LED Styles and Features

 This is a video I posted earlier about the functionality of Light Buddy 2 in this compact generator detail.

 

In the process of building and programming LB2, I further developed the concept of different LED styles.  In the end, it is all about turning the LED on/off and how long it is on and how long it is off.  In this process I have come up with attributes that I call LED Styles and LED Features, for lack of any better words.  Along with these Styles and Features, there is a PWM parameter that effects the brightness of the LED.  When the PWM parameter can be applied is a function of the particular controller.

LED Styles

There are ten LED Styles as described here.

• OFF - the LED is off.
• STEADY - the LED is on. Brightness may vary by using the PWM parameter.
• BURST1 - the LED does a quick burst of LED on/off.  The intensity can vary with the PWM parameter.  This simulates a Laser weapon.
• CYCLE1 - the LED cycles on and off in equal on and off periods.  Brightness may vary by using the PWM parameter.
• PWM1 - the LED is varies in intensity as does the on and off period.  All three LED attributes are randomly varied, intensity, on time and off time.  The PWM parameter has no effect.  This simulates an arc generator or Tesla effect.
  
• BURST2 - same as BURST1, just different timing.
  
• CYCLE2 - same as CYCLE1, just different timing.
  
• PWM2 - same as PWM1, just different timing.
• Program - future style.  Some type of user programmability.
• ON/OFF -  future style.

LED Features

There are four LED Features as described here.

• Sawtooth - the LED will increase (slowly, though this is a relative term) in intensity.  When it reaches maximum intensity, it goes back to OFF immediately.  The PWM parameter has no effect.
• Triangle - the LED will increase (slowly, though this is a relative term) in intensity.  When it reaches maximum intensity, it then will decrease in intensity until it reaches the minimum intensity.  The PWM parameter has no effect.
  
• Repeat - when applied to a feature, the feature will repeat at some interval, with an off gap in between.
  
• Always ON - when applied to a feature, the feature will repeat at the minimum interval.  For Sawtooth and Triangle the next cycle will start immediately.
  

 The features were all possible in the script language.  Though they would be cumbersome to implement especially at the fine detail the direct implementation is done at.