LunzPi: Raspberry Pi Alarm Clock

Story:

Have you ever thought about something for TWO and a half years? I mean, there were some breaks in there. I had other things in life come up, career goals to focus on, and even moved states! But, from the first idea to the last bit of glue drying on this project... it's been on my mind. Some technological advances greatly helped me finish this project. It was really nice going from a Raspberry Pi B+ to the Pi 2 and enjoying the speed boost!

What started as a quick sketch to one of my coworkers became a two and a half year journey. I've learned a lot of new skills that I would not have pursued if it was not for this project like:

  • becoming a lot better at coding in python
  • problem solving
  • Creating CAD Designs
  • using a table saw and other woodworking tools for complex joinery
  • using a bench grinder
  • project management and prioritization


Objective:

Create an alarm clock which gets me out of bed as pleasantly as possible. LunzPi

Requirements:
Wake up to a Spotify playlist
This way, I can edit the playlist on my phone or computer anywhere in the world – not relying on FTPing local files and connections to the Pi
Set the alarm from a webpage
Screen is viewable from across the room
Ideally, I can use the bright LEDs as a sunrise alarm clock (gradually increasing brightness)

Enclosure 3D Model:

Bill of Materials:


Item     Qty   Per Unit Price Total Price
Total24$179.86
Medium 16x32 RGB LED matrix panel124.9524.95
5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply - UL Listed17.957.95
Premium Female/Female Jumper Wires - 40 x 6"13.953.95
Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block122
Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires - 40 x 6" (150mm)13.953.95
DS1307 Real Time Clock breakout board kit199
Raspberry Pi 2 - Model B - ARMv7 with 1G RAM139.9539.95
Panel Mount USB Cable - B Female to Micro-B Male13.953.95
Assembled Pi T-Cobbler Plus - GPIO Breakout for Raspberry Pi B+17.957.95
RJ45-Male-to-Female-Panel-Mount-Ethernet-LAN-Network-Extension-Cable-Excellent12.442.44
2.1mm female/male barrel jack extension cable - 1.5m / 5 ft11.951.95
Standalone 5-Pad Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakout - AT42QT107017.57.5
Adafruit Push-button Power Switch Breakout166
PIR (motion) sensor19.949.94
Photo cell (CdS photoresistor)10.950.95
DS18B20 Digital temperature sensor + extras13.953.95
Adafruit RGB Matrix HAT + RTC for Raspberry Pi - Mini Kit124.9524.95
HDMI male to Female AV audio panel screws mount cable 0.3m13.823.82
6 Inch 1/8" 3.5mm Stereo Audio Headphone Cable Extension Cord M to F MP3 Aux13.93.9
CR1220 12mm Diameter - 3V Lithium Coin Cell Battery - CR122010.950.95
Panel Mount 2.1mm DC barrel jack12.952.95
16mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton - Burgundy10.950.95
Half-size breadboard155
16mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton - Black10.950.95


“Hardware eventually fails. Software eventually works.”


Fusion 360 CAD Models:

Here are a few models created using AutoDesk Fusion 360