First PCB for the Touch Toy

These are horrible names and they will change any way heres the first PCB layout. Its the simplest of the three but much more complicated than anything Ive done before. Its off for printing and assembling and hopefully will work when I get it back.

The other two layouts are almost done. Im simultaneously working on the look and feel. Will post sketches tomorrow.

Some more circuits..

Light Displays running lights that light up according to the position of the toy.

Finally , finally, finally got the microphone working. Thank you Victor!

Acceloro makes the lights blink

Sensory Cooking Toy

The circuits for the 3 main toys weren't working and were driving my crazy. So I took a break and worked on another toy concept Sensory cook- adding sensory feedback to play cooking; through the actions/ tasks involved: opening, pouring, stirring, shaking. 

I wanted the electronics to be as simple as possible, no IC chips just simple switches. The circuits below are DIY sensors and switches are easy to make and cost practically nothing. These can be used as simple switches or in a more complex programme can send a range of readings. 

I made a DIY Tilt switch with copper foil, a coin and a match box. Got the idea of using a coin from Spooky Projects DIY switches but I needed it to work with a tilt so I thought of using a mat

chbox and it worked.

This a Pressure/Force Sensor made from copper foil, sponge sheet and fusing fabric (buckrum). Its not as sensitive as it should be; also need to figure out how to increase the area of the sensor and main

tain sensitivity. 

DIY Pressure Sensor Instructable.

I also made a 4 way Tilt Sensor which can be used for sensing shaking and swiveling actions.

DIY Tilt Sensor Instructable.

 

Noiseeeeey

Bend the sensor and you get 5 notes but ofcourse its not as simple as the idea seemed. The sensor send stream of uneven readings that jump. I learnt how to smooth the readings which helped. But smoothing is directly proportionate to the delay in sound output, so I guess Ill have to figure out some compromise.

The potentiometers Input is mapped from 1 to 3 so it sends only 3 readings(notes) to the programme.

I made a Flex Sensor!

I made a DIY Flex Sensor which I found an Instructable for. Its not very accurate but does show a change in reading I'm going to find out if its possible to calibrate it and smoother more useful readings. Its pretty cool that it actually works. 

In the tutorial they use Non static black poly bag which i searched all over for but couldnt find. But it seems regular thickish black poly bag works ok enough.