Sending a heartbeat over ethernet

From the MAKE Flickr pool

Charles is using an Arduino ethernet shield to send the rhythm of his heartbeat over a network in the form of OSC messages. Each beat is detected via a simple sensor comprised of an IR LED and phototransistor -

The idea is that when your heart beats you have a quick rush of blood into tiny blood vessels close to your skin which makes it less transparent. This effect is easiest to observe on your finger tips or earlobe. So the IR emitter and phototransistor are placed next to each other (not much light goes through the side of the emitter!) and I put my finger on top. Light from the IR emitter illuminates my skin and is reflected into the phototransistor.

The phototransistor is connected to the Arduino in a similar way to a potentiometer. One lead is connected to +5V and the other to ground. The +5V lead is also connected to an analogue input on the Arduino. When the phototransistor receives more IR light it becomes more resistive and a lower voltage is detected by the analogue input.

His sensor was built using Meng Li’s instructions & schematic. Looks like a great input option for those interested in experimenting with biofeedback.

Related:

Heartbeat midi controller

In the Maker Shed:

Arduino Ethernet Shield

3 Responses to Sending a heartbeat over ethernet

Jake of All Trades on October 28th, 2009 at 10:33 am said:

What a cool idea! I do believe that IR schematic is pulled from Gordon McComb’s “The Robot Builder’s Bonanza”, though…

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- Charles Martin on October 28th, 2009 at 4:55 pm said:
  
  Hi Jake,
  
  Thankyou for pointing out the source of that schematic, I’ll update my website to credit it properly. “The Robot Builder’s Bonanza”… sounds like a cool book!
  
  –Charles.
  
  Reply ↓
jay@thecapacity on October 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm said:

I did something like this with my iobridge;

http://blog.thecapacity.org/2008/12/15/bridge-to-my-heart/

It’s tied to my temperature sensor. This post has a vide;

http://blog.thecapacity.org/2008/12/17/open-heart-surgery/

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