Wireless Controlled Wearable EL Wire Dance Suit

Contributors: bboyho

Template Example Code

While the code was useful for my application, you'll need to write your own code to sync the effects with the music. I made a quick template for an EL Sequencer with a few simple modes to control two channels. The modes will sequence the channels to turn them all on, blink (off-on), turn off, alternate, ripple, and stack (i.e. light up each channel one at a time).

Glove Controller Example Code

The code for the glove controller is the same but with one added condition statement. Feel free to add more depending on your application. Open the example code called XBee_ControllerTemplate.ino. V2 was a work in progress in case I accidentally broke the code. V3 was the final code that was used for the performance. The path of the example code will probably look similar to: ...\Wireless_Controlled_EL_Dance_Suit\Arduino\XBee_Controller\XBee_ControllerTEMPLATE. You can also copy the code below and paste it into the Arduino IDE. Select the board (in this case the Arduino/Genuino Uno) and COM port that the board enumerated to. Make sure the switch is flipped to the DLINE before hitting the upload button.

language:c
/*******************************************************************
XBee_ELSequencer_ControllerTEMPLATE.ino
Created by Ho Yun Bobby Chan @  SparkFun Electronics May 12th, 2017

Taken from SparkFun XBee EL Sequencer Controller
Ho Yun Bobby Chan @ SparkFun Electronics June 20, 2014
Updated by Toni Klopfenstein @ SparkFun Electronics April, 2015
https://github.com/sparkfun/EL_Sequencer

Description:
This is a sketch for the wireless controller used to control 7x EL dance suits.
The wireless controller consists of a RedBoard Programmed with Arduino,
XBee Shield, XBee Series 1 transceiver, diffused RGB Common Cathode LED,
Blue Clear LED, 330Ohm current limiting resistors, a button, 9V battery,
and a 9V adapter.

Each of the 7x EL dance suits contain an EL Sequencer, 2x EL Wires, a
12V EL inverter, XBee female sockets soldered, a 9V battery, 9V adapter,
and a XBee Series 1 transceiver.  An XBee Series 2 can be used but the throughput
of the Series 1 is much higher. To reduce latency, I recommend using the XBee
Series 1. The basic configuration of the XBee module with point-to-point configuratin is
based on Digi's Example tutorial => https://www.digi.com/blog/xbee/basic-xbee-802-15-4-chat/.
page 5 of the tutorial shows you how to broadcast with
point-to-multipoint configuration so that multiple EL Sequencers
can be controlled.

Connect the XBee Shield to the Arduino with the switch flipped to the
software serial side labeled "DLINE".

By pushing the button, a character is sent from a remote microcontroller.
The corresponding EL Sequencer will receive the character and control
the EL component on a channel that is associated with that character.

Using a RedBoard programmed with Arduino, the XBee transceiver is connected to the
Software Serial pins. By pushing the button, the Arduino will
send one character through the XBee. Logic is used to control
how many characters are sent with the push button. The Arduino
will not send another character until the button is pressed again.

Note: This section of the code can be optimized. As the user is not
pressing down on the button, logic can be added so that the XBee is
not continuously sending serial characters to the receiving
EL Sequencer when idle.

Development environment specifics:
Arduino 1.6.5

This code is beerware; if you see me (or any other SparkFun employee) at the local,
and you've found our code helpful, please buy us a round!
Distributed as-is; no warranty is given.
**************************************************************************/

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

SoftwareSerial xbee(2, 3); //Rx = 2, Tx = 3

//Declare variables and pin definitions

char send_CHAR = 'A'; //default send character

int pattern = 0; //pattern that we are going to send

//SEND Button
const int button1Pin = 4; //push button
const int ledPin1 = 13;  //LED to indicate when a character has been sent
//variables to check for button1 state
boolean prev_button1State = false;
boolean current_button1State = false;

//LED Status Indicator
int ledR = 5; //hardware PWM
int ledG = 6; //hardware PWM
int ledB = 9; //hardware PWM

//UP Button
const int button2Pin = 11; //push button to move ahead to next sequence
//variables to check for button2 state
boolean prev_button2State = false;
boolean current_button2State = false;

