My name is Tim, I am a Controls Engineer, I design/program develop automation and robotics for a living. I have been following you for only 4 months now but I've watched everything you've made thus far and have LOVED IT! I didn't go to school to learn Electrical Engineering I just picked up what I've learned on my own and through resources like you guys here at Element 14! What a phenomenal program. There are 2 parts to this e-mail. I have dozens of ideas for devices I'd like to build and but just don't have the raw basic knowledge of the mass plethora of components out there. I understand the electrical circuits and theories but the practical applications you can use many of the common IC's out there is where I'm lacking. Like for example, a while ago on a show you mentioned that you had limited I/O available through an Arduino Uno, so to expand your capacity you added a Bit Shift Register IC which expanded your available I/O and you mentioned that you could basically expand it even more by adding more BSR IC's..... HOW!? This is what I'd love to see. A show dedicated to common components used in the electronics design industry and some uses for them. This would expand my capabilities as a designer MUCH more.
Ok so my REAL challenge!
I am a father of 2 and 1 on the way. I've had this idea for years that I just haven't been able to realize and I'd love to challenge you to make it work!
Design and build a device which can be programmed to record and playback IR commands from remote control devices like a TV or cable Box. Then when called upon by pressing a kid friendly large button, playback those IR commands in order which will Turn On the TV and Cable Box, Change the Channel to a programmed one. I think it would be necessary to have a key or some sort of button which would be needed in order to record the IR signals from the remote controls and a handy display to be used for programming it. I don't think you've ever done a show that features the use of IR sensors, this would be a neat one I think many people would repeat.
The overall idea is to make a device which would allow a small child 2-5 to be able to turn on their tv and watch their shows without a parents help.
What do think?
-Tim Ryder
