Introduction: Smart Object OP2 (HER)

Class: Fablab Smart Objects

Student: Stephan de Jonge

Student ID: 0901653

Teacher: M. van Noord

Intro:

This small project was an assignment for a free selection course at the "Hogeschool Rotterdam University of Applied Science". The goal of the course was to create a functional smart object which fitted certain requirements. I chose to build a smart webcam stand. The camera on top of the stand is supposed to turn in the direction where the users face resides (at that given time). If you'd like to reproduce this, please contact me so I can provide schematics, requirements and guidelines.

Step 1: Week 1

Steps

Brainstorming and researching.

Problems

Inspiration.

Solutions

Browsing the internet.

Help needed?

No


Brainstorm

I've been quickly reviewing a few ideas for smar objects and I've come with the following ideas:

Smart Wake-Up (Lights up, vibrates, beeps softly).

Primary use: People that wake easily and don’t want to get scared to death when waking up.

Materials: RGB LED, rumble kit, piezo, microcontroller.

Smart keyboard (Lights up when a hand is detected and when it's dark).

Primary use: Lazy PC users.

Materials: RGB LED, light sensitivity sensor, proximity sensor, microcontroller.

Smart Camera, detects motion and rotates with the moving object.

Primary use: Tracking webcam.

Materials: Webcam, IR sensor array, microcontroller.

Flamespitting Halloween pumpkin/skull, spits fire upon detection.

Primary use: Decorational, not a toy!

Materials: Casing, mini gas tank, IR sensor array, microcontroller.

My definite project for this course shall be the smart camera!

Project Smart Camera

A movement tracking camera to be used as webcam with the help of IR sensors.

If a person gets up from his/her desk the camera is ought to follow the moving person.

This way someone can walk away from the computer.

MOSCOW:

Must have: a rotating USB Camera.

Should have: An IR sensor array.

Could have: Reset button.

Would have: Face detection or Flamethrower!

PS: Prototype attached in the picture.

Step 2: Week 2

Steps

Built a wooden frame from triplex using the laser cutter. And glued it together. I made a simple Adobe Illustrator SVG and "printed" it to the trojec laser cutter after aligning the laser head's height and adjusting the position of the triplex.


Problems

I'm afraid it will fall apart.


Solutions

I used more proper wood glue within the grooves of the frame.


Help needed?

No

PS: Prototype in the picture.

Step 3: Week 3

Steps

I've made a schematic for the electronic circuit.

Problems

It's not tested yet.

Solutions

Sensor arrival

.

Help needed?

A teacher on the fifth floor.

PS:Picture of schematic prototype.

Step 4: Week 4

Steps

Collected IR sensors and IR LEDs upstairs from my teacher. I hooked them up at home. And went tinkering with cables and the frame among other components.

Problems

I couldn't get the sensors to work properly.

Solutions

Swapping the out with working ones and checking the resistors.

Help needed?

No

PS: Prototype in the picture.

Step 5: Week 5

Steps

I wrote a few lines of code in order to make the smart objects basic functions work.

Problems

Not really, general purpose debugging.

Solutions

Nope

Help needed?

No

PS: Image of code, supplementing prototype.

Step 6: Week 6

Steps

Mounted all electronics to the frame. And tested the uploaded code. I've also reorganized the layout a little bit.

Problems

Some sensors where blocked.

Solutions

I've tweaked the sensor positioning

Help needed?

No

Video

https://youtu.be/6Rw9nKnkBII

PS: View the prototype video.