Propeller DisplayFinal Project Presentation
Ragnar Ómarsson & Aníta Björk Hlynsdóttir
Department of Science and Engineering (TVD)Reykjavík University
29. November 2012
Introduction
This is a different way to display messages.It is called a propeller display because it has one array of ledthat spins on a propeller and uses persistence of vision (POV)to display the message.This might get more attention than a regular display.
Ragnar Ómarsson & Aníta Björk Hlynsdóttir, RU Propeller Display, Final Project Presentation 2/16
Background on POV
Persistance of vision is a sort of deception of the eyeThe concept used for movies shot on filmAlso the basis for old cartoons
Figure: Example of a film: [1]
Ragnar Ómarsson & Aníta Björk Hlynsdóttir, RU Propeller Display, Final Project Presentation 3/16
Usage
Mostly used for fun by hobbyistsCan be used to display advertisementsSuitable for home usage
Figure: Example of a POV device: [2]
Ragnar Ómarsson & Aníta Björk Hlynsdóttir, RU Propeller Display, Final Project Presentation 4/16
Design: Overview
Problem solvingComponent testing
MotorsSensors
PrototypingFinal Build
Figure: The fan motor Figure: The optical sensor
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Bill of Materials: Prototype
The prototype was built mostly out of leftover material lyingaround the electronics lab and the machine shop.
FanArduino UnoOptical sensorVero prototyping boardLED, Resistors & WiresSheet metalPOM "Plastic"Plywood
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Design: Prototype
Figure: The prototype Figure: Prototype testing
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Final Build: issues
The prototype had some issues that we would have to address inour final build.Main issues to address:
Work on propellerPCB boardReduce weightBalance the propeller
Clean up designAdd real time clock (just for fun)
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Final Build: circuit design
The circuit schematic was done in Eagle.
Figure: The Propeller Display Schematic
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Final Build: design
The Propeller Display main design components:
Figure: Case for front viewdesign Figure: Case for top view design
Figure: PCB layout for frontview design
Figure: PCB layout for top viewdesign
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Bill of Materials: Final Build
The final build was done with the following materialsFanAtmega328 microprocessorReal Time Clock (DC 1307)Optical sensorPCB boardLED, Resistors & Wires9V battery caseMDF woodmisc. screws, paint, etc.
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Final Build: The result
Figure: The product 1 (top view)Figure: The product 2 (frontview)
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Software
The devices can be programmed with all sorts of displays. To makethe programming easier for us and also to make the main functionsmore easily readable an Arduino Library was written.The Arduino Library Alphabet contains:
Function that specifies which LEDs to useFunction that specifies the time for each pixel as well as thetime between charactersFunctions that can write out the characters ’A-Z’, ’0-9’, ’:’, ’/’and ’-’
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Future Work
This is one of those projects that never end. New ideas areconstantly surfacing. Our next steps in this project would be:
Adding XBEE or bluetooth module to enable wirelesscommunication with the displayDoing additional programming work
Ragnar Ómarsson & Aníta Björk Hlynsdóttir, RU Propeller Display, Final Project Presentation 14/16
References
[1] Example of a film, Available online at:http://www.sdkerr.com/animation/biffLogo/muybridgeFilmStrip2.jpg[2] Figure of POV device, Available online at:http://www.jeffreythompson.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Unknown3dPersistenceOfVisionProjectMakerFiareShenzhen.jpg
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