I’ve given people on the street control over my Xmas/Fireworks lights last month. (This month it is going to be converted to an interactive game)
I saw some LED strip dividers on Aliexpress, next year it’s going to have a star on top.
Like this….
Another LED related project I started today is a Whack-A-Mole game with multiple levels.
For this I need to convert a simple arcade button to a programmable multicolor version.
From single white LED to multi color, programmable.
Using CD74HC4067
Only partly drawn ..
This will be for a multi level Whack-a-Mole.
Another game in the making is a Red Light – Green Light game.
Like in Squid Game.
This will use a lidar and a python script which detect movement using a camera.
While this is a old project from 2019, I decided to make a more responsive one, after my friend Tyrone mentioned a project somewhere on the internet (forgot where).
Time to dust off this project!
Above version worked but was slow.
I used a python script to send values to de controller.
Memory setup was the same.
Below my new schematic, using an opamp to drive the analog meter.
Utilizing a MCP41000 digital potmeter and a LM358 signal amplifier I hope to get a more responsive setup.
Input to display MQTT and maybe Serial.
Two player mobile pong using secure mqtt I made a few months ago.
Today I tested my group playing mode while at family to celebrate xmas.
I was filming during testing to get responses. I can’t post this because of everyone being in the shot.
What worked:
To do:
Nice to have:
Use a web server with a simple php script.
<?php
$host = $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'];
$redirects = [
'torrent.local' => 'http://192.168.1.1:9091/',
'nzb.local' => 'http://192.168.1.1:8080/',
'squeezebox.local' => 'https://192.168.1.2:9000/',
'squeeze.local' => 'https://192.168.1.2:9000/',
];
if (isset($redirects[$host])) {
header("Location: " . $redirects[$host], true, 302);
exit;
}
http_response_code(404);
echo "Unknown host";
Add your webservers IP number to your local DNS server or hosts file
192.168.1.4 torrent.local
192.168.1.4 nzb.local
192.168.1.4 squeeze.local
192.168.1.4 squeezebox.localNow you can use http://nzb.local in your browser and you will be redirected to http://serverip:port
No need to remember IP numbers or ports
Control your effects using MQTT.
You can add anything to control your effects using RotaryEncoders, sensors and other data values.
I’m fixing the code to make use of free MQTT servers on the internet.
Then I’ll post the JavaScript in the Hydra forum or discord.
Calling the JavaScript in https://hydra.ojack.xyz/ website
https://gist.githubusercontent.com/fashice/2098d1301117b86caed94aca8f2101ff/raw/7d2a7300e7ddf42d4f1793f693dbb517e09bd2d8/gistfile1.txt
change mqtt server and add to hydra using
await loadScript("https://domain/script.js¨);A while back I reverse engineered Twang32
And even further back, I made a mobile pong game.
So I made a mobile Twang.
Now I can let passersby play Twang.
Help page
Taking a few minutes every day to get my hydra-fu up to par.
I’m building a library of images and movies to include into hydra effects.
Testing my beamer today. I need a new one!
Not good enough to perform on a stage.
I will add some new effects to the gallery this week.
https://media.henriaanstoot.nl/hydra
Mixed with blender using OBS
Drawing like etch a sketch using Midi pots input and Hydra feedback
At the WHY2025 hackers event, we used bigred’s antenna pole to make a huge sign using leds.
It gave me the idea to make a pole which displays digital “fireworks” using leds.
Fireworks are becoming illegal the next year in the Netherlands, I think.
So why not going digital?
12 Meter pole, 300 Leds.
There is a QR code and a website link mentioned on a page at the gate.
10 presets to select via a website.
Notification on my TV
While waiting for the first visitor I made a magnetic game.
Using a bunch of magnets, and 3D printed hexagon rings.
Two players try to place magnets in a small area without moving the others. If magnets slam together, you have more pieces to place.
(Below, last player has to take those 6 pieces)
CODE for website index.html
<html>
<head>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>WLED Mast</title>
<style>
body {
background: #111;
color: #fff;
font-family: Arial;
margin: 0;
padding: 20px;
text-align: center;
}
.grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
gap: 18px;
}
button {
padding: 25px;
font-size: 22px;
border-radius: 20px;
border: none;
background: #333;
color: #fff;
font-weight: bold;
}
button:active {
background: #555;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>WLED Mast</h1>
<div class="grid">
<button onclick="run('b1')">off</button>
<button onclick="run('b2')">fireworks</button>
<button onclick="run('b3')">sound<BR>reactive</button>
<button onclick="run('b4')">bounch-balls</button>
<button onclick="run('b5')">fire</button>
<button onclick="run('b6')">juggle</button>
<button onclick="run('b7')">swing</button>
<button onclick="run('b8')">sparkle</button>
<button onclick="run('b9')">popcorn</button>
<button onclick="run('b10')">comet</button>
</div>
<script>
const API_KEY = "misuse-prevent";
function run(action) {
fetch(`/action.php?action=${action}&key=${API_KEY}`)
.then(r => r.json())
.then(j => console.log(j))
.catch(err => alert("Error"));
}
</script>
</body>
</html>
CODE for Wled API
<?php
$public_api_key = "misuse-prevent";
if (!isset($_GET['key']) || $_GET['key'] !== $public_api_key) {
http_response_code(401);
die("Unauthorized");
}
$action = $_GET['action'] ?? null;
// Map 10 buttons → WLED preset numbers
$allowed_actions = [
"b1" => 19,
"b2" => 22,
"b3" => 23,
"b4" => 20,
"b5" => 21,
"b6" => 3,
"b7" => 8,
"b8" => 2,
"b9" => 4,
"b10" => 14
];
if (!$action || !isset($allowed_actions[$action])) {
http_response_code(400);
die("Invalid action");
}
$preset = $allowed_actions[$action];
// ---- WLED IP address ----
$wled_ip = "http://WLEDDEVICEIP"; // <-- CHANGE THIS
// API endpoint
$url = $wled_ip . "/win&PL=" . $preset;
// Call WLED directly
$ch = curl_init($url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_CONNECTTIMEOUT, 2);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 2);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$error = curl_error($ch);
curl_close($ch);
header("Content-Type: application/json");
if ($error) {
echo json_encode(["ok" => false, "error" => $error]);
} else {
echo json_encode(["ok" => true, "preset" => $preset]);
}
Making a BirdNet node, I got interested in our local Corvids.
Working from my own Lab at home, I have time to feed the birds, and try to befriend them.
Corvids are a family of birds like: Crows, Eurasian jay, Eurasian magpie and Jackdaw birds
Meanwhile, signs of life from our Hedgehog.
