Proof that the Button, LEDs, and PlantType motor settings all work together!

24 Hour Countdown!

This time tomorrow we'll be about to start demo day!  Here's our to do list for today.  Shouldn't be too bad

TO DO:

[Completed

In progress]

MECHANICAL

·         Wooden Box for the water pump box

·         Plastic cover for the water pump

·         Latch on spout system

·         Tube system from spout to water tank

ELECTRICAL

·         LEDs super glued into holes

·         Longer leads on short guy purple LED

·         Leads into Leaf (mostly)

SOFTWARE

·         Code for our demo day, agreed upon yesterday

·         One more look into button pressing finickyness

OTHER

·         (Sam) Print out settings guide/create account

·         (Sam) Pick up seeds to hand out to the class

·         (Gracie) Pick up watering can

2 days left!

It's crunch time! Today we worked for a long time on integrating everything.  I've been spending lots of time in the machine shop trying to line up holes for the housing and it's finally together!  We have some adjustments to make tomorrow to make it look better.  Today we tested it with our water tank and our tank sensor and surprisingly everything integrated nicely.

SLEEEEEEEEPPPP!

Think Outside the Box

It's been a PoE marathon this past week so i'm going to split this into a few different posts.  First, the box!  We had it laser cut last week and then we got to assemble this week.  First, we had fun experimenting with wood glue and we ended up clamping our box by wrapping the whole thing in orange string.  Next, we tried our hand at polyurethane even though we were terrified to ruin our box.  It all worked out though and now we have a beautiful box!  Next, we put LED's and buttons in our box.  We have 3 turquoise, 3 purple, 2 green, a yellow, and red.  We also have a hinged door that holds the tubing to refill the box (that has yet to be installed yet though).  Here is our box in various stages of completeness!

Moving Water!

Our pump officially works! We have moved water from one cup to another!  We got more flexible tubing to make the pumping easier for the motor and we figured out how to power the motor correctly.  Our biggest challenge right now is making a housing for the pump that locks the motor in place.

Sensors Controlling Sensors

Now our moisture sensor controls when to power the motor to turn the peristaltic pump. It works!

Pump Assembly!

We've been working really hard on the pump, so here's an update!

This Monday, Sam machined our parts for our motor, so we were all set to put the pieces together! She made an arm to hold the bearings, two shoulder bolts, and a shaft to put over the motor.  

This Thursday we were finally able to put everything together and test it! Here's Gracie getting the motor ready to run for our first test.  

Unfortunately, we have to make a few adjustments to the pump before it will work, but it's on its way! Our pump was able to spin the bearings without the tubing, but with the tubing in place it was not strong enough.  This may be for several reasons.  One thing we're going to look at is whether we're giving the motor enough current.  Second, we're going to get some different tubing that is a little less stiff so that there is less resistant against the motor.  Hopefully by the end of this weekend we should have some of these motors addressed.

Don't forget to water your plants today!

More Electrical Things!

DC Motor Controller!

With this little setup we can power the peristaltic pump when the moisture sensor sense that the water level is low in the plant pot. Just working on making the software side integrated!

Moisture Sensor Tested in Soil: Success!

Before today, we had only tested the leads in air (touching and not touching). Today we tested the moisture sensor in soil with varying degrees of water added. The test confirmed that the system is functional. The values that we obtain from the arduino (via serial) are as follows:

In air, not touching: ~0
In air, touching: ~1023
In soil,
--very wet: ~900
--optimal: 700-800
--needs water: ~650
--definitely needs water: <625

Leads (moisture sensor) in soil.

Python code to do something with the values read from serial is given below:
#import libraries
import serial
import math

#open serial communication
arduino = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyACM0', 9600)

if serial.Serial.inWaiting >= 5:
#control corresponds to 100% light transmittance (in absence of any #petri dish); each respective sample reading corresponds to the light #transmittance through that petri dish.
    val1       = float(arduino.readline())
    val2       = float(arduino.readline())
    val3       = float(arduino.readline())
    val4       = float(arduino.readline())
    val5       = float(arduino.readline())

#calculate soil moisture reading
moistureValue = float((val1 + val2 + val3 + val4 + val5)/5)

if moistureValue < 625:
    print("omg so thirsty so thirsty need water")
elif moistureValue > 625 and moistureValue < 700:
    print("I'm starting to get thirsty")
elif moistureValue > 700 and moistureValue < 800:
    print("I feel so hydrated!")
elif moistureValue > 800:
    print("Gross, I feel bloated")

#print out absorbance values in neat table     
print "moisture value: " + str(moistureValue)

Parenting Style mode selector complete and integrated with moisture sensor

The mode selector is now complete! The button switches through the three LEDs (modes). After five seconds, the LED fades away to a dim setting so that we can conserve power in the long run.

