Published April 17, 2019

Light Pager

This project uses two Particle Photons, with two way communication. These photons are used to gain the attention of the other user.

IntermediateShowcase (no instructions)4 hours560

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Particle Photon

Jumper wires (generic)

LED (generic)

Through Hole Resistor, 4.7 kohm

USB-A to Mini-USB Cable

Breadboard (generic)

Software apps and online services

Particle Build Web IDE

fritzing

IFTTT Maker service

Google Sheets

Story

The Idea

The idea Garrett and I had when we decided our project, was that the problem students run into when they are working in a crowded area and want to get a friend’s attention. In order to fix this problem, we have built two circuits that have two-way communication between one another. When you need to get a person’s attention simply place the wire in the correct slot, acting as a button, causing the opposite LED to flash.

How this system works is through a program created on particle.io. When the wire is connected to the photon, completing the circuit an event is created. This event sends a message to the second photon over the internet telling it to flash the LED. The LED has delays in the code cauing it to flash five times. This communication works both ways so that both the photons can publish events and subscribe to them as well. By designing the circuit in this way, both individuals can get one another’s attention if needed.

Photon 1 Activity

Photon 2 Activity

Code

//Defines pins to make reading code easier

int ledPin = D7;
int led = D6;
int button = D0;
int val = 0;                   
int calibrateTime = 10000;   
int pirState = LOW;  


void setup() {
    //Set Pin Modes 
    pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(button, INPUT);

    //Default outputs to LOW
    digitalWrite(led, LOW);
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);

    Particle.subscribe("Runchickenrun789", myHandler);
}
void myHandler(const char *event, const char *data) {
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
}

void loop () {
    delay(100);
  
  if ( calibrated() )
  {
    readTheSensor();
   
    reportTheData();
  }
}


void readTheSensor() {
  val = digitalRead(button);
}
bool calibrated() {
  return millis() - calibrateTime > 0;
}
void reportTheData() {
  
  if (val == HIGH) {
   
    if (pirState == LOW) {
     
      Particle.publish("Runchickenrun780", NULL, PUBLIC); 
      
      pirState = HIGH;
      setLED( pirState );
    }
  } else {
    if (pirState == HIGH) {
     
      pirState = LOW;
      setLED( pirState );
    }
  }
}
void setLED( int state )
{
  digitalWrite(ledPin, state );
}

//Defines pins to make reading code easier

int ledPin = D7;
int led = D6;
int button = D0;
int val = 0;                   
int calibrateTime = 10000;   
int pirState = LOW;  


void setup() {
    //Set Pin Modes 
    pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(button, INPUT);

    //Default outputs to LOW
    digitalWrite(led, LOW);
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);

    Particle.subscribe("Runchickenrun780", myHandler);
}
void myHandler(const char *event, const char *data) {
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);
}

void loop () {
    delay(100);
  
  if ( calibrated() )
  {
    readTheSensor();
   
    reportTheData();
  }
}


void readTheSensor() {
  val = digitalRead(button);
}
bool calibrated() {
  return millis() - calibrateTime > 0;
}
void reportTheData() {
  
  if (val == HIGH) {
   
    if (pirState == LOW) {
     
      Particle.publish("Runchickenrun789", NULL, PUBLIC); 
      
      pirState = HIGH;
      setLED( pirState );
    }
  } else {
    if (pirState == HIGH) {
     
      pirState = LOW;
      setLED( pirState );
    }
  }
}
void setLED( int state )
{
  digitalWrite(ledPin, state );
}

Credits

Garrett Coley

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Brianna Plaster

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Light Pager

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

The Idea

Schematics

Photon 1

Photon 2

Code

Particle 1 code

Particle 2 code

Credits

Garrett Coley

Brianna Plaster

Comments

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Light Pager

Light Pager

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

The Idea

The Light Pager

Schematics

Photon 1

Photon 2

Code

Particle 1 code

Particle 2 code

Credits

Garrett Coley

Brianna Plaster

Comments

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