Invisible Piano (Keyboard Anywhere, a Kinect Piano)

After writing my previous instructable, I was asked about installing some slightly different software to use with the Kinect. Since I'd already done it, I figured it wouldn't take to long to retrace my steps and write the instructable. After much frustration, I figured out a really easy process to get everything installed and talking.

This instructable with walk you though getting a virtual keyboard working with the current release (11.04) of Ubuntu.

There are other ways of doing this (which I've done in the past), but trying to reaccomplish the task, I found many shortcuts to what I did in the command line previously.

If you have any questions on the command line or getting around in Ubuntu, please see my previous instructable. In this instructable I will assume you have a basic knowledge of the system and how it works. Like my last instructable terminal commands will be given starting with $. Do not copy the $ when transposing.

Also, don't transpose anything to terminal between [ ], it's there for reference.

Step 1 Materials

Computer - with a fresh Ubuntu install
Kinect
Spare Time

Comments

[preluderd]

I am getting an error when I run 'sudo python keyboard_anywhere.py'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "keyboard_anywhere.py", line 21, in
import PyQGLViewer
RuntimeError: the PyQt4.QtCore module is version 1 but the PyQGLViewer module requires version -1

I have followed the instructions to a T.

[StumpChunkman]

That sucks. I'm really sorry to hear that.

Sadly I haven't installed this in quite a while, but I know that they've come out with updated versions of everything I've listed here. Are you sure you're downloaded the versions that I recommend?

I'm not sure that I can help you without reinstalling the applications from scratch again, which isn't on my list of things to do.

It seems like it's looking for the right thing, but with the wrong digit. I'm really not sure what's going on though.

Best of luck.

[strandhoull]

Hey,
would it be possible to put the layer on stairs, so when going up the stairs (or down) you´ll be able to play the piano? i´m thinking of combining kinect with these Stockholm stairs in my school.

Stockholm stairs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

[StumpChunkman]

That would be possible, but difficult. When people were between the camera and the note, it would block the note. It'd be better to use pressure sensors for that, and you can make those for pretty cheap depending on what you need.

[jdevriendt]

Merci beaucoup !!!
thx for this awesome project

[locofocos]

Thank you!!! It's good to see someone finally sorted through all the problems with dependencies and such. I would hate to see such an amazing think like a kinect piano go to waste because the open source community can't get their tools to work together, and you've made sure that won't happen. Awesome.