Anti Sleep Inertia Reduction Alarm Clock

Do you have trouble waking up in the morning? Do you find yourself pressing snooze multiple times every morning? Sleep inertia is the reason you are having trouble waking up. Sleep inertia is the transitional state of reduced arousal, impaired cognitive and behavioral performance immediately upon awakening [1].

This intructable outlines how to create an alarm clock that will keep track of time, even if you turn it off and back on, wake you up based on the alarm time you configure, and keep you awake after the first alarm [2]. It does this by prompting you with a randomize code on its display, which you enter correctly to turn off the alarm. This should keep you up long enough to stay away and help reduce sleep inertia by using cognitive thinking to wake up to an alarm better than just a traditional alarm clock [3]. Use these instructions to create an everyday alarm clock that makes every day start off great.

Before you can build this alarm clock, a good amount of materials are needed. This alarm clock will cost around $100 to build [4].

Materials needed:

• Mega 2560 or another similar microcontroller: $20.99 [5]
• Included with Arduino: USB Type A to B
• 7-segment display and I2C backpack: $9.95 [6]
• STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable: $0.95 [18]
• LCD shield: $7.99 [7]
• Buzzer: $5.99 [8]
• 3x4 Matrix Keypad: $8.50 [9]
• Phone charging block: $5.99 [10]
• Pushbuttons: $4.99 [11]
• Breadboard Jumper Wires: $4.04 [12]
• Small Breadboard: $7.49 [13]
• Arduino DS-1307 Real-Time Module: $7.50 [14]
• Cardboard box with dimensions 18" X 16" X 18": $5.88 [15]
• Male to Female and Male to Male Jumper Wires: $2.69 [16]
• 22kohm Resistors: $4.99 [17]
• Headers: $0.90 [19]
• CR1220 12mm 3V Coin Battery: $0.95 [20]

TOTAL PRICE: $99.83

Tools needed:

• Hot Glue gun
• Box knife
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Soldering Iron
• Solder
• Pilers
• Flush Cutters
• Wire Cutters w/ AWG 22-28 Gage Size

NOTE: In this instructable, a pocket knife will be used instead of a boxcutter, however, any tool with a sharp edge that can cut cardboard may be used. Always be sure to follow safety when using any sharp tool. Sharp Object Safety

Once all the materials are gathered, the design process can begin. There are two main assemblies for this project, the main housing and the keypad housing. Both are constructed out of cardboard. When drawing on the big panels always set the ruler flush up against the cardboard side to ensure perpendicular edges. If the lines are not perpendicular, the construction of the box will be difficult. Once the ruler is in place, draw a line against the ruler to the appropriate dimension. Do this several times, following the CAD drawings for each part. Doing this will ensure parts that fit together properly.

Once the panels have been all drawn to the appropriate dimensions, take your knife and score on the lines that you have just drawn. Scoring is vital to ensure accurate cuts. Scoring the cardboard can be accomplished by cutting and puncturing the first layer of the cardboard since this type of cardboard is corrugated. Once the scoring has been finished, score again but with more pressure on the knife to score even deeper. Once the scoring has been completed, take the knife and slice straight into the cardboard, the knife should easily go straight through, then you will be able to cut along the lines and cut out all the panels.

When cutting the features, follow the same scoring and cutting process as cutting the panels in one of the previous steps except, cutting the feature in half and removing the material of the feature in two or more pieces in order to not compromise the structural integrity of the features.

Disclaimer: When using a knife always practice safety. These practices include always pointing a knife away from the user and others. Another practice includes maintaining a firm grip on the handle when scoring and cutting with the knife. Another practice includes maintaining constant pressure on the cardboard when cutting. Another practice also includes always closing the blade when not using the knife.

Now that the parts are cut, the housing of the alarm clock will be partially assembled. Use all of the pieces that were cut to build a 6"x6"x6" cube. Attach the pieces using hot glue. The 6"x6" will be the bottom, with not hole in the center is the bottom panel. Then glue in the following panels according the order being mentioned.

Glue the back panel first, this panel is the 6" X 5.75" panel with a single hole in the centered bottom of the panel. Ensure that the edges meet up and the panel sits on top of the base and flush with all the edges. Once the edges and placement has been identified, lift the panel up and apply a bead of hot glue on the edge of the panel and return the panel to its original placement. Once the hot glue has cooled, grab the 5.75" X 5.75" panel with no holes.

