Paul's Passcode Contest Entry: Difference between revisions
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= Overview = | = Overview = | ||
== | === Summary === | ||
This is my entry into the Passcode contest, I am mostly doing this for fun and I doubt it will have any practical application in the end. Essentially I am creating a kind of digital combination lock with a VFD display. Part of the display is going to revolve around a 3v analog meter. It essentially moves a needle up and down (or depending on how it is oriented, left and right) as the voltage varies from 0 to 3v. By wiring up a potentiometer to an analog input on my arduino and to the 3v meter, I can have a knob that moves the needle over a row of numbers and then when the user pushes a button I can record the number associated with the value of the potentiometer. | |||
* | |||
That is the first half of the lock, which is really simple and straightforward. To make it a little more complex and give it a bit of something to show off (and truthfully to play with my VFD) I am going to see if I can work out a way that when you select a number with the Potentiometer / button / 3v meter setup, it will display the numbers you have selected, separated by periods. | |||
So an example operation: | |||
# Turn potentiometer to 1 | |||
# Press the "Select" button | |||
# The number 1 appears on the VFD followed by a period. | |||
# Press the clear button, the number 1 goes away. | |||
# Turn the potentiometer to 13 & select | |||
# The number 13 appears on the VFD followed by a period. | |||
# Turn to 21 & select | |||
# VFD displays: 13.21 | |||
# go to 4 and... VFD: 13.21.4 | |||
Maybe at some point I could incorpate other features into the lock to make it more of a game, but for now this is my current plan. | |||
=== Project Manager === | |||
[[User:Paul|Paul]] | |||
=== Contributors === | |||
* [[User:trailerphi|TP]] - Helped with how to use transistors | |||
* [[User:Craig|Craig]] - Assisted by being someone to bounce ideas off of. | |||
= Project Status = | |||
A quick summary of the project's current status. The widget has been programmed and the case is being painted. Etc. | |||
== Parts involved with this entry == | == Parts involved with this entry == | ||
* [[Arduino]] w/ Protoshield | * [[Arduino]] w/ Protoshield | ||
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* [[Wikipedia:Potentiometer|Potentiometer]] | * [[Wikipedia:Potentiometer|Potentiometer]] | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Push_button|Push Button]] | * [[Wikipedia:Push_button|Push Button]] | ||
== TODO List == | |||
* Find some better PNP transistors that I can either attach a heatsink too, or have a better current rating than my current ones. | |||
* Print out a new background for the analog 3v meter. | |||
= Project Updates = | |||
== None Yet == | |||
= Links = | |||
[[Category:Passcode Challenge]] | [[Category:Passcode Challenge]] | ||
[[Category:ActiveProjects]] | [[Category:ActiveProjects]] | ||
[[Category:Projects]] | [[Category:Projects]] |
Revision as of 17:09, 9 September 2009
Overview
Summary
This is my entry into the Passcode contest, I am mostly doing this for fun and I doubt it will have any practical application in the end. Essentially I am creating a kind of digital combination lock with a VFD display. Part of the display is going to revolve around a 3v analog meter. It essentially moves a needle up and down (or depending on how it is oriented, left and right) as the voltage varies from 0 to 3v. By wiring up a potentiometer to an analog input on my arduino and to the 3v meter, I can have a knob that moves the needle over a row of numbers and then when the user pushes a button I can record the number associated with the value of the potentiometer.
That is the first half of the lock, which is really simple and straightforward. To make it a little more complex and give it a bit of something to show off (and truthfully to play with my VFD) I am going to see if I can work out a way that when you select a number with the Potentiometer / button / 3v meter setup, it will display the numbers you have selected, separated by periods.
So an example operation:
- Turn potentiometer to 1
- Press the "Select" button
- The number 1 appears on the VFD followed by a period.
- Press the clear button, the number 1 goes away.
- Turn the potentiometer to 13 & select
- The number 13 appears on the VFD followed by a period.
- Turn to 21 & select
- VFD displays: 13.21
- go to 4 and... VFD: 13.21.4
Maybe at some point I could incorpate other features into the lock to make it more of a game, but for now this is my current plan.
Project Manager
Contributors
Project Status
A quick summary of the project's current status. The widget has been programmed and the case is being painted. Etc.
Parts involved with this entry
- Arduino w/ Protoshield
- Itron FG95H1 VFD
- I need at least 7x PNP transisters that can withstand 12v current coming from an ATX power supply. I picked up some cheap radioshack ones, one burnt out and another burnt my finger... I think I need something I can attach a heat sink too.
- Analog 3v Meter
- Potentiometer
- Push Button
TODO List
- Find some better PNP transistors that I can either attach a heatsink too, or have a better current rating than my current ones.
- Print out a new background for the analog 3v meter.