Interface & Application Programming

This week’s assignment was to design an application that interfaces with an input/output device. I have decided to change up my final project. Instead of a solar powered cell phone charging bag, I will be making an interactive “maker” clock. This idea is something I’ve wanted to make ever since I first came to the fab lab. The clock will live right next to our sign in computer. Each number on this clock will be made with a different material or tool. There will be a button under each number, in which anyone will be able to push, and a tutorial web page will pop up on the computer next to it. This way I can show off most of the things I’ve learned and it will be a useful tool for new patrons. So for my assignment this week, I focused on my button circuit and getting a web page to pop up when pressed. My first button board failed because my 3 pin header was nearly impossible to solder on securely. I was able to use it just long enough to load my code and see what sort of processing could happen. It was a bit rough figuring out the language of the new code, as I have no prior experience processing. The hardest part of this week was just getting to see my serial in Arduino! After making a whole new button board, I was much more successful. I discovered that I was pulling the power high instead of low. This made my web page open up without having to push my button. I learned a lot more about coding with Arduino this week and I feel like I have a better understanding of it. I accomplished my button project this week, here is my serial code & processing code. I also got started on my numbers!