Presence Activated Timer, PAT (17 ECE342-W25)

C++
3D Printing
System Design
Soldering
Arduino
PCB
Junior Design
Audio

This is PAT, the Presence Activated Timer. PAT is designed to be a safe, user-friendly, and intuitive timing system intended for everyday use. PAT features two countdown modes, 5 minutes and 10 minutes, each precise within 1 second to ensure reliable timing. Designed with user safety in mind, PAT includes beveled edges, a power switch, and an IP40 rating which protects it from particles larger than 1mm. To make PAT as intuitive as possible it features a three-button operated interface that is clearly labeled so it can be operated without instructions. The rightmost button controls the brightness of the two displays, toggling between three brightness levels. The middle button allows for the user to choose between the two countdown modes. The leftmost button is for tone selection, PAT has 3 distinct tones that are loud and easy to hear. These tones are at the frequencies 425, 440, and 460 Hz. Additionally, PAT includes an internal air temperature sensor, which displays in real time the operating temperature of the system. This allows the user to confidently know the system is operating under safe conditions. The system is powered by an ESP32 microcontroller, acting as the main driver for the functionality of PAT. We have included two TM1637 7-segment displays which provide the user with a clear and easy-to-read countdown, these displays are also dimmable allowing for optimal visibility in any environment. For object detection, we implemented a VL53L0X distance sensor, allowing the system to detect when an object is placed/removed from the system. We implemented a LM4890 audio amplifier PCB which makes the alarm much louder, making it clear and easy-to-hear. PAT has a variety of practical applications, most notably it is a useful tool for productivity and focus. One example would be as a study aid by placing your phone on top of PAT you start the timer and get to work. If at any point you reach to grab your phone off of the system the alarm will go off, this will hold you accountable and focused on the task at hand, making PAT the perfect tool for time management while minimizing distractions. We encountered many challenges during the timeframe of this project, but the biggest challenge was the integration of the entire system. Separately everything worked as we intended from the start. We ran into problems towards the end of the integration. Problems we ran into were caused specifically by the ESP32 breakout board. When we were wiring everything together, we found that the screw terminals had loose connections, anytime we adjusted a component within PAT the connection would falter. It took a lot of problem-solving to come to this conclusion, as we were unsure at first where the issue was coming from. Originally there was no support for the board, the solution to this problem was to give the breakout board a solid foundation. We did this by elevating the breakout board which reduced the strain on the wires, leading to better connections. For anyone attempting a similar project to PAT, it is crucial to plan ahead. From the initial design to the final execution, every step should be carefully considered and planned out to avoid setbacks. Multiple times in our process we found if we had planned more thoughtfully, we could’ve spent less time debugging the system. Another piece of advice, double and even triple check your work. This can take the form of testing individual components before integrating them or even running a PCB design by a TA or instructor. These extra steps can save a lot of time and hassle. In the end, we learned that being adaptable and confident in your abilities, and you will have a greater chance of success

5 Lifts 

Artifacts

Name Description
Project Summary Includes a brief summary of the project, our design process and timeline, and lessons we learned working as a team.   Download
PAT Code This is a link to a GitHub repository containing the code that is flashed onto the microcontroller. We chose to include this link for anyone who wishes to follow in our steps and create their own PAT.   Link
Project Design Document This is the full design document for the project. Here we cover the system, individual blocks, and all of the verification steps necessary to get the PAT working. This is a large document but goes into a lot of detail on our project and our design process.   Download
Project Summary Video Our video describing the PAT and its functionality. We also discuss challenges we faced and give advice to those attempting similar projects.   Link
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