#_8 Data Log

Here are some nice screen shots of data logs from FSR measurements. I tweaked some of the processing source code to vary the display. I changed the values by inversely mapping them (serialValue=map(serialValue,0,1023,width,0);) to add some, in my opinion, aesthetic interest to the graphs.
The Arduino was programmed with Lab code by Tom Igoe.

#_7 Servo

Servos are a cool thing, actually. Though, I did my lab three days ago, I got it out today and started building a coffee cup drum, which has to be completed yet. Figured, since I drink so much coffee and don't have a mug I should at least do something useful with all the crap cups.
However, here is my servo lab for now.

#_6 virtual MIDI and the Tone Library

After I did my Tone labs the last two days, I was sort of wanting to do more, especially since Leo did this really beautiful piece for his stupid pet trick(check it out at: http://itp.nyu.edu/~lk1068/blog/index.php?/project/stupid-pet-trick/). So, today I finished my own little MIDI controller using my FSR and a flex sensor. I am using a virtual MIDI device for that and sending it to Renoise.
For the media controller assignment we want to definitely do something that involves MIDI and maybe sending serial to Max/MSP for visuals so this will really come in hand.
Next is the servo motor.

#_5 Stupid Pet Trick

Edit: Alright, now it's working! Wirewrapping is the way to go. And if NASA does it, who could resist. The new sensor needs different thresholds, which aren't adjusted yet properly so the LEDs and the buzzer trigger a bit too easily. Will upload a video asap.

The idea was to have a FSR, a Force Sensing Resistor, detect touch pressure during human interaction... this concrete example aimed to measure the strength of a handshake and respond along two thresholds: red LEDs = 180 and buzzer = 280. In the bigger picture it might be a great tool in the context of assistive technology, i.e.: people with autism or other mental/neural disorders could create their very own threshold that prevents people from touching them too hard or inappropriately according to their perception.

Okay, while assembling and actually making the cutting edge design of my stupid pet trick, my freakin' FSR broke. Let that one be a lesson: do not solder FSRs unless they aree in a spot where no force is applied to the sensor as a whole. So off to the shop I went and got a new one. Though, now I am not sure where exactly to put it.