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7th grader needs help with electronics design project

I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?
 
D

DJ Delorie

Jan 1, 1970
0
Could you be more specific about what features you want in the clock?
I mean, you can go overboard[1] or keep it beepingly simple. "Simple"
would be any MCU with a real time clock, an LED display (the MCU can
drive it directly), some buttons (direct to MCU), and a beeper
(transistor from the mcu). Then you just need to add the remote
feature, which can be as simple as a 900MHz radio module or an IR
receiver module, either of which can talk directly to the mcu.

Also, some hints about what level of construction the student can do
might help. Do you need a DIP package? Are SMT parts OK?

[1] http://www.delorie.com/electronics/alarmclock/
 
L

linnix

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller.

If I am awaken by the alarm clock, the last thing I want to do is to
look for the remote. I think it would make more sense to turn it off
by voice or sound command.
 
P

Paul Herber

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller.

What happens when the day comes that the remote can't be found or the
batteries are flat.
 
E

EdV

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build.  She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller.  I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed.  I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops.  Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?

You need more than a parts list. First you and your student should
learn more about electricity and electronics. Not much but some.
Start out with a Radio Shack hands on electronics thing or something
like it:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...igkw=education&kw=education&parentPage=search

Then get three cheap battery powered alram clocks with snooze
buttons. Do not get the kind that plugs into the wall. Take one
apart and see if you can find the wires for the snooze switch.

you may now be able to take the the electronics kit which has a photo
sensitive resistor in it and build a circuit that could take the place
of the snooze switch.

If you want to try this approach you are welcome to post questions
here and I will try to help.
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?

Maybe this? UHF remote control
http://twinind.com/catalog_detail.php?id=246 $78.75
with key fob.
(Via Digikey too.)

The relay contacts have to connect (in a fashion) to the alarm clock
controls whatever they might be.


D from BC
British Columbia
Canada.
 
B

BobW

Jan 1, 1970
0
Paul Herber said:
What happens when the day comes that the remote can't be found or the
batteries are flat.

Paul,

Please don't post such concepts in a newsgroup that is read mostly my men.
It is a very disturbing thought what might happen if one would lose their
remote control. It evokes reactions such as this line from the Tom Lehrer
song "Bright College Days":

"Soon we'll be out amid the cold world's strife. Soon we'll be sliding down
the razor blade of life."

Do you see?

Thanks.

Bob
 
P

Paul Herber

Jan 1, 1970
0
Paul,

Please don't post such concepts in a newsgroup that is read mostly my men.
It is a very disturbing thought what might happen if one would lose their
remote control.

Understood, but please accept my hatred of alarm clocks, in
particular, alarm clocks that cannot be turned off without recourse to
the 2lb lump hammer.
 
A

amdx

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?

Can she start with a clock with snooze alarm?
Get an end of tape sensor from a vcr.
Wire this to a 555 ic. Have the 555 drive a relay the connects across the
snooze button. Use any tv, vcr, etc. remote control to drive the sensor.
I'll let others give you the refinements.
Mike
 
M

Michael A. Terrell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Paul said:
Understood, but please accept my hatred of alarm clocks, in
particular, alarm clocks that cannot be turned off without recourse to
the 2lb lump hammer.


Alarm clocks make interesting wheel chocks. :)


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
 
P

Paul E. Schoen

Jan 1, 1970
0
Paul Herber said:
Understood, but please accept my hatred of alarm clocks, in
particular, alarm clocks that cannot be turned off without recourse to
the 2lb lump hammer.

I think it would be more satisfying to add a photocell in the center of a
target on the alarm clock, and then aim the laser guided sight of a 9mm
pistol at the clock to turn it off (and possibly also generate the sound of
an explosion). If it does not respond, pull the trigger...

And, of course, don't we all sleep with a loaded pistol under the pillow?

Paul
 
J

James Arthur

Jan 1, 1970
0
I think it would be more satisfying to add a photocell in the center of a
target on the alarm clock, and then aim the laser guided sight of a 9mm
pistol at the clock to turn it off (and possibly also generate the sound of
an explosion). If it does not respond, pull the trigger...

And, of course, don't we all sleep with a loaded pistol under the pillow?

Paul

Or, connect a photocell (CdS) across the clock's "Cancel" button, then
use a laser pointer for the remote control. Hey, that almost even
works.

Or, a standard infrared receiver module banging--> a one-shot, which
drives--> a relay could do the same, using any ol' remote for the
control. The module+remote modulation avoids any ambient light / hum
problems.

