View ElBanquos_AlarmClock on GitHub

ElBanquos_AlarmClock

An Arduino based radio alarm clock with a unique display method and an efficient user interface Overview Picture

Introduction

Actual alarm clocks are often not designed very well, because they try to be cheap and very multifunctional. I want to create an alarm clock, that is optimized by enhanceing the essential features an reducing all gimmicks not necessary for the job.

Essential functions of a radio alarm clock

  • show the actual time (in a good adapted brightness)
  • Play radio to wake me up (fading it smothly in)
  • efficient and reliable change of alarm time
  • ensure correct volume of sound (minimize risk of silent alarm due to bad volume controller)
  • Get correct time through available broadcast services (RDS is best, since we need a radio module anyway)
  • Snooze function
  • “Hard to Kill” alarm off procedure (Procedure needs more then just hitting a button)
  • Switch bewteen alarm mode and non alarm mode
  • stop bothering after (1?) Hour

Personal essential feature

  • show time in a pattern, a short sighted person still can recognize over 2 meters
  • Nap function (Wake me up after a defined interval)

Nice to have functions

  • Sleep function - Play Radio on demand for a defined time and fade it out smoothly

Further extentions

  • Dim up light to simulate sunrise before starting the radio

Unecessary function

  • Play radio for endless time
  • Change radio stations (I always wake up with the same)
  • Show Radio Station name
  • shot weather and other data etc.

Repository content

In the repository you will find all necessary code and diagrams to build the clock by yourself

  • Arduino sketch including ** Display programming ** Encoder reading ** RDS Data cleansing procedure ** “EEPROM Database” class for easy storing data on EEPROM
  • Fritzing circuit plan (not full PCB layout, since I just build on prototype boards) ** Also provided as png export
  • Manuals and design approach
  • Rough skecth to build a housing
  • List of Parts

Tools you need

  • Arduino IDE
  • Frizing
  • inkscape (or some other svg tool to read the building sketches)