Hey yall,
I have a personal project i just started on the other day which is a combination analog+digital clock. I am building it as a Christmas present for my dad. Before I go further, let me describe my expertise. I am a relative beginner to circuit design. I am a rising senior in college in Systems Engineering (like industrial engineering, not computer related really). I have taken some electrical engineering classes about electronics where we had to build a few modules like a binary counter with 10-digit display, debouncer, etc. Basic stuff. I also understood circuitry in Physics II very well. Aside from that, I don't have a ton of circuitry experience, but I am very good at problem solving and am too stubborn to quit if it's "too hard". Basically, all I'm asking right now is for someone who has experience to advise me if my idea is feasible or not, and to direct me to the right path, where to get circuit parts, different circuit components to look into, etc. Also, every bit of help is very appreciated, as I know you are helping at free will.
Ok, so design is still in initial phases and I am in the process of creating a rough diagram on MS Visio. Basically I want an analog clock above, a line below it that says "IT'S HUSKERS TIME!" (We're Nebraska fans), and a digital clock below that. All numbers, font, and a giant N will be backlit with LED's. I plan to design the clock circuit myself, just to add some personality and flair to it and have a clear back to see the circuitry. Here is the rough draft on visio so far:
Basically anything that is not black (besides my guide lines) will be backlit. I will design a clock circuit regardless (not too hard).
Now for my main question. All numbers on the analog clock will have a base luminosity. I think it'd be cool that when the hour hand is on a number, it is lit up brighter than all the others. As the hour hand moves to the next number, the first number will slowly dim and the next number will slowly brighten. So lets say that all numbers are lit, but dim (say, 20%). If it's 2:00, the 2 will be very bright (say, 100%). If it's 2:30, the 2 and 3 will be brighter than the other numbers, but not at full brightness (60% or so). The brightness will always be 20% unless the current time is within an hour of that number.
Also, along the same idea, I will have 5 dashes between every number for a total of 60 (like normal clocks). When the second hand passes by these, it'd be cool for them to light up as well, very similar to how I described the hours above.
All in all, is this feasible or am I a little too ambitious? how complex will the circuitry get? will I have to get special circuits?
Thank you in advance.
I have a personal project i just started on the other day which is a combination analog+digital clock. I am building it as a Christmas present for my dad. Before I go further, let me describe my expertise. I am a relative beginner to circuit design. I am a rising senior in college in Systems Engineering (like industrial engineering, not computer related really). I have taken some electrical engineering classes about electronics where we had to build a few modules like a binary counter with 10-digit display, debouncer, etc. Basic stuff. I also understood circuitry in Physics II very well. Aside from that, I don't have a ton of circuitry experience, but I am very good at problem solving and am too stubborn to quit if it's "too hard". Basically, all I'm asking right now is for someone who has experience to advise me if my idea is feasible or not, and to direct me to the right path, where to get circuit parts, different circuit components to look into, etc. Also, every bit of help is very appreciated, as I know you are helping at free will.
Ok, so design is still in initial phases and I am in the process of creating a rough diagram on MS Visio. Basically I want an analog clock above, a line below it that says "IT'S HUSKERS TIME!" (We're Nebraska fans), and a digital clock below that. All numbers, font, and a giant N will be backlit with LED's. I plan to design the clock circuit myself, just to add some personality and flair to it and have a clear back to see the circuitry. Here is the rough draft on visio so far:
Basically anything that is not black (besides my guide lines) will be backlit. I will design a clock circuit regardless (not too hard).
Now for my main question. All numbers on the analog clock will have a base luminosity. I think it'd be cool that when the hour hand is on a number, it is lit up brighter than all the others. As the hour hand moves to the next number, the first number will slowly dim and the next number will slowly brighten. So lets say that all numbers are lit, but dim (say, 20%). If it's 2:00, the 2 will be very bright (say, 100%). If it's 2:30, the 2 and 3 will be brighter than the other numbers, but not at full brightness (60% or so). The brightness will always be 20% unless the current time is within an hour of that number.
Also, along the same idea, I will have 5 dashes between every number for a total of 60 (like normal clocks). When the second hand passes by these, it'd be cool for them to light up as well, very similar to how I described the hours above.
All in all, is this feasible or am I a little too ambitious? how complex will the circuitry get? will I have to get special circuits?
Thank you in advance.