How do I use an arduino as an LED controller? - c++

Question

I'm a total C++ newbie, but I recently got an arduino and I'm doing my first project with it. I may be jumping into the deep end here, but I've got some experience with electronics already. I also have some experience with python.
I want to make a fancy interior lighting setup using two of these led strips and this arduino starter kit.
I need to make a whole bunch of presets that can be quickly activated using the IR remote included with the kit.
I need to be able to split the strips into individual zones , which I can use to easily set the presets. Maybe I want preset1 to be the ceiling lights a dark blue at 50% brightness and the window lights an orange at 25% brightness.
I know that to achieve this I want every button on the remote to call a different function. I've written some Psuedocode and I'd like some advice on the best way to learn how to implement this on an arduino.
I really need help with the software side of this project, the hardware side is all good.
disclaimer: I haven't touched coding since high school, so my psuedocode is probably trash. I just hope it's vaguely understandable
//Psuedocode attempt to make an LED thingy
// Importing needed libraries
Import fastled
Import IRremote
define num_led 300
define data_pin 5
// defining various zones. Zone 1 = Under cabinet, Zone 2 = Around window etc.
Global zone1 = num_led [0:24]
Global zone2 = num_led [24:172]
Global zone3 = num_led [173:277]
Global zone4 = num_led [278:299]
Def preset1()
for led in zone1:
ledRGB = (160, 0, 210)
for led in zone2:
ledRGB = (120, 0, 24)
for led in zone3:
ledRGB = (0, 0, 0)
for led in zone4:
ledRGB = (100,100,100)
// Make a whole bunch more of these normal presets
Def preset6()
for led in zone1:
do cool fastled animation
for led in zone2:
do different fastled animation
for led in zone3:
ledRGB = (0, 0, 0)
for led in zone4:
ledRGB = (0, 0, 0)
// Make a whole bunch more of these fancy presets
Def BrightnessUp()
i = 0
for num_led in zone1 and zone2 and zone3 and zone4:
if i in ledRGB > 0: //This is to minimise colour shift. Any RGB channel set at 0 won’t increase.
i = i+10
else:
return
// Similar for brightness down
void setup() {
FastLED.addLeds<WS2812B, DATA_PIN, RGB>(leds, NUM_LEDS);
{
//The following is mostly copy pasted C++ code with modifications
//It works to understand the IR remote inputs and call functions based on input
const int RECV_PIN = 7;
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);
decode_results results;
unsigned long key_value = 0;
void setup(){
irrecv.enableIRIn();
irrecv.blink13(true);
}
void loop(){
if (irrecv.decode(&results)){
if (results.value == 0XFFFFFFFF)
results.value = key_value;
switch(results.value)
case 0xFF30CF:
Serial.println("1");
Call preset1()
break ;
case 0xFF18E7:
Serial.println("2");
Call preset2()
break ;
case 0xFF7A85:
Serial.println("3");
Call preset3()
break ;
//ETC for every number on remote
case 0xFFE01F:
Serial.println("-");
Call BrigtnessDown()
break ;
case 0xFFA857:
Serial.println("+");
Call BrightnessUp()
break ;
}
key_value = results.value;
irrecv.resume();
}
}

Answer 1

Steps to be followed are
Install the FastLED Library from GitHub: FastLED Lib
Install the IRremote Library from GitHub: IRremote Lib
Import it to your Arduino library folder via Arduino IDE: Importing a .zip Library
Here is a basic structure of the program which we will require.
#include "FastLED.h"
#include "IRremote.h"
#define DATA_PIN 5 // digital pin of your arduino
#define NUM_LEDS 300
CRGB leds[NUM_LEDS];
//Zones array
int zone1[2] = {0, 24}; //For zone1: Start,End
int zone2[2] = {25, 172}; //For zone2: Start,End
int zone3[2] = {173, 277}; //For zone3: Start,End
int zone4[2] = {278, 299}; //For zone4: Start,End
// For IR receiver
const int RECV_PIN = 3; // Hardware specs allows 3 or 9 pin to be used for ATmega328p
IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);
decode_results results;
void setup() {
//Setup for FastLED
FastLED.addLeds<WS2812B, DATA_PIN, RGB>(leds, NUM_LEDS);
//Setup for IRremote
pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT); //LED_BUILTIN is the inbuild led on Arduino UNO at Pin13
irrecv.enableIRIn(); // Start the receiver
irrecv.blink13(true); // Enable blinking the LED when during reception
}
void loop() {
if (irrecv.decode(&results)) {
Serial.println(results.value, HEX);
switch (results.value) {
case 0xFF30CF:
Serial.println("1");
preset1();
break;
case 0xFF18E7:
Serial.println("2");
//preset2(); //TODO: Complete this preset2
break;
case 0xFF7A85:
Serial.println("3");
//preset3(); //TODO: Complete this preset3
break;
//ETC for every number on remote
case 0xFFE01F:
Serial.println("-");
brightnessDown();
break;
case 0xFFA857:
Serial.println("+");
brightnessUp();
break;
default:
Serial.println("Not Understood.");
break;
}
irrecv.resume(); // Receive the next value
}
delay(100);
}
void preset1()
{
//Zone 1
for (int i = zone1[0]; i <= zone1[1]; i++) {
leds[i] = CRGB(160, 0, 210);
}
//Zone 2
for (int i = zone2[0]; i <= zone2[1]; i++) {
leds[i] = CRGB(120, 0, 24);
}
//Zone 3
for (int i = zone3[0]; i <= zone3[1]; i++) {
leds[i] = CRGB(0, 0, 0);
}
//Zone 4
for (int i = zone4[0]; i <= zone4[1]; i++) {
leds[i] = CRGB(100, 100, 100);
}
//To set the LEDs
FastLED.show();
}
void brightnessUp()
{
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_LEDS; i++) {
if (leds[i].r > 0)
leds[i].r = leds[i].r + 10;
if (leds[i].g > 0)
leds[i].g = leds[i].g + 10;
if (leds[i].b > 0)
leds[i].b = leds[i].b + 10;
}
//To set the LEDs
FastLED.show();
}
void brightnessDown()
{
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_LEDS; i++) {
if (leds[i].r > 10)
leds[i].r = leds[i].r - 10;
if (leds[i].g > 10)
leds[i].g = leds[i].g - 10;
if (leds[i].b > 10)
leds[i].b = leds[i].b - 10;
}
//To set the LEDs
FastLED.show();
}
Note: This code this created with the help of Pseudo-code provided and the logic implemented in it, you may have to change certain things in order for it to produce best results.