This project experiments with sending input from the Arduino to Processing, while incorporating a few different elements.
Our circuit includes a blue LED, an infrared proximity sensor which detects the reflection of an infrared light within about a 10-80cm range, and a global on/off switch which controls the entire circuit. The wiring is housed in a white acrylic box which we laser cut so that the switch, LED, and sensor are accessible from the outside.
Wiring inside
LED and switch
IR sensor
When you interact with the sensor by moving closer to it, the LED gets brighter. This input information is sent from the Arduino to Processing, which uses the information to draw a cyan box with different text that appears when the user interacts with the sensor at separate defined distances. The point size of the text is mapped to the sensor distance value, so the text grows as the user comes closer. A new word appears incrementally at each closer distance.
Our concept is based on the idea of an enticing storefront display. The user might walk by and become interested. As the user moves closer, the increasingly brighter light and changing text intrigue them even further, and convince them to come into the store.