Zspace Linux Fix

Project Overview

The goal of this project is to create a fix for the zspace's stereo display of content, which gets mixed up from time to time. Using additional hardware external to the computer, a fix can be made which determines if the screen is correctly initialized and displaying content with the proper stereo orientation.

Arduino Info and Tutorials

• Most basically, the Arduino homepage has everything from basic language reference to links to tutorials.
• Also, there is another tutorial website with clearer instructions and copyable codes. A related link has photocell information.
• This is very basic Arduino information presented clearly. I did not use this, but found it while searching for useful, simple URL's.
• These two links (here and here) seemed useful to you when you were programming the C++ software.

Milestones

• Power the light intensity to frequency converter via an Arduino Uno.
• Obtain light intensity measurement by reading frequency from the diode.
• Write an application to read/write light-intensity to/from the Ardunio Uno by means of a tty device (e.g. "/dev/ttyACM0").
• Create a cable with the special diode fastened in place behind a polarized lens.
• Test the cable to make sure the polarized lens makes a difference when switching left/right screens in CalVR.
• Integrate code with CalVR to show proof of concept.

Known Bugs/Issues

• The ZSpace has a 50/50 chance at initializing the left and right images in an inverted manner.
  • Must be detected so screens can be inverted [again] to their correct positions.
  • Requires additional hardware to monitor which screen is being displayed.
  • Arduino Uno serves this purpose and reports light intensity of current view back to host OS.

Hardware

• The Arduino itself, attached to the computer using a COM port.
• Attach the photocell using a Pin(currently programmed to Pin13) and the GND pin.
• A resistor is needed (10Kohms?).

Arduino Software

• The Arduino software needs to be downloaded before the Arduino itself can be programmed.
• The specific COM port to which the Arduino is attached is an important detail involved in the programming (see below).
• The Baud rate also should be programmed (currently programmed at 9600).
• This is the Arduino program that reads and prints a photocell reading from a pin (currently programmed to be pin13) every millisecond.
  • Media:The_final_project.ino

Source Code

• Source code for receiving light-intensity information from the Arduino Uno in Linux (Gray):
  • Media:HostApp.zip
• Source code for actually measuring the light-intensity from the light sensor on the Arduino Uno (Gray).
  • Media:ArduinoApp.zip
• A windows C++ code (visual studio 2010) that prints the Arduino commands (Kubasak). This program includes the assumption that the Arduino is attached to the COM3 serial port.
  • Media:zspace-controller.zip

Developers

Software Developer

• Thomas Gray
• Matthew Kubasak

Project Advisor

• Jurgen Schulze