Toy circuitry at home?

Question

Hi everyone.

I've got a vague idea in my head that I want to implement, but I'm not sure if it would be possible for someone who knows nothing!

I want to make a toy (the curiosity sphere from Portal, if you're wondering) and make it to that when it gets bashed or hit or the like, it says the phrases it syas in the game...

But I have no knowledge of circuitry or electronics or the like. And the mere fact I have no clue is only spurring me on to learn about it, especially as I do best learning by doing.

Because I don't know anything about it, I don't really know what to search for (via google, Y! search etc) to find an instructional site aimed towards an absolute beginner like myself. Plus I need one that's actually worthwhile learning from.

I'm hoping that one of you lovely people will have a reccomendation for me, from your own personal experience. As I'd rather have someones review of a site.

Just as a quick side... am I being overly ambitious? lol.

Answer 1

Hi.

If you already have the voice chip but just have no way of switching it on, one possible way of making a circuit (creating a switching control to initiate the voice chip) is to buy a piezo-electric crystal from an electronics shop. The piezo crystal has two output wires and normally produces a high voltage, but very little current, when squeezed, or released suddenly after prolonged squeezing (the voltage is of opposite polarity depending on whether it is being squeezed or released).

Also buy two 5-volt Zener diodes and connect these across the piezo crystal wires with one of the Zeners connected in the opposite direction to the other. This will limit the maximum voltage out of the Piezo crystal, in either direction, to about 5 volts. To hold the energy from the crystal for a little longer, you can connect a capacitor (not an electrolytic type though) also in parallel with the zeners.

Connect these leads to the input terminals of a 5 volt logic switch (which will allow much higher currents to flow through its output terminals).

Use the 5 volt output from this logic switch to initiate the action of your voice chip.

Test the Piezo crystal by squeezing it between fingers or between the jaws of pliers (be gentle).

If this works, glue one side of the Piezo crystal to the inside of the control box and then glue a dense mass (e.g. a few pennies glued together) to the other side of the Piezo crystal.

When shaken, the inertia of the dense mass will alternately squeeze and release the Piezo crystal and the switch will make and break alternately too. Use this to trigger your voice chip.

You may need to experiment to find a way of returning the Piezo electric voltage to zero quickly (connect, at least a 1 Kilohm or greater value, resistor in parallel with the Zeners) or to have the 'on' time of your switch extended (say with a latching timer relay chip).

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi there. Welcome to the world of electronics. It's a fascinating hobby and I would suggest that you start by reading electronics hobby magazines and visiting your local Radio Shack or Maplins store. Buy a beginners 50 electronic projects kit and learn as you build the various projects.

For the curiosity sphere, the hardest part will be getting the sound bites that you need programmed into a ROM. Once that is sorted there are plenty of talking toys with parts that could be adapted for your project.

I wish you every success in your project. I got into electronics at age 9 and that was 52 years ago. The only thing that has changed is that the parts are smaller now!

BTW: Try Googling for hobby electronics.

Answer 3

I too started with electronics when I was 9 - that was 40 years ago so Michael B knows more than me probably.

First, you are being a bit overambitious. Sure, I have done something very similar using a programmable controller and voice chip, but I have that 40 extra years you don't...

Next, you still have hope. In Australia (and I would expect the UK) you can buy a kit based around a voice chip. Over here it is sold by Jaycar Electronics who are very reputable.

Next, in recent copies of Silicon Chip magazine there have been several circuis for voice chips. Get a November and Deember copy of SC if you can. I know SC is sold over there.

Finally, start buying electronics magazines. Wen I was a kid I bought Practical Electronics (and EE when it came out), both of which were superior magazines. I am not being parachial, but Practical Electronics has stagnated. It looks like it did 40 years ago. By comparison Silicon Chip has superior projects, schematics, explanations, PCB and front panel etchings (as downlods often) and support. I now buy PE less than once a year as they simply do not come close to competing with SC. Buy it and try it - you will learn a lot from reading and experimenting.

EDIT: I used the HK828 voice chip. You can program it directly with your own voice via microphone. As it has that sensitivity, you could get your soud bites in via computer too, but that isn't quite as straight forward as it sounds (a bit of messing around involved).

Answer 4

A circuit that is activated by touch is called a trigger cicuit.This could be your 1st search.
Yes, you are being overly ambitious!