NeoPixel T-Shirt Blog Update
Elevator Pitch (by Katherine Monsef):
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Sometimes, people have cluttered closets or limited closet space but still want a variety of interesting clothing. Other times, people have costumes or outfits where they want to easily be able to change their appearance. Our project is a fun, interactive shirt where the user can adjust LED lights sewn into the shirt with a remote controller. We will connect a NeoPixel panel of LEDs to our Arduino. The NeoPixel panel provides us with a succinct collection of LEDs that are very manageable and connect to one Arduino pin. We will secure the wires to the Arduino with hot glue. Finally, we will program our Arduino to control the function of our LEDs through the buttons on a remote. The remote controls the flashing of the LEDs to change patterns. The user can choose to flash particular pattern and turn them on and off with specific remote buttons. To conceal our NeoPixel, breadboard, and wires, we used tee shirt fabric and made a pouch which encloses the board. Ultimately, by wearing this shirt, the user can express themself through their clothing with a unique, changeable, and interactive experience.
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Presentation Link (by Katherine Monsef):
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PNLZQHCjhWSsA7TpllsyQPOlhd0JLFf315yXvUDr6-A/edit#slide=id.p
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Diagram and Schematic (By Sofia Ozambela)
Current State of the NeoPixel T-Shirt
(arduino programming / wiring by Mallory Benna & enclosure by Sofia Ozambela)
NeoPixel Grid Inside Enclosure
NeoPixel / Arduino Wiring
Our NeoPixel T-Shirt is currently programmed with a few of our own designs, and plays each design with a remote. We created these designs by formatting each pixel in an excel sheet, and translating the position of each pixel and its color into code. We've also attached a pocket tailored to the NeoPixel board to hold it properly, and to clearly display the LED designs through the fabric. While our T-Shirt is fully operational, we still have some details to add, such has the pockets for the Arduino / breadboard, a hole for the wiring, and a piece of Velcro to secure the NeoPixel in the pocket. We are now working on more pixel designs -- each team member will be producing 3 total. We are also planning on soldering or gluing the wires to the board and Arduino to make our design more sturdy and wearable.
Team Member Responsibilities
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Mallory Benna took charge of programming the Aruduino, designed 3 images to be displayed on the NeoPixel grid, and programmed the remote to play the designs. Mallory's WIP Link
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Katherine Monsef focused on the concept of the T-Shirt, wrote the elevator pitch and the presentation, and created three designs to display on the shirt. Katherine's WIP Link
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Sofia Ozambela created the diagrams and schematics of the T-shirt, sewed and designed the T-shirt enclosure, and coded three designs to display on the LED grid.
Individual Summary​
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When Mallory and Katherine described their vision for the LED t-shirt, they provided me with a few elements they wanted the design to include. I translated these Ideas into a drawn diagram on my tablet. During this process, I also added some of my own ideas, such as the small pockets sewn in the corner to conceal the Arduino / breadboard. This drawing allowed the group to iterate on our final product, and to foresee some possible issues with the design. For example, I concluded that the t-shirt would be more atheistically pleasing and less bulky without the second t-shirt-layer we initially planned on using to cover wiring. I began sewing our enclosure using two cotton Gildan t's -- using one as the wearable, and one as extra material for a pocket to hold the NeoPixel panel. To do this, I used the measurements of the NeoPixel to cut out the perfect-sized pocket, leaving some seam allowance for the stitching. To make the shirt look clean and professional, I lined the edges of the seams with iron-on hem adhesive. This step also added some structural integrity to the shirt, ensuring that the pocket was strong enough to hold the hardware. I then measured the shirt, and used my sewing machine to attach the pocket to its center. I made sure that the pocket fit snuggly to the NeoPixel board so that the LEDs could shine clearly through the fabric, and so the board would stay secure to the wearer's chest.
When we iterated on the concept for the project, I proposed that our t-shirt could be a garment used for all miscellaneous holidays and events -- football games, Christmas parties, tech / engineering events, etc. I came up with this idea because I've often wasted money and time finding clothes for specific events that I will never wear again. For this purpose, I opted to make holiday-themed designs. Next, I began programming images using an excel template Mallory found on YouTube. As a result of unexplained reference errors, I ended up having to re-create my first two designs in a new template. I began with a clover image to represent Saint Patrick's day, filling in the cells in the excel sheet with my design, and manually translating these cells into code. This process was quite meticulous, as I also had to manually enter the color of each pixel. For example, each of the 256 pixels were programmed with the line of code "neoPix.setPixelColor(93, 55, 200, 70);". This code selects the Pixel by its number (93 in this case), and provides it with an R G B value (55, 200, 70).
From here, I will be working on my other two pixel designs (which will include a jack-o-lantern and a Christmas tree) and adding more features to the enclosure like pockets and passages for the wiring. I will also be soldering or hot gluing the wires to the Arduino to make our design stronger and easier to wear.
NeoPixel Design & Programming
Sewing Enclosure
