Out of Scope Extensions and Add On's

1.) Add the ability to measure the force of the tap, as well as the rhythm. Three of ADXL 103 Single Axis Accelerometers, by Analog Devices would be used as the transducer instead of the magnetic switches. Directional and rotational information could be gathered, as well.

2.) Develop a Toe Heel version that can be worn for different sizes of tap shoes. If the magnetic switches remain in the design, a stretchable magnet might work, if there is such a thing, or maybe a mechanical extender.

3.) Decrease power consumption in order to be able to use a smaller battery which lasts longer.

4.) Apply the system to other types of percussive shoes.

Back Up Plan

In case things go horribly wrong, I have the following back-up plan:

1.) I will keep a regular journal of what I’ve done and what I’ve learned to present.
2.) I will minimize the end project to have only the following components:
a. Magnetic switch
b. ADC data sent over radio
c. MIDI software to output digitized analog
3.) I will cut the timeline back to the following:

October

Physical Computing
Embedded C Programming and the Microchip PIC

November and December

Installation and Learning how to use the Development Tools

January to Mid February

Get input data from ADC and prepare it for radio transmitting.

Mid February to March

Send data over radio signal.

April

Switch set up as input to microchip.
MIDI software set up.

May

Project Presentation.

Grocery List

rfPIC Development Kit 1 – $135.00

PICkit 1 Circuit Board with 8-pin PIC12F675PICkit 1 Flash Starter Kit CD-ROM, including the HI-TECH PICC™ LITE C CompilerMPLAB® Integrated Development Environment CD-ROMSoftware and Hardware “Tips ‘n Tricks” for 8-pin Flash PIC Microcontrollers BookletUSB Interface Cable
433.92 MHz transmitter
315 MHz transmitter
433.92 MHz receiver
315 MHz receiver
EPIC Plus Programmer and Software (with 8/18/20 Pin ZIF Adapter) – downloader - $99.95

Two rfPIC12F675K Microcontrollers - $2.25 each

Two Duracell SDURMX1604 Ultra 9V Batteries - $1.50 each

Two Project Boxes - $3.00 to $6.00 each

General Tools - $50.00 to $150.00

Breadboard, Eight Specially Cut Magnets, Perforated Insulator, Straps, Wires, Resistors, Transistors, Cable Ties, Soldering Iron, Solder, Needle-Nose Pliers, Wire Strippers, Wire Cutter, Multimeter, Hot Glue Gun, Electrical Tape, and probably a few more little things.

Time line

October

Reading and Research

Physical Computing by Dan O’Sullivan and Tom Igoe
Practical Electronics for Inventors by Paul Scherz
PICmicroMid-Range MCU Family Reference Manual by Microchip
PIC in Practice by D. W. Smith
Programming & Customizing PICmicro Microcontrollers by Myke Predko
Embedded C Programming and the Microchip PIC by Richard H Barnett

November

Installing and Learning how to use the Development Tools

MPLAB Integrated Development Environment – editor, debugger and simulator
HI-TECH PICC LITE C Compiler - compiler EPIC Plus Programmer - downloader
Sample Transmitter and Receiver package – radio tester

December

Code

Get input data from ADC and prepare it for radio transmitting.

January

Code and Connect

Send digitized analog data over radio to base.

February

Code

Translate digitized analog date to MIDI before sending.

March

Casing, Power and Switch Installation

Magnetic Switch installation, switch output connected to PIC analog input.
Battery connection to PIC.
Switch, battery and PIC attached to casing.
Casing attached to shoe.


April

Output

Set up MIDI filtering software and output.

May

Project Presentation

General Flow

1. The dancer attaches the system to each shoe and begins to tap.

2. Sensors in the form of magnetic switches attached to the front and back of the tap shoe pick up the rhythm of the tap and send this to the microchip via wires on the edge of the shoe.

3. The microcontroller translates this input into MIDI format.

4. The microcontroller sends this to a base computer via radio signal.

5. The base computer filters this data through software and outputs as filtered sound in real time.

Statement of Purpose

The Toe Heel project is intended as a seduction for the audience into the highly unknown world of tap dance by showing the true duality of all tap masters; artists who are equally expressive and skilled as dancer and musician. The reality that tap dance is both a dance form as well as a musical form will be highlighted for the audience, and give them insight into why tap is so very beautiful and entertaining.

From the audiences perspective, as the tap dancer performs, other sounds which coincide in real-time with the rhythm (and in the next development cycle of the project, relative volume) of the performance will be heard. The tap dancer will act as a conductor, not just for the primary instrument, the tap shoe, but also for a variety of other sounds which take their cue from the primary instrument.

The type of the other sounds heard and windows of time they are played during the show will be flexible. The performer can choose and set these sounds and durations before the performance. Likewise, an audio controller or the audience itself can dictate what other sounds and which moment these sounds will be produced. Possibly, another musician would enjoy “free-styling” or improvising with the audio control, and the dancer could respond to this person, similar to a jazz or classical tap “face-off”. The sounds could also be made to occur after a set lag time, if desired.

Because the tap shoe will have a larger palette of sound to use in it’s work, as well as a way for another musician or audience member to interact with the dance, the performance will be perceived as fresh and interesting.

The same system can be applied to Flamenco dance, as well as Clogging and Irish folk dance. After the project has been made to work with a tap shoe, I would like to apply it to other percussive shoes used in dance.