This Instructables is about upgrading a plush toy to give it the ability to sing when baby presses its belly.
Most importantly : it will not play a stupid pre-recorded music, but actually sing mommy's songs, with mommy's voice !
This project started with two goals in mind: customizing a nice gift for my baby, and raising support from my wife in my electronics hobby :-)
Material needed
Toy
- plush toy (one that you can tear apart without regret)
- Velcro strips
Electronics
- Arduino Uno
- MP3 shield (I recommend Sparkfun's https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10628 - the code I will provide is based on this model)
- 0.5W speaker
- 9V battery with its connector and a 2.1mm Jack to plug in the Arduino
- pushbutton
- on-off switch (optional)
- crimp connectors (optional)
Other components
- used credit or fidelity card
- empty business card box.
Level : I assume the reader is comfortable with both Arduino (and shields) and general electronics, including soldering. I will skip many details but do not hesitate to ask in comments, I will reply.
Acknowledgment : Bill Porter has written a MP3 librairy for the Sparkfun shield that greatly facilitated my work (as well as further support in his forum). His website is
http://www.billporter.info/2012/01/28/sparkfun-mp3-shield-arduino-library/
Most importantly : it will not play a stupid pre-recorded music, but actually sing mommy's songs, with mommy's voice !
This project started with two goals in mind: customizing a nice gift for my baby, and raising support from my wife in my electronics hobby :-)
Material needed
Toy
- plush toy (one that you can tear apart without regret)
- Velcro strips
Electronics
- Arduino Uno
- MP3 shield (I recommend Sparkfun's https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10628 - the code I will provide is based on this model)
- 0.5W speaker
- 9V battery with its connector and a 2.1mm Jack to plug in the Arduino
- pushbutton
- on-off switch (optional)
- crimp connectors (optional)
Other components
- used credit or fidelity card
- empty business card box.
Level : I assume the reader is comfortable with both Arduino (and shields) and general electronics, including soldering. I will skip many details but do not hesitate to ask in comments, I will reply.
Acknowledgment : Bill Porter has written a MP3 librairy for the Sparkfun shield that greatly facilitated my work (as well as further support in his forum). His website is
http://www.billporter.info/2012/01/28/sparkfun-mp3-shield-arduino-library/
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Signing UpStep 1: Ripping apart Teddy Bear and stitching it back
As the title suggest, this step involves sharp blades and open-heart surgery.
Jokes aside - It is important to open the plush toy in the cleanest fashion possible, in order to be able to put in back together at the end.
Look for a long sewing line, for example in the back, and cut the sewing threads with a cutter blade.
Then remove all filler from the belly, and keep it in a plastic bag.
Last step for the preparation of the plush toy : sew two bands of Velcro on each side of the cut.
Jokes aside - It is important to open the plush toy in the cleanest fashion possible, in order to be able to put in back together at the end.
Look for a long sewing line, for example in the back, and cut the sewing threads with a cutter blade.
Then remove all filler from the belly, and keep it in a plastic bag.
Last step for the preparation of the plush toy : sew two bands of Velcro on each side of the cut.
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I'm not entirely sure of what is your project but I understand your question refer to the pushbutton resistor. If it is correct, yes, I think you should have a resistor, otherwise you are creating a short-circuit when the button is pressed