Light Leader LED Guitar Trainer

1
Light LeaderLED Guitar Trainer

• Mid-Term Presentation
• September 28, 2006

2
Team Members
Michael Breazeale Responsibilities Software,
Firmware, Circuit Design, Research,
Documentation, Testing Debugging
Harry Lam Responsibilities Software, Research,
Documentation, Testing Debugging
Truong Nguyen Responsibilities Circuit Design,
Research, Documentation, Testing Debugging
3
Presentation Outline

• Introduction/Background Info
• Problem
• Solution
• Constraints (Technical and Practical)
• Approach and Trade Off Analysis
• Timeline
• Summary
• Questions

4
What is Interactive Learning?

• See N Say

• The Leapster L-Max

• Casio LK90TV

• FretLight FG-421

5
FretLight has advantages

• Advantages
• Teaches Interactively
• Guides users through lessons and songs
• USB Powered

But

• Disadvantages
• Limited Guitar styles
• Expensive to repair
• Costs 500-900

Its EXPENSIVE!

• How do people begin playing guitar?
• Borrow or buy a cheap beginner guitar
• Learn through books, or taking lessons from a
  friend or guitar instructor

6
The Solution-Light Leader LED Guitar Trainer

• Light Leaders advantages
• Teaches Interactively
• Guides users through lessons and songs
• USB Powered
• Can be used with any standard guitar
• Inexpensive to repair
• Costs 75

7
Light Leader-Basic Overview

• Thin LED strap

• Adjustable for various guitars

• Software

• Low cost materials

8
Technical Constraint Weight and Thickness

• Less than 1 lb

• Less than 1mm thick

9
Technical ConstraintCurrent Draws

• Light Leader will draw less than 50mA
• USB recommended current is 100mA
• Why not use the recommended current?
• LEDs fluctuate
• microprocessors fluctuate
• safety of overall design

10
Technical ConstraintVisibility

• Viewable from a 1 meter distance
• LEDs provide 3 mlx

11
Technical ConstraintSoftware Functionality

• Chords must match LEDs
• Metronome must be consistent
• Audio samples must be accurate

12
Technical ConstraintResponsiveness

• Under 1 ms delay
• Appear instantaneous
• Transmit minimal data
• Code optimization

13
Practical ConstraintCosts
Component Cost Quantity Total
Microprocessor 4.25 1 4.25
Transistor 0.10 18 1.80
LED 0.18 72 12.96
Cloth strap 4.00 / yd2 0.14 yd2 0.56
USB cable 4.88 1 4.88
Insulated wiring 0.075 / ft 10 ft 0.75
Total cost of parts Total cost of parts Total cost of parts 25.20
Suggested retail price Suggested retail price Suggested retail price 75.00
14
Practical ConstraintHealth and Safety

• Insulated wiring to guard against shock
• Hypoallergenic fabric
• Alerts the user when practicing time has exceeded
  2 hours

15
Approach/Trade OffsStrap Layout

• 1 individual strap per fret
• Too difficult to connect, 12 points of failure
• 3 straps, each with 4 frets
• Less difficult to connect, 3 points of failure
• 1 strap for all 12 frets
• Easiest to connect, removes failure points, and
  adds greater stability.

16
Approach/Trade OffsSoftware

• C development platform
• Ease of coding in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
• Publishing options
• Windows-only application
• Compatible with the average user

17
Approach/Trade OffsLED Configuration

• Connect each LED individually
• Requires 73 main wires
• Exceeds current constraint

• Persistence of Vision Method
• Requires 18 main wires
• Meets current constraints

18
Timeline
September September October October November November
Research
Software
Firmware
Hardware
Testing Debugging
19
Summary

• Light Leader is
• interactive
• versatile
• affordable

Questions?