Those are do-able by a 7th-grade electronics-type.

Cheers,
James Arthur
 
L

linnix

Jan 1, 1970
0
Or, connect a photocell (CdS) across the clock's "Cancel" button, then
use a laser pointer for the remote control. Hey, that almost even
works.

Or, a standard infrared receiver module banging--> a one-shot, which
drives--> a relay could do the same, using any ol' remote for the
control. The module+remote modulation avoids any ambient light / hum
problems.

Those are do-able by a 7th-grade electronics-type.

Cheers,
James Arthur

Hey, why not build the alarm clock in the remote? I guess we won't
call it a remote afterward.
 
J

James Arthur

Jan 1, 1970
0
On Feb 29, 7:52 pm, James Arthur wrote: [...]
Or, connect a photocell (CdS) across the clock's "Cancel" button, then
use a laser pointer for the remote control. Hey, that almost even
works.
Or, a standard infrared receiver module banging--> a one-shot, which
drives--> a relay could do the same, using any ol' remote for the
control. The module+remote modulation avoids any ambient light / hum
problems.
Those are do-able by a 7th-grade electronics-type.
Cheers,
James Arthur

Hey, why not build the alarm clock in the remote? I guess we won't
call it a remote afterward.

That would solve the problem of finding the darn remote.

Grins,
James Arthur
 
G

Guy Macon

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?

First, let me congaratulate you bothe on wanting to learn how to
build things instead of just buying whatever is closest to your
needs.

As you have already figured out, sci.electronics.design had a
number of participants who are glad to give advice and help.
Now it's your turn; you need to answer various questions asked
and to give them feedback as to whether a particular solution
is above your head, how well some particular advice worked,
etc. Newsgroups like sci.electronics.design work best when
there is an ongoing conversation.

Another resource that I highly recomment is Make Magazine.
They have a website at [ http://www.makezine.com/ ] but to
me, there is nothing like having an actual printed magazine
propped open on the workbench.

Good luck with your project!
 
F

Fred Bloggs

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?

The pro stuff is going to cost. Your best bet is to check a local RS,
toy store, discount dollar type of deal, or drugstore, for a
discontinued remote control toy truck or something on manager's special,
buy that, and gut it. If you don't feel comfortable with that, you
either persuade your daughter to do something else or prepare to pay a
lot of money to get you in yet another situation over your head.
 
M

mike

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?
as seen on TV "clap on...clap off"
 
F

Fred Bloggs

Jan 1, 1970
0
Paul said:
What happens when the day comes that the remote can't be found or the
batteries are flat.

Anyone who needs an alarm clock just isn't paying attention.. they are
for sloth.
 
K

Ken Fowler

Jan 1, 1970
0
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Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: 7th grader needs help with electronics design project
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I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her
build. She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only
be turned off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel
I can help her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what
parts are needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the
electronics catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby
or electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a
parts list?

You might want to consider the home automation devices from X10:
http://www.x10.com .
They have modules to turn devices on and off. They also sell remote
controls. Prices might
be higher than building your own from junk parts but not much less than
designing and
building from scratch with new parts.

Ken Fowler, KO6NO
 
T

Tim Wescott

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a 7th grader who has an idea that I am unable to help her build.
She wants to make an alarm clock for which the alarm can only be turned
off using a remote (preferably wireless) controller. I feel I can help
her assembe the components; I just can't figure out what parts are
needed. I am completely overwhelmed when I look through the electronics
catalogs and haven't been able to find assistance at hobby or
electronics shops. Is anyone able/willing to help me develop a parts
list?

I thought I saw this response, but now I don't:

When you say 'wireless' do you mean 'RF', or do you mean 'no wires'?
Does that mean that your 1st cut can be a wired remote?

If so, get a battery powered clock with an 'off' pushbutton, and remote
the pushbutton to a doorbell switch with some long wires. It won't look
good, but if the thrill of the achievement doesn't outweigh the disgust
at the ugliness then she's not cut out to be a true nerd.

Once you get that working, then you take some of the other suggestions
and look for toys that'll make it really wireless. One of the RC cars
that goes forward until you push the button, then goes backward in a
circle, can be hacked to close a relay when you push the button. If
you're lucky you could even power the receiver off of the clock.

Give us some feedback here -- are you seeing what you need to see?

--
Tim Wescott
Control systems and communications consulting
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Need to learn how to apply control theory in your embedded system?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" by Tim Wescott
Elsevier/Newnes, http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html
 
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