Piece Play Configuration
This component controls the aforementioned various settings regarding what style of playing the user wants. Specifically, this will control not only the tempo the pieces are played, but also when the piece progresses. There will be a setting to simply go through the entire piece while tracking statistics in addition to a setting dedicated to learning the piece, which pauses until each fingering is properly performed.
The most straightforward implementation of this (strictly) would only require a potentiometer (COM-09939) or two buttons (such as TS02-66-70-BK-100-LCR-D) for tempo and a switch (OS102011MS2QN1).

##Power
A pair of standard AA batteries should be sufficient for our needs (would need the 36-2463-ND enclosure to hold them).
However we would like to consider 3.7 V Lithium-Ion Battery Rechargeable (1528-1839-ND) with the associated charger (TI BQ24074) and regulator (TI TPS62840). The rechargeable battery is a potentially dangerous option as it could endanger the instrument itself (it’s a more risky fire hazard than an easily removable AA battery), therefore it will not be implemented unless there has been extensive testing of the rest of the system within the time frame of this project.

##Case/Enclosure
There will be two parts, one for the fingerboard components and one for everything else.
The fingerboard overlay will consist of the components surrounded by a sort of envelope made of ~0.3mm transparent silicon rubber (allowing for clarity for the LEDs without compromising the membrane potentiometers).
The second part will be a plastic enclosure that must fit either under the fingerboard or body (better for weight distribution) of a full size violin without significant weight. It will contain the power supply, microcontroller, and configuration modules.

# Criterion For Success

Unit is easy to attach to a standard violin. The attachment must accurately display and detect note fingerings from a user specified piece at an adjustable tempo. User accuracy will be displayed real-time through use of LEDs on the microcontroller, and an accuracy summary will be displayed at the end of the piece. In addition (though less quantifiable), it must not impede the physical way a user must play the instrument.

Note on expertise: Kamil plays violin and knows a number of other violinists. They will be consulted on the physical design.

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Sungmin Jang, Anita Jung, Zheng Liu

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Featured Project

Team Members:

Anita Jung (anitaj2)

Sungmin Jang (sjang27)

Zheng Liu (zliu93)

Link to the idea: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=27710

Problem:

The Donor Wall on the southwest side of first floor in ECEB is to celebrate and appreciate everyone who helped and donated for ECEB.

However, because of poor lighting and color contrast between the copper and the wall behind, donor names are not noticed as much as they should, especially after sunset.

Solution Overview:

Here is the image of the Donor Wall:

http://buildingcampaign.ece.illinois.edu/files/2014/10/touched-up-Donor-wall-by-kurt-bielema.jpg

We are going to design and implement a dynamic and interactive illuminating system for the Donor Wall by installing LEDs on the background. LEDs can be placed behind the names to softly illuminate each name. LEDs can also fill in the transparent gaps in the “circuit board” to allow for interaction and dynamic animation.

And our project’s system would contain 2 basic modes:

Default mode: When there is nobody near the Donor Wall, the names are softly illuminated from the back of each name block.

Moving mode: When sensors detect any stimulation such as a person walking nearby, the LEDs are controlled to animate “current” or “pulses” flowing through the “circuit board” into name boards.

Depending on the progress of our project, we have some additional modes:

Pressing mode: When someone is physically pressing on a name block, detected by pressure sensors, the LEDs are controlled to

animate scattering of outgoing light, just as if a wave or light is emitted from that name block.

Solution Components:

Sensor Subsystem:

IR sensors (PIR modules or IR LEDs with phototransistor) or ultrasonic sensors to detect presence and proximity of people in front of the Donor Wall.

Pressure sensors to detect if someone is pressing on a block.

Lighting Subsystem:

A lot of LEDs is needed to be installed on the PCBs to be our lighting subsystem. These are hidden as much as possible so that people focus on the names instead of the LEDs.

Controlling Subsystem:

The main part of the system is the controlling unit. We plan to use a microprocessor to process the signal from those sensors and send signal to LEDs. And because the system has different modes, switching between them correctly is also important for the project.

Power Subsystem:

AC (Wall outlet; 120V, 60Hz) to DC (acceptable DC voltage and current applicable for our circuit design) power adapter or possible AC-DC converter circuit

Criterion for success:

Whole system should work correctly in each mode and switch between different modes correctly. The names should be highlighted in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing way. Our project is acceptable for senior design because it contains both hardware and software parts dealing with signal processing, power, control, and circuit design with sensors.

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