Smart Table
UCF Group 34

The Physical



This project is to design a table that would have a moderately sized matrix of individual cells on the top that would act as pixels. Each so called cell would consist of an RGB Led to produce any given color value which would likely be achieved through pulse width modification. Each cell would also have a LED driver that would act as a slave to a main microprocessor on another main board. Including functionality like Timekeeping, various idling modes,and playing games such as “Snake”.

A quick overview of the base design materials is; made out of 7/32 3-layer birch plywood, laser cut, and diffuser on-top. The main design process followed (find a real-life reference) -> (find an accept- able way to integrate the LED’s into the design) -> (revise/repeat), the end result after multiple iterations is shown in the gallery. This design was done using Sketchup, and the overall design was driven by the concept of integrating the LED dividers into the table itself, thus resulting in this design. After the model was completed, it was further split up into separate "jobs" and thus was all laser cut with some additional pieces added in as a buffer for future accidents.

the table uses WS2812 based LEDs for both cost, and ease of implementation. The final design uses 16 strips of 32 LEDs each with power lines for every 64 LEDs and one continuous data line. The LEDs were attached to a backboard that was inserted into the table.


Gallery


Double checking sizing on LEDs prior to table design
Roll of WS2812 LEDs, comes presoldered on a strip
Proving that communication is possible with WS2812 LEDs
Testing brightness levels with/without interior reflective material
Testing various heights and their effects on the brightness and diffusion of the LEDs
Triple checking LED spacing vs the to be mass produced slats
Main slats after first layer of staining
Waiting for stain to soak
Up close of side slats
LED strips on the backboard to be used in the table
Main slats with reflective material added
LED backboard wired for testing before moving to the table
In progress shot of assembly, twine used to reduce shifting during assembly
Shot during assembly showing the "pixels" with interior reflective material
In progress shot of resoldering and wiring the LEDs
Power supply with all the attached lines
Finishing wiring the leds and attempting to tuck the wires
Testing table display with various types of plexiglass
First public demo, showing the noise generation display
Rev1.0 of the main control board with additional kludge wires, supports only one user
Finished photo of the team with fully functional table