Lotus Lantern — Windows Music-Reactive Lighting with an OpenRGB-to-BLE Bridge

A local Node.js bridge that converts OpenRGB DDP color output into BLE commands for a tested LED controller.

Connecting desktop lighting effects to a Bluetooth strip.

Project header

Category: Hardware/software integration. Role: Bridge implementation contributor. Timeline: Documented June–September 2026 work. Status: Local utility with recorded demonstration.

Problem, solution, and contribution

The compatible strip needs BLE commands while OpenRGB produces lighting frames. I implemented the connector and subsequent OpenRGB-based bridge, launcher, profiles, and documentation. OpenRGB Effects supplies Audio Party colors; the bridge does not itself capture system audio. BLE device code adapts the upstream homebridge implementation.

Architecture and engineering

OpenRGB emits DDP/UDP to the local machine. A Node.js/noble-winrt bridge averages multi-pixel RGB values for the single-color controller and writes service FFF0/characteristic FFF3. A newest-pending-color slot avoids accumulating stale updates; the configured 200 ms write interval is a setting, not measured latency.

Results and limitations

Recorded demos document the local workflow with ELK-BLEDDM. Other controllers can use different protocols. The September refactor supersedes earlier Python audio-visualizer descriptions. No adoption or universal hardware claim is made.