Diary Alarm Project (AB3unit2project: Making With Microbits)

To create an app using the micro:bit that functions as an alarm system by combining visual LED patterns and sound. The micro:bit detects when the screen is up and will trigger both the LED programmed signals and alarm tones. If the micro:bit is not screen side up, it will remain inactive, and the display will have a happy face to indicate standby mode. This design solves the problem of providing protection to the owner of when the dairy is opened by providing a portable, low-powered alert system that is easy to use. The reset function allows the user to stop the alarm quickly after it is triggered.

Micro:bit

Diary

Program installed on Micro:bit

Laptop

Internet

The Program is for anyone who has a diary that they would like to protect the information that is stored in it. The purpose of the program is to alert the owner with an alarm when someone lifts the cover of the dairy. The microbit will sound off, and the LED will light up. The owner will be responsible for disabling the alarm by entering a button sequence on the Micro:bit.

Phillip

How can a Micro:bit be utilized in securing the protection of a diary from unauthorized access?

To create an app using the micro:bit that functions as an alarm system by combining visual LED patterns and sound. The micro:bit detects when the screen is up and will trigger both the LED programmed signals and alarm tones. If the micro:bit is not screen side up, it will remain inactive, and the display will have a happy face to indicate standby mode. This design solves the problem of providing protection to the owner of when the dairy is opened by providing a portable, low-powered alert system that is easy to use. The reset function allows the user to stop the alarm quickly after it is triggered.

1. Location of the Micro:bit (will be under the front cover)
2. Ideally: Should have a lock that is connected with the interface of the Micro:bit (won’t be included)
3. Buttons need to stop the alarm display and sound (ideally two or more buttons)

For this project, I developed an interactive alarm system program for my diary using the LED and sound components of the Micro:bit. This project was designed to respond to gestures and provide both visual outputs through the LED display and auditory feedback using pre-programmed musical tones. I decided to pursue this idea because it was provided as a recommended topic, and secondly, and most importantly, it is a real-world practical application of event-driven programming. In this programming, I explored the integration of control structures, loops, and input/output operations that were practical.

My design relies primarily on the micro:bit’s hardware; the project could easily be extended and enhanced to incorporate external materials and hardware such as radio communication modules or paired micro:bits to relay information. For example, one micro:bit could be programmed as a transmitter, signaling a second device placed across the room of the alarm having been triggered. Allowing the owner to have a larger radius of movement from the diary, but still can be notified of a breach if they are unable to visually see and hear the alarm. While I did not address this enhancement in my current version, this could be executed in a future iteration.

One aspect of my project that I am particularly proud of is the synchronization between the LED animation and the sound loop. I implemented a for loop that runs four cycles of both the alarm visual function and the Alarm_Sound function. These functions are executed sequentially without interrupting each other, requiring me to use the correct blocking playback mode for the tones. The most difficult part of this design process came when I attempted to manage the reset feature. Initially, when I pressed Button A+B to stop the alarm and LED from flashing, the sound would not stop. I resolved this by revisiting the blocks and selecting the Stop All Sounds, clear screen, and reset commands.

My program was not complete prior to the last class; therefore, feedback from peers was not provided.

If I used Python or JavaScript, I envision this taking much longer to create due to needing to type all the syntax explicitly. I would also have greater flexibility to tailor/customize the functionality of the Micro:bit. Such as incorporating light sensory, and sound as additional indicators for determining a breach in security.

Overall, this project deepened my understanding of algorithm design, debugging strategies, and the simplicity of using block language. It also allowed me to incorporate the flowchart pre-programming strategy for planning, testing, and executing the coding for this prototype.