I Dream In Code

Google Developer Day – My Presentation

Kevin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:00:58 +0000

They audio is horrible, but here you go:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Japan

Kevin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:25:19 +0000

So here is the story of why I’m going to Japan. I entered a Google Developer Day contest back in July. They had 8 different locations around the world, and hundreds of entries. Somehow, I scored perfect on their round 1 questionnaire, then a week later, they accepted my entry for an idea I proposed using the Android and their new Arduino ADK. The idea is a wait time system using clipboards and RFIDs, I’m calling it www.escapethewait.com… more on that after I present it in Tokyo. Google sent me an Arduino ADK and are giving me a booth at the conference.

Here is my name as a finalist- Google ADK Finalist

I have a 5 minute presentation after the ADK talk, as well as a booth to show off the idea.
GDD Agenda Tokyo

To say the least, I am thrilled for the opportunity and a little nervous.

Wish me luck! I’ll be back November 8th.
–Kevin

Japan Google Developer Day

Kevin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:00:51 +0000

I’m getting ready to leave for Japan tomorrow for the Google Developer Day I am presenting at. Should be some great fun!

I’ll keep this site updated with pictures and how things went.

Automated Photobooth

Kevin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:44:44 +0000

I made a photobooth for my brother’s wedding this next weekend.

Parts

Arduino
Canon T3i
Staples easy button
Mitsubishi CP-D70DW dye-sublimation printer
EyeFi Pro SD Card
28-105mm lens
Protoscrew shield for Arduino
Cables
Project box
Velcro

The user walks up to the Easy button, presses it and the camera takes 4 pictures. Wirelessly, the EyeFi pro card transfers images over to the laptop and there is script running in the background to take the images in that directory and print them out with a wedding photo of Andrew and Jenn.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The whole thing takes about 1 minute and 30 seconds from press of the easy button to print out. The guests get to keep a cool souvenir, then Andrew and Jenn get to have the pictures afterward stored on the computer.

If you want to get more technical, the script running on the computer is a simple python script looking for 4 images. Hopefully, I’ll be able to just walk around the place, take 4 pictures, and have them automatically printed. We will see.

Edit:

This is basically what is inside the box. Just replace the mic with the easy button. There are a couple of transistors and resistors connecting the wires to the 2.5mm Canon Rebel jack.

CAR-MAGEDDEN!!!

Kevin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:25:43 +0000

Tracker available now at trafficpredict.com!

Arcade Fire Glowing Ball drop at Coachella 2011

Kevin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:59:19 +0000

Arcade Fire dropped these super cool balls from the sky at the end of the concert at Coachella last night. They were big beach balls that lit up and syncronized with each other. Soooo cool. I have one and took it apart.

www.summerintodust.com

Official Video (found another one and youtube takes it down):

My video from inside the ball pit:

Click here to view the embedded video.

This device made by ESKI Studio has 6 LEDs (3 on the front, 3 on the back), a MIC and it looks like IR receivers and transmitters, and powered by 2 9Volt batteries. The microprocessor is an ATTINY84 chip.

On the circuit board is PixMob G2 “Summer into Dust” edition v. 1.3 03-2011

I’m looking for ways to turn my device back on, so if you know how, please let me know in the comments!

Arcade Fire is amazing! These colored beach balls put a cherry on top of their already amazing concert

EDIT: found a way to turn on the lights again. Take the Mic, and touch the metal of it to the center line of Q2 for Green, Q3 for Blue and Q1 for Red. (Thanks Matt)

Higher quality pics:

I’m not sure what the device in between the 2nd layer and the clear plastic is. I think its an IR receiver but I can’t find another one online that looks like it.

Update 4/18 10:27: I tried playing back the Arcade Fire concert from Coachella’s video feed and nothing happened with the LEDs.

Update 4/19: Seriously?? Some D-Bag is selling his on EBay for $999 + shipping. This may be $30 in electronics and a $2 beach ball.

Android App – Fire Shifts

Kevin — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:52:01 +0000

I wrote a simple app to show the A,B,C schedule shifts for Glendale Fire Department, then added Rancho Santa Fe (Kelly Calendar) and Los Angeles City.

Please visit www.fireshifts.com

12/6/2010 – Added 48/96 hour shift calendar.
12/12/2010 – Added 24/48 hour shift calendar and Denver.
12/14/2010 – Added Marion County FL and Los Angeles County
12/15/2010 – Added 24/72 hour and 24/48 v. B and C, and a 10,10,10000 schedule (Ten, Ten, Ten Thousand)
12/16/2010 – Added 24/72 hour A, B, C and renamed original to D
12/20/2010 – Added custom calendars for Loveland, CO, Hampton Roads, VA, and Seattle, WA for $0.99 on the market
12/23/2010 – Added custom calendar for Clinton, IA, Jennings, MO, Saline Valley, MO, Roseville, CA and Walla Walla, WA - $0.99

v. 1.0.3 Updated to show now through December 2011
Los Angeles City is ad supported

Los Angeles City also works for:

Sheridan fire Dept. in Indiana
Knoxville, TN
Rural/Metro Knox County, TN

24/48 A. works for:

Jacksonville
South Charleston, WV FIRE and Charleston, WV FIRE

v. 1.0.5 fixes daylight savings bug.
v. 1.0.6 changed to work forever, including accounting for leap years. Should continue working well through the year 2999.
v. 1.0.6.1 – updated the font size

Donations welcome:

Custom requests are being put up on the market for $0.99

Current Requests:

Shuttle Launch

Kevin — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:27:30 +0000

I’m currently in Florida waiting for the shuttle to launch.

Here are some of my pictures.

Insteon Android App

Kevin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:34:22 +0000

So I decided to make a custom app for controlling my Insteon lights in my house with Google’s App Inventor for Android.

More details to come. Here is an early screen shot:

I am planning on putting this in the Android Market as soon as they allow apps from App Inventor in. I’ll try getting a beta out before then. Check back soon.

It works by doing internet calls to the SmartLinc network via ethernet. I’m planning on having it control my air conditioning so when I come close to my house, it automatically cools down the place. Something with Google’s Latitude, most likely.

Updated to control my Thermostat modules:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Edit 12/8/2010:

I now have a few apps in the App Marketplace. This one will probably go up sometime this weekend. I have the temperature sensors working for thermostats, and full control of my lights.

Its on the market as a beta app now, download Controid now!

I moved…

Kevin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:10:09 +0000

So I upgraded my WordPress to version 3.0. Thought I’d write some sort of update. I physically, finally moved myself into a nice place in North Hollywood, all by myself. Very happy about it. I have … Continue reading →