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[Flash 10 is required to watch video]
This is an example of the readouts from the IR sensor i set it so that it only works when the reading is smaller than 220 so that the beeper is not running continuously.
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This is the circuit diagram my final design was based on as you can see there is an LED but in the sunglasses i replaced this with a buzzer to allow the individual to hear instead of see.
The code seen below is for a camera flash trigger. The code i used was not as complex as this but the circuitry used is not all that different from the above.
http://www.ladyada.net/learn/sensors/ir.html
// This sketch will send out a Nikon D50 trigger signal (probably works with most Nikons) // this code is public domain, please enjoy! int IRledPin = 13; // LED connected to digital pin 13 // The setup() method runs once, when the sketch starts void setup() { // initialize the IR digital pin as an output: pinMode(IRledPin, OUTPUT); Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { Serial.println("Sending IR signal"); SendNikonCode(); delay(60*1000); // wait one minute (60 seconds * 1000 milliseconds) } // This procedure sends a 38KHz pulse to the IRledPin // for a certain # of microseconds. We'll use this whenever we need to send codes void pulseIR(long microsecs) { // we'll count down from the number of microseconds we are told to wait cli(); // this turns off any background interrupts while (microsecs > 0) { // 38 kHz is about 13 microseconds high and 13 microseconds low digitalWrite(IRledPin, HIGH); // this takes about 3 microseconds to happen delayMicroseconds(10); // hang out for 10 microseconds digitalWrite(IRledPin, LOW); // this also takes about 3 microseconds delayMicroseconds(10); // hang out for 10 microseconds // so 26 microseconds altogether microsecs -= 26; } sei(); // this turns them back on } void SendNikonCode() { // This is the code for my particular Nikon, for others use the tutorial // to 'grab' the proper code from the remote pulseIR(2080); delay(27); pulseIR(440); delayMicroseconds(1500); pulseIR(460); delayMicroseconds(3440); pulseIR(480); delay(65); // wait 65 milliseconds before sending it again pulseIR(2000); delay(27); pulseIR(440); delayMicroseconds(1500); pulseIR(460); delayMicroseconds(3440); pulseIR(480); } -
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Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the module, students will be able to:
LO1: Design multimedia projects that make appropriate use of physical, aural,
visual, time-based and interaction components to convey a message and
reinforce its content.
I feel I have successfully addressed this outcome as I have managed to create an artefact that works through trial and error and input from various members of my class. The final product I have created could be applied in a real world scenario with development and refining but the technology shown is proven to work as shown by how car parking sensors work. It addresses the needs of the target market (The Blind) of wanting to be individual without the need for intervention and help them appear like everyone else and fit in a crowd unnoticed and avoid everyday dangers they may encounter such as crossing the road, walking through people, walls and poles and doors to shops. The technology used is readily available in parking sensors from cars which proves their ability to work and will allow a freely movable IR sensor that can detect distance and allow the wearer to build a mental picture in their head of their surroundings. I feel that if i was able to further develop the product and had the funds to do so i would work on making it smaller and more compact so it wasn’t a hassle to carry and wouldn’t take up any more space than originally would have been. It would be good to incorporate the IR collision sensor electronics into a universal item that could be placed on the glasses or sunglasses of a blind or partially blind person. To a fully-blind person this product would help them make their way around streets and people and could also help them cross the road as they could identify the button to press that would cause the lights to change and the green man and crossing sound to play. To partially blind people this product would be reassurance when they need it to help them make definite judgements on distance if they have blurred or double vision. If a smartphone app was made that replaced the need for an Arduino the IR sensor hazard kit could be virtually unnoticeable as it could use the 3.5mm jack that powers earphones and with the 3 bands on a 3.5mm jack could allow for an IR sensor to be ran from it, if this was not possible a more condensed version of the Arduino and electronics could be devised and added as a plug in hardware that would fit in the data sending port or multifunction port as seen on the iPhone.
LO2: Identify the appropriate technology to design a product or installation.
I feel I have met this outcome as I have chosen an appropriate proven technology (Infra-Red lighting) and applied it to a wearable readily available item (sunglasses). It has also been adapted to fit the target market (Blind people). The technology used has been used before as seen in car parking sensors and has the possibility of being used in other environments as in this case, to help blind people navigate unaided. The technology used in my project could be configured to work with any object, item or person that is required to navigate through a set of obstacles blind.
