Big update 3 of 3 Revisiting Light Sensors

Was reading this article:

http://www.instructables.com/id/SNF-Drumming-MIDI-Glove-using-Arduino-and-light-se/

And realised that a small part of what I wanted to do this guy had achieved, but he is using open source hardware called Adriano I am of course using the iPac2 but I think some of the ideas are good ones, and so I have decided I will look again at using LDR light resistors, this may mean that ultimately I end up with two different versions of my final design, one using Reed Switches and magnets and the other using light resistors, over all costs will run into around the same thing, so that isn’t an issue, what I do need to do is work out exactly how I will show off my functionality of both systems, the difficulty is that with one Ipac2 board, although set up to allow for co-op use, I will effectively half my amount of overall contacts, I could work out a system for switching over the systems while keeping the main hub in a contained unit, possibly using terminals.

The other option of course is to have one hand use all Reed Switches and the other use LDR but untimely I would like to show each system independently.

So this weekends tasks:

1.     Build a flex switch (if this works then build 8 more)

2.     Test the LDR idea (if this works workout the pros/cons of LDR over Reed Switch

3.     Finalise the design

4.     Source materials

Big update 2 of 3

While designing this system I have been grappling with how I am going to wire up all the components, wire of course isn’t known for its thread like properties, so my options were to either wire the components through tubes mounted on the top of the fingers, until looked into conductive thread :

http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=275

The next thing that caught my eye was this tutorial:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Bi-Directional-Flex-Sensors/

Essentially creating a flex based switch this my add another level of functionality I hadn’t thought of before, it would also in some ways remove the need for sensors on any of the fingers. This tutorial also reminded me of a device I have yet to look at and really it is the grandaddy of this whole type of idea...

Link: http://www.cracked.com/funny-6165-nintendo-power-glove/

Now a collection of images:

Big Update 1 of 3

Spent the last few weeks scratching my head over the design of the gloves what I finally decided was that I would make a card board prototype of my first idea, a two material ribbed structure, essentially semi flexible ribs attached with a fully flexible material, my first thoughts were to use the nylon gloves I had been using as prototype testers for the components, I cut these down into fingers thumb and hand, I then used the dimensions of my hand that I had made a few weeks ago to make the ribs out of cardboard.

After getting into the first two fingers I reassembled the glove, this was to allow me to see the difference in dexterity unfortunately as I had calculated the lateral change in surface area, that is to say that flexing your fingers effectively lengthens the top and shortens the bottom of each finger. What I hadn’t allowed for was the change in width so although the cardboard ribs were measured to perfection they constricted movement, so back to the drawing board/ sketch book.

I’ve looked further into the idea of adding optical mouse control to one hand, and although it seems do able the relocation of the mouse buttons has proved to be a bit of a pain, what I really need is a better de-soldering tool, and a more comprehensive wiring diagram for the mouse I have.

A couple of links to go with post from the ever amazing Instructables.com

The first is a great article that goes through every step of home circuit board making followed by a ‘persistence of vision’ business card it an awesome idea and if I can get the costs down I might work out something similar for my own business cards.

Link: http://www.instructables.com/id/Circuit-Board-Lab-POV-Business-Card/

As business is a part of our brief, making business cards and websites and all of that, I might well look into showing off some of my electronics/ hardware/ engineering  skill in a business card format.

Here We G. G. G. Go, Wtih Version One Point Ohh

So the making begins in earnest. (Or at a pace that leave time for tea and biscuits.)

Dissertations are finished as far as I'm concerned it’s all about FMP form now on. So with that in mind its time to get down to business. Worked out the dimensions for my hands this evening then worked how much of fingers move, then drew the first (of many) wiring diagrams onto my hand with brio, the reasoning for this is that I get a more ergonomical design as I can make adjustments while looking at the mechanics of the hand.

This first set is for the primary function wiring, these being the Reed Switches that will give the main source of input control.

My next job (most likely tomorrow) is to make a 3D model on 3DsMax, and then a cardboard and nylon prototype. I wont actually wire this version up instead I will use string to workout how much wire I will need to in the final version.

The next job after that is to add the next levels of control, these being the optical mouse and secondary switches.

After that I will move onto designing the console/table top, this will be a secondary controller as although the user will be able to use the gloves with each other, they will also get extra functionality out a magnetized console, effectively allowing "typing" like gestures.




Right I've gone on long enough, here are some pictures of my hands covered in pen.

Musical stuff:
currently listening to this:
The Recvieing End Of Sirens: Between the Heart and the Synapse
If These Trees Could Talk: Above the Earth, Below the Sky
Manchester Orcestra: Simple Math(s)
The Damned Things: Ironiclast
Deaf Havana: Meet Me Halfway At Least
A Day To Remember: ALL SONGs
Rival Schools: Pedals (its no United by Fate but its still Rival Schools)

Sneaky Peek

Presenting my work so far on Tuseday, hate presentations, but still thought I'd stick this up here 21 (i think) hours early, if nothing else then it will mean I have a copy on a few backups.

Hopfully going to have the protoypes bugs worked out in time to allow me to use it to control the presentation.