Plink-O-Rama

Dave Hoffman

Ben Breen

Presentation Outline

1. A Review of our Proposal− Compare / Contrast:

What did we set out to do? What have we done?

2. Technical Implementation− Core Modules; How they function.− Setbacks and Failures− Contingency Plans

Presentation Outline

3. Demonstration− Driving the Stepper Motor− Plink-O-Rama: Let’s Play a Game

4. Conclusion− Suggested Improvements − Acknowledgements− Question Period

A Review of our Proposal

Survey Says: Students Are Stressed

Short breaks between periods of reading are proven to create a more productive study period.

Students will often take study breaks regardless of the situation. By structuring these breaks, the student would be fully aware of passing time.

What could solve this issue?

Our Finished Product

Plink-O-Rama is an electronic game designed to:− provide amusement− reduce stress − and increase productivity.

Plink-O-Rama is Refreshing!

“This game would make a great studybreak”

- Brian Paquette

Technical Implementation

Technical Overview

I/O Computer

Basket LED’s

Sensor Circuitry

Stepper Motor

Score Displays

I/O Computer

Technical Overview

I/O Computer

Initial Design: PIC16C74B Microprocessor

Processor was to control:• Basket values. • Detect scores on the pins.• Display / keep track of scores.

I/O Computer

Setbacks: Processor damaged during

development.

Basis for Setback: Attributed to the PC power supply.

Adjustments Design changed to utilize Parallel Port

to replace function of microprocessor.

I/O Computer

I/O Computer

Adjustments:− I/O limitations require new

components.

− Additional Techniques required to reduce pin usage. Basket values controlled by external

logic gates. Current player indicator controlled by

74LS04 chip.

Technical Overview

Sensor Circuitry

Sensor Circuitry

Initial Design:

Small effective circuits using pull-up resistors designed to minimize noise on input lines to microprocessor.

Sensor Circuitry

Setbacks: Sensors incompatible with parallel

port.

Basis for Setback: Attributed to the PC power supply.

Adjustments Design changed to negative logic

based sensors effectively debounced.

Basket LED’s

Technical Overview

Basket LED’s

Initial Design:

Each basket controlled through the use of the microprocessor.

Setbacks: Number of pins available reduced in

switch to parallel port.

Basis for Setback: Attributed to the PC power supply.

Adjustments: Sensors are driven using external

logic to manipulate all bins based off a single bin.

Basket LED’s

Technical Overview

Score Displays

Score Displays

Initial Design:

Each display driven through a complex network of logic chips.

Score Displays

Completed Initial Design

Score Displays

Setbacks: Two separate units needed to be

placed on board. Space unavailable.

Basis for Setback: Difficult to debug, other methods of

driving displays found.

Score Displays

Adjustments: Employs the 74LS47, BCD to Seven

Segment Decoder IC.

Adjustments:

Score Displays

Stepper Motor

Technical Overview

Stepper Motor

Evolution of Motors:

Floppy Drive Motor

Spare PartsMotor

Digi-KeyMotor

Stepper Motor

Initial Design: Two bit counter used to drive logic

into a series of transistors that in turn drive the stepper motor.

Setbacks: Damaged transistors. Current requirements too high for

slightly damaged parallel port.

Basis for Setback: Did not order proper transistors. Attributed to the PC power supply.

Stepper Motor

Final Design: The ULN2003A, high current (500mA)

Darlington transistor array was used as the central component in driving a single stepper motor.

Stepper Motor

Demonstration

Demonstration

Stepper Motor

Demonstration

The Physical Components:

Demonstration

Plink-O-Rama: Features:

Two player board game. Turn-based. Each game goes to 15. Three levels of difficulty:

1st Level: Static Basket Values. 2nd Level: Basket Values change

each turn. 3rd Level: Chaos Mode.TM

Basket Values change randomly.

Winning Animations Winning Histories

Demonstration

Plink-O-Rama

Conclusion

Improvements to Prototype:

External Component Independence:− Integrated Central Processing Unit − Embedded Power Supply

Wiring / Eliminating Protoboards

Additional Software Features:− Multiple Game Modes− Implemented Pause after

long periods of play.

Conclusion

Acknowledgements:

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to:

- Frank Comeau- Jim Holmes- Carl Adams- St F.X. Machine Shop:

- Werner Schnepf- Steve MacDonald

Conclusion

Questions / Comments