Converting values into length values

I found this which gives accurate values and equations to convert the values into length values

http://luckylarry.co.uk/2009/11/arduino-using-a-sharp-ir-sensor-for-distance-calculation/

Sharp Ir Sensor Results

I got measuring tape and measured the distance for values using a flat book.

i got the following results

Cm Average Value
1 268
2 242
3 355
4 419
5 445
6 457
7 476
8 493
9 527
10 551
11 572
12 586
13 589
14 576
15 596
16 560
17 541
18 526
19 519
20 508
21 500
22 483
23 471
24 468
25 455
26 442
27 417
28 405
29 397
30 370
31 358
32 349
33 340
34 325
35 317
36 312
37 306
38 290
39 286
40 283
41 274
42 266
43 258
44 248
45 241


Conclusion: That there will need to be a 15cm gap as the sensor values peak at that point

I also noted that if i changed the angle of the book slightly that it would throw the value off around 20 -50 so the ir sensor reacts to changed in angle and works best at a flat surface

Sensor Value

The last couple of days i have been trying to get a value work for the sensor. i have it now picking up that there is a sensor and its reading numbers 1022, 1023,1022 etc so now i need to be able to define boundaries

The following diagram is how i set it up minus the led pin


This is teh code i have so far


const int sensorPin = 0; // pin that the sensor is attached to

// variables:
int sensorValue = 0; //stores the sensor value
int sensorMin = 1023; // minimum sensor value
int sensorMax = 0; // maximum sensor value


void setup() {
// initialize serial communication:
Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop()
{

sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin); // stores the value of the sensore pin in Sensor Value
Serial.print(sensorValue); //Prints out the Value


delay(1000);
}

Flash and Arduino

I have decided that i will use Ping Ultrasonic Sensors through Flash for the project

Here is an example of it working together
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VgqolVKOzM&playnext_from=TL&videos=MEpyT6HHMR0&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rn-1r-2-HM

Proximity Sensor

After deciding on proximity sensor i decided to research different possibilities and alternatives

This one way of doing it with light sensors but i think it would be too much work and not practical for the project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEfdMw3gY0M&feature=player_embedded

This was another alternative using a infrared sensor
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Powered-Pumpkin/

The most probable and practical way is to use a ping Ultrasonic Sensor
http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Ping?from=Tutorial.UltrasoundSensor

Here is an example of it in work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZIKbuZaJSQ

There about 30 euros
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=639

Alternatively you could make one
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/02/how_to_diy_ultrasonic_rangefinder.html

Project Development

I have changed my project a bit .

The basic idea is that there are two screens at opposite sides to each other with speakers. Both of them have loop of video and audio . Basically two of them tell different stories for and against of Baudrillards idea of signs and symbols. They are both controlled by arduino proximity sensors and as the user gets closer to one screen the audio and visuals will come clearer. The basic idea is that people can choose which side of story they prefer

Project Development

My internet was down so couldn't put this up on the blog. Since this development i have found alot of flaws after discussing it with Trevor


Firstly the user would answer a series of questions about brands
Then there would be two projectors on each side of the wall projecting images about the brands and conveying two different opinions for and against