Ensure that the placement is exact and flush with all the edges, then apply hot glue to the two sides of the panels where there will be contact. Once the hot glue has been applied, put the panel back into its original placement. Once the glue has cooled, the 6" X 5.75" with the holes for the LCD screen and the 7 Segment can not be glued into place. Do likewise like the other panels ensuring its placement and then glue into place. After this step has been complete, do not glue any more panels in because the electronic components still need to be installed.

Now that the main housing is done, the keypad housing can be constructed. The base of the housing will be the 2"x2.18" piece. First, glue the two smaller triangles on the longer side of the base. Then glue the larger triangles onto the smaller triangles, so that the bottoms are 1/8" higher. After that, the base support should be glued onto the end of the triangles, near the bottom on both sides. Finally, the rail guards should be glued to cover the rest of the triangles length wise as shown in the pictures above.

The LCD will be used to display the alarm set, passcode when the alarm goes off, as well as the input digits from the keypad. For the LCD shield, typically it would be placed directly onto the Arduino, but for this project the shield will be connected by using jumper wires. Since we aren't doing that, only the required pins will be connected to the Arduino, which are D4-D7, E, RS, 5V+, and GND. The wiring combination shown in the pictures above is the color coded combination from the shield to the Arduino.

• Brown: RS - Digital 8
• Green: E - Digital 9
• Orange: D4 - Digital 4
• Purple: D5 - Digital 5
• Blue: D6 - Digital 6
• Yellow: D7 - Digital 7
• Red: 5V+
• White: GND

The combination of the pins will also coincide with the code to initalize the LCD.

LiquidCrystal(RS, E, D4, D5, D6, D7); = LiquidCrystal(8, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7);

The file provided is a test program that will print the text "Hello World" onto the display.

If an error occurs while compiling the project you might need to download the library for the LCD. To do so go to the "Sketch" tab and then to "Include Library." Once there, go to the top of the pop up to "Manage Libraries" and then type "LiquidCrystal" into the search bar. Then find the option made by Arduino and install that.

Note: If no text appears on the LCD after uploading the code to the Arduino then that likely means that the potentiometer (which controls the character lighting of the LCD) is all the way at its lowest value. To fix this, go get a small flat head screwdriver and spin the screw at the top left hand side of the LCD shield clockwise until you can see the text clearly.

In order to prepare the 7-segment display, the I2C backpack needs to be soldered onto the back of the display. Match the orientation of the seven segment to the silk screen on the I2C backpack. The decimal points of the 7 segment display should be on the bottom.

Once done soldering, snip off the excess leads of the 7 segment display with the flush cutters. Then connect the STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable to 4 pin JST socket on I2C backpack. The connection will then be wired to a the shelfed breadboard which will house the RTC as shown.

• Blue - SDA (RTC)
• Yellow - SCL (RTC)
• Red - 5V+ (breadboard)
• Black - GND (breadboard)

We will test out the 7-segment display with the RTC module in the next step!

Note: This step involves soldering, we recommend watching this Youtube video for how to solder incase you need help to learn how to solder.

Place the provided header pins into a second mini-breadboard as shown in the picture above. Place the Real Time Clock (RTC) DS1307 breakout board onto the header pins on the breadboard. Place a second set of header pins below the RTC breakout board to level out the board for soldering. Solder the header pins to the RTC breakout board. Insert the 3V (CR1220) battery into the battery holder on the RTC breakout board. The flat side of the battery should be facing upwards when inserting into battery holder.

Once the RTC breakout board is soldered, remove the RTC breakout board from the breadboard. Place two red breadboard jumper wires to connect the positive and ground busses to each other. Place the RTC breakout board on the bottom section of breadboard at column 1, row e. Connect 1 yellow male to male jumper wire to the column on the breadboard with the SCL pin of the RTC breakout board. Connect 1 blue male to male jumper wire to the column on the breadboard with the SDA pin of the RTC breakout board. Connect 1 breadboard jumper wire from the column of the VCC pin to the positive bus above the RTC. Connect 1 breadboard jumper wire from the column of the GND pin of the RTC breakout board to the GND bus of the breadboard above the RTC.

Wiring from the Mega2560 to the breadboard

• Blue - Communication Pin 20 - SDA
• Yellow - Communication Pin 21 - SCL
• Red: 5V+
• White: GND

A test program for the Real Time Clock module and displaying the time on the 7-segment display is provided to make sure that the RTC and 7-segment display is working properly. Download the sketch below and RTC will be initialized with your computers time and date. The time will be displayed on the 7-segment display in 24 Hour format.

