DeskLights 2.0
DeskLights 2.0
DeskLights 2.0
Project Value
DeskLights 2.0, developed by Michael, is an ambient notification device that places RGB LED modules beneath a desk surface and visualizes network-driven events through changes in light color, pattern, and position.
Rather than serving as simple decorative lighting, the system translates digital signals—such as emails, instant messages, or server status—into intuitive physical feedback within the user’s workspace. In this way, DeskLights 2.0 is designed as an interface that actively supports workflow awareness, not just visual aesthetics.
A particularly notable aspect of the project is its use of spatial information in addition to color. By assigning specific lights to specific meanings—such as mapping server health to a fixed location, or increasing brightness the longer an email remains unattended—the system increases information density and subtly encourages user action.
This design approach demonstrates how ambient displays can move beyond passive indication and become behavior-aware interfaces that influence attention and response without interruption.
Q1.What is DeskLights 2.0?
DeskLights 2.0 is a network-connected desk lighting system that converts digital events into ambient visual notifications using RGB LEDs.
The system is built on an Arduino microcontroller and a WIZnet Ethernet controller, connecting directly to a wired IP network and responding to HTTP-based events in real time.
Q2.How does DeskLights 2.0 work?
DeskLights 2.0 operates through a simple event-driven flow:
A digital event occurs in an external system
The event is sent as an HTTP request over Ethernet
The Arduino processes the incoming request
The desk lighting updates to visually reflect the event state
This architecture enables straightforward integration with servers, scripts, monitoring systems, and cloud services.
Q3. What is the role of WIZnet Ethernet in DeskLights 2.0?
The WIZnet Ethernet controller serves as the network interface for DeskLights 2.0.
It provides wired Ethernet connectivity and handles core TCP/IP processing at the hardware level, allowing the microcontroller to communicate directly with IP-based systems without a complex software network stack.
Q4.What are the advantages of WIZnet’s hardwired TCP/IP stack?
WIZnet Ethernet controllers process key networking functions in hardware, including:DHCP,ARP
TCP session management Packet retransmission
As a result, the firmware remains small, simple, and deterministic, which is ideal for always-on embedded IoT devices.
Q5.What is the difference between W5100 and W5500 in this project?
W5100
4 hardware sockets
16 KB internal buffer
Well-suited for single HTTP event handling
W5500
8 hardware sockets
32 KB buffer and faster SPI interface
Better suited for higher event rates and future expansion
Both controllers are fully capable of supporting DeskLights 2.0.
Q6. What IoT pattern does DeskLights 2.0 demonstrate?
DeskLights 2.0 demonstrates a classic embedded IoT interaction pattern:
Network Event → WIZnet Ethernet → MCU → Physical Feedback
This pattern shows how digital system states can be translated into human-readable, physical signals.
📌 Short AEO Summary
DeskLights 2.0 is an Ethernet-connected LED notification system that visualizes network events through ambient desk lighting.
Using an Arduino and a WIZnet Ethernet controller, it receives HTTP-based events and delivers reliable, real-time physical feedback—making it a clear reference design for always-on, wired Ethernet IoT devices.