Concept

For this group assignment, Shahd and I thought deeply about all the possibilities, and frankly, it was difficult to decide what to create. Nevertheless, after having a general idea of what sensors and switches we would like to implement into the project, we decided to create a “digital nature” musical instrument. Specifically, we decided to use photoresistors to measure the amount of light that was reaching our artificial flowers. If a flower is covered with a shadow, the instrument emits a lower-tone note. Adversely, if the flower were lit up with a flashlight or an LED, it would play a higher-pitched note through the piezo buzzer. We decided that the instrument would be controlled by a bee made out of cardboard on a stick that would land on the flowers and emit the “buzz.” However, during the creation of the instrument, another idea struck us, and we decided to add another way to control the instrument. For this, we decided to use the ultrasonic distance measuring sensor and make it play an octave of notes, depending on how close you place your hand, in intervals of three centimeters.

Implementation/Code

We began by constructing a basic circuit using just one photoresistor and the Piezo buzzer to see if our idea was going to work well or not. After numerous attempts to debug the code, we realized that the buzzer was not connected properly to the pin that was supposed to output the sound, so our main issue was solved. We proceeded to add an additional three photoresistors, four total, and I decided to extend their heights by soldering solid core wires to the “legs” of the sensor, varying their heights. Soon, we decided to add a toggle switch, which would transition into the second phase of the instrument, the distance sensor. Ultimately, the code was quite simple and used a variety of if conditions to control each sensor and the respective outputs sent to the Piezo. The code and video of the working instrument are below.

#include "pitches.h"

const int BUZZER = 8;
const int ECHO_PIN = 9;
const int TRIG_PIN = 10;
const int FLOWER1 = A0;
const int FLOWER2 = A1;
const int FLOWER3 = A2;
const int FLOWER4 = A3;
const int SWITCH = A5;
int flowerSound = 0;
int LED=2;
long duration = 100;

int DARK_THR = 600;

void setup() {
  // initialize serial communication at 9600 bits per second:
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(FLOWER1, INPUT);
  pinMode(FLOWER2, INPUT);
  pinMode(FLOWER3, INPUT);
  pinMode(FLOWER4, INPUT);
  pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);  
  pinMode(ECHO_PIN, INPUT);    // echo pin measure the duration of pulses coming back from the distance sensor
  pinMode(TRIG_PIN, OUTPUT);   // trigger pin output pulses of electricity
  pinMode(LED,OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED,HIGH);
  int flower1 = analogRead(FLOWER1);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int flower2 = analogRead(FLOWER2);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int flower3 = analogRead(FLOWER3);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int flower4 = analogRead(FLOWER4);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int switchOn = digitalRead(SWITCH);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability

  // Serial.println(switchOn);  ///debugging

  if (switchOn) {
    //dark sensor = lower notes
    if (flower1 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_C3, duration);
    } else if (flower2 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_D3, duration);
    } else if (flower3 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_E3, duration);
    } else if (flower4 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_F3, duration);

    //bright sensor = higher notes
    } else if (flower1 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_G3, duration);
    } else if (flower2 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_A3, duration);
    } else if (flower3 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_B3, duration);
    } else if (flower4 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_C4, duration);
    } else {         
      noTone(BUZZER);
    }
  } else { // if switch is changed to distance sensor
    int distance = getDistance();
    Serial.println(distance);
    if (1 < distance && distance < 3) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_C4);
    } else if (3 < distance && distance < 6) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_D4);
    } else if (6 < distance && distance < 9) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_E4);
    } else if (9 < distance && distance < 12) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_F4);
    } else if (12 < distance && distance < 15) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_G4);
    } else if (15 < distance && distance < 18) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_A4);
    } else if (18 < distance && distance < 21) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_B4);
    } else {
      noTone(BUZZER);
    }
  }
}

float getDistance() {
  float echoTime;                   //variable to store the time it takes for a ping to bounce off an object
  float calculatedDistance;         //variable to store the distance calculated from the echo time

  //send out an ultrasonic pulse that's 10ms long
  digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, LOW);

  echoTime = pulseIn(ECHO_PIN, HIGH);      //pulsein command to see how long it takes for pulse to bounce back to sensor
  calculatedDistance = echoTime / 55.2;    //calculate  distance of object that reflected the pulse in cm 
  return calculatedDistance;  
}

