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Button-schemer, by Aniomagic, is such an amazing little widget. It's an ambient program reader the size of a nickel which is programmable with specially timed flashes of light. With it, we will make the world's thinnest, programmable bracelet.
I've already found a whole bunch of uses for the bracelet: it makes me visible during night bike rides on the way home; it makes an awesome raver strobelight (I have a special accelerometer built into mine); I can set it to count down how many minutes I have left during a presentation; it reminds me to move my car after two hours so I don't get a parking ticket ; and it makes a handy flashlight in a pinch.
And the really cool thing is, if I need to change its behavior, I can do so really quickly and easily whether I'm on the desktop, handheld or phone. I write and upload programs directly from a web-browser, and a scheme interpreter flashes a part of the screen like morse code, which is read by button-schemer. This way I don't need special software or any extra hardware. Because of its built-in light sensor, it can also respond to other lights in the environment, or - get this - program another bracelet!
As we all know, one recurring problem with wearable electronics is how do you program it if you don't want to bring your whole development system and hardware with you? How tiny can it be if it contains extra hardware to talk with your computer? Another problem is the need for bulky battery holders. Read this tutorial to see some of our solutions to these issues.
To make your own, you'll need our kit (it's the tiniest you'll find anywhere), but this tutorial has a ton of ideas about making your own wearable electronics. For instance, designers should aim for ultra simple wiring, perhaps making a system bus so that end-users would need only two wires throughout their garment. Right now, even simple computational projects need a lot of different stitches (which must not cross). This project also hints towards the future of mixing craft with programming, so it's worth reading even if it's just to gain insights for your own unique projects.
I've already found a whole bunch of uses for the bracelet: it makes me visible during night bike rides on the way home; it makes an awesome raver strobelight (I have a special accelerometer built into mine); I can set it to count down how many minutes I have left during a presentation; it reminds me to move my car after two hours so I don't get a parking ticket ; and it makes a handy flashlight in a pinch.
And the really cool thing is, if I need to change its behavior, I can do so really quickly and easily whether I'm on the desktop, handheld or phone. I write and upload programs directly from a web-browser, and a scheme interpreter flashes a part of the screen like morse code, which is read by button-schemer. This way I don't need special software or any extra hardware. Because of its built-in light sensor, it can also respond to other lights in the environment, or - get this - program another bracelet!
As we all know, one recurring problem with wearable electronics is how do you program it if you don't want to bring your whole development system and hardware with you? How tiny can it be if it contains extra hardware to talk with your computer? Another problem is the need for bulky battery holders. Read this tutorial to see some of our solutions to these issues.
To make your own, you'll need our kit (it's the tiniest you'll find anywhere), but this tutorial has a ton of ideas about making your own wearable electronics. For instance, designers should aim for ultra simple wiring, perhaps making a system bus so that end-users would need only two wires throughout their garment. Right now, even simple computational projects need a lot of different stitches (which must not cross). This project also hints towards the future of mixing craft with programming, so it's worth reading even if it's just to gain insights for your own unique projects.
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Signing UpStep 1Preparation
First, a few words about the button-schemer system.
It's designed to be very easy to hookup but it's picky about what it's connected to.
- The two holes on either side of the button-schemer connect to lightboards and switches only, and you can use more of both in your design, for some kinda weird bike-wheel-flashing-light project.
- It has a voltage booster to make the lights bright on a CR2016 battery, and it runs until all the juice is gone.
- The switch has a 1K resistor. This is because lightboards and switches use the same line. Take note if you plan to use your own switch.
Ingredients (all from Aniomagic Store: http://www.aniomagic.com/store )
- button schemer
- 4 lightboards
- 1 button switch
- pre-cut piece of leather
- matching brass snaps
- conductive thread
- thin battery (CR2016)
- adhesive-backed liners.
Everything listed here comes in a kit, and the leather strap has the snaps already attached. We've also laser cut holes in the strap because leather can be tough to sew through, and it strips conductive thread, reducing its conductivity.
It's designed to be very easy to hookup but it's picky about what it's connected to.
- The two holes on either side of the button-schemer connect to lightboards and switches only, and you can use more of both in your design, for some kinda weird bike-wheel-flashing-light project.
- It has a voltage booster to make the lights bright on a CR2016 battery, and it runs until all the juice is gone.
- The switch has a 1K resistor. This is because lightboards and switches use the same line. Take note if you plan to use your own switch.
Ingredients (all from Aniomagic Store: http://www.aniomagic.com/store )
- button schemer
- 4 lightboards
- 1 button switch
- pre-cut piece of leather
- matching brass snaps
- conductive thread
- thin battery (CR2016)
- adhesive-backed liners.
Everything listed here comes in a kit, and the leather strap has the snaps already attached. We've also laser cut holes in the strap because leather can be tough to sew through, and it strips conductive thread, reducing its conductivity.
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keep in mind, i have never used these. i am new to this etextile thing. it sounds cool!
Anyway, just for the sake of having fun, is there a way for me to make my own schemer? For thread I think I can use some copper wire strands thingy's (I am SO clear here :P) . What do you think about that? would it work?
You know you are a beginner, start with the right material I leave the author to do the detailed stuff, this is just my opinion.
Also a schemer, no, just don't.
1)How long does it last per battery.
2)If it's programmed via Morse code, is there a key or something breaking down the commands into their Morse dits/dashes so that you could conceivably reprogram it manually with a flashlight or something?
3)Is there a possibility of using rgb LEDs?
4)Is it possible to put a cluster of LEDs on the board in the middle making for a brighter center light?