IDeATe

Outcome

In this project, I finally made a device connected to my Google Calendar which will give me an ambient notification before new events. I first went through the Neopixels tutorial on the lab site to get myself familiar with it.

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Programming Neopixels

Following the setup guide on the Lab site, I was able to connect the Neopixel strip and turn on all of the pixels at once.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
}

void loop() {
    
  uint16_t i;
  uint32_t c = strip.Color(0, 0, 100); // blue

  for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(i, c );
		strip.show();
		delay( 100 );
  }
	
	delay( 100 );

}

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Exercise 1

Modify the code to light up pixel by pixel then reverse the sequence turning each pixel off one by one.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);
int numPixels = strip.numPixels();

void setup() {
    
    strip.begin();
    strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'

}

void loop() {
    
      uint16_t i;
      uint32_t c = strip.Color(0, 255, 255);
    
    for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
        strip.setPixelColor(i, c );
		strip.show(); // tells Neopixels to push the updates to each individual pixel
		delay( 200 );
  }
	
	delay( 500 );
	
	 for(int i= numPixels; i>=0 ; i--) {
     strip.setPixelColor(i, 0, 0, 0 );
     strip.show();
     delay(200);
   }
   delay( 500 );
}

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Exercise 2

Modify the code to light up blue, then red, then green then white in sequence.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
}

// Modify the code to light up blue, then red, then green then white in sequence
void loop() {

  uint16_t i;

    for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(i, 0,0,255 ); // blue
  }
		strip.show(); // set updates to the strip
		delay( 1000 );
		
    for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(i, 255,0,0 ); // red
  }
  		strip.show();  // set updates to the strip
		delay( 1000 );
		
	for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(i, 0,255,0 ); // green
	}
  		strip.show();  // set updates to the strip
		delay( 1000 );
		
	for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(i, 255,255,255 ); // white
	}
  		strip.show();  // set updates to the strip
		delay( 1000 );
	
}

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Exercise 3

Change the code to only light up only one pixel at a time. With each loop move that pixel one position higher. When it reaches the final pixel, restart the sequence at zero i.e. build a single pixel that will continually cycle.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
}

void loop() {

  uint16_t i;

    for(i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(i, 0,255,0 ); // green
	strip.show(); // Update each pixel one by one, and wait 1000 ms in between each update.
	delay( 1000 );
	strip.setPixelColor(i, 0, 0, 0 );
	
    }
}

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Exercise 4

Add three Particle.function to set the Red, Green and Blue components. Allow these values to be set from 0-255 and as they are set to change all of the pixels on the LED strip to that color.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);
int red = 0;
int green = 0;
int blue = 0;


void setup() {
    
    strip.begin();
    strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
    Particle.function("red", setRed);
    Particle.function("green", setGreen);
    Particle.function("blue", setBlue);

}

void loop() {
        
    uint16_t i;
    uint32_t c = strip.Color(red, green, blue); //set the color

    for(i=0; i < strip.numPixels(); i++) {
        strip.setPixelColor(i, c);
    }
    
    strip.show();
	delay( 100 );
}

int setRed(String command){
    
    int redInput = command.toInt(); // convert string to number
    if( redInput >= 0 and redInput <= 255 ){
        red = redInput;
    }else{
        return -1;
    }
    return 1;
    }

int setGreen(String command){
    
    int greenInput = command.toInt(); // convert string to number
    if( greenInput >= 0 and greenInput <= 255 ){
        green = greenInput;
    }else{
        return -1;
    }
    return 1;
    } 
    
int setBlue(String command){
    
    int blueInput = command.toInt(); // convert string to number
    if( blueInput >= 0 and blueInput <= 255 ){
        blue = blueInput;
    }else{
        return -1;
    }
    return 1;
}

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Practice Exercise: Ambient Calendar Alert

This exercise asks us to create an ambient calendar alert using a neopixel strip. It is connected to Google Calendar through IFTTT and is able to send an alert to a device 15 minutes before an appointment. The neopixels will respond by fading to red slowly to signal the meeting approaches. After the meeting has begun, it starts fading back to white.

Step 1

Program your Neopixel Ring to display a cool white by default.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
}

void loop() {
    
      uint16_t i;
      uint32_t c = strip.Color( 255, 255, 255 ); // white
      
      for( int i = 0; i < strip.numPixels(); i++ ){
          strip.setPixelColor(i, c); // set a color 
      }
      strip.show();
      delay( 100 );
}

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Step 2

Add a Particle Cloud function and use it to change the color to red immediately. Test this with the Particle Console. Great you’ve got one step up and running.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

bool meetingStatus = false;

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
  Particle.function("meetingsoon", meetingSoon);
  
}

int meetingSoon(String command){
    
    if ( command == "yes" ){
        meetingStatus = true;
    } else if ( command == "no" ){
        meetingStatus = false;
    }
    return 0;
}
    
void loop() {
    
      uint32_t white = strip.Color(255,255,255); // white
      uint32_t red = strip.Color( 255,0, 0 ); // red
      
      if ( meetingStatus == true ){
          
        for( int i = 0; i < strip.numPixels(); i++ ){
        strip.setPixelColor(i, red); 
        strip.setBrightness(50);
        }
        strip.show();
        delay( 100 );
          
      } else {
          
        for( int i = 0; i < strip.numPixels(); i++ ){
        strip.setPixelColor(i, white); 
        strip.setBrightness(50);
        }
        strip.show();
        delay( 100 );
          
      }
}

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Step 3

Program your Neopixel to fade to red over 1 minute using millis(). Starting with a much faster transition will help you quickly test, iterate and debug it.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

bool meetingStatus = false;

unsigned long startTime = 0;
unsigned long fadeTime = 60000; //one minute

float redVal = 255.0;
float greenVal = 255.0;
float blueVal = 255.0;

