Interactive, Open Source Mood Light

Step 8 Program it, close it up, & use it

The code I used uses a library created by Tod E. Kurt (www.todbot.com/blog) and the makers of BlinkM (ThingM). I will try to add notes in the code when I can to make it more understandable; I'm kind-of busy at the current time. You must have the code library (the file labeled "BlinkM_funcs.h") opened in the arduino software when uploading the code or it will not work.

If you want to view the code but don't have the arduino software, you can open it with a word processing program (aka wordpad for windows users).

Ideas for new functions are welcome. Please feel free to post them; I want to make this open-source. The aim of the way I structured the code is so new functions can be added easily. Some of the functions are programmed into the BlinkM by the manufacturer (ThingM), but two of them I have made; 'Sound Light' and 'Mimic Light'. Right now it has the following:

• Mood Light - Slowly fades to random colors
• Candle - Flickers like a candle with oranges and yellows
• Water Reflections - 'Shimmers' with blues, turquoises, and cyan colors
• Seasonal Colors - Turns seasonal colors (I think they are blue, green, purple, and orange)
• Thunderstorm - Flashes occasionally simulating lightning
• Stop Light - Turns from red to yellow to green and back again
• Mimic Light - Records a sequence of up to 50 on/off cycles of light (you can use a flashlight), 'memorizes' the on/off times, and then plays them back in a never ending loop.
• Sound Light - Pulsates to the sound of music

Tap lightly on the translucent dome to change functions at any time. There is one exception to this rule: when you reach the 'mimic light' function, it will flash green. If you tap on the dome while it is flashing, it will go to the last function ('sound light'). If you just wait, it will go to the 'mimic light' function. When you get to the 'sound light' function, you cannot change functions and go to the first one, due to the way it reads the sound sensor.

Now comes the hard part. In order to close the mood light enclosure, you have to take a few careful steps.

First, you have to line up the support springs with the small tabs on the plastic dome. Since the DC power jack is on the rim, and the wires go to the breadboard , you have to slip the plastic dome over those wires FIRST, then line up the outer rim's screw columns with the indentations on the plastic dome. Make sure all the tabs line up with the placement of the support springs, which also correspond with the screw columns on the rim, and the srew holes on the base plate. Then, once you're sure everything lines up, snap the outer rim down onto the base plate. Next, make sure no wires are stuck in the springs, or are in a place where they may in the future. This would hinder the movement of the plastic dome. Lastly, replace the screws and enjoy!

Final notes: IMPORTANT: do NOT use batteries and plug in the wall adapter at the same time. I'm not sure what will happen but I'm sure it will destroy everything connected to the power!!