The dsPIC30F3010-based Ultimate IR Controller (UIRC) can control virtually any IR device through the Internet. It can recognize any IR signal in an infrared passband of 32 to 70 kHz in several protocols. Rather than using common IR receiving modules, the system uses a phototransistor and DSP techniques to process the signal digitally.
The ultimate IR controller: [Download Project] - [View Project PDF] - [via]
This sounds like a fun project but it is a work in progress, so you’ll need either some knowledge to put the pieces missing in place or some patience to wait until its finished by the author. Basically the AccelR8 is a device for measuring acceleration. It can measure +/- 2 g. As it contains a micro-controller, it can also measure time. This opens up some interesting possibilities. If we have the acceleration and the time, we can find speed (V), as V = a * t. Also, we can find distance (D) as D = 0.5 * a * t * t. If we now the mass of the object we are moving, we can also find the force (F) applied, as F = m * a. And finally, from this we can find the power (P) from P = F * V.
yeah i know, physics 101 you might like it or you might not but using these you can find out some nifty info about your car:
AccelR8 - a portable device that can measure acceleration: [Link]
The Sprinkler controller was designed to act as a interface and controller for managing sprinkler system valves (also called zones). Those that exist either use what I consider to be unreliable protocols (X10), have a very limited number of valves (like 6 or 8), aren’t opto-isolated (i.e. just relays, pratically guaranteed to send huge transients into your automation system) or are just expensive (like $250 for 8 zones).
Currently i don’t have a lawn so I’m not too interested in this kind of projects, but i thought you might be.
27 Zone Sprinkler Controller With Pump Control: [Link]
I say another, because we all know the DIY MP3 Player and the AVR Butterfly MP3 Player. This mp3 player can support up to 4 GB of storage (MMC or SD cards) runs from a single AAA battery and has full user control (volume, track, pause, skip, directory) with a 5-way micro joystick.
Also the LCD has contrast control, you can record voice and the firm-wire is totally upgradeable trough RS232. In fact this DIY MP3 player is the coolest I’ve seen so far and it’s full of tricks.
EchoMp3 Another DIY MP3 Player: [Link]
Another useful application for a LED dot matrix display, well useful for those who use twitter. The purpose of the project is simple, it scrolls your twitters on the led matrix, this way you don’t have to be in front of your computer to see what’s new. Source codes and info about building it is provided by the author. The matrix is controlled by an Arduino
Physical LED Twitter Scrolls Your Twitters: [Link]