{"id":978,"date":"2012-11-05T20:51:25","date_gmt":"2012-11-06T01:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hackaweek.com\/hacks\/?p=978"},"modified":"2012-11-06T18:24:52","modified_gmt":"2012-11-06T23:24:52","slug":"automatic-lcd-sunglasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/hackaweek.com\/hacks\/automatic-lcd-sunglasses\/","title":{"rendered":"Automatic LCD Sunglasses"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week I completed a hack I’ve been working on for a few weeks. It all started with Ben Heck’s automatic sunglasses hack<\/a>. He used an MCU and a photocell to flip down some shades in front of his glasses using some mini servos. I figured I could come up with something simpler and indeed I have.
\nThese automatic sunglasses are based on active shutter 3D glasses<\/a> used for viewing 3D TV and video. I found a couple of pairs on ebay for about $13 each. I opened them up and started hackin! What you see in the pics and video below are the results. I built a light detector circuit with a photocell and a transistor which allows voltage to flow to the LCD which turns it dark. A 1K ohm resistor serves to discharge the LCD and make it go back to clear quickly.<\/p>\n

NOTE!<\/strong> If you decide to build these you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK! <\/strong>These glasses are made of thin glass and if broken while wearing them could cause damage to your eye or even blind you. I also make no claim that they actually filter out harmful UV rays. That said, this is a proof of concept hack that can teach you about a light detector circuit and how to use an LM317T voltage regulator.<\/p>\n

Be safe, have fun and…
\nkeep on hackin!<\/p>\n