Design and Build an interactive, light-sensitive night light

The Prototyping Environment

Install the Arduino software.
Install the Arduino software.
Ensure your Arduino software is configured correctly by uploading the blink program.
Ensure your Arduino software is configured correctly by uploading the blink program.
Customize the blink pattern.
Customize the blink pattern.
Use the Serial Port Monitor to watch variables change.
Use the Serial Port Monitor to watch variables change.
Mount the breadboard on the Arduino.
Mount the breadboard on the Arduino.
Create an LED circuit on your breadboard and make it blink.
Create an LED circuit on your breadboard and make it blink.
Upload a photo of an LED blinking on your breadboard.
Try to customize the blink to create your own pattern.

Analog Input / Output

Add a second LED
Have your second LED blink as well.
Use Pulse Width Modulation
Use AnalogWrite to fade an LED.
Blink and Fade at the same time.
The delay function halts all activity on the Arduino meaning that our fading LED's brightness wil not change while the delay is happening. We need to rewrite the code without using delay.
Create a light sensor
Setup your light sensor and use the readings to control an LED.
Upload a photo of your Arduino
If you have questions you can use the Q&A section of the Community tab.

Touch Sensor and Libraries

Create the CapSense Circuit
Set up a capacitive sensor on your breadboard. You will need jumper wire and a 1M resistor (brown black green)
Test the CapSense Circuit
Use the sample CapSense code in a new document to test you circuit.
Integrate the CapSense code into your code.
Use the CapSense code in your class code so far.
Edit the Class 3 Code
Understand and edit the class 3 code below.
Assignments:
1. Add a third LED on pin 10 and name it "Led1".
2. Make Led1 fade up.
3. Make Led1 fade up and then down.
Describe how you want your final light look and behave.
Share your progress in your project section to get feedback from other students

Functions and Logic

Organize your Code
Break your code into functions and test that it is still working.
Create a Behavior Flow Chart
Create a flow chart that shows a simplified version of the behavior for your light.
Give your Object a behavior
Use a SWITCH statement to setup the logic for your light.
Test the behavior
User tesiting is a very important part of design. Tell someone how the light is supposed to behave and then watch them operate it.
Post your progress
Post your flow chart as well as a few sentences about your user testing in the project section.

Laser Cutting

Design your Enclosure
Designing you enclosure is very personal. You can begin by editing my file and learn to work with acrylic or make your own box out cardboard, wood, found objects, or something else.
I have attached a sketchup file. The hardest part is factoring in the thickness of the acylic to your design.
Create your File for Laser Cutting
Included below are the file used to get the laser cutting done locally and the file I used for Ponoko.com.
If you want more then one color you will want to use the smaller sized template that Ponoko has on their site.
Ponoko laser cutting tutorial
Get your Laser Cut Acrylic and Glue
Ponoko.com
Solvent and Applicator (for glueing acrylic to acrylic)
Applicator alone
For glueing other things to the acrylic
Glue your Acrylic
Gluing your acrylic is relatively simple.
The next lesson will be Putting It All Together.

Putting Together the Circuit

Add 6 LEDs and Resistors to your breadboard
Add and test the light sensor.
Follow the video and use the code below.
You will only see anything in the serial port monitor.
Add and test the touch sensor.
Follow the video and use the code below.
You will only see anything in the serial port monitor.

Additional Resources

http://creatingsmartobjects.wordpress.com/category/1-programming-environment/
http://creatingsmartobjects.wordpress.com/category/2-prototyping-environment/
http://creatingsmartobjects.wordpress.com/category/3-electricity/
Blink code
BlinkCode.ino
Blink with 2 LEDs
Blink2.ino
Fading Code
Fade.ino
if statements
Blinking and Fading
BlinkandFade.ino
Class 2 circuit layout.
http://sparklelabs.com/emergingobjects/Class2circuit.pdf
Light Sensor Code
lightsensor.ino
CapSense test code
EmergingObjects_3_1.ino
CapSense Library page on Arduino.cc
Using the CapSensor Data
EmergingObjects_3_2.ino
Class 3 Code
EmergingObjects_3_3.ino
How I want my light to look and behave.
My light will be a simple cardbox that is white on the inside and has no top.
- When it becomes dark the LEDs will fade up. The LEDs will change color while they are on. They will stay on for 20 minutes and then fade out.
- If the LEDs are on when it becomes light out, the LEDs will fade out.
- If you pass your hand over it while the LEDs are on the lights will go out and stay out until the next night.
- If you pass your hand over it while the LEDs are off, the LEDs will turn on for 1 minute and then fade out (unless it has since become dark out).
EmergingObjects_4_1.ino
EmergingObjects_4_2.ino
EmergingObjects_4_3.ino
LEDtestSIMPLE.ino
Code for testing the 6 LEDs.
LEDtest.ino
Code for testing the LEDs.
Also includes code for the Arduino's onboard LED and for printing to the serial port monitor.
testLightSensor.ino
TestTouchSensor.ino

Christian Arca

Senior Product Manager at Shapeways

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