Using an Arduino, an accelerometer and LEDs...

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi guys,

I'm a complete beginner at both programming and circuitry so I'd really like some sound advice on my project!

I'm making an 'Artist Book' on digital designs. The book itself resembles a hard drive.

I wanted to add some interactivity by having the logo on the cover light up when the user lifts it or moves it.

So far I have an accelerometer (ADXL335), 2 Voltage regulators and an Arduino uno to complete this task.

I'd like to know:

how feasible this idea is,

whether I could complete it before the beginning of May

what kind of LED's are most powerful, cost effective and require no ventilation

how I would go about coding the arduio to carry out this function.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Isaac

2

You'll need to read about the low-power modes, and try to choose an accelerometer with a "knock" interrupt.

Don't post your email address in a forum - not sensible.

3

I already have the accelerometer, voltage regulators and arduino.. So what is the 'knock' interrupts function?

Low-power modes.. Okay, how does this affect the project.. What is it?

I have no idea about forums but yes I've removed my e-mail, thanks.

4

I already have the accelerometer, voltage regulators and arduino.. So what is the 'knock' interrupts function?

Which accelerometer?

The knock or tap interrupt is a feature of some accelerometers that allows you to wake up some other item (like an Arduino) if the accelerometer is subjected to a sharp tap.
It is used in disk drives to force the controller to retract the heads, or in phones to perform some functions, like cancel an alarm or answer a call.

The low power modes allow your Arduino to go to sleep until woken up by, say, a tap interrupt.
Whilst in low power, they consume far less power than when running normally, so prolonging battery life.

5

It's a triple axis accelerometer by Breakout the code is (ADXL335)

Okay is get the tap/knock interrupt, it has it according to the manufacturer.

So low power mode is something that can be programmed e.g. using Processing for Mac?

6

So low power mode is something that can be programmed e.g. using Processing for Mac

I don't understand what you mean - I thought the Arduino was going to be standalone, ie not connected to a host?

7

Don't you have to program it to carry out a certain function? I was told I had to use Processing to do this..

8

I was told I had to use Processing to do this..

No, you use Processing if you want the PC to do something in response to input from a connected Arduino, like plot a graph based on captured data.
Are you confusing Processing with the Arduino IDE?

9

I guess so, I'm only repeating what I've been told but I did think it was odd that I shouldn't use the native programming software for the arduino.

I'd really just like to know how I should begin coding it to carry out this function and if the use of RGB LED's would be feasible?

10

Hook the accelerometer to the analogue inputs, and get programming.

11

Okay, where could I find a good tutorial on how to hook the accelerometer to the arduino? I'm coming up with blanks online.

12

Have you tried the Playground?

13

I have no idea what that is.

14

Up there, on the left, where it says "Main site" "Blog" "Playground"

Close, very close.
http://bildr.org/2011/03/adxl345-arduino/

15

Okay great, thanks for the info. :slight_smile: