Black Box: Creation and Computation Arduino Project 1
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Black Box .
description
For my master of design class "Creation and Computation" we were tasked with using the Arduino platform to create an object for a haunted space ship. In the process, I created a black box that was activated by proximity so that it will turn on as people walk by. This in turn activates the speaker and the music file I created of someone calling in from another space station for help. They are then attacked and the line goes dead.
Transcript of Black Box: Creation and Computation Arduino Project 1
Black
Box.
Black
Box.
Inspiration: Aether Artifact (2012) by Michael Importico
Aim was to create the illusion of a radio picking up sounds from the past – In our
context, I immediately thought “black box!” Link - https://vimeo.com/55187436
Black
Box.
1 (Aeronautics) an informal name for flight recorder
2A device or theoretical construct with known or specified performance
characteristics but unknown or unspecified constituents and means of
operation
3 Any small black box containing a secret, mysterious, or complex mechanical
electronic device
(1) Collins English Dictionary (2) The American Heritage Dictionary (3) Webster’s College Dictionary
What is a black box?
Black
Box.
I am particularly fascinated by the “black
box” obsession that follows each airplane
crash – the wish (which I share) to
witness the last moments, especially the
moment that reveals the certainty of death
entering the pilot’s consciousness. Why
do I want to know this, over and over?
James Berger, “Trauma and Literary Theory”, Contemporary
Literature Vol. 38 (1997).
❝
❞
Black
Box.
1 Hacking a speaker – how can I make it make noise?
2 Figuring out Sensors – how can I make people’s bodies turn it on?
3 Getting led astray! Trying to fit too much in
4 Music and Narrative
Design Process – Creating a Black Box:
Black
Box.Simple Circuit
Main Circuit is infra
red sensor and
speaker attached
right to the Arduino
Black
Box.1 Hacking a speaker – how can I make it make noise?
Breaking up Canadian Tire
speaker and using iPhone
as musical input
Black
Box.1 Hacking a speaker – how can I make it make noise?
First Step was taking out
batteries and changing the
power so it came from
Arduino, then I made it turn
on with a button press and
play music from my iPhone
Black
Box.2 Figuring out Sensors – how can I make people’s bodies turn it on?
Next step was replacing the
turn on button with a
sensor. I used the proximity
sensor with a delay so
people would turn it on for a
while
Idea for using proximity sensor from Kate’s Sept 25 Tutorial
Black
Box.
I really liked the
idea of having the
continuous servo
motor playing a
creepy music box,
but after making it
work thought:
“what does this
really have to do
with a black box?”
Nothing… but it
was a fun
experiment
3 Getting led astray! Trying to fit too much in
In the end I ditched the music box idea – concentrate, Lee! ;)
Black
Box.
Concept: Space ship pilot sends out call for help and then is attacked by
mysterious beings.
How: Recorded a friend’s voice, then used sound library to put together the
narrative and events.
Script:
[Dial Tone]
Pilot: Calling Mission Control. Calling Mission Control. Do you read me? There is
someone on our ship. I repeat. There is someone on our ship. Send help immediately.
[Creepy monster sound]
Pilot: Wait…What was that?
[Creepy monster sounds and growling]
Pilot: Oh noooooo!
[more creepy monster sounds and growling]
Pilot: HELP MEEEEE!
[Dial Tone]
4 Music and Narrative
Black
Box.5 FINAL CONCEPT - INSIDE
Black
Box.5 FINAL CONCEPT – CODE
//proximitysensor code from Kate Hartmen's lecture example Thursday Sept 25th digital futures OCADU
int soundPin = 9; //Pin to turn speaker on
int proximitySensorPin = A0; //Where Proximity sensor goes in
int proximitySensorValue = 0; //start numbers for sensor
void setup () {
pinMode (soundPin, OUTPUT); //speaker power
Serial.begin(9600); //to get readings
}
void loop () {
proximitySensorValue = analogRead(proximitySensorPin);
Serial.println(proximitySensorValue);
if(proximitySensorValue > 40) {
digitalWrite (soundPin, HIGH); //This will turn the sound on when someone is near
}
else {
delay(10000); // keeps it on long enough to listen to some
digitalWrite (soundPin, LOW);
//This will turn the sound off when someone is not near
}
}
Black
Box.6 JOURNAL
1 Hacking a speaker – how can I make it make noise? (SEPT 20-21 WEEKEND – 2 DAYS – HARDEST PART)
2 Figuring out Sensors – how can I make people’s bodies turn it on? (SEPT 25 – 26 – HALF DAY)
3 Getting led astray! Trying to fit too much in (OCTOBER 3-4 – HALF DAY)
4 Music and Narrative (OCTOBER 1- 4 – HALF-DAY)
5 Aesthetics and making it work (OCTOBER 5 – HALF-DAY)
Black
Box.7 Last words – Greatest Challenge – the speaker likes to screeeeeeeech
When I was working on the
speaker at first it wouldn’t
take any iPhone songs, it
would only screech! Finally I
got the plugs in right but it
still screeches if they aren’t
in all the way
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/108145083
Lesson! Be careful while
your hacking, don’t just rip
things apart -_-
Black
Box.
