LEDs and PC controller

2n193r · 09-11-2005, 09:47 AM

Just to net you know I’m a bit of a noob with most of this stuff.

This is not going to be put in my car but I might want to some day. The reason I’m posting here is that I think people could help me more than other PC mod forums I go to. So, here is what I want:
(in order of importance)
- I want to illuminate my PC in tri-color(RGB) LEDs, I currently use cold cathodes.
- I want to be able to set the color manually with 3 knobs.
- I also want to be able to set it up to do set of sequences. For example fade between colors. I could also like some thing random change with no fade ever .5 – 5 seconds.
- I would also like the option to have it determine what color and their intensities by my computer sound. Using the right, left channels and the third color by the frequencies.
- Have several “zones” like right, left then have 6 vertical zones for the sound and fading (this one is pushing it a bit)

I am thinking that I could use some sort of controller on my PC to control all of this except for the 3 knob basic color changer. Basically I just want some advice to what I should use, if it is possible and how I should go about doing this. I would really appreciate it someone could link me to what device and programming langue I should use. (I currently program in Java and PHP, thought Java probably would not work well for what I want)

I’m just looking for some guidance.

widower · 09-13-2005, 12:12 AM

I'm not clear if you are planning on using your pc as a controller, or designing a seperate board that is controlled by the pc.

If it's just reading the knobs on a pc that is causing you headache, I would suggest that you look at the game port of old machines. You can still buy usb to game port adaptors. The gameport uses a monostable that provides different pulse widths depending on what resistance is across one of the axes inputs. I know the old apple2 required pots that reached either 100K or 150Kohms.

for the pc gameport requirements.

If it's a seperate controller that you are thinking of, then take a look at the PIC controllers from Microchip Technologies. Some of the PICs have analog inputs.

2n193r · 09-13-2005, 02:09 PM

My idea was to use my computer to control the LEDs. Because I was thinking of using tri-color (RBG) I could use my computer to change how bright they are and then illuminate my pc in any color.

(in a good way) I think I used “controller” in a bad way, I wanted to use my PC to control the LEDs. That way I could fade them any way I would like and do pretty much any thing. I could also have the audio synchronize up to the colors in any why I would like if I could use a programming langue on my computer to control it.

Basically I’m looking for some hardware what I can hook up to my PC and control several outputs.

ninjatill · 09-13-2005, 02:34 PM

From and Electrical Engineering view, you're going to need to design a circuit board that is either controlled by serial, parallel or USB. From there, you can design software to send certian signals to the board to control the various functions you are looking for. Not an easy thing to do. Maybe someone knows of some quick development hardware that could make things easy for you. Like a microcontroller interfaced to the computer that developers use to test and control new circuits.

Sound like something I would do for my EE senior project.

Good Luck!

mushin · 09-13-2005, 02:54 PM

For the simplist solution, you should be able to use the parallel port to PWM the RGB channels to get the color you want. Since the PC is doing all the logic for the effects, and the LPT port should be fast enough to hold a color, you don't need any additional controller hardware. Take 3 data pins, one for each color, wired to transistors to switch power to your LEDs. You'll probably need to duty cycle down to 1/16 to get a good color range, and refresh them at around a kHz to eliminate flicker. After that it's all software.

2n193r · 09-13-2005, 07:42 PM

mushin I don’t see how I could fade with that. Thanks for the offer, but I think I will try it on my own first. Cool project by the way.

I was thinking that my computer would have to send out the intensity (if using 3 data lines). The thing that I would need the most help is with the hardware that will accept that data. I think I might be able to find out how to design the software. But some links might be useful.

My knowledge on EE is very limited, but I would love to learn more. (I found some links on tutorials; I’ll have to read some.)

I know too much about making my own peripherals. Or programming them for that matter.

Ahhh, I’m so lost, I need to find my way.

EDIT: I have programming experience in Java and PHP. It would be cool if I could do it in Java then I could make it platform independent. I am also planning on starting C++ in the next few weeks. I so far did the AP CS A subset and now working on the AB exams (college board exams). I think I could find a java library for some thing like this, if anyone has any ideas what I should search for to find thins please reply.

Thanks

mushin · 09-13-2005, 11:20 PM

With the PWM method, fading is done via slowly changing the duty cycle.

Alternatively you could use DACs. An 8bit DAC chip can be had for a few bucks on digikey and elsewhere. The analogue output would then control the current to the LED(s) via a transistor.

My main advice though, is to start really simple and start playing with it. Do you have a multimeter? If not get one. Then get some LEDs, resistors, transistors, and a solderless breadboard. Get LEDs turning on and off with a signal, first manually then from the the computer. Then worry about how you're going to get all the fancy features you want, you'll have much better idea of what you're working with at that point.

edit: I wish this thing would stop underlining the word "via". via != VIA. "Via" is a bleedin' English word.

edit2: Shouldn't this be in Hardware Development, not Software?

2n193r · 09-14-2005, 06:38 PM

PWM – would allow me to give power to the light then off at different on intervals. It would do that relativity fast so I don’t get it going on and off?

DAC – I don’t under stand this as much because I did not o read as much, will do this week end (have a paper I have to do tonight and a few tests/quizzes fri). It seems like it does the same thing but converts the signal to a analog one, right?

What way would you think is best for a noob like me?

Do you have a multimeter?
No, but i have one that i can use. I'm looking at getting my own, I see myself using it MANY times.
solderless breadboard – getting one when I get the test supplies, at RadioShack I saw these wires that are for them, are they good or would help?
resistors, transistors – I’ll get like an assorted pack
LEDs - I’ll first get like 5-10 so I can test every thing out, I figured I’ll burn some up.

I was looking on digikey and I found TUNS of those and I have no clue what I need. Can you give me a part number or specs that I would need. (just if any one knows what they are doing and want to help a noob learn

)

I still have a bunch of sites I want to read so I can understand more. Thanks for the help so far mushin, you given exactly what I need, a push in the right direction.

mushin · 09-15-2005, 01:52 PM