//DOWN Button
const int button3Pin = 12;//push button to move back a sequence
//variables to check for button3 state
boolean prev_button3State = false;
boolean current_button3State = false;

/*******************Setup Loop***************************/
void setup() {
  //Declare buttons and status LEDs

  pinMode (ledPin1, OUTPUT); //send LED
  pinMode(button1Pin, INPUT_PULLUP); //SEND button, use internal pullup resistor

  // initialize the digital pins as an output for status LED
  pinMode(ledR, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledG, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledB, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(button2Pin, INPUT_PULLUP); //UP button, use internal pullup resistor
  pinMode(button3Pin, INPUT_PULLUP); //DOWN button, use internal pullup resistor

  //Declare serial connections for debugging
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("Arduino started sending bytes via XBee");

  //Declare software serial conenction with XBee
  xbee.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("EL Sequencer Controller's XBee Ready to Communicate");

  sequenceTest();//visually initialization to see that we have finished initializing
}

/*******************Main Loop***************************/
void loop() {
  //initialize variables to read buttons
  int button1State;
  int button2State;
  int button3State;

  button1State = digitalRead(button1Pin);
  button2State = digitalRead(button2Pin);
  button3State = digitalRead(button3Pin);
  /*buttonXstate
   - LOW or 0 means pressed
   - HIGH or 1 means not pressed
   */

  //-----------Check If SENT Button Has Been Pressed----------
  //if SENT button is pressed, it will be pulled low
  if (button1State == LOW) {
    digitalWrite(ledPin1, HIGH); //turn LED indicating if a character has been sent ON
    current_button1State = true; // button has been pressed once

    if (prev_button1State != current_button1State) //check to see if button is still being pressed
    {
      Serial.println("Button is pressed.");
      xbee.write(send_CHAR);//Tell Sequencer to change mode
    }
    else {
      //do nothing because finger is still on button
    }
    prev_button1State = current_button1State;
  }

  //sent button has not been pressed, it will be high again
  else {
    current_button1State = false;
    digitalWrite(ledPin1, LOW); // turn push button LED OFF

    prev_button1State = current_button1State;
  }//-----------End Check for SENT Button----------

  //-----------Check If UP Button Has Been Pressed----------
  if (button2State == LOW) {
    current_button2State = true; //UP button has been pressed once

    if (prev_button2State != current_button2State) { //check to see if button is still being pressed
      pattern = pattern + 1; //change LED pattern after button has been pressed
      if (pattern < 0 || pattern > 5) {
        //reset pattern
        pattern = 0;
      }

    }
    else { //do nothing because finger is still on button
    }
    prev_button2State = current_button2State;
  }
  //UP button has not been pressed, it will be high
  else {
    current_button2State = false;
    prev_button2State = current_button2State;
  }//-----------End Check for Up Button----------

  //-----------Check If DOWN Button Has Been Pressed----------
  if (button3State == LOW) {
    current_button3State = true; //button has been pressed once

    if (prev_button3State != current_button3State) { //check to see if button is still being pressed
      pattern = pattern - 1; //change LED pattern after button has been pressed
      if (pattern < 0 || pattern > 5) {
        //reset pattern
        pattern = 5;
      }
    }
    else { //do nothing because finger is still on button
    }
    prev_button3State = current_button3State;
  }
  //button has not been pressed, it will be high
  else {
    current_button3State = false;
    prev_button3State = current_button3State;
  }//-----------End Check for DOWN Button----------

  delay(50);

  //save send character into variable depending on button press and change status LED
  switch (pattern) {
    case 1:
      greenON();
      send_CHAR = 'B';
      break;
    case 2:
      blueON();
      send_CHAR = 'C';
      break;
    case 3:
      allOFF();//blink status LED
      delay(50);
      blueON();
      delay(50);
      send_CHAR = 'D';
      break;
    case 4:
      allOFF();//blink status LED
      delay(50);
      greenON();
      delay(50);
      send_CHAR = 'E';
      break;
    default:
      redON();
      send_CHAR = 'A';
      break;
  }

