RFID Wireless Helmet

Awesome! I am excited to get started. It is so re-assuring to know that you are there to help me along the way!
This forum is like the best ever, I still can't believe that you responded. Unfortunately, it is rare these days for someone to take the time and effort to help someone they don't know. I appreciate it more than you know.

I have been contemplating the purchase of the electronic parts and test them on a breadboard while I am still building the helmet. Just so I can get familiar with the code writing, downloading, etc. Do you think that is a good idea?

For my application, I will only motorize the faceplate and not the chin. Do you believe that there is a more economical servo than the Hitec HS-7245MH at $70? Or, is this another example of getting what you pay for?

Thanks so much!

Ok. I purchased an Arduino Micro today and started testing some faceplate/LED code. I started with your offered code and modified slightly. Basically, I am starting very simple, with just trying to get the LED to illuminate and turn off by pressing the same button. When I first uploaded to the Micro, the program seemed to work. But, as I made changes and uploaded numerous times to the Micro, the result was not so good. Without pressing any button, the LED cycles on and off intermittently. I have tried to press and hold the reset button on the Micro, but this doesn't seem to do anything.

The square pushbutton that I got in the Arduino starter kit is not seating in the breadboard very well, so to simulate a button press, I am simply shorting the Arduino pin to +5v and removing.

Can you check my code and let me know if I have something wrong? Also, do you know if I am resetting the Arduino Micro correctly? According to everything I can find online, I am.

Here is my code:
#include "Servo.h" // include the servo library

Servo faceplateServo;
Servo chinServo;

int ledPin1 = 10; // control pin for LED eyes
int ledStatus = 0; // current status of LED eyes
int servoPin1 = 3; // control pin for face plate servo
int buttonPin1 = 8; // control pin for pushbutton
int buttonStatus1; // current status of pushbutton
int buttonStatus2; // debounce status of pusbhutton
int buttonState; // button state
void setup()

{
faceplateServo.attach(servoPin1); // attaches the servo on pin 3 to the servo object
faceplateServo.write(30); // rotate face plate servo to 30 degrees
pinMode(buttonPin1, INPUT); // sets the pushbutton as input
pinMode(ledPin1, OUTPUT); // sets the LED pin as output
digitalWrite(ledPin1, LOW); // turn off LED eyes
}

void loop()

{
buttonStatus1 = digitalRead(buttonPin1); // read the input value of the button
delay(10); // 10 msec delay
buttonStatus2 = digitalRead(buttonPin1); // read the input again for debounce
{if (buttonStatus1 == buttonStatus2) // make sure we get 2 consistent readings
{if (buttonStatus1 != buttonState) // the button state has changed
{if (buttonStatus1 == LOW) // check if the button is pressed
{if (ledStatus == 0) // are the LED eyes off?
{
faceplateServo.write(30); // rotate the face plate servo to 30 degrees (close)
ledStatus = 1; // turn the LED eyes ON
digitalWrite(ledPin1, HIGH);
delay(1000); // wait 1 second
}
else
{
faceplateServo.write(95); // rotate the face plate servo to 95 degrees (open)
ledStatus = 0; // turn the LED eyes OFF
digitalWrite(ledPin1, LOW);
delay(1000); // wait 1 second
}
}
}
}
}
}



Any help is appreciated!

Honus, Thanks! You are the man!

I was finally able to get the Arduino to accept my new program, I am not sure what the deal was? I would post the current code, but I don't want to muddy up your forum with lengthy posts. Now, I am going to start working on the necessary power packs and setting up the real LED's that I will use for the eyes. Also, I am going to check out the servo motors that you suggested, thanks so much! I purchased the Arduino Micro with USB for testing, which is really nice with a breadboard, but do you suggest that I go with the ProMini on the final setup in the helmet? I think that it would take up a lot less space since it does not have the exposed pins.

I am needing the following I/O:
Inputs:
Distance Sensor or Tilt Sensor for Boots (x2)
RFID tag for Open/Close faceplate
RFID tag for UniBeam
RFID tag for Gauntlet laser (x2)
Bend Sensor for Hand Repulsor (x2)

Outputs:
UniBeam LED's
Hand Repulsor LED's (x2)
Gauntlet Laser (x2)
Eye LED's
Servo for faceplate
Servo for chin
Sound Card for effects

I was also wanting to drive an OLED display in the helmet which would display which task is being called by J.A.R.V.I.S. Can you suggest an OLED that works well with the Arduino? I was looking at the MicroView which is very small and cool, but the way I understand it, is an Arduino itself. I just need a display that will be driven by the XBee and Arduino in the helmet. Just wondering what you suggest?

Testing Progress:

When you wired up the XBee and ProMini's in your wireless helmet, did you use header pins on the ProMini with a breadboard?

Or, did you simply solder to the landings on the ProMini to conserve space?

Also, I was wondering if you would suggest the Trinket Pro for my helmet, since it is very convenient with the on-board USB?

As always, Thanks!

No problem. Thanks so much for the reply. I hope you start feeling better really soon!

I have looked at the schematics that you provided for your Iron Man suit. The helmet schematic includes the XBee adapter, do you happen to have the schematic for the RFID reader, auxiliary ProMini, and the XBee transmitter which is wired to the peripheral RFID tags?

How do you communicate and download with the Arduino Pro Mini with no on-board USB? I really like the Arduino Micro because the on-board USB is already available and convenient, but there is no 3.3v version of the Micro.

Do you still suggest that I go with the Pro Mini for my project? It appears that the Micro is 1/2" longer than the Mini, but is the same width.