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Arduino Data Glasses For My Multimeter

by awall99 on December 14, 2016

Table of Contents

Arduino Data Glasses For My Multimeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Arduino Data Glasses For My Multimeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: What's inside and how does it work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 2: The Lens. The Most Tricky Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: Alternative Lens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 4: Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 5: The Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 6: Connecting The Owon B35T Multimeter With The Data Glasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 7: The Final Arduino Data Glasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Step 8: Pictures and Videos Of The First Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
 Author:awall99 Alain's Projects
Building useless things since 1980

Intro: Arduino Data Glasses For My Multimeter

Video of the working device

Trying to build a cheap Arduino Data Glasses for everybody. Why? I just wanted one.

It's working, and now it can even help to avoid accidents. From the first idea to the working prototype, it took 4 Month

The challenge was, that It should be constructed out of common materials that can be found easily. The project is more about how to build the optical system for this
HMD. One thing is clear, you can not just place a screen in front of your eyes, because it will not be possible for them to focus it.

In the logs you can see from the first tests to what I have now.

The optical design was the most difficult part, but I think I found a solution for this. The costs of the prototype amounted to +-70Euros.

And now I have a Head-Up Display For Hight Voltage

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
Step 1: What's inside and how does it work?
The received Bluetooth data is displayed, on the OLED display. It's then reflected over the mirror, goes through the lens and you can see the picture in the little
transparent acrylic glass.

That is the simple explication. The details are coming now :)

Step 2: The Lens. The Most Tricky Part

I made the data glasses work, but it was more a trial an error challenge.

So I took a google crash course in optics.

First of all I had to understand the difference between a real and a virtual image with lenses. Then a very important thing is, that a human eye can only focus an object at
a distance of min 25cm. And all what I needed was this formula (1/f) = (1/o) + (1/i) where f is focal length of the lens o is object distance to the lens and i is the distance of
the virtual image.

Here are the values I used:

with f=10cm and o=7.3cm

you will get an i=-27.03cm (virtual images have always a negative value) and a magnification M=3.7

Lens Calculation Website

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/image4.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
Step 3: Alternative Lens
I know that the lens is hard to find. I uses one of a cheap cardboard wich has lenses with a Focal length of 100mm and not like the google cardboard 45mm

If you want 100 pieces you can order this one

Step 4: Electronics
Here are all the electronic parts for the data glasses

I just used a smaller battery in the final version.

To use the 280mA battery, I had to change the 3k resistor against a 5.6k resistor on the original board. The charging current is now reduced to +- 200mA.

Step 5: The Enclosure

For the first tests, I used an enclosure made out of cardboard. This was a cheap solution and worked very well

For the final version, I used my 3D printer. The style file has been created in 123design. I need to make a few modifications to the design, but it's not bad for the first try.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
File Downloads

part-e-45b.stl (36 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'part-e-45b.stl']

part-a.stl (150 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'part-a.stl']

part-b.stl (160 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'part-b.stl']

part-c.stl (58 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'part-c.stl']

part-d.stl (62 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'part-d.stl']
Step 6: Connecting The Owon B35T Multimeter With The Data Glasses
This multimeter has an intern bluetooth 4.0 communication, so you can connect it to your phone or tablet

I had to reverse engineer the serial protocol.

Config of the BT module. I used a simple Arduino program to send and receive Data to and from the module. First you have to set the module to Central.

AT+ROLE1 moule = central

AT+RESET reset AT+SHOW1 show Bluetooth name in response

AT+IMME0 connect automatically

AT+FILT0 scan for devices

AT+DISC? Show devices

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
To connect to the Owon B35T type AT+CONE0(Mac adress of the Multimeter)

These softwares can be found on github https://github.com/awall9999/Arduino-Glass

Videolink to the bluetooth test

Step 7: The Final Arduino Data Glasses

Here you can see, how all the parts fit in the enclosure. I tried different holders for the acrylic reflector

Here is also a part list:

1×arduino pro micro 3.3V 8Mhz

1×Bluetooth V4.0 HM-11 BLE Module
1×280mA Lipo Akku 1×50 - 500mA LiPo Charger Circuit
1×30mm acrylic plano convex lens with a FL of 100mm www.aliexpress.com/pmma-plano
1×plastic mirror 1mm thick 1×Micro OLED 0.66 inch 64x48 pixel https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13003
1×CD box for the reflector

Link to the software on github

Link to all the videos on youtube

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
Step 8: Pictures and Videos Of The First Steps
Test setup with different lenses

First bluetooth test video

One of the prototypes video

Things to do:
Finishing the Software, to auto connect to a Owon Multimeter
Adding a battery indicator in the display. (The BLE module has this feature)
Building different reflectors with tint and mirror foils, to make the glasses work in a bright area,
Reducing the weight and redesigning the enclosure.
Testing with a smaller 0.49 inch display.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
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by ibenkos hack/modification eye - turn Control with
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to make a yourself into a Google Glass by BioShock
bigger screen Borg by JosuaB Plasmid! by
by zholy XenonJohn JoeHoenke