Cleaned-up LED and pushbutton system.

The last step will be to clean up the code (for modularity).

Arduino code for the LED system integrated with the moisture sensor reading is given below:

//initialize constants
const int buttonPin = 2;
const int LED1 = 11;
const int LED2 = 10;
const int LED3 = 9;
const int moistureSensor = 0;
const unsigned long deBounceDelay = 200;
const unsigned long moistureDelay = 5000;

//initialize variables
int buttonState = 0;
int lastButtonState = 0;
int mode=1;
int fadeValue;
int moistureReading = 0;
unsigned long deBounceTimer = 0;
unsigned long moistureTimer = 0;
unsigned long startTime;

//set-up interrupt

void setup() {
  //initialize each of the three LED pins as outputs
  pinMode(LED1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED3, OUTPUT);
 
  //initialize the pushButton pin as an input
  pinMode (buttonPin, INPUT);
 
  //initialize serial communication; mid-range data rate 9600 bps
  Serial.begin(9600);
 
  //attachInterrupt(0, off, RISING);
}

void loop() {
  buttonCheck();
  switch (mode) {
    case 1:
      off();
      digitalWrite(LED1, HIGH);
      startTime = millis();
      fadeValue = 255;
      while(mode==1) {
        buttonCheck();
      readMoisture(); 
        if((fadeValue>55)&&((millis()-startTime) > 5000)) {
          for(fadeValue = 255; fadeValue >=50; fadeValue -=5) {
           analogWrite(LED1, fadeValue);
          delay(30);
          }
        }
      }
      break;
     
    case 2:
      off();
      digitalWrite(LED2, HIGH);
      startTime = millis();
      fadeValue = 255;
      while(mode==2) {
        buttonCheck(); 
        readMoisture();
        if((fadeValue>55)&&((millis()-startTime) > 5000)) {
          for(fadeValue = 255; fadeValue >=50; fadeValue -=5) {
           analogWrite(LED2, fadeValue);
          delay(30);
          }
        }
      }
      break;
     
    case 3:
      off();
      digitalWrite(LED3, HIGH);
      startTime = millis();
      fadeValue = 255;
      while(mode==3) {
        buttonCheck(); 
        readMoisture();
        if((fadeValue>55)&&((millis()-startTime) > 5000)) {
          for(fadeValue = 255; fadeValue >=50; fadeValue -=5) {
           analogWrite(LED3, fadeValue);
          delay(30);
          }
        }
      }
      break;
  }
}

void buttonCheck() {
  buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin);
 
  if (!buttonState&&lastButtonState&&(millis()-deBounceTimer)>deBounceDelay){
    mode++;
    if(mode>3)mode=1;
    lastButtonState = buttonState;
    deBounceTimer = millis();
  }
 
  if (buttonState&&!lastButtonState&&(millis()-deBounceTimer)>deBounceDelay){
    lastButtonState = buttonState;
    deBounceTimer = millis();
  }
}

void readMoisture() {
  if ((millis()-moistureTimer)>moistureDelay){
    moistureReading = analogRead(moistureSensor);
    moistureTimer=millis();
    Serial.print("moisture sensor reads ");
    Serial.println( moistureReading); 
}
}
 

void off() {
  digitalWrite(LED1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(LED2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(LED3, LOW);
}

Parenting Style--Mode Switching working

We've modified the blinky lights lab in order to blink through three LEDs (one for each parenting style mode). What do we mean by parenting style? As previously posted, we want the user to be able to choose how often they are notified by the system. He or she will be able to choose one of the following modes:
* Hands-off
* Active
* Helicopter

Working blinky light system (switches through three lights for each button press).

The next step is to expand the functionality so that the LEDs dim over time (to save power in the long run). We are also in the process of creating a mini prototype to show how the system will look in the plastic body of our system.

