atypical LED display

Submitted by rdbrewer on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 03:39

I'm doing an art project, and I'm trying to create the illusion of motion by using LEDs.* I don't know where to begin.  The illusion involves two groups (G1, G2) of LEDs (three) acting in relation to one another. I'll try to just flow chart it:

1. Power on

2. G1 fades up over a period of one minute, almost imperceptible.

3. Ten minutes later (or at random periods of 5-15 minutes), G1 fades off over a period of one second. This might also be known as instant off.

4. Immediately thereafter, G2 fades up over a period of one to two seconds--or instant on. 

5. G2 stays on for two minutes

6. G2 fades off for one minute

7. repeat

The illusion of motion is caused by the quick movement of light (steps 3, 4) from one source to another. I haven't decided whether fast-fade-down, fast-fade-up or instant-off, instant-on would convey the illusion of motion better. It seems like a simultaneous fast-fade-down, fast-fade-up (1-2 seconds) might work best, but I don't know. It's something I'd have to see to decide.  Unless someone already knows.

Any ideas?

This circuit will be in proximity to a full-on string of 30 tiny LEDs; thus, it can pull power from that circuit if necessary (I'm guessing it can).

*The LED's I'm using don't have a size indicated on the box, but I can tell you each is smaller than the head of a pin. Like not even one mm wide.

Hi 

What you have in mind can be easily done with the help of a Microcontroller. From your question I assume you are a beginner with Electroncics so the best way for you to go is by using the Arduino Platform.

Arduino is a Microcontroller development platform, you can simply connect all the 6 LED (2 groups) to the 6 GPIO pin of the Arduino and then either directly turn it on/off using digitalWrite command or use the PWM option to fade on or fade off the LED.

If you do not want your timming to be very accurate you can use the millis function to decide how long the LED should fade and remain on. 

I am still confused on what type of LED you are using. If it is less than 1mm is it an SMD?

  Joined August 16, 2016      998
Tuesday at 12:29 AM

What kind of equipment does it take to read and rewrite those chips?

  Joined March 12, 2019      4
Tuesday at 02:51 AM

The development board comes with a buil-in programmer. 

You should consider reading this article to understand more abour Arduino

https://circuitdigest.com/microcontroller-projects/getting-started-with…

 

  Joined August 16, 2016      998
Tuesday at 12:29 AM

System would allow me to upload pics of lights last night.

  Joined March 12, 2019      4
Tuesday at 02:51 AM

*wouldn't

I'll try it another way.  Here's one.  Hopefully...

Didn't work. Okay.  Each  looks less than a mm across, maybe more, and each one appears in a blob of glass on the wire. 

Thank you for the help.

  Joined March 12, 2019      4
Tuesday at 02:51 AM

I'm getting a kit with Arduino and some lights, etc., to get an idea of how to do things.  Thanks, you guys.

  Joined March 12, 2019      4
Tuesday at 02:51 AM