I'm a college student majoring in industrial design. I have an idea that I want to turn to reality, and I was wondering if it was feasible.
I'm completely new to this world! So I'd really appreciate any tips and guidance to make this project happen.
The Project:
A rotating cylinder that is hanging from the ceiling. The cylinder is lined with IR sensors and corresponding LEDs. So the result would be a rotating 'mirror' of some sort that would reflect something in front of the cylinder- only in light.
So. In order to make this happen..(if it is possible!)
I was wondering what arduino products I should use if I needed to connect around 200 IR sensors and 200 corresponding LEDs.
and.. if it was possible to connect a single IR sensor to multiple LEDs.
and.. if it was possible to connect 200 IR sensors and LEDs, would I have to set up each sensor and LED with separate code, or could i set up a 'command center' and control all sensors and LEDs with a few lines of code.
and..I was wondering if I succeed in making everything work, would I be able to have it running without having it connected to a computer? I would like to have it so that it would work by simply plugging in a power cable. Would it work like that? Or would I need something like a raspberry pi to keep everything running.
"A rotating cylinder that is hanging from the ceiling. The cylinder is lined with IR sensors and corresponding LEDs. So the result would be a rotating 'mirror' of some sort that would reflect something in front of the cylinder- only in light."
zoomkat:
"A rotating cylinder that is hanging from the ceiling. The cylinder is lined with IR sensors and corresponding LEDs. So the result would be a rotating 'mirror' of some sort that would reflect something in front of the cylinder- only in light."
Hmmm..., don't get it.
Sorry for the bad explanation. I attached a sketch. Here's a link if that helps: photo
I think I see the idea...when each IR sensor detects some radiation its corresponding LED is switched on. Yes?
What are you thinking of putting in front of your cylinder that will produce enough IR radiation for the sensors to pick up? And how far away do you expect anything to be picked up?
slipstick:
I think I see the idea...when each IR sensor detects some radiation its corresponding LED is switched on. Yes?
What are you thinking of putting in front of your cylinder that will produce enough IR radiation for the sensors to pick up? And how far away do you expect anything to be picked up?
Steve
Yes! I was thinking that the sensors were strong enough to pick up radiation from humans from about a foot away. I might be completely wrong on this.. my plan is to have the audience walk up to the project, wave their hands and see the light reflecting.
Maybe IR isn't what i'm thinking it is. I'm thinking of a sensor that uses infrared to pick up motion, and that would transfer over to a light signal..?
There is a vast range of wavelengths that are classed as IR. You really have to study the response curve of your IR sensor to see where they are sensitive and then find something that produces IR in that range.
You'll need a thermopile IR sensor, something like MLX90247, which you find in cheap contactless thermometers. But it could turn out to be a qoute exensive project
There are quite some IR proximity sensors using a separate IR LED to provide their own IR, then look for the reflection. That's a lot stronger IR than a warm human would even send out.
You can also look at various distance sensors, especially the VL53L0X is great as it's tiny so can be quite easily hidden in your structure.
The general approach of proximity sensor is likely to work a lot better than trying to detect the IR of a person.
Of course you don't need a computer to keep the project running - an Arduino sketch runs on the Arduino itself. You just need the computer to get the sketch uploaded onto the Arduino.
wvmarle:
There are quite some IR proximity sensors using a separate IR LED to provide their own IR, then look for the reflection. That's a lot stronger IR than a warm human would even send out.
You can also look at various distance sensors, especially the VL53L0X is great as it's tiny so can be quite easily hidden in your structure.
The general approach of proximity sensor is likely to work a lot better than trying to detect the IR of a person.
Of course you don't need a computer to keep the project running - an Arduino sketch runs on the Arduino itself. You just need the computer to get the sketch uploaded onto the Arduino.
Thanks so much! I looked into some distance sensors and it looks like they could be quite expensive..I found some IR proximity sensors that were relatively cheap and could possibly work: https://tinyurl.com/wb2kmqt
If I buy these would I need around 200, since I need to pair each sensor to a different LED? And then- is there a way to connect 200 IR proximity sensors and corresponding LEDs to a single Arduino?
Robin2:
I'm wondering why there is any need for a microprocessor. Wouldn't it be possible to wire up a sensor so that if its output is HIGH its LED is on?
...R
Sorry, but I have really limited knowledge on this area and I'm unsure of what you mean by microprocessor. If you could explain- and provide another approach to this project it would be great. Thanks!
kmkim0929:
Sorry, but I have really limited knowledge on this area and I'm unsure of what you mean by microprocessor.
An Arduino is a microprocessor.
I'm no expert on electronic circuits.
One thought that comes to mind is wire a reflective optical detector so the output triggers a logic IC - maybe an AND gate. The output of the IC turns on or off the LED. It may be that you need some sort of amplifier between the IC and the LED, but maybe you can find a logic IC with enough output power to light the LED directly.
kmkim0929:
Hi!
I have a project using around 200 IR sensors (like this one) and corresponding LEDs.
That's the kind I was thinking of - the output of those should be strong enough to drive an LED directly. They may struggle to reach your 1 foot distance requirement. They will be triggered by stray IR so don't work outdoors during the day.
Is it possible to set an IR sensor so that the receiver only receives the IR rays sent out by its transmitter?
Not easily with those things.
You'd have to power them on one by one (or in groups that are pointing in a sufficiently different direction) to prevent interference, then check the outputs of those and set the LEDs accordingly.
Is it possible to connect around 200 IR sensors and corresponding LEDs to a single Arduino?
Given enough port extenders... should be possible.
To also switch them on/off individually you'd need a total of 75 shift registers, three banks of 25 for 200 I/O: one bank outputs for switching power to the sensors; one bank inputs to read the signal from the sensors; one bank outputs for the LEDs.
Robin2:
One thought that comes to mind is wire a reflective optical detector so the output triggers a logic IC
The sensor the OP linked to is such a reflective sensor: it has an IR LED and looks for IR with a photodiode. It claims 30 cm but in reality it's about half that, unless ideal circumstance.
The link also mentions it's based on the LM393 comparator, that means it's output can sink up to 20 mA which is enough to drive an LED. It's just that I don't see there (nor remember, I have played with these things) whether they're active high or active low. I suspect it's the first, and if so they can't shine an LED when activated... it's an open collector output (probably with pull-up resistor in place already but that won't drive an LED).
wvmarle:
It's just that I don't see there (nor remember, I have played with these things) whether they're active high or active low. I suspect it's the first, and if so they can't shine an LED when activated...
It would be straightforward to reverse the logic with a logic gate
Order some and test.
Use a straw to shield the receiver if needed.
Get a MEGA for the extra pins
Test the parts.
If you get it to work the way want then expand.
This screams testing. More than using data sheets
.........
IMHO this is an XY problem
You are picking hardware then trying to make it work in a way it was not designed.
If you stated what you want in more detail then the hardware might be very different.
My thoughts run to a raspberry pi and a FFLIR Camera
Robin2:
I agree with the latter, but I think we don't even know enough to justify advising the OP to buy a Mega (or any other Arduino).
...R
It really is in the planning stage.
If a sense and display works then it could be just adding LEDs to the sensors.
If the OP wanted to add LEDs between LEDs and infer that if the LEDs on any two adjacent pins are lit, then light the extraLED....
or if a 'light and fade' were desired it would make a microcontroller more useful.
