Entrant 83 : Thinking of You
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 1:23 pmUser
craiglindley
Description
My family and friends are increasingly spread out across the country or even across the globe and keeping in touch can be a problem. This is especially true for someone like myself who doesn't really like to talk on the phone much. In addition, there are problems with people's hectic life styles and conflicting schedules. When you think of your friend or family member you may be too busy to call them that instant or if you do they may be to busy talk. Thus the spontaneity of the thought can and usually does fade away. I was thinking about these issues in relation to my sisters who are located across the US. I wanted something that would virtually instantaneously let my sisters know I was thinking of them but that was totally non intrusive. I wanted them to know without having to disrupt what they are doing with a phone call or text message. And vice versa, when the thought struck them they could let me know they were thinking of me as well. With these thoughts in mind I designed what I call a Thinking of You or ToY device. These are small Internet connected devices meant to be used in a home, apartment or work place. They should be placed on a desk at the office or in the living room at home where they can easily be seen and interacted with. Each ToY device has a single push button switch and an RGB LED for user interaction.
ToY devices were designed to be used in groups. For example my family's group is made up of three ToY devices: one for myself and one for each of my two sisters. Each ToY device is programmed with WiFi info for each group member and assigned a colorful lighting pattern for the RGB LED that identifies the member within the group. When these devices are powered up (they are meant to be on all of the time) they connect to the local WiFi network and wait. When someone in the group presses their button (indicating they are thinking of others in the group) his/her pattern is displayed on each device no matter where they are in the world. When other members of the group press their buttons in response, their patterns are appended to the pattern being displayed so all members of the group know who responded. The ToY devices then continuously displays the concatenated patterns for 30 minutes and then extinguish themselves until someone starts the process
again.
ToY devices are programmed using the Arduino-ESP8266 environment.
The ToY devices are built using an inexpensive NodeMCU Amica module that incorporate a ESP8266-12 WiFi module with embedded application processor. ToYs are really cool, easy to build, little devices that I plan on giving my sisters for Christmas. Maybe you should consider building these for your family as well.
Parts
1 - NodeMCU Amica R2 Module
1 - RGB LED common cathode
3 - 1 K ohm ΒΌ watt resistor
1 - USB power adapter/charger - 1 amp @ 5 VDC minimum
1 - Micro USB Cable - A to Right Angle Micro B
1 - Micro USB Type A Male 5 Pin connector
1 - PCB Momentary Tactile Push button switch
1 - Container Store Amac Box Clear and colored
Misc - Frame matt material, Super Glue, Hookup wire
Links
Homepage
Video
Images
craiglindley
Description
My family and friends are increasingly spread out across the country or even across the globe and keeping in touch can be a problem. This is especially true for someone like myself who doesn't really like to talk on the phone much. In addition, there are problems with people's hectic life styles and conflicting schedules. When you think of your friend or family member you may be too busy to call them that instant or if you do they may be to busy talk. Thus the spontaneity of the thought can and usually does fade away. I was thinking about these issues in relation to my sisters who are located across the US. I wanted something that would virtually instantaneously let my sisters know I was thinking of them but that was totally non intrusive. I wanted them to know without having to disrupt what they are doing with a phone call or text message. And vice versa, when the thought struck them they could let me know they were thinking of me as well. With these thoughts in mind I designed what I call a Thinking of You or ToY device. These are small Internet connected devices meant to be used in a home, apartment or work place. They should be placed on a desk at the office or in the living room at home where they can easily be seen and interacted with. Each ToY device has a single push button switch and an RGB LED for user interaction.
ToY devices were designed to be used in groups. For example my family's group is made up of three ToY devices: one for myself and one for each of my two sisters. Each ToY device is programmed with WiFi info for each group member and assigned a colorful lighting pattern for the RGB LED that identifies the member within the group. When these devices are powered up (they are meant to be on all of the time) they connect to the local WiFi network and wait. When someone in the group presses their button (indicating they are thinking of others in the group) his/her pattern is displayed on each device no matter where they are in the world. When other members of the group press their buttons in response, their patterns are appended to the pattern being displayed so all members of the group know who responded. The ToY devices then continuously displays the concatenated patterns for 30 minutes and then extinguish themselves until someone starts the process
again.
ToY devices are programmed using the Arduino-ESP8266 environment.
The ToY devices are built using an inexpensive NodeMCU Amica module that incorporate a ESP8266-12 WiFi module with embedded application processor. ToYs are really cool, easy to build, little devices that I plan on giving my sisters for Christmas. Maybe you should consider building these for your family as well.
Parts
1 - NodeMCU Amica R2 Module
1 - RGB LED common cathode
3 - 1 K ohm ΒΌ watt resistor
1 - USB power adapter/charger - 1 amp @ 5 VDC minimum
1 - Micro USB Cable - A to Right Angle Micro B
1 - Micro USB Type A Male 5 Pin connector
1 - PCB Momentary Tactile Push button switch
1 - Container Store Amac Box Clear and colored
Misc - Frame matt material, Super Glue, Hookup wire
Links
Homepage
Video
Images