LO3: Develop working prototypes to appropriately augment an interactive product
or installation.
I have met this outcome as I have succeeded in creating a working artefact that has possibilities of being provided to the outside world. I have also managed to adapt the technology around the sunglasses in a way that won’t obstruct the ability to wear them and function. I feel that the prototype could have been more attractive in the presentation aspect of it but the core technology used was, as I would like. I have effectively changed the purpose of the sunglasses to a wearable parking sensor as such. One of my initial ideas of creating a sensor on a wall for a blind persons home would fail as it would draw extensive amounts of power, if faulty could cause injury and would be impractical and intrusive.
LO4: Appraise their work in relation to current practice and theory.
I feel I have met this outcome as I have used existing technology in a new environment and purpose. Car sensors have been around for a couple years now and are frequently fitted to new luxury and expensive cars to prevent them running into bollards, walls and kerbs. The technology they have used is ultrasonic as it needs to be able to pick up objects over a wide space (width of the car). I changed the technology used to an IR sensor as it will be being focused from one thin viewpoint (a persons head) and doesn’t need to run over a wide area. The only problem with IR sensors is their range as by the time the person has met the obstacle it could be too late due to the limited range of the sensors. I have researched into this and found that more powerful IR sensors are available but I would need to ensure that the weight and size of the sensor didn’t interfere with the comfort and function of the sunglasses. With a more powerful IR sensor the product would be able to take readings from a greater distance and give a bigger warning to the wearer of the sunglasses, also the more powerful the sensor the more accurate the readings would be as when an object is placed on the boundary of reading for the sensor used the results tend to be inaccurate and tether off into no reading at all. The addition of a more powerful sensor would make the product I created ideal technology-wise. I feel that through making wrong or ill-informed choices helps you identify what works and what doesn’t and will help me devise a more direct strategy in projects to come. Through completing this project i have learned the effectiveness or prior planning as i would need to source the items earlier to enable me to create a more attractive project idea.
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This is the iphone 4 which readily uses apps to make life easier and more fun for the user. This can be of an advantage to an IR sensor collision device as it can be created once as an app and take away the need for extensive electrical components, removing manufacturing costs.
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This is an example of mp3 sunglasses that allow the user to listen to music in one item. I could use this idea to further develop mine and create an app for a smartphone or create an mp3 player that can be used in conjusction with the IR sensor. This would save time and money creating individual sensor kits. There would also be the possibility of using bluetooth or wifi to transmit the signals, taking away the use of wires.
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This is an image of the final prototype, i fastened the IR transmitter-reciever to the front of the glasses so they blend in better with the overall design and could possibly be incorporated into the sunglasses design itself if manufactured properly. I used zip ties to fasten the wires and IR sensor in place as i didnt want to damage the sunglasses but also wanted it to be a firm hold. I feel that this was an effective choice as it uses already available technology that is installed in cars worldwide and would work from the same principle. I added a button into the breadboard to allow for the beeping noise created from the buzzer to be stopped until they need it again as in my opinion the buzzer noise is annoying and could be exchanged for a nicer noise or melody or even use a song which speeds up the closer to an object the user goes.
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I decided to add extra wire in between the black box and the sunglasses so the box could be stored in a jacket or shirt pocket or even trousers without pulling the glasses or being uncomfortable. I was originally going to put the sensor on the top of the bridge of the sunglasses but it was hard to keep in place and made the glasses uncomfortable so i didnt bother. One of my classmates also said it looked better at the front and would be more secure.
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I bought this electronics storage box from maplins hoping that i would be able to store the arduino and breakboard in it to make the item more portable, protect the electronics inside and be easily stored away.
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These are my sunglasses that i will be using for the prototype. I would like to allow the kit to be placed on any brand of sunglasses to allow for a customizable experience. These sunglasses are Oakley Half-jacket’s, i chose these as they are light but durable and strong and are a high quality brand so could hold weight without breaking or bending. I could fasten the infra-red sensor to these sunglasses through some form of tape or zip ties as i don’t want to damage the sunglasses.
