Here is a guided instructable on how to make your own Interactive LED table using one of the kits from Evil Mad Sciencitst.
Here is a video of my final table in action in the dark, and a photo of what it looks like:
Here is a video of my final table in action in the dark, and a photo of what it looks like:
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Signing UpStep 1: Choose your size, and Design a Table
Evil Mad Scientist offer 2 sizes for their table, a 6 panel kit and an 8 panel kit. Both of them can be configured in 3 different ways, so before you can start designing your table, you should choose which size you want to buy.
I choose the 6 panel kit, and this instructable will focus on that size. If you choose the 8 panel kit, you can still use this guide, just remember to change the measurements to your own.
Next make a rough sketch of how you want your table to look.
If you are good with Google Sketchup, I suggest you use that to get some nice 3-D views of it.
I choose the 6 panel kit, and this instructable will focus on that size. If you choose the 8 panel kit, you can still use this guide, just remember to change the measurements to your own.
Next make a rough sketch of how you want your table to look.
If you are good with Google Sketchup, I suggest you use that to get some nice 3-D views of it.
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Nice instructions on building a table frame for the electronics. Good photographs and carpentry tips.
A quick Googling of the EMS site shows "DIY and open source hardware for art, education, and world domination."
http://evilmadscience.com/majors/46-tables
But no schematics? That is not open source. EMS sells very expensive boards.
IMHO, to claim open source for proprietary circuitry is just like the first name of the company- E.V.I.L.
If I had the money to get one of their sections... I'd quickly change that "open source" part around real fast.
I do know that it's "heart" is an LM324 quad-op amp. There is a thread on a Polish electronics forum where someone (ostry_18) has made a demo (with schematic) that works pretty much the same:
http://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic847444-150.html#6988956
I'm not really sure what's going on there at the output end, and I haven't gotten around to building anything yet to try it out. I know it doesn't work exactly like the original, and as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing. If it doesn't work exactly like the original, then there is NOTHING stopping you from posting the schematics up and ACTUALLY making the thing open. If you want to build it and test it out (if you beat me to it), please post of a better version of the schematic you're using. I have a couple of things whipped up in Eagle, but I haven't tested anything yet so I don't want to post something that could damage parts because I missed a wire somewhere. ;p
Also, EMS has said that the trigger for the system is a SFH203FA photodiode.
So there should be enough there to build something, more or less, like the original.
I guess to get on topic, I like the layout of the table. As for the electronics part... there should be no electronics projects on Instructables without schematics. IMO it goes against what I think Instructables is all about.
There are other open source LED tables that do use a micro-controller to achieve the same effect. With a micro-controller and a few sensors you could achieve numerous effects. For example it could be light, sound, or EMF sensitive. Not to mention you could show designs, scrolling text, the possibilities is endless!
And don't feel bad about it. These LED products are usually very easy to make. Get a bag or reel of LEDs, microcontrollers, resistors and proximity sensors. Side bonus of building yourself is that you can use way more LEDs and SMD components meaning it'll be cheaper and you can add additional features. (It's nice to have a RS232 connector on these sort of things so you can control it with a computer as well). If you want to build one and you have trouble with something feel free to prod me.
I am encouraged by your offer to communicate. THAT IS WHAT OPENSOURCE SHOULD BE! (Kind of like the old Ham radio days I think.)
Is it alright to start a sub-thread about circuit design concepts?
Assuming we want to detect movement in 4 directional grid pattern (X,Y, +-) and if LEDs are on, can we pulse them to determine which LED is getting a reflected signal from a moving hand? Or is there a better way to determine direction of movement for the triggering object?
Would this be a LED/receiver row and column matrix scanned across the entire unit? (That could limit the size to whatever is designed at the beginning.)
OR-
Would this direction detection be done on a ... neighbor to neighbor process? I'm thinking of 4 signal lines going back and forth from each LED much like a square grid pattern. These could possibly use simpler circuitry and be modular in nature with no theoretical limit to the size or even physical configuration. Just stick boards next to each other and connect in any (grid based) pattern that fits the need.
Thanks.
P.S. Please feel free to suggest the correct terms as I do not have a degree. :)
First you should decide on the sensor if you really wish to go through with this. The TCND5000 looks promising as sensor for this sort of application. Adding a Z axis might be a bit tricky though. Though strictly speaking you could build your own setup using individual photodiodes/transistors and LEDs I guess.
I wonder if a Z axis sensor could be based on light intensity or shadow intensity?
I also wonder if a Sharp IR rangefinder type of sensor which uses a divided sender/receiver pair could be rigged with just an LED, a divider, and a photodiode?
Thanks again. :)
Using those sensors themselves would push the cost quite high so that's not really an option. The IR sensors you're referring to work by detecting the angle. So sadly it's not simple to build such a system on your own without using cameras. There are a few other ways to do IR range finding but these are prohibitively expensive or cumbersome. Using sound for range finding on the other hand is a lot easier, BUT since you're using a table top it's a lot harder to do so without cutting holes in the surface..
MYTHBUSTERS!!!
Adam: 8D
Jamie: 8C
i will try it with ir receiver and transmitter sensor.
if i were to sell the table, i'd list it at $2000, but i don't plan on selling it, so it's priceless.
I love it!
im very interested to make this cool stuff....that anyone has the schematic of this? i would be happy if any one here want to share it to me:)
tomz_eternity@yahoo.com
sekutu@hotmail.com
thankss
http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/diningtablecircuit
but I am not pride,bec I am a professional of LED display.
But if If some i can help you to do it I will be so pride about it.