While posting this to a website for next year's event, ideas were thrown around for creating a physical version of the countdown. How would I begin to go about controlling a set of 7 segment LEDs (NNN days, NN hours, NN minutes, NN seconds, [NN optional milliseconds]) for this to hang up in the office?
I think it's possible. I picked up some TI[some number here] led drivers per a previous recommendation (now where did I put them?). So that should solve the number of pins needed issue.
Would I need a computer to control the timing, or is there a lesser-hardware way? If I could spare some pins, maybe I could sync up timing twice a day or so with an Ethernet shield. Any other ideas on how to get moving? Maybe I don't use LEDs at all, but something else (although the LEDs simulate the NASA countdown clock).
Just brainstorming at the moment. Thanks for your feedback in advance!
You could do it with LED driver chips. I think there are some specific 7 segment driver chips out there too.
I shouldn't be too difficult. I would have thought that you will want to use an RTC IC to control the countdown. You might even be able to do it without a RTC but you would probably have issues if you lost power then. I think an RTC and some LED driver chips would be the way to go.
There is a lot of clocks made with arduinos out there.
Sources for time: ethernet, gps, computer, wireless network, low frequency time signal (like WWV)
Ethernet is probably the best bet, but make a decision based on where you are going to put it. Optionally consider adding a battery backed up RTC if you don't want to wait for the time sync when you turn on your count down.
The display is the most important part of the count down clock. The size of the clock display determines what your options are.
This one looks like a pile of 5mm blue LEDs
heh, I stumbled across your pc joystic post in a search the other day, and I said "hey I wonder if that guy is still around"
anyway, yes you can use internet time or many other methods, including a RTC or even sniffing the AC cycles off of a wall plug (hate to break it to you but that is how any clock that plugs into the wall works anyway, and its pretty darn stable)
as far as display, yea sparkfun spent some poor noobies money on a gigantic led display (and didnt bother to make it look a little less crappy), and you can do the same also but after a certain size it becomes much more economical to use other technologies, such as cold cathode florucescents or prepacked (from china) led bar displays for automotive applications or even sheets of EL
All,
Thanks for your great feedback! That's given me some great sources to read up on.
Osgeld,
Yep I'm still here, asking silly newb questions and frying random parts as I try to make interactive things outside the screen.
Cool. I'll check this stuff out and post when/if I up with something. I'm going to create a little sample to show the office and see if it's worth funding.
Cool. I'll check this stuff out and post when/if I up with something. I'm going to create a little sample to show the office and see if it's worth funding.
Well try to think up what you can do with it afterwards. Obviously it can be used for any other countdown timers but is there anything else you could do with it afterwards?
Hello mowcius,
There are a ton of uses for the parts, that's for sure. I just need to keep in mind that I'm a web designer proposing physical electronic pieces with minimal electronics experience. : I'm also on a very low personal budget for hobby projects, so getting my organization's buy in would be key for this project.
Will it be an issue? Probably not, if it makes sense and benefits the audience. I work with a great open minded group that loves innovative stuff.
I'll add my $0.02 worth.
When I looked at the countdown page, I thought of something off-world, so, though it is a lot of mechanics, how about something different:
gbulmer,
I would LOVE to make something like that. In fact, I've had a few conversations here about it. The major wall for me in that area is transferring power from below the motor to the above where the spinning stuff is.
You've sparked some additional ideas. I'll start playing around.
I'm also on a very low personal budget for hobby projects, so getting my organization's buy in would be key for this project.