}//end loop


/*Below are the modular functions for changing the color of a RGB LED.
 This will be used to help identify what mode we are currently in:
 ROYGBIV
 Note: A 9V battery is not able to fully power all three LEDs simultaneously...
 MODE
 1.) red              = red[HIGH]
 .) tangerine orange = red[HIGH]+ green[50]
 2.) yellow           = red[HIGH]+ green[HIGH]
 3.) green            =          + green[HIGH]
 4.) clear blue       =          + green[HIGH] + blue[HIGH]
 5.) blue             =                        + blue[HIGH]
 6.) magenta          = red[HIGH]+             + blue[HIGH]
 .) white            = red[HIGH]+ green[HIGH] + blue[HIGH]
 */

void allOFF() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void redON() { //Seq 1
  analogWrite(ledR, 255);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void greenON() { //Seq 2
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 255);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void blueON() { //Seq 3
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 255);
}

void yellowON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 255);
  analogWrite(ledG, 255);
  analogWrite(ledB, 0);
}

void clearblueON() { 
  analogWrite(ledR, 0);
  analogWrite(ledG, 255);
  analogWrite(ledB, 255);
}

void magentaON() {
  analogWrite(ledR, 255);
  analogWrite(ledG, 0);
  analogWrite(ledB, 255);
}

void sequenceTest() {
  redON();
  delay(50);
  allOFF();
  delay(50);

  yellowON();
  delay(50);
  allOFF();
  delay(50);

  greenON();
  delay(50);
  allOFF();
  delay(50);

  clearblueON();
  delay(50);
  allOFF();
  delay(50);

  blueON();
  delay(50);
  allOFF();
  delay(50);

  magentaON();
  delay(50);
  allOFF();
  delay(50);

  //whiteON();//white drains too much power from a 9V, commenting out.
  //delay(50);
  //allOFF();
  //delay(50);

}

EL Sequencer Example Code

Open the example code called XBee_ELSequencertemplate.ino. The path of the example code will probably look similar to: ...\Wireless_Controlled_EL_Dance_Suit\Arduino\XBee_ELSequencer\XBee_ELSequencerTEMPLATE. You can also copy the code below and paste it into the Arduino IDE. Select the board (in this case the Arduino Pro or Pro Mini, ATmega328P (3.3V, 8MHz) but it can also be LilyPad Arduino) and COM port that the USB-to-Serial Converter enumerated to. Hit the upload button.

language:c
/**********************************************************************
  XBee_ELSequencerTEMPLATE.ino
  Modified by Ho Yun Bobby Chan @  SparkFun Electronics May 12th, 2017

   Taken from the SparkFun XBee EL Sequencer Demo Sketch
   Ho Yun Bobby Chan @ SparkFun Electronics June 20, 2014
   Updated by Toni Klopfenstein @ SparkFun Electronics April, 2015
   https://github.com/sparkfun/EL_Sequencer

   Description:
   This is a modified sketch for the EL Sequencer with a wireless controller.
   The wireless controller consists of a RedBoard Programmed with Arduino,
   XBee Explorer, XBee Series 1 transceiver, diffused RGB Common Cathode LED,
   Blue Clear LED, 330Ohm current limiting resistors, 3x buttons,
   a 9V battery, and a 9V adapter.

   Each of the 7x EL dance suits contain an EL Sequencer, 2x EL Wires, a
   12V EL inverter, XBee female sockets soldered, a 9V battery, 9V adapter,
   and a XBee Series 1 transceiver.  An XBee Series 2 can be used but the throughput
   of the Series 1 is much higher. To reduce latency, I recommend using the XBee
   Series 1. The basic configuration of the XBee module with point-to-point configuratin is
   based on Digi's Example tutorial => https://www.digi.com/blog/xbee/basic-xbee-802-15-4-chat/.
   Page 5 of the tutorial shows you how to broadcast with
   point-to-multipoint configuration so that multiple EL Sequencers
   can be controlled.