Be Prepared.

Gearing up for our first Design Review - 10/25/12

So much is getting done! Also, be looking for our shiny gold peristaltic pump that will be finished soon. We've just updated to Glammy Garduino.

Display screen!

Last night Melisa got the screen working! We may buy a better one at some point but for right now we have a working display! On today's agenda is building a peristaltic pump and working on software.

Display screen!

Update: Moisture Sensor

Caught sensing the moisture - 10/22/12

Testing the moisture sensor: it works. When not touching in air: 0 Ohms. When touching in air: 1023 Ohms. When in watered soil: ~480 Ohms.
Now to work on making it prettier, smaller, and maybe modular.

(Update) Interaction Design

Isometric view of whole system (10/22/2012)

Top view. Logo visible from top. Diffused glow visible.

Front view. LCD display visible.

Left view. On/Off button visible.

Right view. Three mode options (barely) visible.

The first CAD modeling was done to be discussed in class today (snapshots below). For now, the product has the following components:

• Top Plastic cover, on which the plant pot will sit (LOGO visible on top)
• Notification system, with diffused LED light that becomes brighter as more user attention is needed. This notification system uses the LCD display screen in order to communicate where the attention is needed. For the scope of our project, the only notification is to refill the water storage unit. We are designing it so that future expansion is easy: we could add sensors to detect the amount of light hitting the plant, the humidity of the room, etc. and have the notification system alert the user for all the situations. 
• On/Off power button (left side)
• LCD screen (front side)--to display where attention is needed
• Level of involvement options (right side)--three options each with a push button selection 
• Hands-off
• Present
• Helicopter

Background Information on Watering

Over the last few weeks, we collected bits on best practices for household plant care. Here's a compilation of the information that we want to keep in mind as we continue to design our system:

General Information on Watering:

• Under-watering and over-watering can be detrimental to a houseplant; improper watering is the cause of most household plant problems.
• Best way to determine whether a plant needs to be watered is to check the soil moisture. 
• Most potted plants must be allowed to reach an appropriate level of dryness between waterings.
• Amount of water needed per watering depends on the species of houseplant. 
• Water should be poured slowly over the surface of the soil until is begins to drain out of the bottom of the pot. 

Hydration Measurement Guidelines:

• Soil should be dry 1/4 inches down
• Tapped pot should sound hollow
• Weight can be a good indicator for small household plants

Watering Techniques:

• Water from the top until moisture drips out of the bottom of the pot.
• Discard draining water
• Don't let bottom portion of the pot stand in water
• Water from the bottom by placing the plant in saucer until the top of the soil is moist.
• Remove plant and let excess moisture drain out of the bottom.
• Never keep the plant in standing water continuously.
• NOTE: Water all plants from top once a month to prevent mineral or salts build-up (white/brown crusty material on soil/rim of pot). 
• NOTE: Frequent watering with small amounts of water can lead to waterlogging

Warning Signs:
[Dehydration]

• Leaf growth is slow
• Leaves become translucent
• Leaves/flowers drop prematurely
• Leaf edges become brown and dried
• Lower leaves curl and yellow

[Overwatering]

• Young and old leaves fall at same time
• Root rot
• Standing water in bottom container
• Moldy flowers
• Leaves have brown soft rotten patches or fail to grow

Main Sources
Indoor Plant Care
Wikipedia: Houseplant
Guidelines for Watering Indoor Plants

Moisture Sensor!

It works! - 10/18/12

Just a first pass at a homemade moisture sensor to detect when plants are thirsty. We need galvanized steel nails to prevent rust and to make it more compact. Maybe we'll print a board?

Interaction Design Concept Sketching

Concept sketches for interaction design 10/18/2012

The interaction design concept sketching is well under way. Components include:

• Water Storage Unit refill notification
• Plant hydration state notification
• Power on/off
• Parenting style mode (hands-off, normal, helicopter)
• Opening for user to pour water into water storage unit
• Logo/instruction

Pump Received!

Testing out our first pump. - 10/18/12

We may need to research and find a different one. Perhaps one that doesn't require 120v to power it. We need to be able to control when it turns on/off.

Let's Plan This Out.

Short Term Plan - 10/12/12

First post!