Reflection

Ultimately, I enjoyed working on this assignment and believe that our project / musical instrument was successful in accomplishing the tasks that we wanted it to do. Nevertheless, there is much room for improvement. From a visual standpoint, a variety of different improvements could be made. For instance, creating an enclosure for the wires, Arduino, and breadboard leaving only the flowers, switch, and distance sensor for view. This would allow for the instrument to be more visually appealing. Additionally, instead of the Piezo buzzer, we could use a speaker for generating the notes more clearly, and perhaps the switch could make different types of notes (piano and guitar, etc…). There could also be a different approach in which two people can play the instrument simultaneously, but that would require 2 speakers and more complexities.

Concept:

I think it was a challenge for us to find an idea for this project. Alex and I shared some videos of cool musical instruments with one another. We also tried to brainstorm some ideas and think of how to do it. We wanted to do something interesting, and creative. After a series of discussions, we finally decided to make a flower and bee instrument. This instrument plays different sounds if the bee comes to a flower, or if sunlight is pointed at a flower. Also, it plays sound when the bee is going to the flower. We did this by making a circuit that had a toggle switch, an LED, four light sensors, one distance sensor, and a piezo buzzer. Would it be cool if one could hear sounds emitted by a flower under different conditions?

Our instrument makes different notes with the interaction between the flower, bee, and light, which I like to think of as a musical narrative that delves into the natural world.

Highlight:

 We began by assembling the circuit and making the flower, bees, and light source.

It was confusing to make the circuit, but it worked out fine in the end. We decided to add a toggle switch to move from the distance sensor to the light sensor, this enhanced the user experience by allowing them to transition between the distance sensor and the light sensors. The light sensor and the distance sensor add different interactive experiences for the user, which I think engages them more.

#include "pitches.h"

const int BUZZER = 8;
const int ECHO_PIN = 9;
const int TRIG_PIN = 10;
const int FLOWER1 = A0;
const int FLOWER2 = A1;
const int FLOWER3 = A2;
const int FLOWER4 = A3;
const int SWITCH = A5;
int flowerSound = 0;
int LED=2;
long duration = 100;

int DARK_THR = 600;

void setup() {
  // initialize serial communication at 9600 bits per second:
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(FLOWER1, INPUT);
  pinMode(FLOWER2, INPUT);
  pinMode(FLOWER3, INPUT);
  pinMode(FLOWER4, INPUT);
  pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);  
  pinMode(ECHO_PIN, INPUT);    // echo pin measure the duration of pulses coming back from the distance sensor
  pinMode(TRIG_PIN, OUTPUT);   // trigger pin output pulses of electricity
  pinMode(LED,OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED,HIGH);
  int flower1 = analogRead(FLOWER1);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int flower2 = analogRead(FLOWER2);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int flower3 = analogRead(FLOWER3);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int flower4 = analogRead(FLOWER4);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability
  int switchOn = digitalRead(SWITCH);
  delay(1);  // delay in between reads for stability

  // Serial.println(switchOn);  ///debugging

  if (switchOn) {
    //dark sensor = lower notes
    if (flower1 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_C3, duration);
    } else if (flower2 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_D3, duration);
    } else if (flower3 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_E3, duration);
    } else if (flower4 <= DARK_THR) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_F3, duration);

    //bright sensor = higher notes
    } else if (flower1 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_G3, duration);
    } else if (flower2 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_A3, duration);
    } else if (flower3 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_B3, duration);
    } else if (flower4 >= 850) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_C4, duration);
    } else {         
      noTone(BUZZER);
    }
  } else { // if switch is changed to distance sensor
    int distance = getDistance();
    Serial.println(distance);
    if (1 < distance && distance < 3) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_C4);
    } else if (3 < distance && distance < 6) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_D4);
    } else if (6 < distance && distance < 9) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_E4);
    } else if (9 < distance && distance < 12) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_F4);
    } else if (12 < distance && distance < 15) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_G4);
    } else if (15 < distance && distance < 18) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_A4);
    } else if (18 < distance && distance < 21) {
      tone(BUZZER, NOTE_B4);
    } else {
      noTone(BUZZER);
    }
  }
}

float getDistance() {
  float echoTime;                   //variable to store the time it takes for a ping to bounce off an object
  float calculatedDistance;         //variable to store the distance calculated from the echo time