   By pushing the button, a character is sent from a remote microcontroller.
   The corresponding EL Sequencer will receive the character and control
   the EL component on a channel that is associated with that character.

   EL Sequencer uses the hardware UART of the Atmega328 for communication:
   pin 0 = Rx
   pin 1 = Tx

   Note: Make sure to remove the XBee Series 1 on the EL Sequencer when
   uploading a new sketch file otherwise it will brick the XBee. You can
   always use the next generation XCTU software to unbrick and recover
   the transceiver.

   Development environment specifics:
   Arduino 1.6.5

   This code is beerware; if you see me (or any other SparkFun employee) at the local,
   and you've found our code helpful, please buy us a round!
   Distributed as-is; no warranty is given.

 ***********************************************************************/

char val; //Declare character 'val' when Peripheral XBee receives a character
char temp_delete; //used to delete buffer and prevent false triggers when Controller XBee sends character more than once

//LED to check if the LED is initialized.
const int status_LED = 13;

int counter = 0; //adding counter to prevent false triggers for a small period of time
boolean XBee_sent = false; //flag to see if we have received any characters after a certain period of time

/*******************Setup Loop***************************/
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); //Begin Serial communication and debugging
  Serial.println("EL Sequencer's XBee is Ready to Receive Characters");

  val = 'A'; //save as default character

  //Initialize pins
  pinMode(status_LED, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for status LED
  pinMode(2, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel A
  pinMode(3, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel B
  pinMode(4, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel C
  pinMode(5, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel D
  pinMode(6, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel E
  pinMode(7, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel F
  pinMode(8, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel G
  pinMode(9, OUTPUT); //Set pin mode as output for Channel H

  //Status LED to see if the EL Sequencer is initializing
  for (int i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
    digitalWrite(status_LED, HIGH);//set Status LED on
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(status_LED, LOW); //set Status LED off
    delay(50);
  }

  all_ON();//turn on all EL channels

  delay(100); //Wait a little
}

/*******************Main Loop***************************/
void loop() {
  if (XBee_sent == false) {
    //we have not received a character yet after a certain period of time, we can see if the Controller XBee has sent any characters
    if (Serial.available()) {
      //check if peripheral XBee is receiving data from Controller XBee
      val = Serial.read();//save whatever is in the buffer to the variable
      counter = 0;        //set counter to 0 to prevent false button presses
      XBee_sent = true;   //we have received a character

      //if debugging, we can see what character is recevied
      Serial.print("Character Received = ");
      Serial.println(val);

      //Check to see if character sent is any of the recognized characters and jump to the sequence
      if (val == 'A') {
        Seq_0();
      }
      else if (val == 'B') {
        Seq_1();
      }
      else if (val == 'C') {
        Seq_2();
      }
      else if (val == 'D') {
        Seq_3();
      }
      else if (val == 'E') {
        Seq_4();
      }

    }//end buffer check
  }//end check to see if we have not received a character after a certain period of time

  if (counter >= 10) {//this section of code will reset the flag "XBee_Sent" so we can begin listening for characters again
    if (XBee_sent == true) {
      Serial.println("Counter = 10, we are ready to receive characters again");
    }
    XBee_sent = false;
  }

  if (XBee_sent == true) {//this section of code is used as a delay to prevent false button presses
    counter = ++counter;//keep adding until we reach 10, then we can reset flag and begin receiving again

    //if connected to a computer, check to see the duration of the delay
    Serial.print("Counter = ");
    Serial.println(counter);

    temp_delete = Serial.read();//try to clear false triggers in buffer provided by Controller XBee until counter resets
  }

}//end loop()

