Dreamweaver v1.0, I'm in dire need of help

**codec** · 07-07-2004 01:27 AM

Hi I'm new to the forum, but that's besides the point. I have recently acquired the plans for building a nova-dreamer-like device. It uses a reflective object sensor to detect eye movement along with the dreamweaver software written by Paul Kidwell. The plans can be found here: http://www.cerebrex.com/psycho.htm

Here are some pictures of my device
http://members.rogers.com/wjelinowski0462/dm1.jpg
http://members.rogers.com/wjelinowski0462/dm2.jpg
As you can see I used a printed circuit board.

The only problem is that it doesn't work and I need to find the culprit. I checked all my connections, components and soldering. I used a fairchild qrd1113 instead of the opb706a: their datasheets were similar enough, but I don't know that much about electronics

Aside from that, all components I used are those specified in the plans.

In the plans it says to use a 24 AWG wire with shield (serial cable works great). I used 2 seperate shielded cables (from a usb cable or something because that is all I could find around the house). I didn't think it would make a difference as long as the current ran through the wires because (I assumed) the shield is there to protect against magnetic interference. But in the text file it says that some pins have to be connected to the shield. So perhaps that's the problem? I don't know.

Another thing is that the schematic file shows the emitter of the npn transistor going to R2, but in the text file he says to wire the emitter to pin 18 of the db-25 connector. So again, I dont know.

If anyone has any ideas I'd really appreicate your help.
Maybe some of you guys can attempt to build one of your own from those plans and hopefully it will work for you. If it does lemme know. In the meantime I'll continue debugging.

**TheUnknown** · 07-07-2004 05:36 AM

hmm.. i saw this and thought of macromedia dreamweaver, which I was going to flame.. but whatever.. 8) , cool thing, hope you can get it to work

**Seeker** · 07-07-2004 04:43 PM

Remove R3 and replace with a 1K linear potentiometer. Play around with that. I don't know for sure, but since you substituted on the sensor, it might require a slightly different voltage.

Maybe you want to inline a 50 ohm resistor though. You might damage your sensor if you have a direct connection.

Have you put a scope of DMM across pins 1 or 2 of the sensor to verify it is detecting motion?

EDIT: I've just reviews the specifications for the OPTEK device. Are these guys SURE this works???

The device looks more like a go/no-go type of device. It says it switches whenever a reflective object passes in front of it. I see nothing about how to adjust sensitivity. It doesn't seem sensitive enough to detect the subtle changes in reflection that would occur during REM.

All the 100 ohm resistor does is to provice a voltage drop so you don't fry the LED in the device.

**lord soth** · 07-07-2004 06:04 PM

yes,
yes,
yes,

take a look at this post, it has alot of good ideas: http://www.dreamviews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4577

and seeker, i blame YOU for letting that post die!