Eye scanner contest $50 or less

[GoldCylon]

OK I came up with idea from an other forum. The contest is different goal, but same line of thought. Who can design, and make a low budget eye scanner. The purpose is to allow builders with a budget to have access to a scanner they can build themselves. So it needs to be explained so someone that doesn't know the difference between a resistor, and a diode can build this. Now here below is the outline of the rules listed below.

At least 16 LED, or bulbs to light the scanner, with a max of 32
Budget not to surpass $50 US
Receipts proving your cost
Items like wire, solider or other related cost not part of parts cost do not count in the budget of the $50 limit
Must be able to run 1 hour on a battery power source
Must be able to fit in a Cylon helmet eye scanner slot
Be able to show it working in a short video, photos, and share with other how to build
A list of parts needed and a how to build instructions so others can build it
The contest is open to all members (non members need to sign up)
This contest is open now till the 5th anniversary (close date) Sunday Dec 5th 2010
All contestants must present their on this thread, with a YouTube video of their finished scanner.
Feel free to ask questions.
The prize for the winner of this contest
A C.O.R.A. helmet kit that I will buy and have shipped to any US residents. All others outside the US you will have to pick up the difference in the shipping cost.

[Cylon-Knight]

AWESOME IDEA! I have been on the look out for such a thing and tried and tried to find my own way of doing the scanner for about a year now. I know it can be done - maybe for a tiny bit more than $50, depends on your source (Shipping of parts I don't think should be counted).

I am all about a 32 LED scanner! w00t!

[GoldCylon]

The $50 is limited to parts cost only. Your tax, and shipping cost are not part of that limit, but the contest rules are $50, unless everyone involved states it can't be done at that price, then am adjustment limit will be made.
Also suggesting this contest to others outside the forum is encouraged as long as they are interested in the prize, but then who wouldn't be.

[GoldCylon]

OK this might be even cheating a bit, but I am not really sure because I have no idea the cost of the parts are, but here is a little helping hand and a little tweaking out of the system.

http://todbot.com/blog/2008/06/17/get-o ... nkm-cylon/

[sean]

The link want take me anywhere.....

[Cylon-Knight]

Me either - it gives a 500 error page. The site's server has issues!

[GoldCylon]

The site is back up, but that page is still offline. Give it a bit more time, and check back.

[silver surfer]

Since no one has yet to submit an entry, heres my question. Ive achieved the eye scanner for about $16.00, however I only used 8 leds. Can I still qualify for the contest?

[GoldCylon]

8 is a far cry from even close to the 32 count that is really needed, but if you could get at least 24 then you could qualify.

[Cylon-Knight]

I've created a list for my "dream scanner" needs (what a quality costume Centurion would need)... sean and I are working on getting someone with the know how to design/make it. Hope it can be created as a kit or something to sell at a fair price.

Hope to find someone out there with some know-how and willing to take the bid. It won't be in time for the contest I'm sure - but - one day it may be in the Cylon Store

[sean]

me and CKs wish list....I would love for someone to build one that I could duplicate.or make a diagram that I understand.
-LEDs scan/sweep from left to right, back and forth over and over, endlessly
-32 high powered Red LEDs (clear in off state)
-LEDs must have power regulated to them so they FADE on and off for a fluid scan. LEDs should not have stark on/off during the scan sweep.
-LEDs scan speed must be adjustable (slower, faster, etc.)
-LED array needs very compact and efficient wire setup as the unit will be installed into a costume helmet with limited internal space, must fit in side the helmet with a person's head
-Power switch
-9 Volt power source (or more if need be)
-Electronics would ideally be very compact to fit inside a costume helmet. Cylons have a mohawk and the project box can be placed inside the hollow mohawk. It could not be any wider than 1 1/4" by one inch deep, the length is a bit more flexible... there is an option for a triangular project box at the peak of the mohawk, exact dimensions can be provided later on depending on which setup would seem better during the circuit creation. There is also the option to locate the electronics and power source outside of the helmet in the costume's body armor/suit... wires would need adjusted/protected accordingly.


-Optional - replace single red color LEDs with 32 high powered tri-colored LEDs and switch to control all LEDs to run one of the colors 1.) Red, 2.) Green and 3.) Blue. A wearer could then alter their Cylon Eye to be red, blue or green on a whim (for fun, or for various holiday use - Green for St. Patrick's Day, etc.).

-Optional - ability to have the eye scan slow down, and then stop with a few LEDs on steady, then slowly they fade off. (To mimic in the show when a Cylon would "die" - the scan slows, stops, and then fades out.) This would probably be most effective with a "remote" switch located inside one of the costumed Cylon's gloves, LONG wires? That way the wearer could control it without any awkward motions/switching, etc. A little "far fetched" option, but it would be a cool functionality :-) I have a 16 led digram that I wonder if it could be doubled and improved upon.....

[silver surfer]

:frak:
Thats cool. My cylon wont be chromed for awhile due to the high cost of chroming.Im gonna paint it a silver that looks like metal until I can raise the needed cash.

[groupleaderzeta]

Hello everyone,

I have been wanting to do a cylon for a long time but haven't got around to do it. Now that I found this forum my interest is back. As sean stated in the above topic, for everything he wants the scanner to do, the best way would be to use a micro-controller, like the parallax propeller chip http://www.parallax.com/propeller/. I can be programed to do many things.

groupleader zeta,

[Cylon-Knight]

Awesome link, groupleaderzeta! And welcome to ByYourCommand.net - post often and enjoy.

Have you worked with micro-controllers before?

[groupleaderzeta]

Cylon-Knight,
several years ago, I played with the parallax basic stamp one. I made a small self navigating robot,(collision avoidance). But haven't done anything lately, a friend that uses the propeller, tells me that I could with the proper programing, use the single chip to do the scanner light and scanner sound at the same time. He also tells me that there would be minimal parts count. The chip itself is fairly cheap, its the support items, such as the interface to program it, that cost. My friend also tells me that I might be able to use the same chip, again with the proper programing, also to make it do the voice changer. perhaps if someone here uses the chip can chime in.

groupleaderzeta