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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 58 comments

guds777 says: Dec 15, 2016. 1:11 PM REPLY

This is so cool, now i can read my sms and drive. #LOL.

bgüner says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:56 AM REPLY

I started 3D printing, and i already have the parts at home, but I can´t find a lens with the needed focal length! Where did you get yours from? And can you tell
me the size of the lens (measurments of it) so I can look for the right size? Thanks a lot :) I really love the project!

benwade says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:51 AM REPLY

There are articles around on casting acrylic lenses with just about any focal lengyh you want.

lcroisez says: Dec 15, 2016. 12:55 PM REPLY

Could you point us to those articles please? This great instructable is useless without a way to get the required lens ;-D

Jfieldcap says: Dec 15, 2016. 12:47 PM REPLY

Awesome! I was just thinking recently how fun it would be to make something like a google glass- Internet capable and with earpieces, perhaps with some
slightly more 'spy' oriented features such as the ability to amplify whatever coming over the built in mic, or night vision, or just a cool HUD display of things
like weather or time. Perhaps it could have voice recognition through an android smartphone, and the ability to send texts or answer calls, or read emails. I
guess I'm describing a smartwatch, but on your head. XD

lesT says: Dec 15, 2016. 11:34 AM REPLY

Excellent, clever implementation!!

Minor point, the 25cm focus applies to a 'normally' sighted 45 year-old. (A 25 year-old would normally be able to focus to 10cm). Could be more comfortable
to put the image at your normal working distance (say ~40cm), to avoid the double vision that may be troublesome when the images for each eye are a
different distance.

jtechian says: Dec 15, 2016. 11:29 AM REPLY

Very nice work. If possible why not make the lens inline to the oled screen and adjustable so as to accommodate other's eyes and also focus to the normal
distance of the work. focusing from work piece to screen would be same as looking away from the probes. I do disagree with some comments for a speaking
system as a lot of work places are very noisy and would drown out the voice. I do agree that the small plexi screen be changed to better then cd case as it looks
clear but still is wavy and distorts to reflection.

All in all you did a fantastic job!

ozzb says: Dec 15, 2016. 11:21 AM REPLY

do you think you could add one of these to it (http://www.alliedelec.com/mikroelektronika-mikroe-
495/70377631/?mkwid=sTkcTkrfM&pcrid=30980760979&gclid=CjwKEAiAm8nCBRD7xLj-
2aWFyz8SJAAQNalaFAVom31Kyy6lgCfIAEcczsgMhVf9oBzm1Cn0jRHI5BoCkynw_wcB)

or do you think the distortion would make it not worth it

Troyirl says: Dec 15, 2016. 10:48 AM REPLY

Fantastic project looks very professional

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
 JamesW440 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:26 AM REPLY
Yes, very clever and well done.

The proposal requires Bluetooth and a more expensive multimeter. Wouldn't it work as well if you converted the display into voice? If you could intercept the
display output or read the display from the outside the multimeter's case, wouldn't that do the same thing and cheaper?

Then you could use the Arduino to output the audio based on a series of instructions you give it according to the content of the display. You could even have
audio input to the Arduino to instruct it what to do.

Put the unit over the face of the meter, ask the Arduino for a reading, attach the probes and ask for another reading, etc. The Arduino could be clipped onto
the face of the meter and both put in your shirt pocket or clipped on your person (strapped on your arm).

Alternatively, why not just make the Arduino into a multimeter with the features that you want.

I can see what you are after and this is a very clever design and implementation for your type of use. I, for example, would not like to try to look at the screen
that your design uses and the expense of the project would be too great for my kind of use. I buy cheap multimeters and use the sound for continuity
checking. I find it very useful, so if I could use both hands for other readings, an audio output would be better for me, I think. So your idea is good, but its
application is somewhat limited in that it requires Bluetooth from the meter and a device tethered to your glasses (although cool looking). That is why I
suggest reading the display - works for any meter. Should be cheap too.

Good work, thanks for sharing!

itsmescotty says: Dec 15, 2016. 10:46 AM REPLY

I like the speaking idea also.

Tuomas Soikkeli says: Dec 15, 2016. 10:01 AM REPLY

Respect! I would buy one.

Anirudh Ralhan says: Dec 14, 2016. 4:10 AM REPLY

Awesome build!!! Your hardwork really paid off :)

awall99 says: Dec 14, 2016. 4:28 AM REPLY

Thanks a lot, Next year I try to build a smaller one, but I have already a lot of ideas in my head.

benwade says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:58 AM REPLY

One word. Kickstarter!

egons1 says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:42 AM REPLY

Congratulations... real great work

NanoBORG says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:22 AM REPLY

I don't want to build it - I want to buy it. A module I tell what to display what I want! I'm sure the video will progress in the future to be 1920x1080 display but
for now I'll take what I can get!!!