The keypad will be used as the way to input the alarm clock code when the buzzer is going off. The LCD will display the randomly generated code and the keypad will be used to match the code. Use 8 female to male jumper wires to connect the keypad to pins 22-29. The rightmost pin on the keypad will go to pin 22 on the microcontroller.

• Green Wire 1 - Digital Pin 22
• Yellow Wire 1 - Digital Pin 23
• Orange Wire 1 - Digital Pin 24
• Red Wire 1 - Digital Pin 25
• Green Wire 2 - Digital Pin 26
• Yellow Wire 2 - Digital Pin 27
• Orange Wire 2 - Digital Pin 28
• Red Wire 2 - Digital Pin 29

A test program for the Keypad writing numbers/symbols to the LCD is provided to make sure that the keypad work correctly

The buzzer will be used as the alarm which will go off once the set alarm time matches the actual time from the RTC. The black wire will go into any GND port, (likely on the breadboard that is on the shelf,) while the red wire will go to Digital Port 30.

• Red Wire Output - Digital Pin 30
• Black Wire GND - GND

A test program is provided to test the buzzer at a 5kHz frequency. Changing the frequency will make the buzzer louder or quieter.

The 3 pushbuttons will be used to switch to the alarm set mode, increment the time of the hours and minutes, and setting/saving the time. The pushbuttons will be set up on a 5.5x8.2cm breadboard and will use multiple breadboard jumper wires, three 22kohm resistors, a 2 pin header for the power and GND, and a 3 pin header which will be for the output of the three pushbuttons. Each of these pip headers will need to bent using pilers so that the breadboard can attach to the side of the wall of the clock without any jumper wires getting bent.

The connections of the pushbuttons to the Arduino will be...

• Pushbutton 1: Alarm Set Mode - Digital Pin 10 (Yellow)
• Pushbutton 2: Increment Hr/Min - Digital Pin 11 (Blue)
• Pushbutton 3: Setting/Saving the Time - Digital Pin 12 (Orange)

A test program is provided to quickly test each of the buttons using the LCD Shield Display. The code will need to be altered for each test by changing the pushbutton that needs to be pressed. The comment in the program will help with any confusion.

This alarm clock requires a substantial amount of code. Fortunately, this code is available in this instructable. Copy the above code and copy it into Arduino IDE. Upload this code to the microcontroller.

Now that everything is ready to operate, the parts can be placed inside the housing.

For this part, a strip of 4.5" X 1" strip of cardboard will need to be cut for holding the LCD screen and shield into place. Once the cardboard strip has been cut apply hot glue on onside of the strip and attach to the panel with the LCD screen and shield in place. Apply pressure to the side until the hot glue has cooled. Once the hot glue has cooled, bend the cardboard around the LCD screen and shield and hot glue the other side of the strip into place. Once this step is complete, the LCD screen and shield should be firmly in place.

For integrating the Arduino into place, make sure the arduino's plastic base is connected to the arduino. Once the arduino's base is connected, align the arduino's Type A/B port with the hole for the Type A/B port which is in the panel opposite of the LCD screen and shield panel. Once the arduino Type A/B port has been aligned, remove the arduino from the plastic base while keeping the plastic base in place. Carefully lift up one side of the plastic base and apply hot glue right under it and firmly press the plastic base back into place. Once the hot glue has cooled, the arduino can be put back into place.

For mounting the bread board off to the side, cut a right triangle panel to the dimensions being 4.20" X 3.375" and then cut the hypotenuse accordingly, a drawing is given above for reference. Once this piece has been cut, apply hot glue and glue the shelf piece in the back right corner, the pictures above gives reference to this location. Ensure that the glue cools before finally applying a small dab of hot glue onto the shelf for applying the 7 Segment display.

For integrating the bread board onto the wall, cut a piece of cardboard with the dimensions of 4.25" X 1.5". Once the strip has been cut, bend the cardboard around the bread board to preform that the edges will touch the other side of the cardboard wall. Ensure that the wiring has been completed for the bread board before the cardboard is glued to hold the breadboard in place.

For mounting the 7 Segment display cut a strip of cardboard with the dimensions of 2.25" X 1". Ensure that the 7 Segment has been properly wired and prebend the cardboard likewise mentioned above, then the cardboard can be glued to hold the 7 Segment in place.

