10 LED Projects for Geeks

Book description

10 LED Projects for Geeks is a collection of interactive and customizable projects that all have the humble LED in common, but don’t write them off as basic! You’ll learn how to make challenging and imaginative gadgets like a magic wand that controls lights using hand gestures, a pen-sized controller for music synthesizers, a light strip that dances to the beat of music, and even an LED sash that flashes scrolling text you send from your phone.

Every project includes photos, step-by-step directions, colorful circuit diagrams, and the complete code to bring the project to life. As you work your way through the book, you’ll pick up adaptable skills that will take your making abilities to the next level. You’ll learn how to:

• Design versatile circuits for your own needs• Build and print a custom printed circuit board• Create flexible circuits which you can use to make any wearable you dream up• Turn analog signal into digital data your microcontroller can read• Use gesture recognition and wireless interaction for your own Internet of Things projects• Experiment with copper tape and create circuits with paper and foil• Build “smart” gadgets that make decisions with sensors

If you want to experiment with LEDs and circuits, learn some new skills, and make cool things along the way, 10 LED Projects for Geeks is your first step.

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Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. About the Contributors
  6. About the Technical Reviewer
  7. Contents
  8. Contents in Detail
  9. Introduction by Matthew Beckler
    1. All About LEDs
    2. Getting Started with the Raspberry Pi
    3. Getting Started with the Arduino and the Arduino IDE
    4. Recommended Suppliers
  10. Project 1: Four Simple Projects by Lenore Edman and Windell Oskay
    1. #1: LED-Lit Sea Urchins
    2. #2: Edge-Lit Holiday Cards
    3. #3: Dark-Detecting LED
    4. #4: Electric Origami
    5. Summary
  11. Project 2: The Desktop UFO by James Floyd Kelly
    1. Get the Parts
    2. Introducing the NeoPixel
    3. Build It
    4. Assemble It
    5. Take It Further
    6. Summary
  12. Project 3: The Cheater’s Dice Roller by John Baichtal
    1. Get the Parts
    2. Introducing the LED Matrix
    3. Build It
    4. Code It
    5. Assemble It
    6. Use It
    7. Summary
  13. Project 4: Color-Coded LED Watch by John Baichtal
    1. Get the Parts
    2. Introducing the Real-Time Clock Module
    3. How It Works: Color-Coding the LEDs
    4. Build It
    5. Code It
    6. Summary
  14. Project 5: Real-Time Music Visualizer by Michael Krumpus
    1. Get the Parts
    2. How It Works: Turning Music into Data
    3. Build It
    4. Code It
    5. Use It
    6. Take It Further
    7. Summary
  15. Project 6: Automated Infrared Remote Control by Kaas Baichtal
    1. How It Works: Infrared Light
    2. Get the Parts
    3. Build It
    4. Take It Further
    5. Summary
  16. Project 7: Starfield Light Effect Box by Adam Wolf
    1. Get the Parts
    2. Build It
    3. Code It
    4. Summary
  17. Project 8: Optical Screwdriver by John Baichtal
    1. Build the Basic Screwdriver
    2. Build the Wand Version with an ATtiny85
    3. Make a PCB Wand
    4. Summary
  18. Project 9: Wearable Timing Bracer by Mike Hord
    1. Get the Parts
    2. Build It
    3. Code It
    4. Use It
    5. Summary
  19. Project 10: Wearable LED Text-Scrolling Sash by Kristina Durivage
    1. Get the Parts
    2. Build It
    3. Code It
    4. Assemble It
    5. Summary
  20. Appendix: Getting Started with Soldering by Matthew Beckler
    1. Soldering Tools
    2. How to Solder in Six Steps
    3. Keeping the Iron’s Tip Clean
    4. Additional Resources

Product information

  • Title: 10 LED Projects for Geeks
  • Author(s): John Baichtal
  • Release date: July 2018
  • Publisher(s): No Starch Press
  • ISBN: 9781492067658