We need a developer to design hardware and software for a synchronous digital clock. I have attached some documents that should describe the scope of work. We need someone that can do the design quickly and professionally. We would like to use a pre-built Arduino at first and move to a custom PCB later. We are open to different compensation schemes.
sundy58:
We need a developer to design hardware and software for a synchronous digital clock. I have attached some documents that should describe the scope of work. We need someone that can do the design quickly and professionally. We would like to use a pre-built Arduino at first and move to a custom PCB later. We are open to different compensation schemes.
Why don't you purchase one? from Midwest Time Control? They seem to produce commercial versions at respectable prices.
I believe sundy58 is from Midwest Time Control and is looking to update an old design that is no longer buildable due to obsolete parts. I am waiting to get home to look at the attachments and perhaps work with him again.
CrossRoads:
I believe sundy58 is from Midwest Time Control and is looking to update an old design that is no longer buildable due to obsolete parts. I am waiting to get home to look at the attachments and perhaps work with him again.
I thought the OP what trying to generate a competing product for peanuts.
The design and software should not require much effort. If you have accurate spec's and a functioning master clock to validate your design, the actual clock should be easy. The tough part is the ergonomics. What will people accept, and how much will they pay for it. If you really wanted to throw a micky, add a dormant wifi port that kids could find. Change the display to a TFT so they could post 'Sam loves Niki!'.
Chuck.
p.s. you could really go great guns with this project. include the WiFi port (EPS8266), add a simple CCD camera behind the clock face, include a mic, call it the Homeland Security lockdown monitor System. Design the mic for gunshot triangulation. include a SMS module that can send text to the 911 center when students drop books on the floor. Report any loud outburts as violations of 'safe space' rules!
CrossRoads:
I believe sundy58 is from Midwest Time Control and is looking to update an old design that is no longer buildable due to obsolete parts. I am waiting to get home to look at the attachments and perhaps work with him again.
Indeed I am. I sent a email to your private email already. Looking forward to hearing back from you.
chucktodd:
I thought the OP what trying to generate a competing product for peanuts.
The design and software should not require much effort. If you have accurate spec's and a functioning master clock to validate your design, the actual clock should be easy. The tough part is the ergonomics. What will people accept, and how much will they pay for it. If you really wanted to throw a micky, add a dormant wifi port that kids could find. Change the display to a TFT so they could post 'Sam loves Niki!'.
Chuck.
p.s. you could really go great guns with this project. include the WiFi port (EPS8266), add a simple CCD camera behind the clock face, include a mic, call it the Homeland Security lockdown monitor System. Design the mic for gunshot triangulation. include a SMS module that can send text to the 911 center when students drop books on the floor. Report any loud outburts as violations of 'safe space' rules!
6v6gt:
Since that original design, there are a number of methods of getting an accurate time signal to update a clock:
Global positioning system (GPS)
Network Time Protocol (NTP) either over ethernet or Wireless Lan
Long Wave Radio Time signal eg DCF77 Europe or equivalent in USA (WWVB etc.)
But, all have some disadvantage: poor indoor reception or set up configuration required or cable connection required.
However, the chips to for autonomous operation of clocks are now cheap and accurate eg. DS3231 with inbuilt crystal ageing compensation.
That is all true but I sell replacement clocks for legacy systems. We correct for schemes form the 1950's. Also most sync clock systems are less concerned with having the correct time than the SAME time. If you use a 'cloud' time and attendance system they most definitely do not use NIST time, so the client can set the master to the same time as the TA cloud and the wall clocks will agree with the TA system.
OK. Understood. I guess also when the clocks are running in autonomous (missing sync) mode, they should any handle daylight saving time correction etc.
6v6gt:
OK. Understood. I guess also when the clocks are running in autonomous (missing sync) mode, they should any handle daylight saving time correction etc.
Actually no. They only user interface is 2 push buttons to adjust the time up and down. That's on digital clocks, analog clocks have no user input. Impulse analog clocks won't even run without a master clock, the master clock puts out 24 VDC at 58 seconds after and removes it at the minute to cause a solenoid to advance the minute hand through a series of gears.
There are clocks available that have a DST table in them but the user interface is clunky. The only display o most of these clocks is a 7 segment display, a LCD would be a unnecessary expense that would likely price the clock out of the market.
sundy58:
Actually no. They only user interface is 2 push buttons to adjust the time up and down. That's on digital clocks, analog clocks have no user input. Impulse analog clocks won't even run without a master clock, the master clock puts out 24 VDC at 58 seconds after and removes it at the minute to cause a solenoid to advance the minute hand through a series of gears.
There are clocks available that have a DST table in them but the user interface is clunky. The only display o most of these clocks is a 7 segment display, a LCD would be a unnecessary expense that would likely price the clock out of the market.
Just in case you are not aware, there is simple, cheap technology available now to configure a clock etc. for timezone / DST rules using a smartphone or laptop.
The principle is similar to configuring a network device such as router, WLAN repeater etc.
The user pushes the 'configure' button on the device (clock in this case) and the device starts up a WLAN access point and Web server. The user finds this on his smartphone (or laptop etc.) and is presented with a menu which he completes including, in this case, time zone information and DST rules etc. etc.
The ESP8266 module (costs the price of a beer) is available with all that.
I'm currently working on a clock project for my personal use which uses exactly that technology and is a light adaption of what I found here.
I've had to adapt it to handle DST, using a lightly modified Arduino Timezone library, because the design there allows the user to change only the offset from UTC which has to be done twice a year. I'm currently polishing the user interface.
It would even be possible to extend the configuration to include the full DST rule so, for example, if a government changes the dates that DST is to be applied, it could be done without a software upgrade.
luck.