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Logic Gate Game
- Discuss original idea / episodes (use footage flashbacks)
- Talk about what we liked / didn’t like
- Why we believe it’s a good project
- Map out project goals / major design challenges
- Design drawing and sketches
- Decide major parts and begin sourcing:
- What part of original project do we actually need
- Single PCB design
- Board game ideas from Karen
- Gameification
- Update path - SD card? SD bootloader update file?
GOAL: Create product roadmap & design spec
2. CHOOSING A MICROCONTROLLER
- What does the system need to do?
- Speech? Video? Is there a display or just LED’s?
- Cheapest MCU that will get the job done.
- SD card access for puzzle / updates
- 3 banks of 8 bit I/O (use shift registers?)
- Do as much with MCU as possible - less external glue logic
- Experiment with several MCU’s, then order more of the one we like best
GOAL: Find the right MCU and order in samples
3. CHOOSING PLUGS & WIRING PROTOTYPE
- Figure out the cheapest way to make the plugs that won’t be total crap.
- Wire up plugs and test with kids who have small hands.
- Get feedback from this for later on.
- Wire up prototype with selected MCU and plugs.
GOAL: Have a basic idea of the working unit to drive PCB and case design.
4. PRODUCT CASING DESIGN
- Work on this before designing PCB, or at least start some ideas
- Will come back to this later as well, after PCB’s are made
- Does unit have batteries? Rechargeable? AA? What type?
- Where is this unit played? Who is target market?
- Do case mockups on laser, figure out what’s most appealing.
- Is there a lid or something that holds the wires?
- Make it reminiscent of old Radio Shack electronic learning kits.
GOAL: Have a basic mechanical design figured out that will drive how the PCB is designed.
5. PCB DESIGN
- Based off connectors, decide how small we could possibly build this project.
- Layout connectors, then MCU, then power/batteries.
- EAGLE tutorial, mostly a screencap episode.
- Start this one week, work on other aspects, come back to PCB later on.
- Send off for test PCB’s from China (takes 2-3 weeks) or a e14 prototype vendor in US.
GOAL: Have a working PCB that we can price and use for the prototype.
6. PROGRAMMING & PUZZLES
- Create a base operating environment for the game, state machine.
- Text file parser to read human-readable puzzles off SD card (first version was very crude and byte-locked)
- Adding speech and sound FX to the game, see what fits best.
GOAL: Have a working PCB that we can price and use for the prototype.
7. Refinement Stage
- Work on puzzles, make sure they’re achievable.
- Is it timer based, or more like Sudoku or Solitaire?
- Case design and art refinement
- Cost reduction analysis
- Product testing - maybe loan to a school?
GOAL: Have a working prototype that can be costed out for manufacturing consideration.