//**********MODULAR SEQUENCED FUNCTIONS**********

void all_ON() {
  //this function is used to turn all channels ON
  //Bobby
  digitalWrite(2, HIGH); //Channel A, hoodie
  digitalWrite(3, HIGH); //Channel B, pants
  //Antuan, Kaden
  digitalWrite(4, HIGH); //Channel C, hoodie
  digitalWrite(5, HIGH); //Channel D, pants
  //Mireku, Talon
  digitalWrite(6, HIGH); //Channel E, hoodie
  digitalWrite(7, HIGH); //Channel F, pants
  //Madi, Henry
  digitalWrite(8, HIGH); //Channel G, hoodie
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH); //Channel H, pants
}


void all_OFF() {
  //this function is used to turn all channels OFF
  //Bobby
  digitalWrite(2, LOW); //Channel A, hoodie
  digitalWrite(3, LOW); //Channel B, pants
  //Antuan, Kaden
  digitalWrite(4, LOW); //Channel C, hoodie
  digitalWrite(5, LOW); //Channel D, pants
  //Mireku, Talon
  digitalWrite(6, LOW); //Channel E, hoodie
  digitalWrite(7, LOW); //Channel F, pants
  //Madi, Henry
  digitalWrite(8, LOW); //Channel G, hoodie
  digitalWrite(9, LOW); //Channel H, pants
}

void Seq_0() {
  //this function turns everything off
  all_OFF();
}

void Seq_1() {
  //this function turns everything back on
  all_ON();

}

void Seq_2() {
  //this function blinks off then back on

  all_OFF();
  delay(100);
  all_ON();
}

void Seq_3() {
  //function used to alternate between the hoodie and pants before turning back on
  //this really depends on how the EL is sewn on
  all_OFF();

  delay(100);

  //Madi, Henry
  digitalWrite(8, HIGH); //Channel G, hoodie
  digitalWrite(9, LOW); //Channel H, pants
  //Antuan, Kaden
  digitalWrite(4, HIGH); //Channel C, hoodie
  digitalWrite(5, LOW); //Channel D, pants
  //Bobby
  digitalWrite(2, HIGH); //Channel A, hoodie
  digitalWrite(3, LOW); //Channel B, pants
  //Mireku, Talon
  digitalWrite(6, HIGH); //Channel E, hoodie
  digitalWrite(7, LOW); //Channel F, pants

  delay(300);

  //Madi, Henry
  digitalWrite(8, LOW); //Channel G, hoodie
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH); //Channel H, pants
  //Antuan, Kaden
  digitalWrite(4, LOW); //Channel C, hoodie
  digitalWrite(5, HIGH); //Channel D, pants
  //Bobby
  digitalWrite(2, LOW); //Channel A, hoodie
  digitalWrite(3, HIGH); //Channel B, pants
  //Mireku, Talon
  digitalWrite(6, LOW); //Channel E, hoodie
  digitalWrite(7, HIGH); //Channel F, pants

  delay(300);

  all_ON();// this line can be commented out to continue alternating using by adding "//"

  delay(100);
}

void Seq_4() {
  //function used to as a ripple effect similar to a jar filling with water
  //this really depends on how the EL is sewn on and where the dancer is located for this effect
  all_OFF();

  delay(100);

  //Madi, Henry
  digitalWrite(8, HIGH); //Channel G, hoodie
  digitalWrite(9, LOW); //Channel H, pants
  delay(100);
  //Antuan, Kaden
  digitalWrite(4, HIGH); //Channel C, hoodie
  digitalWrite(5, LOW); //Channel D, pants
  delay(100);
  //Bobby
  digitalWrite(2, HIGH); //Channel A, hoodie
  digitalWrite(3, LOW); //Channel B, pants
  delay(100);
  //Mireku, Talon
  digitalWrite(6, HIGH); //Channel E, hoodie
  digitalWrite(7, LOW); //Channel F, pants
  delay(100);

  //Madi, Henry
  digitalWrite(8, HIGH); //Channel G, hoodie
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH); //Channel H, pants
  delay(100);
  //Antuan, Kaden
  digitalWrite(4, HIGH); //Channel C, hoodie
  digitalWrite(5, HIGH); //Channel D, pants
  delay(100);
  //Bobby
  digitalWrite(2, HIGH); //Channel A, hoodie
  digitalWrite(3, HIGH); //Channel B, pants
  delay(100);
  //Mireku, Talon
  digitalWrite(6, HIGH); //Channel E, hoodie
  digitalWrite(7, HIGH); //Channel F, pants
  delay(100);
}