Hi Friends,

Creating smart glasses using an Arduino Nano is a fascinating project that combines electronics and programming. Here's a basic overview of how you might approach building DIY smart glasses using an Arduino Nano.

The Arduino Nano is a compact and versatile microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P microcontroller chip. It's essentially a smaller version of the Arduino Uno board, designed for projects where space is limited or where a smaller form factor is desired.

The Arduino Nano is a popular choice for hobbyists, students, and professionals alike due to its small size, versatility, and ease of use. It's suitable for a wide range of projects, from simple blinking LED experiments to more complex robotics and IoT applications.

The working principle of DIY smart glasses involves integrating various components such as a microcontroller (e.g., Arduino Nano), a display module, sensors, and possibly focal lenses, to create a wearable device capable of providing information or enhancing the user's vision.

If the smart glasses incorporate focal lenses, they provide vision correction or augmented reality (AR) abilities for the wearer. These lenses are designed to overlay digital content onto the wearer's field of view.

Supplies

You need the following parts for making smart glasses.

1) Display module : 0.96 Inch I2C 4-Pin OLED Display Module

Various electronic components (resistors, capacitors, etc.)

2) HC-05 Bluetooth Module

3) Arduino Nano (or compatible microcontroller)

4) Power source : 3.7 volt Li-Po Battery (battery or power bank)

5) Frame and glasses to mount components

6) 100mm focal Lens

7) Mirror small

Optional: sensors (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope)

Optional: camera module for capturing images/video

Step 1: Prepare Outline of Enclosure

I started this journey by making the enclosure for the glasses. I used a 2mm thick Acrylic Board to create the required enclosure. First we started by preparing a rough outline of the parts needed on the board using a pencil.

1) Design the Enclosure :

Use design software to create a 2D layout of the enclosure. Consider the dimensions of the smart glasses and any other components you plan to include.
Design the enclosure in layers, with cutouts for the display, electronics, sensors, and other features.

2) Select Acrylic Sheets:

Choose the thickness and color of the acrylic sheets based on your design requirements and aesthetic preferences.
Ensure that the sheets are large enough to accommodate the dimensions of your enclosure design.

3) Cut the Acrylic Sheets:

Use a laser cutter or CNC machine to cut the acrylic sheets according to your design specifications.
Take care to accurately cut the pieces to avoid misalignment or fitting issues during assembly.

4) Smooth the Edges:

After cutting, use sandpaper or a file to smooth the edges of the acrylic pieces. This will remove any rough or sharp edges and ensure a clean finish.

I attaché .cdr file to laser cutting in exact size as per my outline.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lSlKiW43D7js9-9-o5UnTnrvgSmS_v52?usp=sharing

Step 2: Make Enclosure

1) Assemble the Enclosure:

Begin assembling the enclosure by aligning the acrylic pieces according to your design.
Apply acrylic adhesive along the edges of the pieces and press them together firmly to bond them securely.
Use clamps or weights to hold the pieces in place while the adhesive sets.

2) Test Fit and Adjustments:

Once the enclosure is assembled, test fit it with the smart glasses and other components to ensure everything fits properly.
Make any necessary adjustments or modifications to the enclosure design as needed.

Step 3: Wiring

To wire an Arduino Nano with a 0.96" I2C display and an HC-05 Bluetooth module, you'll need to connect them together following the wiring instructions below. This setup assumes you're using the default I2C address for the display and that the Bluetooth module is being used for serial communication.

Here's the wiring guide:

Arduino Nano Pinout:

A4 (SDA): Connect to the SDA pin on the I2C display.

A5 (SCL): Connect to the SCL pin on the I2C display.

5V: Connect to the VCC pin on both the I2C display and the HC-05 Bluetooth module.

GND: Connect to the GND pin on both the I2C display and the HC-05 Bluetooth module.

Components Wiring:

1) Arduino Nano <-> I2C Display:

A4 (SDA) <-> SDA pin on the display
A5 (SCL) <-> SCL pin on the display
5V <-> VCC pin on the display
GND <-> GND pin on the display

2) Arduino Nano <-> HC-05 Bluetooth Module:

TX <-> RX pin on the HC-05 Bluetooth module
RX <-> TX pin on the HC-05 Bluetooth module
5V <-> VCC pin on the HC-05 Bluetooth module
GND <-> GND pin on the HC-05 Bluetooth module

Notes:

Make sure to connect the TX pin of the Arduino to the RX pin of the Bluetooth module, and vice versa.

Double-check the connections and ensure there are no loose connections or short circuits.

Ensure that the Bluetooth module is properly powered and in a discoverable or connected state if you plan to establish a Bluetooth connection.

The I2C address of the display may vary depending on the manufacturer. If you're using a different address, you may need to modify your code accordingly.

