This project was developed for a client who was interested in a notification system that could provide ambient information about various online social networks. A chain of 20 Programmable LEDs were used to represent various information about four individuals simultaneously with five lights being assigned to each person. Each set of lights represent a friend’s status changes over time and could be used to represent emotion, availability, or an alternate attribute of choice. A demo desktop widget and Android applications were developed using Twitter to demonstrate the capabilities of the prototype. A study was carried out logging data for four individuals using the desktop widget to better understand real-world usage scenarios.
All aspects of the development of the project from design to both hardware and software implementation were completed by Aaron Levisohn.
Desktop Widget
Android App
Ambient Display
The ambient display was built using an Arduino microcontroller, an xBee wireless module, and a strand of 20 Clear Digital RGB LED Pixels. The display was made to connect wirelessly allowing it to connect easily connect to a user’s computer in order to access their network information. The software was developed using Java.
Full Front of display
Full Prototype Mounted on a TV
Development Process for Ambient Display
Testing wireless functionality
Close up of Arduino/Xbee
Early Prototype Test
Making the display frame
Testing the Light
Back of display