Modifiedmk says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:20 AM REPLY

very awesome build and creative way

JacobZ1 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:36 AM REPLY

You said the blurred image is due to the fact it's so close to the eye, are you sure that some of it is not due to the acrylic glass? Also, won't this cloud over
time and/or discolor? Would an actual piece of glass work better?

Love the concept. This is such a great idea even just as a novelty, but I've been in situations where this thing would come in incredibly handy. Some
situations make it incredibly difficult to put a multimeter in a good spot and still be able to view it. Love it and keep up the good work!

WarrenW19 says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:18 AM REPLY

try cutting some microscope slide...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
 YS Creations says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:18 AM REPLY
That's very cool. Would love to see the HUD projected onto the actual lenses of the glasses themselves. You've got my vote.

prowave says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:12 AM REPLY

Excellent project. Wunderbare!

Yonatan24 says: Dec 15, 2016. 9:03 AM REPLY

Awesome idea! I'd love to have something like this in the future...

Voted!

dkkim says: Dec 15, 2016. 8:55 AM REPLY

Great project! I'm pretty sure you could come up with a compound optical design to make the apparent distance longer (for focus) and still enlarge it. Might
be better ergonomics to not have to shift your focus back and forth between your work and the image. Also lots of close-focusing predisposes to eyestrain.

Just thinking out loud here, not in any way a criticism.

Now if you just offer a kit... :)

iceng says: Dec 15, 2016. 8:51 AM REPLY

Favorited and Voted for your excellent ible.

CarlinC1 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:56 AM REPLY

That is very nicely done! Thank you for sharing it all!

szellner says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:47 AM REPLY

Awesome work. Its truly beautiful.

RickG5 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:08 AM REPLY

...Frugal Glass?

chvdwalt says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:47 AM REPLY

:D

dhostetter says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:36 AM REPLY

Perfect! :-)

dhostetter says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:37 AM REPLY

Fantastic concept and implementation.

MarkE50 says: Dec 14, 2016. 12:13 PM REPLY

Awesome project. I have an old Radio Shack DMM that has an RS232 interface. I think I'll give this a try. Can't stand looking away when I have the probes
on some surface mount part !!!!!!

JamesW440 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:29 AM REPLY

Yeah to the 'looking away' comment - every time I look away, the probe slips off and I miss the reading or short two pins together with unknown
consequences LOL.

IgorS34 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:22 AM REPLY

Great idea and implementation!

As further improvement it would be nice to add voice speaking the values ;-)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
 IgorS34 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:23 AM REPLY
But it can be implemented simply on the smartphone, w/o glasses...

jasongullickson says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:20 AM REPLY

This is excellent, I've wanted something like this for a long time but this is the first DIY build that looks up to practical service.

Any recommendation on where to source the lens?

Thank-you very much for sharing and making this open-source!

fablabsu says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:19 AM REPLY

Awsome work !

How many GPIO do you need on the arduino to drive the OLED ? Could RFduino do the job ? (= arduino+BT integrated) ? Would it be cheaper/more
expensive ?

clinstruct7 says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:43 AM REPLY

could the smaller esp8266 be used instead of the arduino?

IgorS34 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:19 AM REPLY

Esp8266 doesn't have BT on board, but only WiFi. Esp32 does have BT.

TexasDave2461 says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:17 AM REPLY

This is so cool I'm speechless! Good to know we have such brilliant folks out there willing to share this level of technology. Thank you!!????

atene says: Dec 15, 2016. 7:09 AM REPLY

Geniosity right there.

jwhitten says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:55 AM REPLY

Nice project. I'll have to put that one on my "to-do" list!

jens_munk says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:50 AM REPLY

This is the coolest project I have seen posted on Instructables. Well done!

mattsn says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:45 AM REPLY

This whole thing is beautiful! Amazing build, great video, and very well explained. Excellent work!

kelly.luck.54 says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:34 AM REPLY

ah-HA! That's how you get past the focus issue! I'd been toying with it myself. Thanks for sharing this!

ortwein55 says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:30 AM REPLY

Great idea! I bet you work for BMW ! Good job ?????

HiramR says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:19 AM REPLY

This is awesome, thanks for sharing!

imkzh says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:19 AM REPLY

impressive!

iortolan says: Dec 15, 2016. 6:07 AM REPLY

What!? This is amazing, congrats!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Data-Glasses-for-My-Multimeter/
 rtrathbone says: Dec 15, 2016. 1:12 AM REPLY
Great build...and a lot more physicaly pleasing to use than a similar project I built about a year ago. Thanks for sharing.

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