Step 4: Place Electronic Component

Place the electronic components into their designated compartments within the enclosure.Secure the components in place using screws, adhesives, or other fasteners as needed.

Test the functionality of the smart glasses to ensure that all electronic components are working properly within the enclosure. Check for any issues with fit, alignment, or interference between components.

Step 5: Mirror Mount

Determine Mirror Placement and Cutting Mirror:

You want the mirror to be positioned at 45 degree relative to the display. Now measure this position and cut mirror.

Attach the Mirror:

Secure the mirror to the mounting bracket using adhesive.
Ensure that the mirror is positioned at the 45 degree angle and orientation for reflecting the display data towards the user's eye.

Test Fit and Functionality:

Test the fit and functionality of the mirror mount with the smart glasses frame.
Adjust the mirror position as needed to ensure clear and comfortable viewing of the display data.

Step 6: Focal Lens Mount

The principle behind a 100mm focal length lens is based on how light rays are refracted and focused to form an image. This is a condensed description of the idea:

Refraction: When light passes through a lens, it bends or refracts. The degree of refraction depends on the curvature of the lens surface and the refractive index of the material the lens is made of.
Focal Length: The focal length of a lens is the distance from the lens to the point where light rays converge to form a sharp image of an object at infinity. In other words, it's the distance from the lens to the focused image when the object is very far away.
100mm Focal Length: A lens with a focal length of 100mm means that when focused at infinity, parallel light rays entering the lens will converge and form an image 100mm behind the lens
Magnification and Perspective: The focal length of a lens also affects the magnification and perspective of the image. Longer focal lengths, such as 100mm, produce a narrower field of view and compress the perspective, making distant objects appear closer together.
We use 100mm focal lens for inverted image and give 45 degree angle bend.

Now cut this 100-mm focal lens like the picture and place this lens in the enclosure of smart glasses. Then take one clear glass measuring 4 cm by 1.2 cm and mount it like in other pictures. Make sure this glass is rotating at 90 degrees if needed.

Step 7: Attach to Glasses

Choose goggles frames that fit comfortably and securely around the eyes. You can find these at an online or local store.

Using double-sided tape, attach this enclosure to goggles.

Step 8: Codding

After wiring the components, you can proceed to write the code for your Arduino Nano to interact with both the display and the Bluetooth module. You'll need libraries for both the I2C display (e.g., the Adafruit SSD1306 library) and the Bluetooth module to facilitate communication.

Download retro watch coding from this link : https://github.com/godstale/retrowatch#

Retro watch is open source smart watch project using Arduino and Android.

RetroWatch : requires Android v4.3 or over (Recommended)

RetroWatchLE : requires Android v4.0 or over. This source doesn't collect Notification data. (This source is no longer supported)

RetroWatch_Arduino : Recommend to compile with Arduino 1.0.x version to avoid OLED(SSD1306) library compatibility error.

To upload code to an Arduino Nano, you'll need the Arduino IDE installed on your computer and a USB cable to connect the Arduino Nano to your computer. Here's a general guide to uploading code to an Arduino Nano:

Steps:

Install Arduino IDE: If you haven't already, download and install the Arduino IDE from the Arduino website.
Connect Arduino Nano to Computer: Use a USB cable to connect your Arduino Nano to your computer. The Arduino Nano should power up once connected.
Select Board and Port: Open the Arduino IDE. Go to the "Tools" menu and select the appropriate board from the "Board" submenu (in this case, Arduino Nano). Then, go to the "Port" submenu and select the port that the Arduino Nano is connected to.
Open or Create Sketch: Open the sketch (code) that you want to upload to the Arduino Nano.
Verify and Upload: Click the "Verify" button (checkmark icon) to compile the sketch and check for errors. If there are no errors, click the "Upload" button (arrow icon) to upload the sketch to the Arduino Nano. The IDE will compile the sketch again and then upload it to the Arduino Nano.
Monitor Progress: You'll see messages in the IDE's console indicating the progress of the upload process. A "Done uploading" notification need to appear after the upload is finished.
Verify Operation: After uploading the code, disconnect the Arduino Nano from the computer and power it with an external power source 3.7 volt Li-Po battery. Verify that the sketch is running as expected on the Arduino Nano.

That's it! You've successfully uploaded code to your Arduino Nano. If you encounter any errors during the process, double-check your connections, board settings, and code for any mistakes.

Step 9: Pair Smart Glasses With Smartphone

Now download the Retro Watch Android application on your smartphone and connect the HC-05 Bluetooth Module. Then open the retro watch app, select HC-05, and select "simple digital" watch style.

Step 10: Enjoy

Now time will show on smart glasses inverted from the front view of the glasses. But it will appear real from the side. If you get calls from others, then it will be on display.