  //send out an ultrasonic pulse that's 10ms long
  digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, LOW);

  echoTime = pulseIn(ECHO_PIN, HIGH);      //pulsein command to see how long it takes for pulse to bounce back to sensor
  calculatedDistance = echoTime / 55.2;    //calculate  distance of object that reflected the pulse in cm 
  return calculatedDistance;  
}

 

The code was simple, we created a nested if condition so that when the switch is on the light sensors (the flowers) would play different notes. The notes change in pitch from low to high depending on whether the bee is on the flower of the light source. Then when the switch is off we move to the distance sensor where the bee moves displaying different sounds. These notes are played with a difference of 3cm in distance. For the distance sensor, we play a whole octave of notes.

 

 Reflection and Future Improvements:

 I enjoyed making this assignment, but I believe there is room for improvement. There is much more that can be done and improved so that the sound is clearer, and the instrument is more interesting. It would be cool if it were a dual-player instrument, which means that the distance sensor and the light sensor play the sounds at the same time. It is a little more complicated to do and would need more time. On the aesthetics aspect, canceling all the wires in a box would be neater, and safer for users, thus providing an appealing look. I believe there is space to enhance this project in terms of functionality and look; however, this project was a challenge technically but sparked our imagination.

Cat Composer

By Sneheel & Angela

Concept:

While working on this project, we went over several ideas on how we would make an instrument. One thing we discovered in our ideation process was that both of us had previously made projects that centrally involved cats. Thus, with some more tinkering around – we came up with “The Cat Composer”! The Cat Composer is an all in one musical instrument that can play a variety of simple tunes such as “Hot Cross Buns” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. It consists of 2 switches to control 2 beat-making servo motors, a distance sensor to control the notes (C, D, E, and G), and a turning potentiometer to toggle between octaves. Additionally, we incorporated a speaker from the IM Lab inventory to make a better sound than the provided buzzer. This instrument is best played with two people, one to play percussion/toggle between octaves, and one to play the notes.

However, with a bit of practice it is completely possible to play it by oneself! Note: In order for the distance sensor to receive a steady input and play the correct notes, it is best to play not with one’s hands, but with a larger piece of material.

Demonstration Video

Code & Highlights:

The toughest part in the coding process was to ensure that the distance sensor worked exactly as we intended. For example, an issue that we ran into early was the abrupt changing of tune at the border values. Since the sensor isn’t accurate to the exact cm. It would then fluctuate between two tunes. We corrected this by instead using a 5-value moving average. This makes transitions significantly smoother (and the experience much more enjoyable!!)

unsigned int measureDistance() {
  const int numReadings = 5;  // Number of readings to average
  const int maxChange = 150;   // Maximum acceptable change in cm between readings
  static unsigned int lastAverage = 0;  // Store the last valid average distance
  unsigned long totalDuration = 0;


  for (int i = 0; i < numReadings; i++) {
    digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(2);
    digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(10);
    digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);


    totalDuration += pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
    delay(10); // Short delay between readings
  }


  unsigned int currentAverage = (totalDuration / numReadings) * 0.034 / 2;


  // Check if the change from the last average is within the expected range
  if (abs((int)currentAverage - (int)lastAverage) <= maxChange || lastAverage == 0) {
    lastAverage = currentAverage;  // Update the last valid average
    return currentAverage;
  } else {
    return lastAverage;  // Return the last valid average if the current reading is an outlier
  }
}

Room for improvement:

We can improve our project significantly given more time!

Firstly, we would love the diversify the sounds our project can generate. In our research we discovered that instead of simply using tone() we could perhaps use some other sound generating function. We would love to try this!

Regarding the hardware implementation, the provided potentiometer is too hard to turn and often messes with the wiring. Instead we would love to use a better/larger potentiometer that allows us better access.

Similarly, another change we would like to do is to use a single Arduino Board and breadboard rather than our current 2 board solution. This will make the project more cohesive. Even though this seems easy enough to implement, we let our current design be as of now to simplify our approach.

Lastly, the ultrasonic distance sensor often gives outlier readings. As discussed in the highlight section, we tried our best to resolve this issue, however it still persists. We have some more ideas to remedy this. But we believe that given the scope of this project this was unnecessary. However, we would love to do this in the future.