Introduction: Mood Collar: Final Class Project

The mood collar was a project for an Interactive Electronic's Class at college. The assignment was to design a wearable as a form of electronic art.

Please read through the instructions first before, you set out to build one yourself.

NOTE: IF YOU DO RECREATE THIS PROJECT, DO NOT WEAR IT IN PUBLIC AS IT CAN BE MISTAKEN FOR A NECK IED (incendiary device). PLEASE DON'T BE STUPID.

Step 1: Tools and Supplies

These are the tools and supplies you will need before creating your own Mood Collar.

Tools:

Supplies:

Step 2: Adjust Collar

Once you have obtained a standard dog collar, put it on and adjust it to the size of your neck. You want the collar not snug to where its choking you, but lightly resting on your neck. I found out that the finished collar, I made, was a tad too tight (It pressed on my adam's apple, a tad uncomfortable, I can still place my thumb between the collar and my neck.).

Once the wire is sewn into the collar the size will be permanent, and the teensy circuit board will take up some space on the collar, so please bear this in mind when defining, your collar's size. (You should have enough space to place two crossed fingers between your neck and the collar. It is okay if the collar feels snug while testing the two fingers.

Once you've determined the size of the collar we can begin.

Step 3: Install the Latest Arduino Software

Go to the Arduino Website and download the latest software for your device ( Mac, Linux, Windows. )

Once the program is installed. Plug in the Arduino Uno Circuit Board into your pc, using the usb cord provided. Once the board plugged in a light next to pin 13 on the board will start blinking on and off. (Standard program in arduino boards.)

Use these guides to learn how to set up and use the arduino uno board.

Step 4: Testing Code for Temperature Sensor.

Here is the sample code for the Arduino Board. Copy and past it into the arduino software.

//TMP36 Pin Variables

int sensorPin = 0; //the analog pin the TMP36's Vout (sense) pin is connected to

//the resolution is 10 mV / degree centigrade with a

//500 mV offset to allow for negative temperatures

/* * setup() - this function runs once when you turn your Arduino on * We initialize the serial connection with the computer */

void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); //Start the serial connection with the computer

//to view the result open the serial monitor pinMode(13, OUTPUT);

}

void loop() // run over and over again
{

//getting the voltage reading from the temperature sensor

int reading = analogRead(sensorPin);

// converting that reading to voltage, for 3.3v arduino use 3.3

float voltage = reading * 5.0; voltage /= 1024.0;

// print out the voltage

Serial.print(voltage); Serial.println(" volts");

// now print out the temperature

float temperatureC = (voltage - 0.5) * 100 ;

//converting from 10 mv per degree wit 500 mV offset

//to degrees

((voltage - 500mV) times 100) Serial.print(temperatureC);

Serial.println(" degrees C");

// now convert to Fahrenheit

float temperatureF = (temperatureC * 9.0 / 5.0) + 32.0;

Serial.print(temperatureF);

Serial.println(" degrees F");

delay(1000); //waiting a second

}

On the breadboard, set up the Temperature Sensor with the push pin wires with the voltage pin connected to 3.3Volts, have the ground pin connected to ground, and have the output connect to pin A0. Pin A0 will read the temperature. After uploading the program to the arduino, open the serial monitor under TOOLS. It will open a window which will show the current temperature of the sensor in both degrees and Celcius. (This code is in the final version. )

Step 5: Testing NeoPixel and Code

Using the bread board set up a neopixel LED with the alligator clip wires. With the appropriate power, ground, and input to their perspective pins.

Using the following code, test out the neopixel LED. Once the neopixel is working, then we can move on to the next step.:

#include
#ifdef __AVR__ #include #endif

#define PIN 6

#define NUM_LEDS 10

#define BRIGHTNESS 50

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(NUM_LEDS, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

setup{
strip.setBrightness(BRIGHTNESS);

strip.begin();

strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'

}


loop{

colorWipe(strip.Color(0, 0, 255), 1500); // Blue

delay(1000);

colorWipe(strip.Color(0, 255, 0), 1500); // Green

delay(1000)

}


Step 6: Building the Collar (Sewing the LED Pixels)

Break the wire into 3 strands. Make sure you have enough wire to do so.

(Start at the end of the collar with a Single strap, NOT THE LOOPED AREA OF THE COLLAR THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL END UP)

Now, using the soldering iron, solder the small wire to the input, power, and ground pin-holes of your first neopixel LED (This will be the last LED, since the LEDs will be in series similar to train cars. This first LED is the caboose and we'll work our way to the engine. Fasten the first neopixel, to the collar using hot glue. Using the upholstery needle, sew the wire into the collar and pull it tight. Sew the wires to the next position of the next neopixel on the collar, once there, cut the wires and solder them to the appropriate power, ground, and output places on the Second Neopixel. Remember, it is like a train. so every ground should be connected to every other ground, the power should be connected to the other power. These power and ground wires form the rails so to speak, the middle wire forms the couplings between the cars. But the middle wire must be connected Output to Input. Repeat this process for every neopixel you are using on the collar. Once you're done and have no more room on the collar we shall begin.

Step 7: Building the Collar: Everything Else.

Be sure to also hot-glue the Temperature sensor to the inside of the collar with the rounded edge facing outward.(so that its not stabbing you)

Now, using the same principal with the Neopixels, solder the wires to the teensy board on the inside flap of the collar loop.Solder the step down converter to the teensy power and ground input pins. Solder a switch, to the one of the wires of the battery pack and then after making sure the switch is in the off position, solder the switch wire and the other battery wire to the step down converter. Make sure you have enough excess wire so the battery pack and switch can sit in your pocket.

Step 8: Installing the Teensy Software.

Go to the teensy website and download the installer.

Follow the instructions on the installer to properly install the software. Once installed, you can upload the program straight from the Arduino software onto your teensy device.

Step 9: Running Your Program

I included the file that has the completed code, feel free to download it and to edit it to any color or manner, you would like. Be sure to open the code in Arduino and upload it while making sure the right board is selected.

Attachments

Step 10: Final Notes

The design for this collar isn't set in stone, it was meant to be a prototype. The temperature sensor, can be replaced with a heartbeat sensor, so it potentially blink or change pattern, while measuring a heartbeat. It can also be replaced with a gyroscope sensor, so that the collar blinks/changes when you move.

I wish I was able to create a more professional design for this project and I know for this collar I created. The wire for the battery pack was too short in length and needs to be longer. I would have also liked to incorporate patterns into the neopixel code.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment. ^^