Introduction
The world of techwear is constantly evolving, and the newest trend in jewelry is no exception. The attiny1616 microcontroller has been used to control a beautiful set of Fibonacci earrings that are powered by hybrid super capacitors. These earrings have 104 LEDs per side which will light up your face with their vibrant colors for over 16 hours at a time – all while being recharged in only 6 minutes!
Fibonacci
The Golden Angle and Fibonacci numbers can be found in nature and were an inspiration for this piece of wearable tech-art. The Golden Angle was used to space the LED’s in a strategic pattern and the Fibonacci numbers are used to create spirals within this pattern. These instructions will guide you through the steps to create your own unique spiral pattern and explains how to use one of the auto-modes that are available.
Hybrid Super Capacitors (LIC)
The push button is locked during shipping. To unlock the push button, just connect the wearable with a USB Type-C cable to a charger.
To lock the push button again (recommended for storing or shipping), just hold the push button while disconnecting the charger cable.
The super capacitor used in this wearable is a lithium-ion capacitor (LIC). LICs are more rugged than lithium-ion (coin cell) batteries and do not have the safety or environmental concerns of rechargeable batteries. LICs do not catch fire or explode, but just vent out through the top if too much stress is applied.
Unlike regular super capacitors these LICs must remain above 2.5V at all times. Please charge the capacitor entirely before storing for an extended time.
The wearable contains a redundant charging system that will ensure that current and voltage never exceed the maximum specifications of the LIC.
The wearable can be recycled with standard household electronics. Unlike a lithium battery, separating the LIC from the wearable is not required.
Keep the wearable away from conductive materials and liquids. A fast discharge of the LIC will lower the life expectancy.
Mode Selection and power off
A push button on the back of the earring can be used to turn the earring on and off, or to select different modes. If the earring is turned off, then a simple click of the button will turn the earrings on, unless the button is locked (see Hybrid Super Capacitor section above), or the super capacitor is empty.
Clicking the button while the earrings are on will change the mode as follows:
- Demo Mode
Patterns are shown in a fixed sequence - Random Mode
Patterns are created by a random sequence generator. - 120 BPM Party Mode
Patterns update randomly at a 120 BPM rate, recommended for House Music - 140 BPM Party Mode
Patterns update randomly at a 120 BPM rate, recommended for Techno Music - Theater Mode
Same as Demo mode, but at a very low brightness that these don’t - Manual Mode
See the manual mode section below
Hold button for 6 seconds to enter sleep mode (LED’s in the menu will blink)
Manual Mode advanced options (after October 1, 2023)
While in manual mode hold the push button for 2 seconds to enter the advanced options. Select the Fibonacci number with the first menu:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 5
- 8
- 13
- 21
- 34
Next, select the number of spirals:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 7
- 8
- 11
Select the width and direction of the spirals:
- 1 CW
- 1 CCW
- 2 CW
- 2 CCW
- 3 CW
- 3 CCW
- 4CW
- 4CCW
Select the speed next:
- x1
- x2
- x3
- x4
- x7
- x15
- x50
- x200
And select the brightness in the last menu:
- Lowest
- Low
- Medium
- High
Manual Mode advanced options (before October 1, 2023)
While in manual mode hold the push button for 2 seconds to enter the advanced options. Select the Fibonacci number with the first menu:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 5
- 8
- 13
- 21
- 34
Next, select the number of spirals:
- 1 CCW
- 1 CW
- 2 CCW
- 2 CW
- 3 CCW
- 3 CW
- 4 CCW
- 4 CW
Select the speed next:
- x1
- x2
- x3
- x4
- x7
- x15
- x50
- x200
And select the brightness in the last menu:
- Lowest
- Low
- Medium
- High