Now that all the parts are added, the housing can be completed. Before gluing the final wall panel into place, ensure that all previous steps have been completed. Make sure that all wires are properly connected and the wires for the keypad are connected and run through the the hole in the panel. Once all wiring has been checked, put the final panel into place, push the bottom of the panel a little further inward and apply a bead of hot glue that runs the length the of the bottom of the panel. With the bead laid, move the bottom of the panel over the hot glue to ensure a secure connection. Once the glue has cooled, apply a small bead of hot glue to both corners of the panel.

Once the last wall has been in place, the lid can now be installed. Ensure that the wires for the buzzer are connected before this step is completed. For this step a piece of 1.5" X 2.25" cardboard strip will need to be cut. Once the strip has been cut, peel back one of the layers so a paper layer remains. Once the paper strip of cardboard has been completed, ensure the top panel sits flush on the wall panel with no holes in it. Apply two dobs of hot glue on each panel and place the single layered cardboard strip into place, this piece will act like a hinge and will allow access to all the other electrical components.

Congratulations, your design is now finished. Plug the USB cord into a phone charging block that is connected to an outlet.

The steps to set the alarm are...

1. Press and hold down on the first pushbutton and let go, the LCD should then print "Set Hours"
2. Then, press the second pushbutton on the side and continue to press the button until it reaches the desired time value
3. Once at the desired value, press the third pushbutton to save the alarm hour value, the LCD should then print "Set Minutes"
4. Repeat the process of 2 and 3
5. Once the alarm minute value is saved, the LCD will then display the save alarm time.
6. Wait until the alarm time matches the actual real time
7. Once the alarm goes off, look at the LCD to see the randomly generated code
8. Use the Keypad to input the code, the numbers inputted will display onto the LCD right under the passcode
9. If the code is entered correctly, then the alarm buzzer will turn off and the LCD screen will display "Correct"
10. If the code is entered incorrectly, then the alarm buzzer will continue to go off and a new passcode will generate.

[1] K. Ogawa, E. Kaizuma-Ueyama, and M. Hayashi, “Effects of using a snooze alarm on sleep inertia after morning awakening,” J Physiol Anthropol, vol. 41, no. 1, p. 43, Dec. 2022, doi: 10.1186/s40101-022-00317-w. [Accessed: 23 Jan 2023].

[2] Administrator, “Digital Alarm Clock,” Electronics Hub, Sep. 03, 2015. https://www.electronicshub.org/digital-alarm-clock/ (accessed Feb. 10, 2023).

[3] A. Bergstrand and A. Haga Lööf, ‘S.A.C. : The Smart Alarm Clock’, Dissertation, 2019. [Accessed: 27 Jan 2023].

[4] D.Huston, “Project Description - Spring 2023 ECET 38001-001 LEC.” https://purdue.brightspace.com/d2l/le/content/704478/viewContent/11560738/View (accessed Feb. 17, 2023).

 [5] Elegoo Mega2560 https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-ATmega2560-ATMEGA16U2-Projects-Compliant/dp/B01H4ZLZLQ/ref=asc_df_B01H4ZLZLQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309743296044&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7344286772669137867&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016722&hvtargid=pla-490931309987&th=1 

[6] 7 Segment: 4 Digit https://www.adafruit.com/product/879 

[7] LCD Shield https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Expansion-Backlight-4-5-5-5V-Duemilanove/dp/B00OGYXN8C/ref=asc_df_B00OGYXN8C/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312146435658&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16231720363305532062&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016722&hvtargid=pla-570548211085&psc=1 

[8] 3 Piece Buzzer https://www.amazon.com/WEICHUANG-Active-Electronic-Buzzer-Continous/dp/B08SL2HH65/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1TJO67OUIHUGK&keywords=90+db+piezo+busser&qid=1682521897&sprefix=90+db+piezo+busser%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-6 

[9] Keypad https://www.adafruit.com/product/1824 

[10] USB Charging Block https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Adapter-Charging-iPhones-2-Pack/dp/B07T3S29VJ/ref=asc_df_B07T3S29VJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366281327988&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17304478175453450065&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016722&hvtargid=pla-819243962130&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=75766078309&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366281327988&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17304478175453450065&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016722&hvtargid=pla-819243962130 

