building a sound level enforcer:
for a private club I built a sound level enforcer.
if the DJ is playing music too loud, the device will shut off the audio output.
for that I reversed a GM1351 sound level meter to extract the measurements from the LCD interface, send them over Bluetooth to the enforcer, which will cut the power to the main audio amplifier if a set threshold is exceeded for a couple a seconds.
building a defusing game:
For the bachelor party of a friend, I created a defusing game. Using the knowledge about his future wife, he was able to cut the right wires and disarm the bomb. This then turned on a torch which grilled a piece of meat, instead of injecting poison into it.
We will learn how to drive DC and stepper motors.
building a digital clapperboard:
Clapperboards are often used to synchronize audio and video recordings. I'm also using such a tool for the podcast, so I decided to make my own digital version of it. After all I only have to show the scene, take, video and audio recording numbers. This can easily be done using electronics instead of having to write everything down myself.
For that I used a DS1307-based RTC module using the I²C protocol, seven TM1637-based 7-segment 4-digit displays using an I²C incompatible protocol, two MAX7219-based 7-segment 8-digit displays using a SPI compatible protocol, a piezoelectric element, and a custom power control circuit. We will also see how these communication protocol work.