root = Tk()
app = App(root)
root.wm_attributes("-topmost", 1) #this line sets the root object as the topmost window
root.mainloop()

That fixed my problem. Now every time I run the script, the app spawns on top of all of the other windows.

python code:

import time
import serial
try:
 arduino = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyUSB0')
except:
 arduino = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyUSB1')

arduino.baudrate = 115200
servo_position = 0

def set_servo_position(pos):
 if( pos >= 0 and pos <= 180 ):
 arduino.write( "%i \r"%(pos) )

import pygame
from pygame import locals

pygame.init()
pygame.joystick.init() # main joystick device system

try:
 j = pygame.joystick.Joystick(0) # create a joystick instance
 j.init() # init instance
 print 'Enabled joystick: ' + j.get_name()
except pygame.error:
 print 'no joystick found.'
 exit()

def servo_offset(sp):
 print sp

 if sp == 0:
 return(0)
 if sp > 0.0 and sp < .2:
 return(-1)
 if sp > .2 and sp < .4:
 return(-5)
 if sp > .4 and sp < .6:
 return(-10)
 if sp > .6 and sp < .8:
 return(-15)
 if sp > .8 and sp <= 1.5:
 return(-25)
 if sp < 0 and sp > -.2:
 return(1)
 if sp < -.2 and sp > -.4:
 return(5)
 if sp < -.4 and sp > -.6:
 return(10)
 if sp < -.6 and sp > -.8:
 return(15)
 if sp < -.8 and sp >= -1.5:
 return(25)

def get_stick_pos():

 pygame.event.pump()
 x , y = j.get_axis(0), 0
 return (x,y,)
last_stick_pos = 0
#main program loop
while True:
 stick_pos = get_stick_pos()
 if( stick_pos != None  and last_stick_pos == 0):
 offset = servo_offset(stick_pos[0])
 last = stick_pos[0]
 print "servo " + str(servo_position)
 print "offset " + str(offset)
 print "total" + str(servo_position+offset)
 if servo_position+offset < 180 and servo_position+offset > 0:
 time.sleep(.09)
 servo_position += offset
 set_servo_position(servo_position)

Arduino code:

//camera.pde
#include <Messenger.h>
#include <Servo.h> 

Servo myservo;
int pos = 0;
Messenger message = Messenger(); 

// Define messenger function
void messageCompleted() {
 while ( message.available() ) {
 int pos = message.readInt();
 myservo.write(pos);
 Serial.println(pos);
 }
}

void setup()
{
 Serial.begin(115200);
 message.attach(messageCompleted);
 myservo.attach(9);
} 

void loop()
{
 while ( Serial.available( ) ) message.process(Serial.read( ) );
}

So, what the hell is a µackerspace? To explain that I would first need to explain what a hackerspace is. A hackerspace is a real, physical place where people of a creative or tecnical mindset come together to devise and build amazing things and share ideas.

My idea is a little bit more humble. I recognize the fact that smart, creative, social people are not confined to large cities. Brilliance is strewn across the land. I believe that there is a need for face-to-face interaction for people outside if major metropolitan areas. I think that µackerspaces could fill this need, if only a little. I envision many of these, popping up anywhere there is a group of people willing to make, break, fix, hack, and learn, rather than continuing the cycle of consumption and disposal that is ever present in the modern world.

I was really counting on making use of this as an opportunity to learn a lot more about electrical engineering, and microcontroller programming (not to mention that alot of that would have made TTTC happen a lot sooner). But, I suppose I will get over it. TTTC will still happen, albeit much less quickly.

I am still looking for help in regards to circut design, so if anyone knows a fair deal of analog electronics, contact me, okay?

Are you creative? Do you like to make things? Would you like to learn to make cooler things?

Than F.A.I.L. needs you!

I want to start an informal study-group in the Menomonie area for technically minded people. The idea is that we will meet periodically, share skills and knowledge, converse, and generally have a great time. All are welcome. I plan on holding meetings once a week at Raw Deal.  Drop me a line in the comments if you are intrested, and for god sakes, spread the word, people!

My next project:

A gear powered mechanical heart!
. . . sort of.

Actually, it will be a wearable mechanical heart shaped heart rate display. The project is comprised of three parts.

1) The Heart rate monitoring unit.
I plan on accomplishing this with a home made pulse-oximetry unit. This works by shining high intensity IR-light through the skin and measuring the amount of returned light. Conveniently, the amount of light returned coincides with the rising and falling of ones heart rate.

2)The filtering/processing/amplification circuitry
This part I am a little bit less clear on. Obviously, I need to process the signal in such a way that the motor in step three spins ever so slightly every time a pulse-beat is detected.

3)The motor/heart/gear assembly
This is the part that is visible to the world. A motor, passed through the back of the heart shaped case, spins a gear inside, hopefully in time to the wearer’s heartbeat.

The heart shaped case (according to the seller) is 27mm, so I need to find a slightly smaller gear (preferably brass) to fit inside of it. I am guessing 18mm just to be in the safe side. Any one know where I can make/purchase such a gizmo?

I have a pretty good idea how I am going to pull steps 1 & 3 off, but my lack of electrical engineering knowledge leaves me at a loss as far as number two is concerned. If all else fails, I could just dump the input onto a lillypad arduino, do signal processing that way, and then control the motor from the arduino.

Watch this space for all projects, both present and future!