[11] Buttons https://www.amazon.com/Momentary-Assortment-Pushbutton-Breadboard-Electronic/dp/B09R3KVC9S/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1MI6UM8GQ7ID0&keywords=PCB%2Bbutton&qid=1682524322&sprefix=pcb%2Bbutton%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-3&th=1 

[12] Wiring https://www.temu.com/subject/n9/googleshopping-landingpage-a-psurl.html?goods_id=601099515109351&_bg_fs=1&_p_rfs=1&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_ads_sub_channel=shopping&_x_login_type=Google&_x_vst_scene=adg&sku_id=17592206702183&_x_ns_sku_id=17592206702183&_x_gmc_account=647900107&_x_ads_account=5532219654&_x_ads_set=19979171654&_x_ads_id=149186212538&_x_ads_creative_id=655041372474&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=CjwKCAjwl6OiBhA2EiwAuUwWZc_nFvPOE7lPuh3G_UKmBVX22lZLXwrItLB25ykKKllHPT105uWYNBoCthEQAvD_BwE&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=17592206702183&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=CjgKCAjw9J2iBhAqEigAj83w5pFAeHXH0Tq8sD_7Tgyl5vVcy1HjbQCmTl4ZXC9utcY4oXLZGgLC1A&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICFhK4KF173-_W_Hce1VkMrGN&_x_ns_targetid=pla-373564961010&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6OiBhA2EiwAuUwWZc_nFvPOE7lPuh3G_UKmBVX22lZLXwrItLB25ykKKllHPT105uWYNBoCthEQAvD_BwE&adg_ctx=f-6b1c3cfb 

[13] Breadboard https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Solderless-Breadboard-Circuit-Prototyping/dp/B00LSG5BJK/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mini+breadboards&qid=1682520873&sr=8-6 

[14] Real Time Clock Breakout Module https://www.adafruit.com/product/3296 

[15] Cardboard https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pen-Gear-Recycled-Shipping-Boxes-Kraft-11-L-x-7-5-W-x-5-5-H-6-pack/2787425272?from=searchResults 

[16]Dupont Jumper Wires https://www.temu.com/subject/n9/googleshopping-landingpage-a-psurl.html?goods_id=601099513785860&_bg_fs=1&_p_rfs=1&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_ads_sub_channel=shopping&_x_login_type=Google&_x_vst_scene=adg&sku_id=17592198659486&_x_ns_sku_id=17592198659486&_x_gmc_account=647900107&_x_ads_account=5532219654&_x_ads_set=19979171654&_x_ads_id=149186212538&_x_ads_creative_id=655041372474&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=Cj0KCQjw3a2iBhCFARIsAD4jQB3Qs5jZypSLTrLBSpz_ocZgeyRjP_HpHVa_w_WZ8[17]Ke62JT3RLJV8WMaAluIEALw_wcB&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=17592198659486&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=CjoKCAjwuqiiBhB0EioAMp14Sfrd7MjDs_hS80uPyHsaCECWOZwqOP8eJ0KwsP6oKTP2gGK7dvAaAv-a&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICGbc50n-FHaJFc3Q7sINHPmR&_x_ns_targetid=pla-373564961010&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3a2iBhCFARIsAD4jQB3Qs5jZypSLTrLBSpz_ocZgeyRjP_HpHVa_w_WZ8Ke62JT3RLJV8WMaAluIEALw_wcB&adg_ctx=f-d35e932f 

[17] 22k ohm Resistors https://www.amazon.com/YOKIVE-Resistors-Tolerances-Electronic-1-77x0-09-Inch/dp/B0BNHVJM83/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=22k+ohm+resistor+1%2F4+watt&qid=1682589908&sprefix=22k+ohm+res%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-14 

[18] STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable https://www.adafruit.com/product/4209 

[19] Headers https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/sullins-connector-solutions/PRPC040SACN-RC/2776066?utm_adgroup=Rectangular%20Connectors%20-%20Headers%2C%20Male%20Pins&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Product_Connectors%2C%20Interconnects&utm_term=&utm_content=Rectangular%20Connectors%20-%20Headers%2C%20Male%20Pins&gclid=CjwKCAjwuqiiBhBtEiwATgvixB0jxz2NBTHJKbcLf6IkOlAjUFNF1cq5h-ow-ZXt26AGqigeIn8vHBoC7SUQAvD_BwE 

[20] 3V 12mm Coin Battery https://www.adafruit.com/product/380