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
  Particle.function("meeting_soon", meetingSoon);
}

int meetingSoon(String command){
    
    startTime = millis();
    if (command == "yes"){
        meetingStatus = true;
    } else if (command == "no") {
        meetingStatus = false;
    }
    return 0;
}

void loop() {

  uint32_t white = strip.Color(255, 255, 255); // White
  uint32_t red = strip.Color(255, 0, 0); // red
  uint32_t currentColor;

  if (meetingStatus == true) {
      
    unsigned long now = millis();
    
    while (now - startTime <= fadeTime){
        now = millis();
        greenVal -= (255/60);
        blueVal -= (255/60);
        currentColor = strip.Color(255, greenVal, blueVal);
        for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
            strip.setPixelColor(i, currentColor);
            strip.setBrightness(50);
        }
        strip.show();
        delay(1000);
    }

  } else {
      
    for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
        strip.setPixelColor(i, white);
        strip.setBrightness(50);
    }
    strip.show();
    delay( 100 );
  }
}

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Step 4

After the initial transition, now program your Neopixel to fade from red back to white over 1 minute using millis().

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

bool meetingStatus = false;
bool redOn = false;

unsigned long startTime = 0;
unsigned long fadeTime = 60000; //one minute

float redVal = 255.0;
float greenVal = 255.0;
float blueVal = 255.0;

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
  Particle.function("meeting_soon", meetingSoon);
}

int meetingSoon(String command){
    
    startTime = millis();
    if (command == "yes"){
        meetingStatus = true;
    } else if (command == "no") {
        meetingStatus = false;
    }
    return 0;
}

void loop() {

  uint32_t white = strip.Color(255, 255, 255); // White
  uint32_t red = strip.Color(255, 0, 0); // red
  uint32_t currentColor;

  if (meetingStatus == true) {
      
    unsigned long now = millis();
    
    while (now - startTime <= fadeTime){
        now = millis();
        greenVal -= (255/60);
        blueVal -= (255/60);
        currentColor = strip.Color(255, greenVal, blueVal);
        for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
            strip.setPixelColor(i, currentColor);
            strip.setBrightness(50);
        }
        strip.show();
        delay(1000);
    }
    redOn = true;

  }else if (meetingStatus == false && redOn == true){
    greenVal = 0.0;
    blueVal = 0.0;
    
    unsigned long now = millis();
    
    while (now - startTime <= fadeTime){
        now = millis();
        greenVal += (255/60);
        blueVal += (255/60);
        currentColor = strip.Color(255, greenVal, blueVal);
        for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
            strip.setPixelColor(i, currentColor);
            strip.setBrightness(50);
        }
        strip.show();
        delay(1000);
    }
    redOn = false;
  
  
  } else {
      
    for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
        strip.setPixelColor(i, white);
        strip.setBrightness(50);
    }
    strip.show();
    delay( 100 );
    redOn = false;
  }
}

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Step 5

With those working as quick transitions, test them working over 15 minutes.

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// This #include statement was automatically added by the Particle IDE.
#include <neopixel.h>

// IMPORTANT: Set pixel COUNT, PIN and TYPE
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_COUNT 16
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

bool meetingStatus = false;
bool redOn = false;

unsigned long startTime = 0;
unsigned long fadeTime = 900000; //15 minute

float redVal = 255.0;
float greenVal = 255.0;
float blueVal = 255.0;

void setup() {

  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  
  Particle.function("meeting_soon", meetingSoon);
}

int meetingSoon(String command){
    
    startTime = millis();
    if (command == "yes"){
        meetingStatus = true;
    } else if (command == "no") {
        meetingStatus = false;
    }
    return 0;
}

void loop() {

  uint32_t white = strip.Color(255, 255, 255); // White
  uint32_t red = strip.Color(255, 0, 0); // red
  uint32_t currentColor;

  if (meetingStatus == true) {
      
    unsigned long now = millis();
    
    while (now - startTime <= fadeTime){
        now = millis();
        greenVal -= (255/60);
        blueVal -= (255/60);
        currentColor = strip.Color(255, greenVal, blueVal);
        for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
            strip.setPixelColor(i, currentColor);
            strip.setBrightness(50);
        }
        strip.show();
        delay(1000);
    }
    redOn = true;

  }else if (meetingStatus == false && redOn == true){
    greenVal = 0.0;
    blueVal = 0.0;
    
    unsigned long now = millis();
    
    while (now - startTime <= fadeTime){
        now = millis();
        greenVal += (255/60);
        blueVal += (255/60);
        currentColor = strip.Color(255, greenVal, blueVal);
        for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
            strip.setPixelColor(i, currentColor);
            strip.setBrightness(50);
        }
        strip.show();
        delay(1000);
    }
    redOn = false;
  
  
  } else {
      
    for( int i=0; i< strip.numPixels(); i++) {
        strip.setPixelColor(i, white);
        strip.setBrightness(50);
    }
    strip.show();
    delay( 100 );
    redOn = false;
  }
}

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Step 6

Finally and once you’re happy with the behavior, hook it up to IFTTT.

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Reflection

From this project, I learned how to use Neopixels to create multiple signals. I think it's quite useful when I want to represent different event statuses. Besides, IFTTT is a very useful platform to combine Particle with other applications.

It was extremely helpful to follow the Lab site's suggestion of breaking the practice exercise down into small steps, rather than trying to program it all at once. This is a method I will definitely implement with future projects.

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Outcome

Outcome

Programming Neopixels

Attribution

Exercise 1

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Exercise 2

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Exercise 3

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Exercise 4

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Practice Exercise: Ambient Calendar Alert

Step 1

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Step 2

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Step 3

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Step 4

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Step 5

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Step 6

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Reflection