Project Showcase '14
Stateful questbox

A GPS powered box that makes you visit a few spots before opening

Description

It is similar to questbox, but it stores a small amount state of information in EEPROM, so you have to visit two or three different places before it opens.

Design

Needed hardware:


Arduino Uno
Reverse Geocache Version 2 (or a protoshield)
GlobalSat EM-406A GPS module
2×8 blue LCD with connector header and cable
Hitec HS-55 servo motor
4-40 push rod and clevis for latch (some versions provide a Z-bend rod instead)
2 AA battery holder
Metallic push button with embedded blue LED and 4-pin cable
Pololu low voltage switch
Pololu 5&nbsp;V boost regulator
JST connector for EM-406A GPS module
Straight and right-angle header pins for the display, servo, and pushbutton connectors
Two resistors for current limiting and display contrast adjustment
Two small capacitors for power smoothing
larger capacitor for display contrast circuit


Total hardware cost: 137$ + shipping

Aditional materials:


A nice box
Epoxy glue, wood to cover pieces, tools


You can find assembling instructions in sundial page (you can buy most materials from them)

I will upload stateful code and post a link here, unfortunately I wont get all need hardware on time, so this is just an idea :)

Code written so far:


Persistent state machine library


Inspiration:

Conclusion

Learned how to integrate many components and libraries all toghether, I'll have to travel a bit to test it :)

Budget can be cut quite a bit changing the concept a bit:


Change GPS with a numerical keypad: the 'player' has to guess/obtain a code instead of traveling to a location
Polulu switch and regulator can be exchanged for a latching relay with capacitance coupling