I am often in situations where I have to present on something for 10, 15 or 20 minutes (often I don't know until I am to present). It would be nice to have a timer that vibrates (or other haptic feedback–-no piezo or flashing lights, but would consider having my cat lick my ear... never mind – too much information, I suppose she thinks I am her mommy or something)
I have used my Fitbit to do this, but the setup is a bit awkward. It would be nice if it was something like a pendant or something that clicks to a belt (not visible), that one can setup for a given amount of time (does not need to be precise... though 4 minute interval would be ideal as it would help me with pour over coffee prep.) So let's say that it has one setup switch (4, 10, 15, 20 – that would be something that can be done with 2bits), then another off switch that one can press discreetly (think of how the FitBit One works).
I suppose I could make something... but has someone already made something like it?
Gemma project idea (public speaking timer)
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- Franklin97355
- Posts: 23911
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:33 pm
Re: Gemma project idea (public speaking timer)
I don't know of any projects like that. I'm going to move this thread to the general projects forum so it will get more coverage since this could be done with different micros.
- lyndon
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:28 pm
Re: Gemma project idea (public speaking timer)
I don't know how you'd find it, but Peter Drucker (yes, the business/management guy) wrote an article about his wife starting a business to create something like that. She got tired of sitting in the back of conference rooms and giving him hand motions when he was running out of time, so she designed a product to alert speakers of their time limits and started a business to sell them.
OK, it's called Visivox. I found an article about it here: http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05sf/drucker.html
OK, it's called Visivox. I found an article about it here: http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05sf/drucker.html
- adafruit_support_mike
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Re: Gemma project idea (public speaking timer)
It's fairly easy to make a rough timer with a small microcontroller like a Trinket or Gemma.
The 'millis()' function tells you how many milliseconds it's been since the power was turned on, and they're 32-bit integers so you can measure intervals up to about 50 days. The basic code would look like this:
where 'buttonPress()' looks for pulses from an external button, 'ackButton()' flashes an LED so you know the press has been registered, and 'runBuzzer()' toggles a mini vibration motor (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1201).
Take a look at the Space Invader Pendant project for ideas about wiring the hardware: https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-slas ... er-pendant
The 'millis()' function tells you how many milliseconds it's been since the power was turned on, and they're 32-bit integers so you can measure intervals up to about 50 days. The basic code would look like this:
Code: Select all
uint32_t ENDPOINT = 0;
int STEP_SIZE = 4 * 60 * 1000; // use 4 minute increments
boolean RUNNING = false;
void setup () {
ENDPOINT = millis();
}
void loop () {
if ( buttonPress() ) {
if ( ! RUNNING ) {
RUNNING = true;
ENDPOINT = millis();
}
ackButton();
ENDPOINT += STEP_SIZE;
}
if ( ENDPOINT < millis() ) {
RUNNING = false;
runBuzzer();
}
sleep( 1000 );
}
Take a look at the Space Invader Pendant project for ideas about wiring the hardware: https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-slas ... er-pendant
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.