Project #3 : Cube Controller
For this project we were required to develop an interactive system or installation that utilized a hacked or programmable microcontroller. Wanting to keep this project relatively simple, I decided to build a device for people to interact with that triggered audio and visual content of some kind using a hacked keyboard. The entire system is comprised of 3 components: The controller, the computer, and the pedestal.
-The controller itself is little more than a heavily modified computer keyboard . Utilizing the circuitry from inside a wireless Logitech EX110 and mounted inside a softball display cube, the controller relies on a series of tilt switches implanted within a ball to trigger keypresses as the controller is moved and rotated. This ball is suspended at the center of the cube enclosure allowing for a constant point of rotation.
-The computer used in this project is a windows machine built from surplus computer components (2500+ AMD AXP), which sole purpose in this project is to run processing code. The program has been designed to react visually and sonically to the change in orientation of the cube controller. As the controller is rotated, the program randomly changes the direction of a rotating cube on screen, and outputs a combination of sine and triangle waves of my design. The code responsible for the rotation of the on-screen cube is the effortless product of good friend Andrew Closson.
-The Pedestal, built from particle DIY shelves from target, house the computer and an array of strong magnets. Through reed switches mounted inside the cube controller, these magnets allow the device to power on and off as it is removed from returned respectively from the pedestal, activating and deactivating the audio and visual components of the project. The shroud is my own personal bedding.
Reflections:
People seemed to enjoy the project, which is fortunate as most of this build was improvised.
The controller doesn’t always turn off due to small dead spots in the magnetic field surrounding the upper pedestal. This issue could be solved by simply wiring more reed switches inline with the existing ones, and placed away from the center of each face. A power indicator LED would also be useful.
the lower pedestal, which supported the monitor, could use an intake fan to minimize heat generated by the computer from being under a cotton top sheet, and ultimately reinforced to support a much larger and heavier display.
Pictures and Video to be added as I receive them.
Fullscreen Application (Win/OSX/Linux) : HERE
Source: HERE
Note: On-screen animation will respond to any keypress, while audio is only triggered with A, B, D, G, H, N, P, T, V, or Y. To exit, simply hit ESC.
Cube utilizes controller from Logitech EX110, Mouser Part #: 816-RI-90 and Mouser Part #: 107-2001-EV