Motion Sensing - Ideas required...

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Frequently-Asked Questions
1

Hi all,

I'm trying to create something similair to this...

now i got the LEDS figured out(easier part :wink: ) I'm looking for ideas on how to sense the motion... I was thinking capacitve sensing but not sure if this would be effective.. Any suggestions anyone?

cheers,
Pracas :slight_smile:

2

There are a number of ways you can "sense" things and depending on what you want to sense, you would use different sensors. From the video in the link, it looks like the panels have banks of 5x4 leds that are activated by 1 sensor. In this case it is probably a IR transmitter/reciever Optical Detector / Phototransistor - QRD1114 - SEN-00246 - SparkFun Electronics that can detect when something passes over it by the amount of light that is reflected back into the reciever. You could also use more powerful versions like a sharp proximity sensor or ultrasonic sensors, these would allow for detecting objects at longer ranges. You could also use capacitance if ou actualy wanted to touch the pannel. However if you give some examples of how you would use this, a more precise sensor could be recomended.

3

Hi,
Thanks for the reply... Yes I've thought of those sensors but i need something that fits into the board and is non-obtrusive....It should be able to sense through glass and should react to touch/proximity tothe glass surface. I propose to use a glass with kinda matt finish so that the user can also feel...

cheers,
Pracas

4

Hmm thats a little more tricky. You might be able to set up a matrix of capacitance sensors behind the glass. Here is an example of a single sensor setup. Arduino Playground - HomePage

Im not sure if you could put more than one of these next to each other though because that might mess them up.

Do you want the whole pannel to light up when you get next to it or touch it, or do you just want the part under where it is touched to light up?

5

i want parts of it lighting up... yea.. tried that capacitance thing earlier... It works but not sure of how it would work if there is more than one... How do you think those guys did it? are there smd ir transmitters and recievers? that could be it....let me check this now...